SNAP Payments Scheduled to Cease for Over 40 Million During Continuing Government Closure
The United States Department of Agriculture declared this past weekend that SNAP funds under one of the country’s largest support systems won't be issued in November because of the continuing federal government shutdown.
Closure Continues Through Its Third Week
The funding lapse had reached three and a half weeks when the announcement was made, which followed calls from over 200 Democratic representatives pushing agriculture officials to utilize contingency funds to pay for next month's benefits.
“Bottom line, the well has run dry,” the department confirmed. “Currently, no payments will be distributed” starting next month.
Millions Affected
More than 41 million individuals depend on these food benefits, per official statistics. Some regions, such as New Mexico, dependence on this assistance reaches one-fifth of the population.
A memo obtained by a major news agency revealed that USDA officials chose not to tap emergency reserves for November food benefits.
Legislative Deadlock
Republicans and Democrats remain deadlocked regarding how to finance and restart federal agencies.
A statement from the director at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities noted that the White House could have acted to take earlier action to ensure continuous assistance.
“Officials were able and expected to acted earlier to get ready to utilize available money,” the remarks concluded. “Rather, it may choose not to use them for potential political benefit” as Republicans seek to push upper chamber Democrats to support a spending bill that would reopen government operations.
States Prepare
Executives in multiple regions issued emergency declarations in recent days to free up resources to combat potential hunger preparing for SNAP benefits not being issued during the upcoming period.
