Food Benefits Expected to End for Tens of Millions Amid Ongoing Federal Shutdown
The United States Department of Agriculture announced recently that nutrition assistance payments under one of the country’s largest social assistance programs won't be issued next month amid the persistent federal closure.
Impasse Persists Into 25th Day
The funding lapse had reached nearly a month when the announcement was made, coming after appeals by more than two hundred Congressional Democrats urging the USDA to access emergency reserves to cover November's food assistance.
“Bottom line, the well has run dry,” the department confirmed. “At this time, assistance will not be provided” beginning in November.
National Consequences
Tens of millions of people rely on these monthly payments, per federal data. Some regions, such as New Mexico, reliance on SNAP reaches one-fifth of the population.
Internal communications seen by journalists revealed that USDA officials chose not to tap contingency funding for November food benefits.
Partisan Impasse
Congressional leaders are still at odds regarding how to finance and restart federal agencies.
A statement from the director at a prominent policy organization noted that federal leadership had chances to act sooner to prevent benefits from running out.
“It could have, and should have acted before now to get ready to access these resources,” the comments added. “Rather, it may choose not to use them in an effort to gain political advantage” as conservative leaders work to pressure Senate Democrats to approve a funding package that would resume federal functions.
Emergency Measures
State leaders from two affected states activated emergency protocols in recent days to free up resources to address food insecurity in anticipation of SNAP benefits not being issued during the upcoming period.
