SNAP Payments Expected to End for 41 Million Amid Ongoing US Government Shutdown
The United States Department of Agriculture announced this past weekend that nutrition assistance payments through a critical national welfare initiatives are not going out in November due to the ongoing government funding lapse.
Closure Continues For Nearly Four Weeks
The government shutdown was in its 25th day as officials revealed the news, in response to calls from over 200 Democratic representatives asking the USDA to utilize reserve accounts to fund November's food assistance.
“The reality is, resources are exhausted,” officials announced. “Now, no payments will be distributed” starting next month.
Millions Affected
More than 41 million individuals depend on the regular assistance, according to federal data. Various areas, such as New Mexico, use of SNAP is as high as 21% of residents.
Internal communications seen by a major news agency showed that federal authorities would not access reserve funds for the upcoming payments.
Legislative Deadlock
Republicans and Democrats remain deadlocked about the way to support and resume the federal government.
Remarks from the director at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities suggested that federal leadership had opportunities to prepare in advance to avoid interruption in payments.
“Officials were able and expected to taken steps before now to make arrangements to use these funds,” the remarks concluded. “Rather, they might decide against it to secure political leverage” as conservative leaders work to influence Democratic senators to approve a funding package that would resume the federal government.
States Prepare
Governors in Louisiana and Virginia issued emergency declarations this week to make money available to combat potential hunger in anticipation of SNAP benefits not being issued during the upcoming period.
