SNAP Payments Expected to End for Over 40 Million Throughout Continuing US Government Shutdown
Federal agriculture authorities declared on Saturday that SNAP funds from a major federal welfare initiatives are not going out during the coming month due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.
Impasse Persists Into 25th Day
The government shutdown was in its 25th day when the announcement was made, coming after demands from hundreds of Congressional Democrats pushing agriculture officials to access emergency reserves to fund November's food assistance.
“Bottom line, the well has run dry,” the USDA stated. “At this time, assistance will not be provided” starting next month.
Widespread Impact
More than 41 million individuals rely on these food benefits, as reported by the USDA. Some regions, like one southwestern state, reliance on SNAP is as high as a significant portion of citizens.
Internal communications seen by a major news agency showed that USDA officials chose not to tap emergency reserves for the upcoming payments.
Political Stalemate
Republicans and Democrats continue to disagree regarding how to fund and reopen the federal government.
A statement from the head of a prominent policy organization suggested that the administration could have acted to take earlier action to avoid interruption in payments.
“Officials were able and expected to acted weeks ago to get ready to access these resources,” the statement continued. “Conversely, it may choose not to use them in an effort to gain political advantage” as Republicans seek to pressure Senate Democrats to vote for a funding package that would resume the federal government.
Emergency Measures
State leaders from Louisiana and Virginia issued emergency declarations in recent days to make money available for hunger relief expecting SNAP benefits not being issued next month.
