SNAP Payments Set to Expire for Over 40 Million During Ongoing US Government Shutdown
The United States Department of Agriculture announced recently that SNAP funds through a critical national social assistance programs will not be distributed next month due to the ongoing federal closure.
Shutdown Extends Through Its Third Week
The funding lapse had reached its 25th day at the time of the statement, coming after appeals by more than two hundred House Democrats asking the department to access emergency reserves to pay for November's food assistance.
“The reality is, resources are exhausted,” officials announced. “At this time, there will be no benefits issued” beginning in November.
National Consequences
Tens of millions of people depend on the regular assistance, as reported by federal data. In certain states, like New Mexico, dependence on the program is as high as one-fifth of the population.
Internal communications seen by Reuters indicated that federal authorities would not access contingency funding for the upcoming payments.
Partisan Impasse
Republicans and Democrats remain deadlocked about the way to fund and reopen the federal government.
Comments by the head of a budget research center indicated that the administration could have acted to take earlier action to ensure continuous assistance.
“They had the ability and responsibility acted earlier to be prepared to utilize available money,” the comments added. “Instead, it may choose not to use them to secure political leverage” as conservative leaders work to push upper chamber Democrats to approve legislation to restart government operations.
Emergency Measures
State leaders from Louisiana and Virginia issued emergency declarations this week to allocate funds for hunger relief in anticipation of food benefits expiring during the upcoming period.
