SNAP Payments Expected to End for Over 40 Million Throughout Prolonged Government Closure
USDA officials stated this past weekend that SNAP funds through a critical national social assistance programs won't be issued next month amid the persistent federal government shutdown.
Shutdown Extends For Nearly Four Weeks
The government shutdown had reached three and a half weeks at the time of the statement, which followed appeals by more than two hundred Democratic representatives pushing the USDA to tap into emergency reserves to pay for next month's benefits.
“Bottom line, resources are exhausted,” the department confirmed. “Now, assistance will not be provided” beginning in November.
National Consequences
Tens of millions of people depend on these food benefits, per the USDA. Some regions, including New Mexico, use of this assistance is as high as one-fifth of the population.
Documents reviewed by journalists revealed that the department decided against using emergency reserves for November food benefits.
Legislative Deadlock
Lawmakers from both parties continue to disagree over how to finance and restart federal agencies.
Remarks from the head of a prominent policy organization noted that federal leadership could have acted to act sooner to ensure continuous assistance.
“It could have, and should have taken steps weeks ago to make arrangements to use these funds,” the comments added. “Instead, it may choose not to use them for potential political benefit” as Republicans seek to push upper chamber Democrats to vote for a spending bill to restart federal functions.
Emergency Measures
Executives in multiple regions declared states of emergency recently to allocate funds to combat potential hunger in anticipation of SNAP benefits not being issued next month.