Food Benefits Expected to Cease for 41 Million During Continuing Government Closure
The United States Department of Agriculture announced recently that SNAP funds through a critical national social assistance programs will not be distributed next month amid the persistent federal closure.
Closure Continues For Nearly Four Weeks
The federal closure was in three and a half weeks at the time of the statement, coming after demands from hundreds of House Democrats pushing agriculture officials to access emergency reserves to pay for next month's benefits.
“The reality is, the well has run dry,” the USDA stated. “Currently, assistance will not be provided” beginning in November.
National Consequences
More than 41 million individuals depend on these monthly payments, per the USDA. Some regions, including one southwestern state, use of SNAP affects a significant portion of citizens.
A memo obtained by Reuters revealed that the department decided against using contingency funding to cover next month's assistance.
Partisan Impasse
Lawmakers from both parties are still at odds regarding how to fund and reopen government operations.
Remarks from the director at a budget research center indicated that the administration could have acted to prepare in advance to avoid interruption in payments.
“Officials were able and expected to acted weeks ago to be prepared to utilize available money,” the remarks concluded. “Rather, it may choose not to use them to secure political leverage” while GOP lawmakers attempt to push upper chamber Democrats to support legislation to restart the federal government.
Emergency Measures
Governors in two affected states activated emergency protocols this week to free up resources to combat potential hunger expecting SNAP benefits not being issued during the upcoming period.
