SNAP Payments Set to Expire for Tens of Millions Amid Ongoing Federal Shutdown
The United States Department of Agriculture declared on Saturday that monthly food benefits from a major federal welfare initiatives are not going out next month due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.
Closure Continues For Nearly Four Weeks
The federal closure was in nearly a month as officials revealed the news, in response to calls from over 200 Democratic representatives urging the department to access reserve accounts to cover next month's benefits.
“The reality is, the well has run dry,” officials announced. “Now, no payments will be distributed” on 1 November.
National Consequences
Over 40 million Americans depend on these food benefits, as reported by the USDA. Various areas, including New Mexico, dependence on SNAP is as high as one-fifth of the population.
A memo obtained by journalists showed that USDA officials decided against using contingency funding for November food benefits.
Political Stalemate
Lawmakers from both parties are still at odds regarding how to finance and restart federal agencies.
Comments by the head of a prominent policy organization noted that federal leadership could have acted to take earlier action to prevent benefits from running out.
“It could have, and should have made moves weeks ago to be prepared to utilize available money,” the statement continued. “Conversely, officials could opt out to secure political leverage” as Republicans seek to pressure Senate Democrats to support a spending bill that would resume federal functions.
Local Responses
Executives in multiple regions issued emergency declarations recently to free up resources for hunger relief expecting food benefits expiring during the upcoming period.
