SNAP Payments Expected to Cease for 41 Million During Continuing US Government Shutdown
Federal agriculture authorities announced this past weekend that SNAP funds through a critical national support systems are not going out during the coming month amid the persistent federal government shutdown.
Closure Continues For Nearly Four Weeks
The federal closure had reached three and a half weeks at the time of the statement, coming after calls from over 200 Congressional Democrats pushing agriculture officials to utilize contingency funds to fund next month's benefits.
“Ultimately, funds are depleted,” officials announced. “Currently, there will be no benefits issued” starting next month.
National Consequences
Tens of millions of people depend on these monthly payments, according to federal data. Various areas, including one southwestern state, reliance on the program reaches a significant portion of citizens.
Internal communications seen by Reuters revealed that USDA officials would not access reserve funds to cover next month's assistance.
Partisan Impasse
Lawmakers from both parties are still at odds over how to finance and restart the federal government.
Remarks from the leader of a prominent policy organization noted that federal leadership could have acted to prepare in advance to prevent benefits from running out.
“They had the ability and responsibility taken steps weeks ago to make arrangements to use these funds,” the statement continued. “Rather, officials could opt out to secure political leverage” while GOP lawmakers attempt to influence Democratic senators to support a spending bill to restart federal functions.
Local Responses
Governors in Louisiana and Virginia declared states of emergency in recent days to allocate funds for hunger relief expecting food benefits expiring next month.
