SNAP Payments Expected to Cease for 41 Million Amid Ongoing Government Closure
The United States Department of Agriculture announced recently that nutrition assistance payments under one of the country’s largest welfare initiatives are not going out in November because of the continuing federal government shutdown.
Closure Continues Through Its Third Week
The funding lapse lasted three and a half weeks when the announcement was made, coming after calls from over 200 Democratic representatives pushing the USDA to utilize reserve accounts to cover the upcoming nutrition payments.
“The reality is, funds are depleted,” officials announced. “Now, no payments will be distributed” starting next month.
National Consequences
Over 40 million Americans rely on these monthly payments, per official statistics. In certain states, like New Mexico, dependence on this assistance affects a significant portion of citizens.
Documents reviewed by journalists revealed that federal authorities chose not to tap emergency reserves to cover next month's assistance.
Partisan Impasse
Republicans and Democrats remain deadlocked about the way to finance and restart government operations.
A statement from the leader of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities suggested that federal leadership could have acted to act sooner to ensure continuous assistance.
“They had the ability and responsibility acted before now to make arrangements to use these funds,” the statement continued. “Rather, it may choose not to use them for potential political benefit” while GOP lawmakers attempt to pressure Senate Democrats to approve legislation to restart the federal government.
States Prepare
State leaders from multiple regions issued emergency declarations in recent days to make money available to address food insecurity preparing for food benefits expiring next month.
