SNAP Payments Expected to Cease for Tens of Millions Throughout Ongoing Federal Shutdown
Federal agriculture authorities declared this past weekend that monthly food benefits from a major federal support systems won't be issued during the coming month because of the continuing government funding lapse.
Shutdown Extends Through Its Third Week
The funding lapse had reached three and a half weeks when the announcement was made, in response to calls from over 200 Congressional Democrats urging agriculture officials to tap into contingency funds to pay for November's food assistance.
“The reality is, resources are exhausted,” the department confirmed. “Now, there will be no benefits issued” beginning in November.
National Consequences
Over 40 million Americans depend on the regular assistance, per federal data. Some regions, including New Mexico, reliance on this assistance reaches a significant portion of citizens.
Internal communications seen by a major news agency showed that the department would not access emergency reserves for the upcoming payments.
Legislative Deadlock
Congressional leaders remain deadlocked over how to finance and restart the federal government.
Comments by the head of a prominent policy organization suggested that the White House had chances to act sooner to prevent benefits from running out.
“They had the ability and responsibility taken steps before now to make arrangements to access these resources,” the statement continued. “Conversely, officials could opt out for potential political benefit” while GOP lawmakers attempt to influence Democratic senators to support a spending bill to restart the federal government.
Emergency Measures
State leaders from Louisiana and Virginia declared states of emergency in recent days to allocate funds for hunger relief in anticipation of nutrition assistance payments stopping next month.
