SNAP Payments Expected to End for Tens of Millions During Prolonged US Government Shutdown

The United States Department of Agriculture announced on Saturday that monthly food benefits through a critical national support systems are not going out in November because of the continuing federal government shutdown.

Shutdown Extends Into 25th Day

The government shutdown had reached nearly a month as officials revealed the news, coming after appeals by more than two hundred Democratic representatives pushing agriculture officials to utilize contingency funds to fund next month's benefits.

“The reality is, funds are depleted,” officials announced. “Currently, no payments will be distributed” on 1 November.

National Consequences

Over 40 million Americans count on the regular assistance, according to the USDA. Some regions, including one southwestern state, reliance on this assistance reaches a significant portion of citizens.

A memo obtained by journalists showed that USDA officials decided against using emergency reserves for November food benefits.

Political Stalemate

Republicans and Democrats are still at odds regarding how to support and resume government operations.

Remarks from the leader of a prominent policy organization suggested that the administration could have acted to act sooner to avoid interruption in payments.

“Officials were able and expected to made moves weeks ago to make arrangements to access these resources,” the remarks concluded. “Conversely, it may choose not to use them for potential political benefit” as conservative leaders work to push upper chamber Democrats to vote for a spending bill that would reopen federal functions.

Emergency Measures

State leaders from two affected states issued emergency declarations in recent days to free up resources to address food insecurity preparing for SNAP benefits not being issued during the upcoming period.