Food Benefits Expected to Cease for 41 Million Throughout Ongoing Government Closure
USDA officials declared on Saturday that SNAP funds from a major federal support systems won't be issued in November because of the continuing government funding lapse.
Impasse Persists For Nearly Four Weeks
The funding lapse had reached its 25th day when the announcement was made, coming after demands from hundreds of Democratic representatives urging agriculture officials to utilize reserve accounts to fund the upcoming nutrition payments.
“Bottom line, the well has run dry,” the USDA stated. “At this time, there will be no benefits issued” beginning in November.
Millions Affected
More than 41 million individuals count on these food benefits, according to the USDA. Some regions, including one southwestern state, use of this assistance is as high as 21% of residents.
Internal communications seen by journalists indicated that the department would not access contingency funding to cover next month's assistance.
Legislative Deadlock
Lawmakers from both parties continue to disagree about the way to support and resume government operations.
Remarks from the head of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities noted that federal leadership could have acted to take earlier action to avoid interruption in payments.
“It could have, and should have taken steps before now to get ready to use these funds,” the comments added. “Rather, they might decide against it for potential political benefit” as conservative leaders work to push upper chamber Democrats to approve a spending bill to restart the federal government.
Local Responses
State leaders from two affected states declared states of emergency in recent days to free up resources for hunger relief in anticipation of food benefits expiring in November.
