Nutrition Assistance Expected to Expire for Over 40 Million During Continuing US Government Shutdown
Federal agriculture authorities declared recently that SNAP funds under one of the country’s largest support systems are not going out during the coming month due to the ongoing government funding lapse.
Closure Continues Into 25th Day
The government shutdown was in its 25th day when the announcement was made, in response to calls from over 200 House Democrats urging the USDA to utilize reserve accounts to cover next month's benefits.
“Bottom line, resources are exhausted,” officials announced. “Currently, no payments will be distributed” starting next month.
National Consequences
Tens of millions of people rely on these food benefits, according to official statistics. Some regions, like New Mexico, reliance on this assistance is as high as one-fifth of the population.
Documents reviewed by Reuters indicated that the department would not access contingency funding to cover next month's assistance.
Partisan Impasse
Congressional leaders remain deadlocked over how to finance and restart the federal government.
Remarks from the head of a budget research center suggested that federal leadership could have acted to prepare in advance to prevent benefits from running out.
“Officials were able and expected to taken steps weeks ago to get ready to utilize available money,” the comments added. “Conversely, it may choose not to use them for potential political benefit” as Republicans seek to influence Democratic senators to vote for a funding package to restart government operations.
States Prepare
Executives in Louisiana and Virginia activated emergency protocols this week to allocate funds to combat potential hunger preparing for food benefits expiring next month.
