Nutrition Assistance Scheduled to End for 41 Million During Ongoing Federal Shutdown
The United States Department of Agriculture announced recently that monthly food benefits through a critical national social assistance programs won't be issued next month because of the continuing government funding lapse.
Shutdown Extends Into 25th Day
The government shutdown lasted three and a half weeks as officials revealed the news, coming after calls from over 200 Democratic representatives urging the department to access contingency funds to fund next month's benefits.
“Bottom line, resources are exhausted,” the USDA stated. “Currently, no payments will be distributed” beginning in November.
National Consequences
Tens of millions of people rely on these monthly payments, as reported by the USDA. Some regions, such as one southwestern state, dependence on SNAP reaches a significant portion of citizens.
A memo obtained by a major news agency indicated that the department chose not to tap contingency funding for the upcoming payments.
Partisan Impasse
Lawmakers from both parties remain deadlocked regarding how to finance and restart the federal government.
A statement from the head of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities noted that the administration could have acted to take earlier action to prevent benefits from running out.
“Officials were able and expected to made moves weeks ago to be prepared to utilize available money,” the remarks concluded. “Instead, officials could opt out in an effort to gain political advantage” as conservative leaders work to pressure Senate Democrats to approve legislation that would resume government operations.
States Prepare
State leaders from two affected states declared states of emergency this week to make money available for hunger relief in anticipation of nutrition assistance payments stopping next month.
