Food Benefits Scheduled to Cease for 41 Million Amid Continuing Federal Shutdown
USDA officials announced on Saturday that nutrition assistance payments from a major federal social assistance programs won't be issued during the coming month because of the continuing federal closure.
Impasse Persists For Nearly Four Weeks
The funding lapse was in nearly a month at the time of the statement, in response to appeals by more than two hundred Congressional Democrats asking the USDA to utilize reserve accounts to fund the upcoming nutrition payments.
“Bottom line, the well has run dry,” the department confirmed. “At this time, no payments will be distributed” starting next month.
National Consequences
More than 41 million individuals rely on these food benefits, according to the USDA. Some regions, such as New Mexico, dependence on SNAP reaches one-fifth of the population.
A memo obtained by journalists showed that federal authorities chose not to tap reserve funds for the upcoming payments.
Legislative Deadlock
Lawmakers from both parties are still at odds over how to fund and reopen the federal government.
Comments by the head of a budget research center indicated that federal leadership had chances to act sooner to ensure continuous assistance.
“Officials were able and expected to made moves earlier to be prepared to utilize available money,” the comments added. “Rather, it may choose not to use them to secure political leverage” while GOP lawmakers attempt to push upper chamber Democrats to support a spending bill to restart the federal government.
States Prepare
State leaders from two affected states issued emergency declarations in recent days to make money available to address food insecurity expecting SNAP benefits not being issued in November.
