SNAP Payments Expected to End for Tens of Millions Amid Ongoing US Government Shutdown
USDA officials announced recently that nutrition assistance payments through a critical national social assistance programs won't be issued during the coming month due to the ongoing government funding lapse.
Impasse Persists For Nearly Four Weeks
The funding lapse lasted three and a half weeks as officials revealed the news, which followed demands from hundreds of House Democrats asking the USDA to access reserve accounts to pay for November's food assistance.
“Bottom line, funds are depleted,” the department confirmed. “Currently, assistance will not be provided” on 1 November.
National Consequences
Over 40 million Americans rely on the regular assistance, per the USDA. Some regions, like New Mexico, dependence on the program affects one-fifth of the population.
Documents reviewed by a major news agency indicated that federal authorities would not access emergency reserves for the upcoming payments.
Legislative Deadlock
Republicans and Democrats continue to disagree over how to finance and restart government operations.
Comments by the leader of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities indicated that the administration could have acted to prepare in advance to ensure continuous assistance.
“They had the ability and responsibility acted earlier to be prepared to access these resources,” the statement continued. “Conversely, they might decide against it to secure political leverage” as Republicans seek to pressure Senate Democrats to approve a spending bill to restart the federal government.
Emergency Measures
Governors in two affected states declared states of emergency recently to make money available to address food insecurity preparing for nutrition assistance payments stopping in November.
