SNAP Payments Expected to End for Tens of Millions During Prolonged Federal Shutdown
The United States Department of Agriculture announced recently that nutrition assistance payments from a major federal welfare initiatives will not be distributed next month because of the continuing federal closure.
Shutdown Extends Through Its Third Week
The government shutdown was in nearly a month as officials revealed the news, in response to appeals by more than two hundred Democratic representatives pushing the USDA to utilize reserve accounts to fund the upcoming nutrition payments.
“Bottom line, resources are exhausted,” the department confirmed. “Now, no payments will be distributed” starting next month.
Millions Affected
Over 40 million Americans depend on the regular assistance, as reported by federal data. Some regions, including one southwestern state, reliance on this assistance is as high as a significant portion of citizens.
Internal communications seen by Reuters indicated that USDA officials decided against using reserve funds for the upcoming payments.
Partisan Impasse
Lawmakers from both parties remain deadlocked about the way to support and resume government operations.
Comments by the head of a budget research center noted that the White House had opportunities to take earlier action to prevent benefits from running out.
“Officials were able and expected to acted weeks ago to make arrangements to access these resources,” the remarks concluded. “Instead, officials could opt out in an effort to gain political advantage” while GOP lawmakers attempt to pressure Senate Democrats to support a spending bill that would reopen government operations.
Local Responses
State leaders from multiple regions issued emergency declarations in recent days to free up resources to address food insecurity expecting SNAP benefits not being issued during the upcoming period.
