SNAP Payments Set to Expire for 41 Million During Ongoing US Government Shutdown
The United States Department of Agriculture stated on Saturday that SNAP funds from a major federal support systems won't be issued next month due to the ongoing federal closure.
Impasse Persists Through Its Third Week
The federal closure had reached nearly a month when the announcement was made, coming after calls from over 200 House Democrats urging the department to access emergency reserves to pay for the upcoming nutrition payments.
“Bottom line, funds are depleted,” the department confirmed. “Currently, assistance will not be provided” on 1 November.
National Consequences
Over 40 million Americans depend on these food benefits, per official statistics. Various areas, including New Mexico, use of this assistance reaches one-fifth of the population.
Internal communications seen by a major news agency showed that federal authorities decided against using emergency reserves to cover next month's assistance.
Partisan Impasse
Republicans and Democrats continue to disagree over how to finance and restart federal agencies.
Comments by the head of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities noted that federal leadership could have acted to prepare in advance to avoid interruption in payments.
“It could have, and should have made moves earlier to be prepared to access these resources,” the comments added. “Rather, it may choose not to use them for potential political benefit” as Republicans seek to influence Democratic senators to support legislation that would resume the federal government.
Emergency Measures
Executives in Louisiana and Virginia issued emergency declarations this week to free up resources to address food insecurity expecting food benefits expiring during the upcoming period.
