Food Benefits Set to Cease for Over 40 Million During Continuing Government Closure
USDA officials announced recently that monthly food benefits from a major federal social assistance programs will not be distributed during the coming month due to the ongoing federal closure.
Impasse Persists For Nearly Four Weeks
The funding lapse had reached three and a half weeks when the announcement was made, coming after demands from hundreds of Congressional Democrats pushing the USDA to tap into emergency reserves to cover November's food assistance.
“The reality is, resources are exhausted,” officials announced. “Now, there will be no benefits issued” starting next month.
Widespread Impact
Over 40 million Americans depend on these food benefits, as reported by official statistics. Some regions, like New Mexico, dependence on SNAP reaches one-fifth of the population.
A memo obtained by journalists indicated that federal authorities would not access contingency funding to cover next month's assistance.
Political Stalemate
Republicans and Democrats continue to disagree over how to finance and restart the federal government.
Comments by the director at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities noted that federal leadership could have acted to take earlier action to avoid interruption in payments.
“Officials were able and expected to acted weeks ago to get ready to access these resources,” the comments added. “Instead, officials could opt out for potential political benefit” while GOP lawmakers attempt to push upper chamber Democrats to approve a spending bill to restart government operations.
Emergency Measures
State leaders from two affected states declared states of emergency in recent days to make money available for hunger relief in anticipation of SNAP benefits not being issued next month.
