Food Benefits Scheduled to Cease for Tens of Millions Throughout Ongoing Government Closure
USDA officials declared on Saturday that nutrition assistance payments under one of the country’s largest support systems will not be distributed in November due to the ongoing federal closure.
Closure Continues For Nearly Four Weeks
The federal closure had reached nearly a month at the time of the statement, coming after demands from hundreds of Democratic representatives pushing the department to utilize emergency reserves to pay for November's food assistance.
“The reality is, resources are exhausted,” officials announced. “At this time, there will be no benefits issued” starting next month.
Millions Affected
Tens of millions of people depend on the regular assistance, according to official statistics. In certain states, like one southwestern state, use of the program is as high as 21% of residents.
A memo obtained by a major news agency showed that USDA officials would not access contingency funding to cover next month's assistance.
Legislative Deadlock
Lawmakers from both parties are still at odds over how to finance and restart the federal government.
Comments by the director at a prominent policy organization indicated that the White House could have acted to take earlier action to prevent benefits from running out.
“They had the ability and responsibility taken steps earlier to be prepared to utilize available money,” the remarks concluded. “Instead, they might decide against it in an effort to gain political advantage” as conservative leaders work to pressure Senate Democrats to approve legislation that would resume federal functions.
Emergency Measures
State leaders from Louisiana and Virginia activated emergency protocols in recent days to make money available for hunger relief in anticipation of SNAP benefits not being issued next month.
