Food Benefits Set to End for Over 40 Million Throughout Continuing Government Closure
The United States Department of Agriculture stated on Saturday that monthly food benefits through a critical national support systems are not going out next month due to the ongoing federal closure.
Shutdown Extends Through Its Third Week
The federal closure had reached its 25th day when the announcement was made, in response to demands from hundreds of Congressional Democrats asking the USDA to access reserve accounts to pay for next month's benefits.
“The reality is, the well has run dry,” the department confirmed. “Currently, no payments will be distributed” on 1 November.
Millions Affected
More than 41 million individuals depend on these monthly payments, as reported by official statistics. Some regions, like one southwestern state, use of this assistance reaches a significant portion of citizens.
Internal communications seen by Reuters indicated that federal authorities would not access emergency reserves to cover next month's assistance.
Political Stalemate
Congressional leaders continue to disagree about the way to finance and restart federal agencies.
A statement from the director at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities indicated that the administration could have acted to prepare in advance to avoid interruption in payments.
“They had the ability and responsibility made moves weeks ago to make arrangements to access these resources,” the statement continued. “Instead, officials could opt out for potential political benefit” as Republicans seek to pressure Senate Democrats to support a funding package to restart federal functions.
States Prepare
State leaders from Louisiana and Virginia activated emergency protocols recently to make money available to address food insecurity in anticipation of SNAP benefits not being issued during the upcoming period.
