Food Benefits Expected to Cease for Over 40 Million Amid Continuing Government Closure
Federal agriculture authorities announced this past weekend that nutrition assistance payments from a major federal welfare initiatives won't be issued in November due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.
Shutdown Extends Into 25th Day
The funding lapse lasted nearly a month at the time of the statement, in response to demands from hundreds of Congressional Democrats asking agriculture officials to access emergency reserves to pay for the upcoming nutrition payments.
“Bottom line, resources are exhausted,” the department confirmed. “At this time, no payments will be distributed” on 1 November.
National Consequences
Tens of millions of people count on these monthly payments, per federal data. In certain states, like one southwestern state, use of the program affects one-fifth of the population.
A memo obtained by Reuters revealed that the department decided against using reserve funds for the upcoming payments.
Legislative Deadlock
Congressional leaders continue to disagree regarding how to finance and restart the federal government.
Remarks from the head of a budget research center suggested that federal leadership had opportunities to act sooner to prevent benefits from running out.
“It could have, and should have made moves weeks ago to be prepared to utilize available money,” the statement continued. “Conversely, it may choose not to use them in an effort to gain political advantage” as conservative leaders work to influence Democratic senators to vote for a funding package that would reopen the federal government.
Emergency Measures
State leaders from multiple regions issued emergency declarations recently to make money available to combat potential hunger expecting SNAP benefits not being issued next month.
