Nutrition Assistance Set to Cease for Tens of Millions During Prolonged Federal Shutdown
Federal agriculture authorities declared on Saturday that monthly food benefits from a major federal welfare initiatives will not be distributed during the coming month amid the persistent federal closure.
Closure Continues Into 25th Day
The federal closure had reached nearly a month when the announcement was made, in response to demands from hundreds of Congressional Democrats pushing the department to tap into contingency funds to cover November's food assistance.
“Bottom line, the well has run dry,” the department confirmed. “At this time, no payments will be distributed” beginning in November.
National Consequences
Tens of millions of people depend on the regular assistance, per federal data. In certain states, like New Mexico, reliance on the program reaches 21% of residents.
Internal communications seen by Reuters indicated that USDA officials decided against using emergency reserves to cover next month's assistance.
Legislative Deadlock
Lawmakers from both parties are still at odds over how to fund and reopen government operations.
A statement from the director at a prominent policy organization suggested that the White House could have acted to take earlier action to prevent benefits from running out.
“Officials were able and expected to acted earlier to make arrangements to use these funds,” the remarks concluded. “Conversely, it may choose not to use them to secure political leverage” as conservative leaders work to push upper chamber Democrats to approve legislation to restart the federal government.
Emergency Measures
State leaders from Louisiana and Virginia activated emergency protocols this week to make money available for hunger relief preparing for SNAP benefits not being issued during the upcoming period.
