🔗 Share this article

The United States Department of Agriculture stated on Saturday that SNAP funds from a major federal support systems won't be issued next month amid the persistent federal government shutdown.

Impasse Persists For Nearly Four Weeks

The government shutdown had reached three and a half weeks at the time of the statement, which followed appeals by more than two hundred Congressional Democrats urging the USDA to utilize reserve accounts to pay for the upcoming nutrition payments.

“The reality is, resources are exhausted,” officials announced. “Now, there will be no benefits issued” starting next month.

Widespread Impact

Tens of millions of people depend on the regular assistance, as reported by the USDA. Some regions, like one southwestern state, dependence on the program affects one-fifth of the population.

Internal communications seen by Reuters indicated that the department decided against using reserve funds for November food benefits.

Partisan Impasse

Republicans and Democrats are still at odds about the way to fund and reopen the federal government.

A statement from the head of a prominent policy organization noted that the administration could have acted to prepare in advance to ensure continuous assistance.

“It could have, and should have acted earlier to get ready to access these resources,” the remarks concluded. “Rather, it may choose not to use them in an effort to gain political advantage” as Republicans seek to influence Democratic senators to approve a funding package that would resume the federal government.

Local Responses

Governors in Louisiana and Virginia declared states of emergency this week to make money available for hunger relief expecting nutrition assistance payments stopping during the upcoming period.