Food Benefits Set to Expire for Tens of Millions During Ongoing Government Closure
The United States Department of Agriculture announced this past weekend that nutrition assistance payments from a major federal support systems will not be distributed in November due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.
Impasse Persists For Nearly Four Weeks
The government shutdown was in its 25th day as officials revealed the news, coming after demands from hundreds of House Democrats pushing agriculture officials to utilize reserve accounts to pay for November's food assistance.
“Bottom line, the well has run dry,” officials announced. “At this time, assistance will not be provided” starting next month.
National Consequences
Tens of millions of people count on the regular assistance, as reported by official statistics. Various areas, such as New Mexico, use of the program reaches a significant portion of citizens.
Internal communications seen by a major news agency revealed that the department would not access emergency reserves for the upcoming payments.
Political Stalemate
Congressional leaders continue to disagree regarding how to support and resume federal agencies.
A statement from the leader of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities suggested that federal leadership had chances to act sooner to avoid interruption in payments.
“They had the ability and responsibility made moves before now to get ready to utilize available money,” the remarks concluded. “Conversely, officials could opt out for potential political benefit” while GOP lawmakers attempt to influence Democratic senators to approve a funding package to restart government operations.
States Prepare
Governors in Louisiana and Virginia issued emergency declarations recently to free up resources to combat potential hunger preparing for SNAP benefits not being issued in November.
