Nutrition Assistance Set to Expire for Over 40 Million Amid Continuing Government Closure
USDA officials declared recently that SNAP funds through a critical national social assistance programs are not going out during the coming month because of the continuing government funding lapse.
Closure Continues Into 25th Day
The funding lapse was in nearly a month as officials revealed the news, coming after calls from over 200 Democratic representatives urging the USDA to tap into contingency funds to pay for next month's benefits.
“Ultimately, resources are exhausted,” officials announced. “At this time, assistance will not be provided” starting next month.
National Consequences
Over 40 million Americans count on these food benefits, according to official statistics. In certain states, including one southwestern state, use of SNAP is as high as 21% of residents.
Internal communications seen by journalists showed that USDA officials would not access contingency funding for the upcoming payments.
Partisan Impasse
Lawmakers from both parties remain deadlocked over how to fund and reopen government operations.
Comments by the head of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities suggested that federal leadership had opportunities to prepare in advance to avoid interruption in payments.
“It could have, and should have made moves earlier to get ready to utilize available money,” the statement continued. “Rather, they might decide against it to secure political leverage” as conservative leaders work to influence Democratic senators to support a funding package to restart the federal government.
Emergency Measures
Executives in two affected states declared states of emergency in recent days to allocate funds to combat potential hunger preparing for SNAP benefits not being issued next month.
