The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) said on Saturday that food benefits under one of the country’s biggest social assistance programs will not be issued in November amid the ongoing federal government shutdown.
Republicans and Democrats in Congress remain at an impasse over how to fund and reopen the federal government.
“At this time, there will be no benefits issued” 1 November.
More than 41 million depend on the monthly payments, according to the USDA.
According to a memo seen by Reuters, the department indicated that it would not draw on emergency reserves to fund food benefits in November.
In light of the ongoing federal government shutdown, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on Saturday that food benefits under one of the nation’s largest social assistance programs will not be provided in November.
At the time of the announcement, the shutdown was in its 25th day. On Friday, over 200 Democrats in the US House of Representatives demanded that USDA use its emergency reserves to finance food benefits in November.
How to finance and reopen the federal government is still a point of contention between Republicans and Democrats in Congress.
In a post on its website, USDA stated, “Bottom line, the well has run dry.”. “There will be no benefits issued at this time,” November 1.
The USDA estimates that over 41 million people rely on the payments each month. According to the report, up to 21% of people in some states, like New Mexico, are dependent on the program.
The department stated in a memo obtained by Reuters that it would not use emergency funds to pay for food assistance in November.
The head of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities said in a statement that the Trump administration had the chance to take action earlier to prevent benefits from running out.
According to Sharon Parrott’s statement, which The Hill reported, “it could have, and should have, taken steps weeks ago to be ready to use these funds.”. Republicans are trying to pressure Senate Democrats to support a spending bill that would reopen the federal government, so “instead, it may choose not to use them in an effort to gain political advantage.”.
In anticipation of Snap benefits not being paid out in November, governors in Louisiana and Virginia declared states of emergency this week to provide funding for hunger relief.
