Food Benefits Scheduled to End for Over 40 Million Throughout Ongoing US Government Shutdown
The United States Department of Agriculture declared this past weekend that monthly food benefits under one of the country’s largest social assistance programs are not going out during the coming month amid the persistent federal government shutdown.
Shutdown Extends Into 25th Day
The funding lapse lasted three and a half weeks as officials revealed the news, in response to appeals by more than two hundred House Democrats urging the department to tap into contingency funds to cover next month's benefits.
“Bottom line, resources are exhausted,” the USDA stated. “Now, assistance will not be provided” on 1 November.
National Consequences
Over 40 million Americans count on these food benefits, as reported by the USDA. Some regions, including one southwestern state, dependence on this assistance is as high as a significant portion of citizens.
Internal communications seen by a major news agency showed that USDA officials chose not to tap contingency funding for the upcoming payments.
Partisan Impasse
Congressional leaders are still at odds over how to finance and restart government operations.
Remarks from the director at a prominent policy organization indicated that the administration had opportunities to prepare in advance to prevent benefits from running out.
“It could have, and should have acted weeks ago to make arrangements to access these resources,” the statement continued. “Rather, it may choose not to use them for potential political benefit” as Republicans seek to push upper chamber Democrats to approve legislation that would reopen government operations.
Local Responses
Executives in two affected states declared states of emergency this week to make money available for hunger relief expecting nutrition assistance payments stopping next month.
