🔗 Share this article Food Benefits Scheduled to End for Tens of Millions Amid Continuing Government Closure The United States Department of Agriculture announced on Saturday that SNAP funds from a major federal social assistance programs will not be distributed during the coming month amid the persistent federal government shutdown. Shutdown Extends Through Its Third Week The government shutdown lasted nearly a month at the time of the statement, which followed demands from hundreds of House Democrats pushing agriculture officials to tap into contingency funds to fund the upcoming nutrition payments. “The reality is, resources are exhausted,” officials announced. “Currently, there will be no benefits issued” beginning in November. National Consequences Over 40 million Americans count on these monthly payments, as reported by the USDA. In certain states, including one southwestern state, reliance on SNAP is as high as a significant portion of citizens. Internal communications seen by a major news agency indicated that the department decided against using contingency funding to cover next month's assistance. Partisan Impasse Republicans and Democrats are still at odds over how to finance and restart federal agencies. Comments by the leader of a prominent policy organization suggested that the White House could have acted to prepare in advance to avoid interruption in payments. “It could have, and should have made moves weeks ago to make arrangements to use these funds,” the remarks concluded. “Rather, officials could opt out in an effort to gain political advantage” as conservative leaders work to pressure Senate Democrats to approve legislation to restart government operations. Local Responses Executives in Louisiana and Virginia activated emergency protocols this week to free up resources to combat potential hunger expecting nutrition assistance payments stopping in November.