🔗 Share this article

USDA officials stated this past weekend that monthly food benefits through a critical national support systems won't be issued during the coming month because of the continuing federal government shutdown.

Closure Continues Into 25th Day

The funding lapse had reached nearly a month when the announcement was made, in response to calls from over 200 House Democrats pushing agriculture officials to utilize emergency reserves to cover the upcoming nutrition payments.

“The reality is, funds are depleted,” the USDA stated. “At this time, no payments will be distributed” beginning in November.

National Consequences

More than 41 million individuals rely on these food benefits, per official statistics. Various areas, like New Mexico, dependence on the program affects one-fifth of the population.

A memo obtained by a major news agency showed that the department chose not to tap emergency reserves for the upcoming payments.

Legislative Deadlock

Republicans and Democrats remain deadlocked about the way to support and resume the federal government.

Remarks from the leader of a prominent policy organization suggested that the administration could have acted to act sooner to prevent benefits from running out.

“Officials were able and expected to made moves earlier to be prepared to utilize available money,” the remarks concluded. “Instead, it may choose not to use them for potential political benefit” as conservative leaders work to push upper chamber Democrats to approve legislation that would resume the federal government.

Local Responses

State leaders from multiple regions activated emergency protocols this week to free up resources for hunger relief in anticipation of food benefits expiring during the upcoming period.