🔗 Share this article SNAP Payments Scheduled to Cease for Over 40 Million During Continuing Federal Shutdown The United States Department of Agriculture announced recently that SNAP funds from a major federal support systems will not be distributed during the coming month because of the continuing federal closure. Shutdown Extends Through Its Third Week The funding lapse lasted nearly a month when the announcement was made, in response to calls from over 200 Congressional Democrats pushing the department to access reserve accounts to cover the upcoming nutrition payments. “Ultimately, the well has run dry,” the department confirmed. “Currently, assistance will not be provided” beginning in November. National Consequences Tens of millions of people rely on the regular assistance, per federal data. Various areas, like New Mexico, reliance on SNAP reaches a significant portion of citizens. Internal communications seen by a major news agency indicated that the department decided against using reserve funds for November food benefits. Political Stalemate Lawmakers from both parties continue to disagree regarding how to finance and restart government operations. Remarks from the head of a budget research center noted that federal leadership had opportunities to take earlier action to avoid interruption in payments. “They had the ability and responsibility made moves earlier to be prepared to access these resources,” the remarks concluded. “Instead, officials could opt out to secure political leverage” as Republicans seek to pressure Senate Democrats to approve legislation that would resume the federal government. Emergency Measures Governors in two affected states activated emergency protocols this week to allocate funds to address food insecurity expecting nutrition assistance payments stopping in November.