WASHINGTON, United States – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that SNAP payments, which benefit more than 41 million Americans, will cease on November 1. This is due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. This suspension represents the suspension of one of the nation’s largest social safety net programs.
The Ministry of Agriculture said the program’s funding had run out following the prolonged closure. This meant monthly benefits for low-income families would cease, Reuters reported. The ministry explained in a brief statement that “water resources have been depleted, and no payments will be made at this time.”
This announcement comes as the government shutdown enters its 25th day. Disagreement continues between Republicans and Democrats in Congress over how to fund the government. In some states, such as New Mexico, the program benefits more than a fifth of the population.
Calls have been growing from more than 200 Democratic members of the House of Representatives for the Department of Agriculture to tap emergency reserves to fund the November budget. However, in a memo seen by Reuters, the department confirmed it has no intention of doing so.
In a swift response to the decision, the governors of Louisiana and Virginia declared states of emergency. They allocated special funds to address a potential hunger crisis. Experts warned that millions of American families would face unprecedented food insecurity if the shutdown continued.
