The US Department of Agriculture announced Sunday that federal food aid will not be distributed on Nov. 1, as the ongoing government shutdown stretches into its fourth week – a development that could impact tens of millions of Americans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
A notice posted on the USDA website stated that “the well has run dry,” signaling the department has exhausted available funds to keep the program operating. “At this time, there will be no benefits issued November 01,” the statement read, adding that the situation marks “an inflection point for Senate Democrats.”
SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, helps about one in eight Americans purchase groceries each month. The program’s continuation had been in question since the shutdown began, but Sunday’s announcement marks the first definitive signal that benefits will be interrupted without new funding.
The Trump administration confirmed earlier this week that it would not use roughly $5 billion in contingency reserves to extend benefits into November, citing the need for Congress to approve a new spending plan instead of relying on stopgap measures.
If benefits are not restored, the disruption would be one of the most immediate and widespread consequences of the shutdown, which has already shuttered numerous federal programs and furloughed hundreds of thousands of employees.
Economists warn that the lapse could ripple through the broader economy, especially in low-income and rural areas where SNAP dollars make up a significant share of local grocery spending.
As negotiations remain stalled on Capitol Hill, both parties continue to trade blame for the impasse. But with the new USDA notice, millions of American families are now facing the prospect of going without federal food assistance for the first time in decades.
One thought on “SNAP benefits to end Nov. 1 as shutdown lingers”
If WW2, Boomers, GenX, and Millenials had not expanded government to its size that increased government dependency for five generations. Then government shutdowns would be a very weak political tool for congress’
The people have no one to blame except themselves for being government dependent by either a government job, assistance, contract, grant.