đ Share this article SNAP Payments Scheduled to Expire for Tens of Millions Throughout Ongoing US Government Shutdown Federal agriculture authorities announced on Saturday that monthly food benefits from a major federal support systems will not be distributed during the coming month amid the persistent federal closure. Closure Continues Through Its Third Week The government shutdown was in its 25th day when the announcement was made, which followed appeals by more than two hundred Democratic representatives asking the USDA to utilize emergency reserves to pay for November's food assistance. âThe reality is, funds are depleted,â officials announced. âNow, no payments will be distributedâ beginning in November. Millions Affected Tens of millions of people count on these monthly payments, per federal data. Various areas, like one southwestern state, reliance on this assistance is as high as a significant portion of citizens. A memo obtained by a major news agency revealed that the department chose not to tap emergency reserves for November food benefits. Political Stalemate Republicans and Democrats continue to disagree about the way to fund and reopen the federal government. A statement from the head of a budget research center suggested that the White House could have acted to prepare in advance to prevent benefits from running out. âThey had the ability and responsibility acted weeks ago to get ready to utilize available money,â the comments added. âConversely, they might decide against it to secure political leverageâ while GOP lawmakers attempt to pressure Senate Democrats to vote for a funding package that would reopen the federal government. Emergency Measures Governors in multiple regions issued emergency declarations this week to free up resources to combat potential hunger in anticipation of nutrition assistance payments stopping in November.