A recent notification from the U.S. Department of Agriculture indicates that “wells are dry” and no food assistance will be provided in November due to the ongoing government shutdown.
SNAP, which some may remember as the Food Stamp Program, is usually funded by federal money but managed by individual states. According to the USDA’s shutdown contingency plan, states could potentially use reserve funds to keep SNAP running if the shutdown exceeds a month. However, the Trump administration decided against this.
The USDA notice stated, “Currently, there will be no benefits released on November 1st. We are reaching a crucial point for Senate Democrats.”
If food assistance is cut, it will affect over 40 million people, with about 1 in 8 Americans relying on SNAP for groceries. Additionally, the WIC program, which aids low-income pregnant women and infants, is also underfunded, impacting around 7 million individuals.
Will my state issue SNAP benefits in November?
States are responding differently to the situation. Some are utilizing emergency funds to continue benefits, while others encourage residents to seek help from food banks and charities.
For instance, Virginia has declared an emergency situation to secure an emergency fund. New York is providing $41 million in emergency food assistance. Meanwhile, the governor of Colorado has requested up to $10 million from the state legislature to support food banks and other food assistance initiatives.
In California, benefits are expected to be disrupted. However, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the state is working to secure $80 million in funding for food banks and will even deploy the National Guard to aid in food distribution.
“This situation is serious and requires urgent attention,” Newsom remarked.
On the other hand, states like Arkansas and Oklahoma are advising residents to look for local food pantries and organizations offering assistance.
“Families are encouraged to plan and budget carefully,” according to Oklahoma Human Services officials in a statement.
Similarly, Georgia and Utah are advising residents not to expect new benefits in November, although any unused benefits from October should still be accessible.
EBT cards will remain usable in November for all SNAP beneficiaries across the U.S. Unused benefits will carry over, and recipients can check their balance after November 1st.
The USDA also stated they will not reimburse states that employ private funds to continue SNAP benefits during the shutdown.
