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As vital benefits that help feed more than 40 million people are hours away from running out, SNAP users have told Newsweek of their frustration and fear. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed that unless the monthlong government shutdown ends, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will not issue benefits for November—a first in the program’s history. “Bottom line, the well has run dry,” the USDA said on its website. “At this time, there will be no benefits issued November 1.” Almost 42 million low- and no-income people across the U.S. use SNAP to help feed their families. Most are in households with children, older adults or people with disabilities, and many are working families, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Families Left Behind SNAP recipients who spoke with Newsweek described their fear and uncertainty about how to keep food on the table if benefits do not arrive. Tiffany Haynor, from Tennessee, said: “I don’t have much money to spend on food as it all goes to bills. Rent, electric, cell phone, and car insurance just to name a few, leaves me with very little to buy any food. I can only imagine what things will look like this next month with so many not having food.” She said lawmakers were not facing the same consequences as people in her situation: “While the Democrats and Republicans are deciding what to do, they don’t have a worry in the world. They have homes, food, and many luxuries a lot of us don’t have.” Stock image/file photo: A shopper holding an empty basket in a grocery store. In Connecticut, mother of three Felicia Lessing said her oldest child had type 1 diabetes and celiac disease, making access to food assistance even more critical. “I find it absolutely appalling to think that our food assistance, or anyone else’s, could be withheld from us,” she said. “The emotional stress this situation causes is overwhelming, and it’s painful to consider that our government is treating American citizens this way.” She added: “It’s disheartening to see them allow American families to go without assistance while readily sending money to other nations and foreign countries at the taxpayer’s expense.” Food Banks Brace for a Surge Food banks say they are preparing for a spike in demand, at a time when the use of food pantries is already high. Kyle Waide, the president and CEO of the Atlanta Community Food Bank, told Newsweek his organization was already seeing demand far higher than before the coronavirus pandemic.“We’re serving 70 percent more people today than we did just three and a half years ago,” he said. If benefits stop, Waide warned, “there could be significant disruptions to SNAP and other federal programs that would also require families who rely on those programs to seek help from us.” The Greater Boston Food Bank issued a similar warning, saying the state’s four food banks could not possibly make up the difference if November benefits were missed. “There is no way our charitable food network here in Massachusetts can provide enough food to replace this essential program. It’s an impossible task both financially and logistically,” the organization said. To meet demand, it estimated its food banks would need to supply 56 million additional meals next month—more than four times what they currently distribute. How We Got Here The ongoing shutdown began on October 1 after Senate Democrats refused to extend government funding without a deal to continue enhanced Obamacare subsidies. They argue that allowing those subsidies to expire will sharply raise health care costs for millions of Americans. Republicans say they will only discuss health care changes after funding is passed, accusing Democrats of holding up the process. While the USDA has access to contingency funds, the department has said they cannot legally be used to pay November SNAP benefits. Twenty-five states have sued the federal government to challenge that decision, hoping courts can force a release of funds. While the shutdown lingers on, Democrats and Republicans have pointed fingers at each other. In an opinion piece for Newsweek, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said SNAP had become a “‘leverage’ point for Democrats in their self-inflicted government shutdown.” Democrats reject that idea. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer wrote on X: “No president in history has cut off SNAP during a shutdown. Including Trump in his first term. His own Agriculture Department says they can fund SNAP. Trump is using Americans as hostages.” President Donald Trump, speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One this week, offered reassurance but few specifics, saying, “We’re going to get it done.” Millions Wait for Answers Time is running out, and families, state governments and food banks are waiting for a solution. While the lawsuit from state leaders may offer one path, it seems less and les...
