Copyright M Live Michigan
As the government shutdown drags into its fourth week, millions of Americans are being warned that they may not receive their monthly Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for November. An estimated 42 million individuals are at risk as funding for the program is not available, due to the shutdown. In a letter sent to states earlier this month, the Trump Administration warned that while there was enough funding for October’s benefits, that’s not the case moving forward, according to Axios. “However, if the current lapse in appropriations continues, there will be insufficient funds to pay full November SNAP benefits for approximately 42 million individuals across the Nation,” wrote Ronald Ward, the acting associate administrator of SNAP. The letter goes on to instruct states not to distribute SNAP benefits to recipients’ electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards for November “until further notice.” According to the Associated Press, SNAP costs just over $100 billion yearly to fund. That includes the half of state administrative costs covered by federal taxpayers. Roughly 41.7 million people receive monthly benefits at an average of $187 per month. Last week, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins admitted the agency was going to run out of money soon. Rollins then warned of the potential impact if funds aren’t made available. “So you’re talking about millions and millions of vulnerable families, of hungry families that are not going to have access to these programs because of this shutdown,” Rollins said. CNN reports that SNAP has a contingency fund worth about $6 billion, however it costs $8 billion monthly to fund SNAP benefits. Several states have already begun advising residents that they may not receive benefits next month. In Texas, the state’s Department of Health and Human Services warns that if the shutdown doesn’t end by Oct. 27, benefits won’t be paid for November. Agencies overseeing the program in Minnesota and Illinois each released statements saying residents won’t receive benefits until the shutdown ends. Pennsylvania has already cut off any SNAP benefit payments moving forward until the program is funded again. As for the status of the shutdown, Democrats and Republicans continue to blame the other side for the problem. A vote on a bill that would reopen the government is expected Wednesday, but it is unlikely to pass as the previous 11 votes have all failed. President Donald Trump has said he will not meet with Democrats again until the shutdown is ended, leaving leaders in the two parties to work it our amongst themselves.
