🔗 Share this article Food Benefits Scheduled to Cease for Tens of Millions Throughout Prolonged Government Closure Federal agriculture authorities stated on Saturday that SNAP funds through a critical national welfare initiatives are not going out next month because of the continuing federal closure. Impasse Persists Through Its Third Week The funding lapse had reached its 25th day as officials revealed the news, coming after demands from hundreds of Democratic representatives pushing the USDA to tap into contingency funds to pay for next month's benefits. “Bottom line, funds are depleted,” officials announced. “Currently, no payments will be distributed” beginning in November. Millions Affected More than 41 million individuals rely on these monthly payments, as reported by federal data. Some regions, including one southwestern state, dependence on the program is as high as 21% of residents. Documents reviewed by journalists revealed that USDA officials chose not to tap emergency reserves for November food benefits. Partisan Impasse Lawmakers from both parties remain deadlocked about the way to support and resume federal agencies. A statement from the leader of a prominent policy organization indicated that federal leadership had opportunities to prepare in advance to prevent benefits from running out. “It could have, and should have acted earlier to make arrangements to use these funds,” the statement continued. “Rather, it may choose not to use them in an effort to gain political advantage” as conservative leaders work to influence Democratic senators to support legislation that would resume federal functions. Emergency Measures Governors in two affected states declared states of emergency in recent days to allocate funds for hunger relief expecting nutrition assistance payments stopping next month.