🔗 Share this article Food Benefits Expected to End for Tens of Millions During Continuing Government Closure USDA officials stated this past weekend that SNAP funds under one of the country’s largest support systems won't be issued next month because of the continuing federal closure. Closure Continues Into 25th Day The funding lapse had reached its 25th day as officials revealed the news, which followed appeals by more than two hundred Democratic representatives urging the department to access contingency funds to fund the upcoming nutrition payments. “Bottom line, the well has run dry,” the department confirmed. “Currently, there will be no benefits issued” beginning in November. National Consequences Tens of millions of people count on these food benefits, according to federal data. Some regions, including New Mexico, dependence on this assistance reaches 21% of residents. Internal communications seen by journalists indicated that USDA officials decided against using contingency funding for the upcoming payments. Political Stalemate Republicans and Democrats are still at odds over how to finance and restart federal agencies. Remarks from the head of a budget research center indicated that the administration had opportunities to prepare in advance to ensure continuous assistance. “Officials were able and expected to made moves earlier to be prepared to use these funds,” the remarks concluded. “Instead, they might decide against it to secure political leverage” while GOP lawmakers attempt to push upper chamber Democrats to approve a funding package to restart government operations. Local Responses Executives in two affected states declared states of emergency recently to free up resources to address food insecurity expecting SNAP benefits not being issued next month.