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USDA officials stated this past weekend that monthly food benefits from a major federal social assistance programs will not be distributed next month because of the continuing federal government shutdown.

Impasse Persists For Nearly Four Weeks

The federal closure lasted its 25th day as officials revealed the news, which followed demands from hundreds of Democratic representatives urging the USDA to access contingency funds to fund the upcoming nutrition payments.

“The reality is, funds are depleted,” the USDA stated. “At this time, there will be no benefits issued” on 1 November.

National Consequences

Tens of millions of people rely on the regular assistance, as reported by official statistics. In certain states, such as New Mexico, use of SNAP reaches 21% of residents.

Internal communications seen by a major news agency showed that the department would not access contingency funding for November food benefits.

Legislative Deadlock

Republicans and Democrats are still at odds over how to support and resume federal agencies.

A statement from the leader of a prominent policy organization indicated that federal leadership had opportunities to take earlier action to avoid interruption in payments.

“Officials were able and expected to acted weeks ago to make arrangements to use these funds,” the comments added. “Instead, officials could opt out for potential political benefit” as Republicans seek to push upper chamber Democrats to vote for a funding package to restart the federal government.

Emergency Measures

State leaders from Louisiana and Virginia issued emergency declarations recently to make money available for hunger relief preparing for food benefits expiring in November.