đ Share this article Nutrition Assistance Set to Cease for Tens of Millions Amid Prolonged Federal Shutdown Federal agriculture authorities declared this past weekend that SNAP funds through a critical national welfare initiatives won't be issued in November due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. Impasse Persists Through Its Third Week The government shutdown had reached its 25th day at the time of the statement, in response to demands from hundreds of Congressional Democrats pushing the department to tap into reserve accounts to pay for the upcoming nutrition payments. âBottom line, the well has run dry,â the USDA stated. âAt this time, assistance will not be providedâ beginning in November. National Consequences Over 40 million Americans rely on these food benefits, as reported by federal data. Some regions, such as New Mexico, use of the program is as high as one-fifth of the population. Documents reviewed by journalists showed that federal authorities decided against using reserve funds for November food benefits. Legislative Deadlock Republicans and Democrats continue to disagree about the way to fund and reopen federal agencies. A statement from the head of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities suggested that the White House had opportunities to prepare in advance to ensure continuous assistance. âOfficials were able and expected to taken steps before now to get ready to utilize available money,â the statement continued. âInstead, officials could opt out for potential political benefitâ as Republicans seek to push upper chamber Democrats to approve a spending bill that would resume the federal government. States Prepare Executives in multiple regions activated emergency protocols this week to make money available to combat potential hunger expecting SNAP benefits not being issued during the upcoming period.