WASHINGTON—Millions of Americans are set to lose access to federal food assistance as the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that no Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will go out on November 1 due to the ongoing government shutdown.
The USDA posted a notice saying it will not use roughly $5 billion in contingency funds to keep the program running, stating bluntly, “the well has run dry.” SNAP helps about one in eight Americans afford groceries, and the funding halt raises concerns for families and food shelves nationwide.
Some states have pledged to continue benefits on their own, but the USDA warned they would not be reimbursed for covering the costs.
The shutdown, which began October 1, has now become the second-longest in U.S. history. The Trump administration blames Democrats for refusing to negotiate, while Democrats say Republicans must first agree to extend expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies.
