Urgent Alert: SNAP Benefits Could Face Disruption This November if Government Shutdown Persists

States are sounding the alarm about potential delays in SNAP benefits for millions of Americans. Starting October 16, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits may be held up until the federal government reopens. This news comes from a notice on the Pennsylvania state website.

Similar warnings have also come from New Jersey, Maryland, New York, and Texas. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), if government funding isn’t resolved soon, there might not be enough money for full benefits in November.

Gina Plata-Nino, the interim director for SNAP at the Food Research & Action Center, emphasized that many SNAP recipients are working individuals living paycheck to paycheck. “These are tough times for them,” she said.

Currently, over 40 million Americans rely on SNAP, receiving an average of about $187 monthly. This amount helps them purchase essential food items. While the federal government funds the program, each state handles the distribution of benefits and sets its own schedule.

To make sure beneficiaries receive their cards on time, states send information to electronic benefit transfer (EBT) vendors every month. But now, because of the potential government shutdown, the USDA has asked states to pause sending data to EBT vendors. This break raises concerns about delays and disruptions for November benefits.

“Letting people go hungry is a choice, and it’s not a good one,” shared Deb Powers, a 66-year-old SNAP recipient from Massachusetts.

One possible solution for ensuring SNAP funds are available is using contingency funds, which the USDA had at around $6 billion during the Biden administration. The USDA’s plan indicates that these funds can help cover SNAP costs during a government shutdown. But it remains unclear if the USDA will tap into this reserve to support November benefits.

During past shutdowns in 2018 and 2019, the USDA acted quickly to issue SNAP funds early, preventing disruptions. “This administration hasn’t followed that path, even though they have the funds,” Plata-Nino noted, suggesting it’s more of a policy decision than a funding issue.

States might also try to shift money within their budgets to keep SNAP benefits flowing, but that could face political hurdles. Peter Hadler, deputy commissioner of Connecticut’s Department of Social Services, expressed doubts about the federal government reimbursing states for these expenses.

As the situation develops, the impacts on working families could be significant. Many are closely following the news, hoping for a resolution that keeps vital food assistance programs intact. With food insecurity remaining a pressing issue, understanding the implications of these potential delays has never been more critical.

For more information on SNAP benefits, you can visit the [USDA website](https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap). Understanding these developments is essential for American families and advocates working to end hunger.

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