The U.S. federal government is nearing its first month of being shutdown as the end of October approaches. As of October 1st, the government has been shutdown following a stalemate between the Democratic and Republican parties regarding the healthcare spending bill. It is now October 27th, and no resolution appears to be in sight just yet — not even a temporary spending deal.
As the shutdown continues on, the risk of many federal assistance programs running out of money increases, and this is precisely the case with SNAP benefits. SNAP beneficiaries may not see a benefit next month as funding evaporates and 36 states have already issued warnings regarding the November SNAP payment stating that it could be affected as a result of the ongoing shutdown. Here is what you need to know.
What are SNAP benefits?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or food stamps as it is often referred to as, is a federal assistance program whereby low-income individuals receive a monthly food benefit that is to be used for the purchase of nutritious foods that will further their health and well-being.
The monthly SNAP benefit is loaded onto an EBT card which functions similarly to a debit card. The EBT card can be use to pay for groceries at SNAP supporting establishments.
Will there be a November SNAP benefit?
Despite the government shutdown beginning on October 1st, SNAP benefits for the month of October would have rolled out as scheduled. This is because funding for benefits are typically received a month prior to when they are due. Since the shutdown still has no end in sight, however, funding for November has not been approved as yet.
Whilst SNAP benefits are a mandatory program, it does still require Congressional approval. As long as no stop measure or approval is issued, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will not be able to issue any new benefits.
36 states issue warnings regarding SNAP benefits
Most states across the country have been issuing warnings to its people regarding the SNAP benefit for November, with the common talking point of these warnings being that SNAP payments could be impacted by the shutdown. So far, warnings have been issued by 36 states, however, it is worth noting that all states across the country will be impacted regardless of whether a warning was issued or not.
The following 36 states have issued a warning related to November SNAP payments:
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Montana
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Some warnings carried a rather partisan sentiment, with each party blaming the other for this potential benefit delay. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry who is a Republican, stated the following in a warning to SNAP recipients: “The U.S. House under Speaker Mike Johnson has already acted to reopen the government. Our U.S. senators representing Louisiana have voted over and over again to reopen the government. They are doing their part. Now it is time for those U.S. senators, under Democrat Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, to vote yes and reopen the federal government.”
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee, a Democrat, also noted the following: “President [Donald] Trump and congressional Republicans began this shutdown by playing political games with health coverage for millions of Americans. Now, their ongoing inaction is threatening crucial food assistance for those who need it most. I’m calling on President Trump to put people over politics and take immediate action to resolve this issue without further delay.”
Other states have shared that temporary relief will be provided to its residents if the November SNAP benefit is indeed delayed indefinitely. In Hawaiian, a contingency fund has been opened up by Governor Josh Green, a Democrat.
”I’m authorizing $100 million from what’s called TANF, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, so that people who would otherwise get food support from SNAP, food stamps, they will be able to get money here,” Green told Hawaii News Now. “My program will give us probably about a two-month cushion, and we will give everyone details on how to apply for that, how to make sure they get these monies if they are in real dire straits, but that can’t go on forever, and I’m really hoping, praying, and I’m going to put some pressure of my own in D.C. on the folks that make these decisions.”
It is also worth noting that even if the November SNAP benefit faces delays, recipients will eventually receive the November benefit.