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The United States Department of Agriculture announced recently that nutrition assistance payments from a major federal support systems will not be distributed in November amid the persistent government funding lapse.

Shutdown Extends For Nearly Four Weeks

The funding lapse had reached three and a half weeks when the announcement was made, in response to appeals by more than two hundred Democratic representatives pushing the USDA to tap into emergency reserves to fund the upcoming nutrition payments.

“The reality is, the well has run dry,” the USDA stated. “At this time, no payments will be distributed” beginning in November.

Widespread Impact

Tens of millions of people count on these monthly payments, according to federal data. In certain states, including New Mexico, dependence on SNAP reaches a significant portion of citizens.

A memo obtained by a major news agency indicated that the department decided against using reserve funds for the upcoming payments.

Partisan Impasse

Republicans and Democrats are still at odds regarding how to support and resume the federal government.

A statement from the director at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities suggested that the White House could have acted to take earlier action to prevent benefits from running out.

“It could have, and should have taken steps weeks ago to be prepared to utilize available money,” the remarks concluded. “Conversely, it may choose not to use them in an effort to gain political advantage” as conservative leaders work to pressure Senate Democrats to approve a funding package that would reopen federal functions.

States Prepare

State leaders from multiple regions declared states of emergency this week to allocate funds to address food insecurity expecting nutrition assistance payments stopping in November.