As the government shutdown continues, many Americans are already feeling the impact in their day-to-day lives. Looking ahead to November, additional governmental programs may be also be affected.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is known for providing low-income families monetary assistance to help pay for groceries. As of Nov. 1, however, SNAP recipients may not receive full benefits while the shutdown continues.
Below, we’re outlining everything you need to know, including the states whose SNAP programs could be impacted if the shutdown persists.
Why Is SNAP Funding at Risk?
Per NBC News, the Department of Agriculture sent a letter to SNAP state agency and regional directors on Oct. 10 warning that a continued shutdown could result in a lack of funding for the program.
As a result, there may not be enough money to pay full SNAP benefits for the nearly 42 million Americans who rely on the program.
The shutdown, which began on Oct. 1, did not impact October SNAP benefits since funding was distributed to the states before the shutdown began.
Looking ahead, some states have revealed that they will need to stop distributing SNAP benefits without federal funding if the shutdown continues into November.
According to NBC News, the SNAP program has not ceased to operate during any government shutdown in recent history.
What Will States Do If Funding Runs out for November?
States are responding to the looming threat of suspended SNAP benefits in a number of ways.
Per NBC News, the Arkansas Department of Human Services advised SNAP recipients that they have two options if their November benefits don’t come through in time: Use the remaining funds from October benefits to purchase nonperishable food or visit a local food bank.
Neither of these options are sustainable, especially since food banks aren’t necessarily prepared for the influx of people seeking assistance.
The state of Pennsylvania’s official SNAP website posted an update saying that benefits “will not be paid until the federal government shutdown ends and funds are released to PA.”
State officials in Texas are already warning residents that November SNAP benefits “won’t be issued if the federal government shutdown continues past Oct. 27.”
According to NBC News, Wisconsin SNAP participants recently learned that they may not be able to carry over any funds they have remaining from their October benefits. Additionally, Oregon and Massachusetts state officials have said they have no backup plan if the federal government withholds SNAP funding.
States Where SNAP Benefits Will Be Impacted by the Shutdown
According to data compiled by Newsweek, the following 36 states have already warned that SNAP payments for November are at risk if a government shutdown continues:
- 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
