🔗 Share this article Nutrition Assistance Set to End for 41 Million Throughout Ongoing Government Closure Federal agriculture authorities stated on Saturday that monthly food benefits through a critical national welfare initiatives are not going out in November amid the persistent federal closure. Shutdown Extends For Nearly Four Weeks The government shutdown had reached nearly a month when the announcement was made, coming after demands from hundreds of Democratic representatives asking agriculture officials to access emergency reserves to cover November's food assistance. “Ultimately, funds are depleted,” the department confirmed. “At this time, there will be no benefits issued” starting next month. National Consequences Tens of millions of people depend on these food benefits, as reported by the USDA. Some regions, including one southwestern state, use of the program is as high as 21% of residents. Internal communications seen by a major news agency showed that the department would not access emergency reserves to cover next month's assistance. Legislative Deadlock Republicans and Democrats remain deadlocked regarding how to fund and reopen the federal government. Remarks from the director at a prominent policy organization indicated that federal leadership could have acted to act sooner to ensure continuous assistance. “It could have, and should have made moves before now to make arrangements to use these funds,” the comments added. “Instead, it may choose not to use them to secure political leverage” while GOP lawmakers attempt to pressure Senate Democrats to support a spending bill to restart government operations. Local Responses Governors in multiple regions issued emergency declarations this week to free up resources for hunger relief expecting SNAP benefits not being issued during the upcoming period.