The US Department of Agriculture announced that food assistance via the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will cease from November due to the ongoing government shutdown. This program, critical to over 40 million Americans, is impacted as the department states "the well has run dry" and blames Senate Democrats for the deadlock. This decision follows the Trump administration's decline to use a contingency fund, reserved for emergencies like natural disasters, to extend benefits.

 

SNAP supports one in eight Americans and is a major part of many grocery budgets. Despite calls from Democrats, including Congresswomen Rosa DeLauro and Angie Craig, to utilize available contingency reserves, the administration claims these reserves should only address "true emergencies." The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities notes the fund could only cover about 60% of one month's benefits.

 

Democratic House members urged Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to release these reserves and reallocate departmental funds to support November benefits fully. SNAP provides reloadable debit cards for essential groceries, with an average monthly benefit of $715 for a family of four. State-run programs, primarily federally funded, are facing large deficits, and some states cannot cover this shortfall.

 

Several states are attempting to use their own funds, but federal reimbursement is absent. Massachusetts and other states are struggling, with California deploying its National Guard to distribute food. The government shutdown, now in its 26th day, is the second-longest in history.

 

Key Takeaways

• SNAP benefits will stop in November due to the government shutdown.
• Efforts to use contingency funds have been stalled by the administration.
• States face challenges covering shortfalls, some relying on state funds and charities.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-10-26

 

 

All because of Chuck Shumer.  One of the most pathetic Senators to occupy space in Washington.

Make you wonder why people are taxed if the taxes just pay for wars instead of helping the poor.

23 hours ago, Rocky Sullivan said:

All because of Chuck Shumer.  One of the most pathetic Senators to occupy space in Washington.

Nonsense your deity controls both houses ….he wants to kill the ACA because a better man than he got it done.Just wait till those red welfare states start going hungry with no healthcare…..he’s extremely unpopular now and it’s going to get worse much worse.

The purge starting saturday.

 

Shoot the looters .

21 minutes ago, Tug said:

Nonsense your deity controls both houses ….he wants to kill the ACA because a better man than he got it done.Just wait till those red welfare states start going hungry with no healthcare…..he’s extremely unpopular now and it’s going to get worse much worse.

Echo chamber.

 

It’s ALL on Shumer.  The most worthless Senator since Bidens racist days as a Senator.

 

 

Nonsense Donald wants to kill the ACA and he doesn’t care a wit about it other than the self satisfaction that he thinks he hurt the better man.your deity is sick that way.

USA land of the Poor

3 hours ago, FlorC said:

The purge starting saturday.

 

Shoot the looters .

In the richest country on the globe ... what a great way to prove a failed state. Jus sayin ...