🔗 Share this article Nutrition Assistance Scheduled to Cease for Over 40 Million During Continuing US Government Shutdown Federal agriculture authorities stated this past weekend that monthly food benefits under one of the country’s largest social assistance programs will not be distributed during the coming month because of the continuing federal government shutdown. Closure Continues For Nearly Four Weeks The government shutdown was in three and a half weeks at the time of the statement, which followed calls from over 200 House Democrats urging the department to access emergency reserves to fund the upcoming nutrition payments. “Ultimately, the well has run dry,” officials announced. “At this time, no payments will be distributed” starting next month. Millions Affected More than 41 million individuals count on these monthly payments, per federal data. In certain states, like New Mexico, reliance on this assistance is as high as one-fifth of the population. Internal communications seen by Reuters revealed that USDA officials would not access contingency funding for the upcoming payments. Political Stalemate Congressional leaders are still at odds over how to fund and reopen government operations. Comments by the head of a prominent policy organization indicated that the administration had opportunities to prepare in advance to prevent benefits from running out. “Officials were able and expected to taken steps weeks ago to be prepared to utilize available money,” the comments added. “Rather, they might decide against it to secure political leverage” as Republicans seek to pressure Senate Democrats to support legislation that would resume federal functions. States Prepare Executives in multiple regions issued emergency declarations recently to free up resources to address food insecurity expecting nutrition assistance payments stopping during the upcoming period.