đ Share this article SNAP Payments Set to End for Tens of Millions During Prolonged Government Closure USDA officials stated recently that monthly food benefits through a critical national social assistance programs will not be distributed in November due to the ongoing federal closure. Shutdown Extends For Nearly Four Weeks The funding lapse was in its 25th day as officials revealed the news, coming after calls from over 200 Democratic representatives pushing the USDA to utilize contingency funds to cover the upcoming nutrition payments. âUltimately, funds are depleted,â officials announced. âNow, no payments will be distributedâ on 1 November. Millions Affected Tens of millions of people depend on the regular assistance, per federal data. Various areas, like New Mexico, dependence on SNAP reaches 21% of residents. A memo obtained by Reuters indicated that federal authorities decided against using emergency reserves to cover next month's assistance. Legislative Deadlock Congressional leaders remain deadlocked about the way to support and resume federal agencies. Comments by the head of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities noted that the administration could have acted to act sooner to avoid interruption in payments. âOfficials were able and expected to taken steps before now to make arrangements to access these resources,â the statement continued. âRather, officials could opt out in an effort to gain political advantageâ as Republicans seek to push upper chamber Democrats to vote for a spending bill that would reopen federal functions. Emergency Measures Governors in two affected states issued emergency declarations this week to free up resources for hunger relief in anticipation of food benefits expiring during the upcoming period.