Partial shutdown endangers November SNAP payments for 41 million

Federal guidance has put November food stamp payments at risk for more than 41 million Americans as the partial federal government shutdown stretches into its fourth week. The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Oct. 10 told states not to prepare data for next month’s electronic benefit transfers, warning that contingency funds are insufficient to guarantee full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program payments if Congress does not reach a budget agreement.

SNAP serves roughly 41 to 42 million people and costs about 8 billion dollars a month. The USDA’s contingency reserves, estimated at around 5 billion dollars, would cover only part of a month’s benefits, the agency has indicated. Without additional appropriations or an emergency transfer, many states have warned they will be unable to issue November benefits and some have already stopped accepting new applications.

States and local relief organizations are preparing for a surge in need. At least two dozen state websites have posted alerts about potential gaps, and food banks report rising strain. “When the federal government shuts down, uncertainty begins immediately,” said Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, chief executive of Feeding...