“The well has run dry,” a notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture reads, warning the federal government will not be sending out November food assistance as the government shutdown continues.
SNAP, formerly called the Food Stamp Program, is funded by the federal government but administered by states. In California, the program is branded as CalFresh.
The USDA’s shutdown contingency plan allows the agency to tap into reserve funding to keep SNAP operating if the federal government remains shut for longer than a month. However, the Trump administration said it would not do that.
“At this time, there will be no benefits issued November 01. We are approaching an inflection point for Senate Democrats,” the USDA notice said.
Cutting off food assistance leaves more than 40 million people hanging in the balance. About 1 in 8 Americans rely on SNAP to buy food. The WIC program, which provides food assistance to low-income pregnant women, mother and babies, is also poised to run out of money, affecting about 7 million people.
Will my state be issuing SNAP benefits in November?
Each U.S. state is reacting to the news differently. While some are tapping into emergency funds to keep benefits flowing, others are directing residents to seek out help from food banks and charities.
In California, benefits were expected to be disrupted, but Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state is fast-tracking $80 million in funds for food banks. California will also be deploying National Guard troops to help distribute food.
“Trump’s failure isn’t abstract – it’s literally taking food out of people’s mouths,” Newsom said in a statement. “Millions of Americans rely on food benefits to feed their families, and while Republicans in Washington drag their feet, California is stepping up once again to fill in the gaps.”
CalFresh recipients can all 2-1-1 or visit 211.ca.org to be connected to food, housing and utility resources.
Visit the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank’s website if you’re in need of food.
Virginia declared a state of emergency in order to free up emergency funds. New York is issuing $41 million in emergency food aid. Colorado’s governor requested the state legislature use up to $10 million from the state’s general fund to support food banks and tide over food assistance.
“This is serious, this is urgent – and requires immediate action,” Newsom said.
Arkansas and Oklahoma, on the other hand, are advising recipients to identify food pantries and other groups that help with food.
“Oklahoma Human Services urges households to plan ahead and carefully budget,” the state agency said in a press release.
Similarly, Georgia and Utah are letting residents know not to expect new November benefits, but they should still be able to use any leftover benefits that weren’t used in October.
For all SNAP beneficiaries in any state, their EBT cards will still work in November. Any unused benefits from prior months will roll over and the balance will still be accessible after Nov. 1.
The USDA has said it will not be reimbursing states that use their own money to keep SNAP benefits flowing during the shutdown.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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