USDA confirms: No SNAP benefits forthcoming
The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed this morning what has been feared by Pennsylvanians since the start of the federal government shutdown.
No SNAP benefits will be forthcoming on November 1.
In a notice on its website, the USDA posted “Senate Democrats have now voted 12 times to not fund the food stamp program, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Bottom line, the well has run dry. At this time, there will be no benefits issued November 01. We are approaching an inflection point for Senate Democrats. They can continue to hold out for healthcare for illegal aliens and gender mutilation procedures or reopen the government so mothers, babies, and the most vulnerable among us can receive critical nutrition assistance.”
The federal program that low-income families monthly benefits to afford healthy food will not be available to more than two million Pennsylvanians and 42 million Americans.
Nationally, more than 62 percent of SNAP participants are in families with children; 37 percent are in families with members who are older adults or disabled; and more than 38 percent are in working families, according to an analysis by the nonpartisan Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Among those SNAP recipients in PA, 58 percent are families with children, 44 percent are families with older adults or adults with disabilities, and 43 percent are working families, according to the data.
SNAP benefits were made available to eligible individuals in October, but Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins opted not to exercise the contingency plan to transfer approximately $5 billion in SNAP contingency funds to deliver benefits in November. That figure would not cover the $9 billion that would be needed to fund November benefits. And even a partial tap of those funds would require weeks to distribute, meaning most low-income Americans would miss their November food benefits anyway.
A memo from the USDA outlined the impact of the government shutdown.
“Unlike other reimbursable programs, SNAP allotments are fully Federally funded. States are responsible for determining household benefits, and the movement of dollars through to the processors and ultimately to the retailers. There is no provision or allowance under current law for States to cover the cost of benefits and be reimbursed.”
Pennsylvania announced that it cannot backfill the costs for payments without federal support. Since its inception in 1964, the federal government has fully funded SNAP, distributing more than $366 million every month to the Keystone State.
“Republicans’ failure to pass a federal budget in Washington, D.C. is having a direct impact on our Commonwealth and now, this federal shutdown is threatening critical food assistance for two million Pennsylvanians who rely on SNAP to feed themselves and their families,” said Gov. Josh Shapiro. “In July, Republicans in Congress voted to knock 310,000 Pennsylvanians off Medicaid and 144,000 off SNAP, all in order to give a tax cut for people who don’t need it. Now, Republicans are once again threatening vital support for Pennsylvania families and children – it’s time for them to pass a federal budget and end this shutdown.”
“Inaction from Republicans in Congress threatens more than just access to health care for Pennsylvanians who rely on tax credits to purchase health insurance – it now disrupts life-sustaining food assistance and other critical programs and further endangers health and wellbeing for Pennsylvanians who rely on these programs and services,” said Human Services Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh. “I urge Republicans in Congress to recognize the serious consequences impacting local economies, small businesses, and the health and safety of people in Pennsylvania and nationally. This shutdown is jeopardizing access to health insurance and disrupting these critical services, and I urge our leadership in the U.S. House and Senate to come together for a solution that protects people most at risk.”
Pennsylvanians needing assistance can use PA Navigate pa-navigate.org/ to help find food and other resources. Local help is also available by calling 211 or visiting www.pa211.org. Pennsylvanians can also visit www.feedingpa.org to find local food banks and other food assistance programs.
Steve Ulrich is managing editor of Politics PA where this article originally appeared.
