USDA Plans to Provide Partial Food Stamps Amid Government Shutdown
Millions of Americans relying on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are bracing themselves for a potentially lengthy period without full benefits. In response to the ongoing government shutdown, the US Department of Agriculture has announced plans to provide partial SNAP funding for November, offering some relief to those struggling with hunger.
However, despite this move, many recipients remain uncertain about when they will receive their funds. The department's declaration indicates that the $4.6 billion in contingency USDA funds will cover 50% of SNAP benefits, but procedural changes required by states could take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to implement.
"This is an unprecedented situation," said Victoria Negus, senior economic justice advocate at the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute. "The timing of when some states can issue partial SNAP benefits and relay that information to EBT vendors will depend on how quickly they can adjust."
States are facing significant pressure to act swiftly, with Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey stating that it could take days for SNAP cards to be loaded again if the funds were to be released.
For many families, losing access to food stamps is a daunting prospect. Shatika Griffin, a single mother of seven in Buffalo, New York, relies on both SNAP and the Women, Infants, and Children program to support her family. Without the federal nutrition assistance, she fears that her children will go hungry.
"I'm a single mom, so it's very frightening," Griffin said. "All the kids know is, 'I'm hungry.'"
Others, like 64-year-old Kelly Lennox in Baltimore, are struggling to make ends meet despite receiving food stamps. Lennox, who was injured in a hit-and-run accident and can no longer work, plans to visit local food banks to supplement her limited income.
"I'm going to have to make use of the pantries and work with their schedule," Lennox said. "If I use actual money for food, it takes away money I need to pay for my residential parking permit, gas, and union dues."
As the government shutdown continues, many SNAP recipients are facing an uncertain future. With some states yet to issue partial benefits, families like Griffin's and Lennox's will be forced to navigate a complex and potentially chaotic system just to put food on the table.
For now, the USDA's plan offers a measure of relief, but its implementation and timing remain unclear. As Negus noted, "I would hope that states will move heaven and earth to get SNAP benefits flowing as quickly as possible."
Millions of Americans relying on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are bracing themselves for a potentially lengthy period without full benefits. In response to the ongoing government shutdown, the US Department of Agriculture has announced plans to provide partial SNAP funding for November, offering some relief to those struggling with hunger.
However, despite this move, many recipients remain uncertain about when they will receive their funds. The department's declaration indicates that the $4.6 billion in contingency USDA funds will cover 50% of SNAP benefits, but procedural changes required by states could take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to implement.
"This is an unprecedented situation," said Victoria Negus, senior economic justice advocate at the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute. "The timing of when some states can issue partial SNAP benefits and relay that information to EBT vendors will depend on how quickly they can adjust."
States are facing significant pressure to act swiftly, with Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey stating that it could take days for SNAP cards to be loaded again if the funds were to be released.
For many families, losing access to food stamps is a daunting prospect. Shatika Griffin, a single mother of seven in Buffalo, New York, relies on both SNAP and the Women, Infants, and Children program to support her family. Without the federal nutrition assistance, she fears that her children will go hungry.
"I'm a single mom, so it's very frightening," Griffin said. "All the kids know is, 'I'm hungry.'"
Others, like 64-year-old Kelly Lennox in Baltimore, are struggling to make ends meet despite receiving food stamps. Lennox, who was injured in a hit-and-run accident and can no longer work, plans to visit local food banks to supplement her limited income.
"I'm going to have to make use of the pantries and work with their schedule," Lennox said. "If I use actual money for food, it takes away money I need to pay for my residential parking permit, gas, and union dues."
As the government shutdown continues, many SNAP recipients are facing an uncertain future. With some states yet to issue partial benefits, families like Griffin's and Lennox's will be forced to navigate a complex and potentially chaotic system just to put food on the table.
For now, the USDA's plan offers a measure of relief, but its implementation and timing remain unclear. As Negus noted, "I would hope that states will move heaven and earth to get SNAP benefits flowing as quickly as possible."
! The fact that we're still debating how to fund basic human needs like food during a government shutdown is just ridiculous 
. It's not rocket science, folks! We need to figure out a way to keep people fed and make this system work, ASAP 
. I'm all for some kind of compromise, but partial benefits? That's just a Band-Aid on a bullet wound 
. What's next? Partial healthcare or education funding? 
The government needs to step up and show us they care about their citizens, not just play politics with our plates 
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But at the same time, $4.6 billion is a lot of money, you know? 
Maybe they should just, like, give everyone full benefits or something? 
I don't know, it seems like it could be easier to just sort it out in one go... but noooo, gotta make it all complicated with partial funding and whatnot. 
And poor Shatika Griffin, a single mom of seven? That's just crazy! 
So yeah, let's hope they get it together soon... or maybe not? 
can't we just pass a bill to fund the government already?! 
another government shutdown means more ppl gonna go hungry ... 50% of snap funds? not enough 
... can't believe they're making single moms like her play pantries too 
and what really gets me is that this is all because of some bureaucratic shutdown... meanwhile people are literally going hungry 
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. they're only covering 50% of benefits and states are still figuring out how to implement it, which could take weeks or months 
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my heart goes out to these single moms like Shatika Griffin, seven kids rely on her for everything 
You know, the one with Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks? Anyway, it got me thinking about how some of these government shutdowns are like a bad rom-com - everyone's left in limbo, waiting for things to get resolved. I mean, can't they just find a way to make peace like, say, Rachel Green and Ross Geller did? 
Anyway, back to food stamps... I heard you can use those reusable snack bags from 7-Eleven to carry your groceries in. Has anyone tried those? Do they really work better than plastic bags?
... like, millions of people are counting on these partial food stamps for November, but it's still anyone's guess when they'll actually get 'em. I mean, 50% of the funding? That's not even close to full benefits. What if the states can't make the switch in time? People like Shatika Griffin and Kelly Lennox will be stuck in limbo, literally going hungry... it's just awful 
. And what about all the single parents out there with kids who don't deserve this stress? The USDA is trying to offer some relief, but it's still a Band-Aid on a bullet wound