The federal food aid program that helps about one-eighth of Americans buy groceries is scheduled to be paused on Nov. 1 due to the government shutdown, and even some states that want to step in to fill the gap are finding they can’t.
Food assistance recipients, food banks, states and advocates are preparing to stop payments from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, at the end of next week. Here’s what you should know.
Low-income households eligible for SNAP receive debit cards loaded each month by the federal government that work only for groceries at participating stores and farmers markets.
The average monthly benefit is $187 per person. Most beneficiaries have incomes at or below the poverty level.
Time is running out to keep the benefits flowing in November.
Congress and President Donald Trump could reach an agreement to end the federal shutdown that began on October 1.
It is also possible that the federal government will allocate money to the program even if the shutdown continues. The Liberal Center on Budget and Policy Priorities estimates about $5 billion is available in the emergency fund and is calling on the government to use that to make partial benefits in November. It is not clear whether this is being seriously discussed.
The USDA did not respond to questions from The Associated Press about whether these funds could be used.
States also indicated there could be a delay in benefits even if an agreement is reached to fund SNAP for November.
Officials from Alaska, New Mexico and North Dakota said they have considered using state money to keep food aid flowing but fear the federal government’s guidance could make that impossible.
The USDA, which oversees SNAP, told states earlier this month not to send information to vendors offering debit cards because of uncertainty about whether the program will be funded in November.
State officials say federal control of the system appears to be getting in the way of their attempts to fund the program on their own.
“Without action from USDA, I believe it is unlikely that any state will issue SNAP benefits for November,” Carolyn Vega, a policy analyst at the advocacy group Share Our Strength, said in an email. “On top of the technical challenges, countries cannot afford this cost, especially with the risk of not recovering it.”
Sylvia Serrano gets $100 a month to help buy groceries for herself and the four grandchildren she is raising in Camden, New Jersey.
Two of her grandchildren have autism, and because of their aversion to certain textures they only eat certain foods that are unlikely to be available at food banks.
It may also be more difficult for her to get food without SNAP. She now shops while the kids are at school, using a grocery store close to home because of her unreliable car.
With SNAP, she says, she can often cover her other expenses. Without it? “I would have to send a smaller amount on a bill or something like that to cover the needs and then the bills would fall behind,” Serrano said.
Some states require SNAP recipients to be prepared for benefits to stop.
Arkansas advises recipients to identify food pantries and other groups that may be able to help, and to ask friends and family for help.
It’s not clear whether any remaining interest on recipients’ EBT cards on November 1 will be available to use. Officials in Arkansas suggest people with balances on their cards use them this month on shelf-stable foods.
On the other hand, Missouri and Pennsylvania officials expect previous benefits to remain affordable and are asking recipients to save for November if they can.
Oklahoma encourages people receiving benefits to visit a State website It connects people to nonprofits, religious groups, Native American tribes and others who may be able to help with food.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, said this week he would do so Deployment of the National Guard To help food banks. He added: “This is a serious and urgent matter that requires immediate action.”
Separate cuts to the federal program this year have already put food banks that supply food pantries in a difficult position, said George Matysek, executive director of Share Food in Philadelphia.
So dealing with the expected rise in demand may be difficult.
Matysek said it’s particularly acute for his organization and others in Pennsylvania, where state government budget gridlock means at least a temporary pause in another funding stream. He said the group had to cut about 20% of its budget, or $8.5 million, this year.
“Anytime we face a crisis, it is always the working class that feels the pain first,” he said.
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Associated Press reporters Sophie Austin in Sacramento, California; Scott Bauer in Madison, Wisconsin; Becky Buhrer in Juneau, Alaska; Jack Brock in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Jack Dora in Bismarck, North Dakota; Susan Hay in Hartford, Connecticut; John Hanna in Topeka, Kansas; Mark Levy in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Morgan Lee in Santa Fe, New Mexico; Sean Murphy in Oklahoma City contributed to this article.