"The Well Has Run Dry"... U.S. Shutdown Shakes the Dinner Table

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on its website that federal food assistance payments will be suspended starting November 1. With the ongoing federal government shutdown, millions of households nationwide are expected to be directly impacted.
This notice follows the Trump administration’s decision not to extend the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments for low-income households using approximately $5 billion in emergency reserves. SNAP is a core welfare program that helps one in eight Americans purchase groceries.
In its announcement, the USDA stated, "Bottom line, the well has run dry," adding, "At this point, there are no funds available for payments on November 1. The matter now rests with the Democratic-controlled Senate."
This shutdown, which began on October 1, is now the second longest in history. While the administration guaranteed SNAP payments for one month before the shutdown, if payments stop in November, tens of millions—including the extremely poor—could face a crisis in meeting basic needs.
The Trump administration has placed the blame on the Democratic Party, arguing that the shutdown has dragged on because Democrats have refused to negotiate an extension of subsidies for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA, Obamacare). Meanwhile, Democrats insist that talks can only proceed if the Republican Party first reopens the government.
Democratic lawmakers sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, requesting the use of reserve funds to maintain SNAP payments next month. However, internal USDA documents specify that reserve funds cannot legally be used for general assistance payments. These funds are designated for specific purposes, such as emergency aid in disaster areas.
The USDA recently cited the example of Hurricane Melissa strengthening into a major storm, emphasizing the need to mobilize funds quickly for disaster response.
The potential suspension of food assistance payments is causing significant concern in states governed by both the Democratic and Republican parties. Some states have announced plans to use their own resources to continue SNAP, but there are concerns that, without federal approval, they will not be reimbursed. USDA documents state that even if state governments temporarily cover the costs, the federal government will not provide reimbursement.
As a result, states such as Arkansas and Oklahoma have already notified recipients about the possibility of suspended benefits and advised them to seek out local food banks or church-based food assistance organizations in advance.
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km@fnnews.com Kim Kyung-min Reporter