Food benefits set to expire for 41 million people as US shutdown continues | US federal government shutdown 2025

Food aid under one of the nation’s largest social assistance programs will not be issued in November due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said Saturday.

The shutdown was in its 25th day at the time of the announcement, after more than 200 Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives on Friday called on the USDA to tap emergency reserves to fund November food aid.

Republicans and Democrats in Congress are at an impasse over how to fund and reopen the federal government.

“Ultimately, the well went dry,” he said in a post on the USDA website. November 1, “No benefits will be provided at this time.”

More than 41 million are tied to monthly payments, according to the USDA. In some states, such as New Mexico, dependence on the program was reported to be as high as 21% of residents.

The ministry said it would not draw on emergency reserves to fund food aid in November, according to a memo seen by Reuters.

In the statement made by the leader of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, it was stated that the Trump administration has the opportunity to take action earlier to ensure that aid is not exhausted.

“Steps could and should have been taken weeks ago to be ready to use these funds,” Sharon Parrott’s statement said. Top. “Instead, he may choose not to use them for political advantage,” as Republicans try to pressure Senate Democrats to vote in favor of a spending bill that would reopen the federal government.

Governors in Louisiana and Virginia declared emergencies this week to raise funds to help alleviate hunger in anticipation of Snap benefits not being issued in November.