Currently, 42 million Americans rely on these benefits. 'This means there will be no funds left for new SNAP applicants certified in November, disaster assistance, or as a cushion against the potentially catastrophic consequences of a total SNAP shutdown,' they added. This decision comes after two federal judges ordered the government to submit a report on the fund distribution and expressed support for using that money to pay program beneficiaries. Originally, the Department of Agriculture said it had no intention of using emergency funds to finance the food stamp program during the shutdown. Although this decision will cover half of the benefits, it remains to be seen what the Trump administration will do to finance the rest if the federal government remains closed. The government shutdown, which entered its 34th day on Monday, is one day away from tying the longest in history, and as it drags on, recriminations between Democrats and Republicans are increasing. Liberals, who continue to push for an extension of subsidies for the affordable Obamacare health insurance program, had urged the Trump administration to find funding for food stamps. Republicans, in turn, accuse them of wanting to provide healthcare to undocumented immigrants and insist on demanding that they open the government first and then negotiate on aid. It is expected that the Senate will hold a new vote on the bill to temporarily open the government this afternoon, although there are no signs that the result will be different from the previous thirteen times.
'This means there will be no funds left for new SNAP applicants certified in November, disaster assistance, or as a cushion against the potentially catastrophic consequences of a total SNAP shutdown,' they added.
