đ Share this article Nutrition Assistance Expected to End for Over 40 Million Amid Ongoing Government Closure USDA officials announced on Saturday that monthly food benefits through a critical national support systems are not going out during the coming month due to the ongoing government funding lapse. Impasse Persists Through Its Third Week The funding lapse had reached its 25th day when the announcement was made, which followed demands from hundreds of House Democrats asking the department to utilize reserve accounts to cover November's food assistance. âThe reality is, funds are depleted,â officials announced. âNow, there will be no benefits issuedâ starting next month. Millions Affected More than 41 million individuals depend on the regular assistance, per the USDA. Some regions, like one southwestern state, reliance on this assistance is as high as one-fifth of the population. Internal communications seen by Reuters revealed that USDA officials would not access reserve funds to cover next month's assistance. Partisan Impasse Republicans and Democrats continue to disagree regarding how to support and resume federal agencies. A statement from the leader of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities suggested that federal leadership had chances to prepare in advance to avoid interruption in payments. âThey had the ability and responsibility taken steps before now to get ready to access these resources,â the remarks concluded. âConversely, officials could opt out to secure political leverageâ while GOP lawmakers attempt to pressure Senate Democrats to support legislation that would resume the federal government. Local Responses State leaders from multiple regions activated emergency protocols in recent days to make money available for hunger relief preparing for SNAP benefits not being issued in November.