🔗 Share this article Food Benefits Set to End for Over 40 Million Throughout Ongoing US Government Shutdown The United States Department of Agriculture declared this past weekend that nutrition assistance payments under one of the country’s largest welfare initiatives will not be distributed next month amid the persistent federal closure. Closure Continues Into 25th Day The funding lapse was in its 25th day at the time of the statement, coming after appeals by more than two hundred House Democrats urging the department to access reserve accounts to fund next month's benefits. “Bottom line, the well has run dry,” officials announced. “Now, assistance will not be provided” starting next month. National Consequences More than 41 million individuals depend on these food benefits, according to federal data. In certain states, including New Mexico, use of the program affects one-fifth of the population. Internal communications seen by Reuters showed that federal authorities decided against using reserve funds for November food benefits. Partisan Impasse Congressional leaders continue to disagree regarding how to finance and restart federal agencies. Remarks from the leader of a budget research center noted that federal leadership could have acted to prepare in advance to avoid interruption in payments. “They had the ability and responsibility made moves before now to be prepared to use these funds,” the comments added. “Rather, officials could opt out for potential political benefit” as conservative leaders work to push upper chamber Democrats to approve a spending bill that would resume government operations. Local Responses Governors in multiple regions issued emergency declarations this week to free up resources for hunger relief preparing for nutrition assistance payments stopping next month.