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USDA officials stated on Saturday that nutrition assistance payments from a major federal support systems won't be issued next month because of the continuing government funding lapse.

Shutdown Extends For Nearly Four Weeks

The funding lapse had reached nearly a month at the time of the statement, in response to demands from hundreds of House Democrats urging agriculture officials to access reserve accounts to pay for November's food assistance.

“The reality is, the well has run dry,” officials announced. “Now, assistance will not be provided” beginning in November.

National Consequences

Tens of millions of people depend on the regular assistance, according to the USDA. In certain states, like one southwestern state, use of SNAP is as high as one-fifth of the population.

Internal communications seen by a major news agency showed that USDA officials would not access emergency reserves for the upcoming payments.

Political Stalemate

Lawmakers from both parties remain deadlocked about the way to finance and restart federal agencies.

Comments by the leader of a budget research center suggested that federal leadership had chances to act sooner to prevent benefits from running out.

“It could have, and should have acted weeks ago to make arrangements to utilize available money,” the remarks concluded. “Instead, officials could opt out to secure political leverage” as Republicans seek to pressure Senate Democrats to approve legislation that would reopen government operations.

Local Responses

Executives in Louisiana and Virginia issued emergency declarations this week to make money available to combat potential hunger expecting food benefits expiring during the upcoming period.