As the federal government shutdown stretches into its sixth week, millions of Americans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) now face uncertainty over when their next benefit payments will arrive. FOX 5 Atlanta
Over the weekend, some recipients began seeing their food-assistance cards go un-refreshed after the U.S. Department of Agriculture paused allocations, citing an inability to keep the program funded under the ongoing government shutdown. FOX 5 Atlanta
Two federal judges in Rhode Island and Massachusetts separately ordered the administration to secure emergency funding for SNAP, but key questions remain unanswered — including exactly when payments will resume and how quickly cards will be reloaded. FOX 5 Atlanta
In the meantime, food banks across the country are reporting increased demand, with long lines forming as families scramble for essentials while the standoff in Congress persists. FOX 5 Atlanta
SNAP serves approximately 1 in 8 Americans and costs around $8 billion a month. If benefits are suspended for any meaningful duration, it would mark the first disruption of its kind in the program’s history. FOX 5 Atlanta
For now, recipients are urged to monitor state-managed beneficiary portals and contact local assistance programs to explore alternative resources until the funding stalemate resolves.
(Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
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