Backing away from its previously rigid stance and under pressure from two to keep the program running, it announced Monday that it would partially continue the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) had planned to “freeze” payments from November 1, citing an inability to continue funding due to the prolonged shutdown of the federal government, which has now reached 34 days, the longest in US history, with effects now evident in all areas of daily life, from welfare programs to transportation and education.
The program serves about one in eight Americans and is one of the most important pillars of the United States’ social network. Its total cost is about $8 billion per month.
Uncertainty about benefits
It remains unclear how much money the beneficiaries will receive and when the amounts will be credited to their cards. The process of loading SNAP cards, which requires cooperation between federal and state agencies, can take up to two weeks in some states.
The average monthly allowance is estimated at 190 dollars per person, while the Ministry had already warned that the November allowances would not be paid. The announcement sparked intense concern among state governments, food banks and the roughly 42 million Americans who depend on the program for their daily meals.
Trump says he won’t be “blackmailed” by Democrats
In his first “60 Minutes” interview in five years, President Trump said he will not be “blackmailed” by Democrats, stressing that he will only negotiate on extending Affordable Care Act subsidies when the government reopens.
These statements indicate that the suspension may be extended, as there is currently no political agreement between the White House and Congress.
Flight delays and kindergarten closures
A shortage of air traffic controllers due to non-payment of wages is causing significant delays to flights to and from the United States. Transport Minister Sean Duffy has warned that air transport problems will intensify as long as workers remain unpaid.
At the same time, the crisis has led to the closure of dozens of Head Start preschools, where children from low-income families, homeless children and children in foster care attend. These children are deprived of two daily meals and growth treatments provided through the program. Some centers say they will close indefinitely, while others are trying to keep operating with emergency funding.
