The USDA and the Food and Nutrition Service warn residents that if the federal government shutdown continues, it could further hurt the SNAP program.
In a statement from the Nevada Department of Human Services, officials said that federal funding is currently only available to cover SNAP benefits through Thursday, October 30, and the agency will continue accepting applications.
"The Division of Social Services continues to closely monitor the federal shutdown and the impacts on SNAP recipients. Once the government reopens, DSS will wait for federal guidance on how to process benefits impacted by the shutdown. Additional food resources can be found at Nevada 211," the statement said.
Approximately 477,000 Nevadans currently receive SNAP benefits, alongside an estimated 42 million people nationwide. The program issues roughly $90 million in benefits to Nevadans each month.
On Wednesday, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) joined Senate colleagues in sending a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture urging the immediate release of November SNAP funding.
In the letter, the senators outlined legal tools available to continue benefits, including contingency funding for SNAP and interchange authority allowing funds to be transferred from other USDA nutrition programs. They urged the USDA to use all available legal authorities to prevent any lapse in assistance.
“We were deeply disturbed to hear that the USDA has instructed states to stop processing SNAP benefits for November and were surprised by your recent comments that the program will ‘run out of money in two weeks,’” the senators wrote. “Americans are already struggling with the rising cost of groceries, and they cannot afford a sudden lapse in grocery assistance.”
“In the event that more resources are needed than what is available in contingency funding, the USDA should explore all legal means to augment funds to pay the full amount of SNAP benefits in November. Americans are already struggling with the rising cost of groceries, and they cannot afford a sudden lapse in grocery assistance,” the Senators continued. “We urge you to immediately communicate to states and committees of jurisdiction the USDA’s plans to disburse the contingency funding to state agencies and utilize all available legal authorities so that American families can get benefits without interruption. Democrats remain at the table and ready to negotiate reopening the government.”
Read the full letter from Senator Rosen and her colleagues by clicking here.
For more information on SNAP in Nevada, click on this line.
For more information on how upcoming SNAP policy changes could affect families, visit this related 2 News Nevada story.
