As the countdown to a potential partial shutdown of the federal government approaches this week, the lives of millions dependent on federal SNAP benefits hang in the balance.
In the event that Congress fails to reach an agreement on government funding, a partial shutdown is set to be triggered on March 1. This shutdown would affect various federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), responsible for managing food stamps and WIC food assistance programs.
The Impact of a Government Shutdown on SNAP Food Stamps
Formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) aids low-income and no-income families in purchasing groceries by allocating a monthly benefit allowance to an EBT card.
Due to the funding structure of SNAP, the consequences of a government shutdown wouldn’t be immediately felt. A USDA spokesperson informed Nexstar that benefits for each month are issued in the preceding month. Therefore, even if Congress fails to reach an agreement by the beginning of March, recipients would receive their benefits as usual.
In the case of a prolonged shutdown exceeding a month, there is reserve funding to sustain SNAP temporarily. However, potential delays and issues might arise if USDA employees responsible for program operations are furloughed, as explained by the Food Research & Action Center.
Impact on WIC Benefits of a Potential Government Shutdown
WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) faces a different scenario. This program provides food assistance to low-income pregnant women, new mothers, and their babies and young children and is dealing with a $1 billion budget shortfall.
WIC has sufficient funds to continue providing aid briefly during a government shutdown, but this could deplete rapidly, according to Safa Hamad, overseeing the WIC program in Wake County, North Carolina.
When WIC faces funding shortages, it prioritizes pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and infants with nutritional issues. If there’s enough funding, assistance extends to the next priority tier, including infants under 6 months with nutrition-related medical issues. Hamad expressed concerns about having to turn people away, even toddlers who may end up on waitlists.
While WIC funding is a topic of negotiation, a continuing resolution could prevent a funding lapse during a government shutdown, according to a USDA spokesperson. A continuing resolution is a temporary spending plan enabling the government to operate normally while lawmakers continue budget discussions.
While some USDA benefits continue and others won’t, the fate is clearer for the agency’s employees under a government shutdown. “The Federal government is currently not allowed to spend money effective 12:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 2, 2024,” reads an FAQ for department employees.
“Most USDA employees will be placed on furlough,” the FAQ continues, at which point they will not be allowed to work except to help with shutting down operations. They won’t be paid for their furloughed time until the government is funded again.