SNAP, Minnesota and Food Group
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Millions could lose SNAP benefits in WA
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The lawsuit argues the USDA is legally required to continue providing SNAP benefits during the shutdown as long as it has funding.
On Oct. 10, the USDA sent a letter to SNAP agencies saying that if the shutdown continues, there will be insufficient funds to pay for November.
DCYF sent an email to Minnesota’s 87 counties and 11 tribal nations earlier this week, laying out a timeline that appears to taper off the distribution of benefits.
The Agriculture Department said it can't use contingency funds to pay for SNAP benefits, contradicting earlier guidance that the money was available.
The ongoing government shutdown means SNAP benefits for roughly 440,000 Minnesotans will be halted on Nov. 1. To help manage the gap, Gov. Tim Walz released $4 million in emergency funding for food shelves.
Federal officials have said funding for the program, which provides food benefits to low-income families, will run out come November unless a deal to reopen the government is reached. In Minnesota, this will mean funding drying up to provide SNAP benefits to 440,000 recipients.
Minnesota’s Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) says SNAP funding will run dry on Nov. 1 amid a government shutdown. If the shutdown is not resolved, the department will not be able to pay November benefits.