GA SNAP Benefits Won't Go Out In November, Officials Confirm

Georgia residents who receive federal food aid won’t get their November benefits as the ongoing federal shutdown continues, the Department of Agriculture has announced.

The Department of Agriculture posted a notice on its website after the Trump administration said it would not tap roughly $5 billion in contingency funds to keep benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly referred to as SNAP, flowing into November. That program helps about one in eight Americans buy groceries.

“Bottom line, the well has run dry,” the USDA notice says. “At this time, there will be no benefits issued on November 01. We are approaching an inflection point for Senate Democrats.”

Nationally, more than 62 percent of nearly 41.7 million SNAP participants are in families with children; 37 percent are in families with members who are older adults or disabled; and more than 38 percent are in working families, according to an analysis by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

The analysis of USDA Food and Nutrition Service data by the non-partisan research group that focuses on federal and state policies to reduce poverty and inequality also shows that 1,411,400 Georgia residents receive SNAP benefits. That’s 13 percent of the state population (1 in 8) who depend on benefits to keep food on the table.

According to the data, at least 69 percent of SNAP recipients in Georgia are families with children.

Additionally, more than 28 percent of recipients have older adults or adults who are considered disabled in their families, and at least 37 percent of recipients are in working families.

The shutdown, which began Oct. 1, is now the second-longest on record. While the Republican administration took steps leading up to the shutdown to ensure SNAP benefits were paid this month, the cutoff would expand the impact of the impasse to a wider swath of Americans — and some of those most in need — unless a political resolution is found in just a few days.

The prospect of families not receiving food aid has deeply concerned states run by both parties.

Officials in Louisiana, Vermont and Virginia pledged to keep food aid flowing to recipients in their states, even if the federal program is stalled next month because of the government shutdown.

Other states’ attempts to use their own funds to support the program have faced technical hurdles, and it's uncertain if the three new plans can overcome these.

The Georgia Department of Human Services confirmed the suspension did not affect October benefits, and that benefits could still be used before Nov. 1.

U.S. Sen. Rev. Raphael Warnock, D-GA, vowed to combat the suspension.

"This admin could send out benefits if they wanted to but they are CHOOSING not to," Warnock tweeted Friday. "It’s a craven attempt to gain leverage in their fight to rip health care away from millions. I will fight this."

However, U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-GA, told a different story. On Sunday, she tweeted accusations that Warnock and fellow Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff were holding up the bill to fund the budget.

"Nearly 1.4 million Georgians, which 640,000 are children, could lose SNAP benefits due to the government shutdown," Greene tweeted. "Georgia Senators Ossoff and Warnock have continuously voted NO to funding the government. This is absolutely shameful."

Georgia officials have created an online hub of resources for federal workers affected by the shutdown. Congresswoman Lucy McBath, representing Georgia's sixth district, also shared online resources for impacted federal workers.

Workers needing assistance with food may benefit from the Atlanta Community Food Bank, with four community food centers in metro Atlanta, and the Georgia Emergency Food Assistance Program.

"When the federal government shuts down, families, federal workers, and seniors suddenly face tough choices. Together, we can help families stay nourished through the unexpected," the ACFB tweeted on Oct. 7, shortly after the shutdown was announced.

Feeding Georgia operates food banks statewide, including the ACFB and Second Harvest Coastal Georgia.

A list of local food banks are available via the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.

For more information on SNAP, Georgians can visit the Georgia Department of Human Services website.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.