Existing SNAP funds available until Nov. 1
The federal government will cease providing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits starting Saturday, Nov. 1.
Due to the federal government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture doesn’t have enough money for this program to continue, a press release from the Georgia Department of Human Services (GDHS) announced.
Government Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards storing SNAP money will also no longer function, even if they have existing funds.
GDHS advises SNAP recipients to plan ahead now and shop for needed items while they can still use their money.
People can check their EBT cards at connectebt.com/ebtconnect/recipient/GA/.
“DHS understands how important SNAP benefits are to Georgia families and is closely monitoring the situation,” the press release stated.
As of 2022, SNAP provided help with groceries to more than 1.5 million Georgia residents and more than 41 million nationwide, according to the USDA.
Of these households, 78 percent had income at or below the poverty line. More than 700,000 children were supported by SNAP.
In Gilmer County, the pause on SNAP benefits will likely mean more people will be visiting the food pantry, Gilmer Community Food Pantry Director Allen Triebel said.
In response, the pantry plans to work with the Chattanooga food bank to make sure there’s enough food.
“Chattanooga is attempting to address the concerns of food pantries that will be affected when the SNAP program ends,” he said.
Legislators haven’t resolved a budget deadlock that went into place on Sept. 30, according to the National Council of State Legislatures (NCSL).
Democrats wanted continued government funding to include a tax credit for health insurance companies and a reversal of President Donald Trump’s cuts to Medicaid.
The tax credit would help health insurance companies cover insurance premiums for low to moderate-income families.
Since the shutdown started, neither side has been willing to compromise.
As of publication, the shutdown has lasted 29 days, making it the second-longest government shutdown in American history.
The longest was during President Donald Trump’s first administration and lasted 34 days.
It’s unclear how long the shutdown will last.