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USDA officials stated recently that nutrition assistance payments through a critical national support systems won't be issued in November due to the ongoing government funding lapse.

Shutdown Extends For Nearly Four Weeks

The government shutdown had reached nearly a month as officials revealed the news, coming after appeals by more than two hundred Congressional Democrats pushing agriculture officials to access emergency reserves to pay for November's food assistance.

“Bottom line, funds are depleted,” the USDA stated. “At this time, assistance will not be provided” starting next month.

Widespread Impact

More than 41 million individuals depend on the regular assistance, per official statistics. Various areas, like one southwestern state, dependence on the program is as high as 21% of residents.

A memo obtained by a major news agency revealed that USDA officials decided against using contingency funding to cover next month's assistance.

Partisan Impasse

Congressional leaders remain deadlocked over how to support and resume federal agencies.

A statement from the director at a prominent policy organization indicated that the administration had opportunities to prepare in advance to prevent benefits from running out.

“Officials were able and expected to taken steps before now to get ready to access these resources,” the comments added. “Conversely, it may choose not to use them to secure political leverage” while GOP lawmakers attempt to influence Democratic senators to vote for a spending bill to restart federal functions.

Local Responses

Executives in Louisiana and Virginia activated emergency protocols in recent days to make money available for hunger relief in anticipation of nutrition assistance payments stopping next month.