More than 1.6 million people who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the D.C. area are at risk of losing assistance starting Nov. 1 if the government shutdown continues, according to the Department of Agriculture (USDA).
A message posted on the agency’s website warns that “the well has run dry.”
That message blames Democrats for the shutdown, saying: “Senate Democrats have now voted 12 times to not fund the food stamp program, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Bottom line, the well has run dry,” the unsigned message posted on the USDA’s official website reads.
SNAP benefits, which are distributed from the federal government to states each month, were administered through October because the funds for them were allocated before the shutdown began Oct. 1, NBC News has reported.
A lawsuit filed Tuesday in federal court by 22 states and Washington, D.C., says the funds were suspended despite there being contingency funds available to pay out full SNAP benefits in November for all 42 million people who use them.
Local governments in the D.C. area have already announced whether they will use state funds to supplement SNAP benefits. Here’s a breakdown:
What’s happening with SNAP benefits in Virginia?
Late last week, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a hunger emergency to use emergency funds to support those who rely on the aid.
In a statement, Youngkin, a Republican, blamed Democrats in Congress for the government shutdown, while thanking the Trump administration for “their assistance as they continue to provide support to Virginians in need.”
“The Commonwealth will provide food benefits until Congressional Democrats put the interests of Virginians in need ahead of their politics,” the statement reads.
Arlington County, Fairfax County and Loudoun County have lists of of food banks and other ways to get help.
What’s happening with SNAP benefits in Maryland?
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore reported that the state cannot cover SNAP during the government shutdown without assurance that the federal government will reimburse the use of those funds.
“The Maryland Treasury holds roughly $3.5 billion in short-term cash to help bridge reimbursable federal expenses and myriad other State expenses, but we do not have confidence that the Trump Administration will reimburse us—not only for SNAP, but for any federal programs that may suffer for the duration of this senseless shutdown,” he said in a statement published Friday.
“As I have long said—there is no balance sheet to make up for when the federal government just decides to tell states, ‘You’re on your own.’ In Maryland, we will continue to do everything in our power to ensure the federal government follows the law and provides funding for the critical services that our families, our children, and our veterans rely on,” Moore’s statement concluded.
Montgomery County and Prince George’s County have lists of resources for people in need of food; other resources, including help with housing, utilities and loans are available on the Maryland state website.
Moore paid a visit to the Bowie Interfaith Pantry and Emergency Fund late last week, which his office said is experiencing an increase in demand due to the shutdown.
What’s happening with SNAP benefits in D.C.?
In the District, the situation remains unclear.
D.C. Councilmember Christina Henderson told The Washington Post that the city has no plans to fund SNAP.
However, the city does expect to subsidize the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) through Nov. 7, Henderson said.
D.C. and Maryland are among the plaintiffs suing the USDA and its head, Brooke Rollins, saying SNAP was suspended unlawfully.
Meanwhile, the Capital Area Food Bank has extended assistance to federal workers. Go here for details.
NBC News contributed to this report.
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