"However, since the funds weren't enough to cover full payments, the USDA said it told states to cut November benefits by half. On Tuesday, the agency issued guidance to states regarding the reduced payment amounts for November. For a single person living in the 48 continental states and in D.C., their monthly amount will be reduced to a maximum of $149."
"The agency said that although the contingency fund "has never before been used to fund benefits in a lapse due to Congressional opposition to continuing appropriations," it "took the steps necessary to use the fund" to help cover November SNAP benefits - marking the first time it's been tapped during a funding lapse. The USDA added that the funds are generally "used in the event of a disaster, such as a hurricane, to provide critical relief.""
The US Department of Agriculture moved forward with partial SNAP payments for November, tapping its contingency fund after complying with an October 31 court order. SNAP provides monthly food benefits to about 42 million low-income Americans. The contingency fund had never been used to pay benefits during a funding lapse and is typically reserved for disasters. Because the contingency funds were insufficient, the USDA instructed states to cut November SNAP benefits by half and issued guidance capping a single person's payment in the continental U.S. and D.C. at $149. The agency declined to divert Child Nutrition Program funds to cover SNAP.
Read at Business Insider
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