US federal workers turn to food banks to survive

Snap attack

The sudden cutting off of monthly benefits through the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, is also driving the formation of long lines at food banks across the US.

"As the government shutdown continues, Food Bank for NYC is not only concerned about the impact paycheck disruptions are having on federal workers, but we're also extremely troubled by the withholding of November SNAP benefits, which has never happened in this country," said Zac Hall, senior vice-president of programs at the food bank.

The US Department of Agriculture announced that SNAP benefits, which more than 40 million Americans rely on, roughly one in eight, wouldn't be distributed on Nov 1. "This crisis will further deepen food insecurity," Hall said.

The USDA said in a statement: "We are approaching an inflection point for Senate Democrats. They can continue to hold out for healthcare for illegal aliens and gender mutilation procedures or reopen the government so mothers, babies, and the most vulnerable among us can receive critical nutrition assistance."

Dozens of states, including California, Massachusetts, and New York, have filed lawsuits against the Trump administration over the SNAP cut, highlighting the tension between federal and state governments, as well as the growing partisan rift as millions face the combined pressures of unpaid wages and food insecurity.

Two federal judges ruled on Friday the Trump administration must continue to fund SNAP amid the shutdown.

"This isn't politics, it's people. We urge Congress and the USDA to ensure benefits are fully funded and uninterrupted," said Nicole Hunt, director of public policy and advocacy at the Food Bank For New York City.

The Trump administration announced on Monday that it will partially fund SNAP, as the shutdown entered its 34th day, Xinhua News Agency reported.

President Donald Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Friday that he did not want Americans to go hungry because the "Radical Democrats" refuse to do the right thing and reopen the government. "Therefore, I have instructed our lawyers to ask the court to clarify how we can legally fund SNAP as soon as possible," he said.

The USDA said in a court filing on Monday that a total of $4.65 billion in a contingency fund will be used for November SNAP benefits, which could cover 50 percent of eligible households' current allotments.