Shutdown Threatens Food Security For Vulnerable In Montana

Government Shutdown Threatens Key Assistance Programs

Food insecurity occurs when individuals lack consistent access to food and are uncertain about where their next meal will come from.

Right now there are almost 78,000 Montana residents that, come November 1st, may not be able to put food on their families’ tables.

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SNAP Benefits May Be Delayed For Montana Families

As the government shutdown continues approaching the longest shutdown in history (currently the second-longest), many services that people across America use are in jeopardy of being shut down.

One of those services is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, better known as SNAP.

A new message has gone out to SNAP clients that warns them they might not see their benefits come next month.

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SNAP Usage Statistics In Montana

On Tuesday, October 21, the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) posted the following message.

“As a result of the ongoing federal government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service has directed states to stop the issuance of SNAP benefits for the month of November until further notice.”

In September there were 77,679 Montanans who received SNAP benefits, which breaks down to about $332 per household on average per month.

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities provided a fact sheet that shows 63% of those receiving benefits are families with children, 38% have older or disabled family members, and more than 43% are working families.

WIC Program Remains

Thankfully the program Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, or WIC, will continue to be active until at least Nov 30th; that's according to a newsletter sent out by Western Native Voice.

“For WIC benefits, Montana has advised that the program remains active through November 30 using carry-over funds, but future continuity will depend on federal guidance."

The hope is that the shutdown ends before this occurs.

Sources: Western Native Voice, Daily Montanan

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