SNAP benefits to stop Nov. 1: What to know about the food aid shutdown
Federal food aid that helps about 1 in 8 Americans buy groceries is expected to temporarily stop on Nov. 1 due to the government shutdown .
"Bottom line, the well has run dry," the USDA notice says regarding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly referred to as SNAP. "At this time, there will be no benefits issued November 01. We are approaching an inflection point for Senate Democrats."
Here's what you need to know ahead of Saturday.
Who uses SNAP?
The cuts will affect one in seven Massachusetts residents, including more than 330,000 children, Erin McAleer, president and CEO of Project Bread, said.
"These aren't numbers," McAleer said. "They're our neighbors, our coworkers, our family members."
Overall, SNAP payments in Massachusetts total $240 million every month.
Nearly 60% of SNAP recipients in Massachusetts are children or seniors. More than 30% have disabilities, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell 's office said.
"If SNAP is taken away from us, my life will fall apart. I already live at the edge," Iris Montufar, of Chelsea, said at a rally outside the State House Tuesday.
Through tears, Montufar described the pain of not being able to celebrate her son's Tuesday birthday with a pizza party as he had hoped, because money was too tight.
"This is what allows us to survive with dignity," she said. "Taking away SNAP, it doesn't just affect our dinner table. It affects our health, our minds, our hearts and our future ... of our children."
Dr. Diana Cutts, a pediatrician who cofounded Children's HealthWatch, a nonprofit headquartered at Boston Medical Center, fears hungry students will lag behind their peers in school.
"SNAP is not a line item," she said. "Access to SNAP is a baby who gains weight. It is a parent who has the energy to work for their family and bond with that child."
Multiple parents have told MassLive they plan to eat less or go without meals to make sure their children can eat.
"Tell the single mom who's now going to have to water down her juice and milk and is going to scramble to feed her kids — tell her this isn't an emergency," state Rep. James Arena-DeRosa, D-8th Middlesex, said during the rally. "Tell a disabled veteran who risked life and limb for this country that you're not going to tap emergency reserve funds for SNAP and that their benefits are going to run out just a few days away from Veterans Day."
Will I lose SNAP benefits?
While November's SNAP benefits aren't expected to be distributed, people won't lose their benefits altogether.
Any SNAP benefits gained before November won't go away, so people don't have to use them before Saturday.
Additionally, people can continue enrolling in the program during the shutdown.
Leaving $1 in SNAP account
Food banks are encouraging people to leave $1 on EBT cards so individuals can access Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) benefits for produce from local farm stands and farmers' markets.
If your SNAP balance is zero, you will not be able to use HIP until you have SNAP benefits available again.
Visit DTAFinder.com to find HIP vendors near you.
Finding food banks
Food banks can provide information about pantries and local programs where people can access free food.
To find a food bank near you, click here.
The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts has an interactive Food Finder Map , which can be used to find local pantries.
There are also free community pantries located throughout Massachusetts.
What about TANF and WIC?
The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program is designed to help families with children experiencing low income.
It is not meant to replace SNAP benefits. However, it can be used to help alleviate financial stress in other qualifying areas.
People who rely on the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, known as WIC, could also face issues. This includes more than 100,000 people in Massachusetts.
Experts told USA Today that WIC could run out of money within days.
The National WIC Association (NWA) has asked for an additional $300 million to sustain program operations through the first two weeks of November.
For other program options, U.S. residents can enter their zip code to find hundreds of options here . This includes information on a Farmers Markets Coupon Program in Boston, HelpRx's prescription discount card and Catholic Charities' basic needs program .
City-wide effort in Worcester
Worcester has one of the state's largest percentages of residents receiving benefits.
"Any disruption to these services has significant repercussions, and we are very concerned that people will not have heating assistance, SNAP benefits, housing vouchers etc. as we move into the colder months," a statement on Tuesday from the Office of City Manager Eric Batista read.
Due to this, city officials are working to convene leaders of groups "to identify what the biggest needs are" as "a city-wide effort to keep Worcester's community resources afloat."
How can you help others?
Massachusetts has teamed up with United Way to launch the "United Respond Fund."
"Our goal is to raise money and invest it back out to organizations that are not only making sure food is available, but that it actually is accessible in communities, that it can be delivered to where it needs to be, that it ends up in people's homes the way it needs to end up," United Way of Massachusetts Bay CEO Marty Martinez told State House News Service .
Other ways to help are to donate to local food banks, volunteer your time or host a food drive .
But the Greater Boston Food Bank says monetary donations are the most helpful.
"Based on our years of creating long-lasting relationships with the food industry and our significant buying power, the most impactful way to help provide food is to make a monetary contribution. For every dollar we receive, we are able to provide three meals," the website states.
Lawsuit
Campbell is co-leading the legal action against the Trump administration as 25 states join a lawsuit to preserve the food assistance benefits.
"Despite having the money to fund SNAP, the Trump Administration is creating needless fear, angst and harm for millions of families and their children, especially as we approach the holidays," Campbell said.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this article.
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