Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and 22 attorneys general from other states are demanding answers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture about why food stamps are being cut off for millions of Americans in November.
As the federal government shutdown approaches one month, the USDA has told states not to issue November payments for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.
“Bottom line, the well has run dry,” a message on the USDA website says. “At this time, there will be no benefits issued November 1.”
The message goes on to blame Senate Democrats for the ongoing shutdown.
But in a letter Friday, Mayes and the other attorneys general questioned whether the USDA has the authority to suspend SNAP payments.
The attorneys general also pointed out that, in September, the USDA released a Lapse of Funding Plan which said the department had at least $6 billion in contingency funds that could keep SNAP running.
“Just one month ago — and in anticipation of a possible shutdown — USDA recognized that ‘Congressional intent is evident that SNAP’s operations should continue since the program has been provided with multi-year contingency funds that can be used for State Administrative Expenses,’” the attorneys general wrote.
But in a new USDA memo, the department changed its position on the contingency fund from what it had said in its September plan. The Department now says the fund should be reserved for providing aid after disasters such as hurricanes or floods. It says transferring funds from other sources would pull away funding for school meals and infant formula. The memo also says states will not be reimbursed if they use their own funds to cover SNAP benefits during the shutdown.
In Arizona, more than 887,000 people rely on SNAP for monthly food assistance.
Gov. Katie Hobbs has said the state does not have enough funding to keep the program running without federal payments.
The Arizona Department of Economic Security, which administers SNAP in the state, has confirmed November benefits will not be issued. The department said its offices remain open, and it will continue accepting and processing applications for SNAP in Arizona in the meantime. But the department’s website is directing Arizona SNAP recipients to local food banks if they need immediate food assistance.
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