More than 40 million Americans are at risk of losing access to food assistance in November as the ongoing US government shutdown forces the suspension of key nutrition programs. The Department of Agriculture confirmed that operations under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits have been disrupted due to a lapse in federal funding.
The shutdown, which entered its third week, has left food banks and state agencies scrambling to fill the gap as millions of low-income families, children, and seniors brace for the suspension of benefits. Advocacy groups warn that the halt could deepen hunger crises across major US cities and rural communities already struggling with inflation and rising living costs.
Lawmakers remain deadlocked over a spending bill, with Democrats and Republicans trading blame for the impasse. Economists caution that prolonged inaction could worsen economic inequality and increase pressure on social welfare systems nationwide.
