By Tim Carpenter, Kansas Reflector
TOPEKA — The state Department for Children and Families renewed a warning the federal government shutdown could delay or halt food assistance to 188,000 people in Kansas during November.
Budget gridlock in Congress could jeopardize distribution of $34.4 million in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program aid to Kansans. SNAP benefits flow to 93,000 households in the state each month.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture advised in a letter, DCF said Tuesday, that states were not to begin processing November benefits under SNAP unless a budget deal was completed. The correspondence sent to all states by the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Services said lack of an agreement by Oct. 28 would leave SNAP without resources to provide food benefits next month to 42 million people across the United States.
Under normal circumstances, SNAP benefit processing would begin Oct. 28 so money could be posted to Kansas benefits cards from Nov. 1 to Nov. 10.
DCF Secretary Laura Howard said her department could make benefits available to Kansans within 72 hours of a resolution in the budget standoff.
“As soon as an agreement is reached, or the federal government finds an alternative funding source, and DCF receives approval from FNS, we are prepared to act quickly with contracting partners to get benefits out to Kansans,” Howard said.
The U.S. House passed a resolution that would keep the federal government open through Nov. 21, but the U.S. Senate has yet to approve a comparable measure.
DCF said potential disruption in SNAP would coincide with outset of the holiday season, a traditionally busy period for food banks working with needy families. Lack of SNAP aid in November would occur as children had fewer days in school with access to meal programs.
The federal budget conflict began Oct. 1, but DCF said SNAP benefits in October were distributed on schedule in Kansas. The state agency said recipients of SNAP should use October benefits as normal.
DCF said those enrolled in the food program should continue compliance with reporting requirements and recertifications.
Locations of food banks or pantries in Kansas can be obtained through kansasfoodsource.org or Harvesters.org. United Way’s 211 hotline or website, 211.org, can connect Kansans to community resources.
