'The Well has Run Dry'

The Well Has Run Dry

Bottom line, the well has run dry. At this time, there will be no benefits issued November 1.”

USDA Statement on Nov. SNAP benefits

MANCHESTER, Ky. — As the federal government shutdown drags into its fourth week, millions of Americans — including nearly 40% of Clay County residents — face the possibility of losing their food assistance beginning Nov. 1, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, provides monthly benefits to help low-income families afford groceries. Nationwide, more than 42 million Americans rely on SNAP. But because of the ongoing shutdown, the USDA announced this week that no benefits will be issued on Nov. 1, leaving families across the country — and thousands here in Clay County — in uncertainty.

“Bottom line, the well has run dry. At this time, there will be no benefits issued November 1,” the USDA’s statement reads.

The shutdown began Oct. 1 after Congress failed to pass funding allocations for the 2026 fiscal year. Health care policy has become a major point of contention, with Democrats pushing to reverse Republican-backed cuts to the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid. Republicans argue those issues should be addressed after the shutdown ends.

The USDA had been warning states for weeks that SNAP funding was in jeopardy. In an Oct. 10 letter to state agencies, SNAP development director Sasha Gersten-Paal wrote that the department expected “insufficient funds to pay full November SNAP benefits” if the shutdown continued. The letter also directed states to pause sending data about eligible households to Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) vendors “until further notice.”

A follow-up statement from the USDA on Oct. 22 warned of an “inflection point” approaching for both SNAP and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC).

In Clay County, where nearly two out of every five residents depend on SNAP to help put food on the table, the lapse could have devastating consequences. Grocery stores, local food banks, and school meal programs are expected to see higher demand if benefits are halted.

The USDA has advised SNAP recipients to check with their state agencies for local resources. Those who still have remaining funds on their EBT cards can continue to use that balance in November, as benefits do not expire for a full calendar year.

For those needing immediate food assistance, Feeding America offers a searchable database of local food banks at www.feedingamerica.org.

As of now, there is no timeline for Congress to reach a funding agreement — and no guarantee that November’s benefits will be restored.