USDA says shutdown will not affect SNAP participants

MARYLAND– Officials with the United States Department of Agriculture, say those using their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP, will not be affected by the government shutdown.

In a press conference call on Tuesday, Brandon Lipps, Acting Deputy Undersecretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services, explained how they’ll be releasing benefits earlier than usual for those using SNAP.

The USDA will be reaching out to states to instruct them to request early issuance of SNAP benefits for February. States will have until *January 20th* to request and implement the early issuance.

Once the early issuances are made, the February benefits will be made available to SNAP participants.