WASHINGTON — As the federal government shutdown extends to day 17, and with congressional leaders nowhere near negotiating, state officials are beginning to raise concerns of potential cuts to nutrition assistance benefits that feed millions if the government isn’t reopened.

Minnesota has already halted new enrollments in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. And officials in Kansas, New Hampshire and New Mexico have warned their residents could miss their food assistance payments for November.

More than 42 million Americans rely on the program, which the U.S. Department of Agriculture administers. The federal government funds nearly all the program benefits, with states administering the program.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins warned Thursday that SNAP will run out of funds in two weeks if Congress fails to strike a deal and end the government shutdown.

“You’re talking about millions and millions of vulnerable families of hungry families that are not going to have access to these programs because of this shutdown,” she said outside the White House Thursday.

USDA could not be reached for comment Friday.

USDA has directed regional SNAP directors to stop working on benefits for November, according to an Oct. 10 letter obtained by Politico, written by the program’s acting associate administrator, Ronald Ward.

“Considering the operational issues and constraints that exist in automated systems, and in the interest of preserving maximum flexibility, we are forced to direct States to hold their November issuance files and delay transmission to State EBT vendors until further notice,” Ward wrote. “This includes on-going SNAP benefits and daily files.”

USDA has already shuffled more than $300 million in tariff revenue into the agency’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, or WIC, through the rest of the month.

The shutdown started Oct. 1 after Congress failed to find a bipartisan path forward on a stopgap spending bill.

Senate Democrats have pushed for negotiations to extend the enhanced tax credits that are set to expire at the end of the year for people who buy their health insurance from the Affordable Care Act marketplace.

Republicans have insisted on passing the House’s version of the stopgap funding bill that does not address insurance premiums.

Pennsylvania faces the loss of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, commonly known as food stamps for about 2 million people more than 100 days into a state budget impasse.

But even if the legislature were to finally reach an agreement, the state “can’t backfill” the $360 million in monthly federal funding that typically supports the program, according to the state Department of Human Services (DHS).

Enrollment, meanwhile, remains active in the commonwealth.

“DHS will continue to accept and process SNAP applications during the federal shutdown and stands ready to issue SNAP benefits to eligible recipients as quickly as possible after federal funding becomes available,” a spokesperson said in an emailed response Friday to questions from the Capital-Star.

SNAP recipients and program administrators supporting them say they haven’t figured out contingencies. They’ve been focused on new work requirements and other changes taking effect this fall.

That’s still happening, irrespective of the shutdown or SNAP funding, DHS noted, and recipients also still have to complete renewals and report changes to income, contact information and other details, according to the agency.

“We really haven’t received communication about what to do if benefits aren’t loaded — just about the changes,” said Melissa Bishop, vice-president of nutrition services at the Family Health Council of Central Pennsylvania (FHCCP).

Should SNAP benefits dissipate, DHS is directing recipients to food banks listed on FeedingPa.org, PA Navigate and 211 by phone or online. SNAP recipients with children younger than five years old also qualify for and should enroll in WIC, Bishop said.

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