SNAP Disruptions Could Have Lasting Effects for North Dakota

(Adobe Stock via Prairie News Service)

(By Mike Moen. Prairie News Service) – Signs emerged this week of the government shutdown nearing an end but hunger relief voices said even if food assistance is back to normal soon, SNAP’s November pause could be felt for a while in North Dakota and elsewhere.

Backers of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program said it is in uncharted territory because funds were never disrupted like this. The shutdown resulted in a host of delays and court orders when the Trump administration argued it could only authorize partial payments.

Karen Ehrens, U.S. policy manager for the Alliance to End Hunger, said although North Dakota officials recently stated some recipients could soon access partial benefits, but they might have already spent money — meant for other expenses — on food.

“People who participate in SNAP probably do not have a lot in savings that they can draw on,” Ehrens pointed out. “This can set them back and impact their finances not only for November but into December.”