NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Tennesseans could lose their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in November if the government shutdown continues.

The Tennessee Department of Human Services posted on its website that if Congress cannot come to a funding agreement, federally-funded SNAP benefits for November will be unavailable and "may not be issued." Signe Anderson with the Tennessee Justice Center told News 2 it's something that's never happened before.

"We’re really concerned about the impact to the families we serve," Anderson said.

Nearly 700,000 Tennesseans receive monthly SNAP benefits, which is roughly 9.8% of the state's population. Anderson said if all of those individuals faced a delay in benefits, it could be catastropic.

“SNAP is the number one anti-hunger program that we have in the country — to suddenly lose that for folks will be devastating," Anderson told News 2.

There have been previous, minor delays in SNAP benefits for specific groups, which have forced parents to make difficult decisions — like passing up meals so their children can eat — and deciding between paying bills or putting food on the table.

Right now, TJC is working with food banks and pantries to prepare. Even then, Anderson told News 2 it will be very challenging for those services to fill that large of a need. Food banks have already been serving an influx of other individuals impacted by the shutdown, like furloughed federal employees.

“Some of those folks aren’t even eligible for SNAP. Now is the time when we see those folks that are impacted that are turning to the food banks," Anderson said.

The federal government has always found a way to fund SNAP during previous shutdowns, including the longest in history in 2018, which lasted 35 days.

 “SNAP is something that has always been guaranteed to families. It’s written into the law: as long as families are eligible, Congress has always found a way to feed people," Anderson said. “I hope that movement is made in the next few days to ensure that people get food.”

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/tennessee-politics/tennesseans-could-lose-nov-snap-benefits-if-shutdown-continues/