Food stamp beneficiaries facing a challenge during government shutdown

WORCESTER, Mass. — Despite the shutdown, the federal government found a way to legally fund 'SNAP' or food stamp benefits through next month. The only hitch: states had to issue those benefits early. At least one local food bank fears that could make a bad situation even worse.

"Today and Sunday, the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance is putting February SNAP benefits onto people's EBT cards," said Jean McMurray, the Executive Director of the Worcester County Food Bank.

SNAP funds come from the US Department of Agriculture, and technically run out this month. But the last temporary funding bill passed by Congress allows another month of SNAP money, but only if states issue benefits early.

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In a perfect world, SNAP beneficiaries will make those extra benefits last an extra month. But, at the food bank, they know it's anything but a perfect world.

McMurray fears some SNAP beneficiaries may not understand that early money isn't extra money.

"The communication around that is, ‘you're getting them now, use them as you see fit,'" McMurray said. "But if you use them up before February then there won't be any more benefits in February, and March is uncertain."

And that could mean more people needing food bank help.

Jennifer Mojica moved to Worcester after Hurricane Maria wiped out everything she owned in Puerto Rico.

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She knows why her SNAP benefits are going up this month but says others probably don't.

"They're gonna get what they're gonna get and that's it," Mojica said. "It's gonna be on hold until it gets turned back on. Yes it is [a problem for some people]."

McMurray says the food bank is preparing for that possible rise in demand. But she’s also hoping Washington gets its act together.

"Why should any person who has nothing to do with the politics or the policies, why should the burden now be on their backs?" McMurray said. “It just seems very unfair."

Cox Media Group