The Government Shutdown Will Get Very Real on November 1

"That's about to change. Yes, some effects of the shutdown will gradually manifest themselves, particularly the missed paychecks for federal employees (e.g., active military servicemembers) who haven't been protected by questionably legal diversion of funds by the Trump administration. But on November 1, assuming (as is wise) that the shutdown doesn't somehow end before then, a double whammy is going to strike large swaths of the country."

"Millions of low-income Americans will lose access to food aid on Nov. 1, when half of states plan to cut off benefits due to the government shutdown. Twenty-five states told POLITICO that they are issuing notices informing participants of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - the nation's largest anti-hunger initiative - that they won't receive checks next month. Those states include California, Alabama, Arkansas, Hawaii, Indiana, Mississippi and New Jersey."

Many Americans have so far felt little impact from the government shutdown; an Economist-YouGov survey found about three-fourths saying the shutdown affected them a little or not at all. Some effects will gradually appear, notably missed paychecks for federal employees, including active military members not protected after alleged diversion of funds by the Trump administration. On Nov. 1, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits will stop in at least half the states, with 25 states warning participants they will not receive checks next month. SNAP serves more than 42 million people at an average $187.20 per month. The pause will occur just before Thanksgiving and will increase strain on food banks and pantries.

Read at Intelligencer