Beshear: Government shutdown won't halt SNAP benefits in October. But after that...?

Gov. Andy Beshear announced Kentuckians receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits "can continue using them as normal for October" amid the federal government shutdown.

But he said the U.S. Department of Agriculture has not authorized SNAP funding for November, and the Trump Administration said the federal government will not pay out SNAP benefits for the upcoming month.

Beshear provided an update on programs, including SNAP, impacted by the shutdown during an Oct. 20 press conference.

Beshear, a Democrat, said more than 600,000 Kentuckians rely on SNAP, and his administration is committed to processing benefits "the moment the federal government provides the funds."

“My hope is that folks in D.C will understand the American people are not a negotiating tool,” Beshear said. “Things like affordable health care, (and) support for food — those aren't political props. They are nonpartisan issues our families need and deserve.”

The federal government shutdown started just after midnight on Oct. 1 and so far has marked the third-longest shutdown in U.S. history. It will last indefinitely until Congress is able to pass a suitable appropriations bill. Senate Democrats and Republicans disagree on certain health care policies.

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program is another that is being impacted by the shutdown, Beshear said. Kentucky receives support from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to help struggling families for a limited time, but the state has not received federal funding for November.

Beshear said his administration will cover the TANF program through November using state funds, but he could not make assurances for December.

"This is a temporary action, with hope that the federal shutdown will end and the benefits will begin processing as normal soon," Beshear said.

Beshear provides additional update on senior meals program

During the press conference, Beshear also mentioned Kentucky's senior meal program. He clarified there has been no cuts to the program, and the Office of the State Budget Director approved a general fund appropriation reallocation of $9.1 million.

He said senior meals needed additional funds last year as well, but that gap was able to be filled with one-time flexible federal American Rescue Plan Act funds and some state funds.

But both of those funds were not available to address this year's funding shortfall, which Beshear said made it "a bit more challenging."

"We were able to find a pot of money in the form of an appropriation to Medicaid for a study by the Legislative Research Commission and the General Assembly, and then the implementation of that study within Medicaid," Beshear said. "The original study was not done, and so the dollars are sitting there."

The funding solution comes following outcry from residents and lawmakers regarding seniors — including 900 from Jefferson County — being put on a waitlist to receive food from the senior nutrition program.

Beshear is also asking the Finance Cabinet to review the program to ensure there is sufficient future funding and that it's being fiscally responsible.

"The Finance Cabinet will look at things like variation in cost per meal, what rules exist inside each program and why budgets vary oftentimes in similar populations," Beshear said. "Ultimately, we must understand these variables to provide sufficient funding because the way next year's budget is shaping up, the budgeted amount will be likely what's available."

Reach reporter Hannah Pinski at [email protected] or follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @hannahpinski.