JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As the federal government shutdown drags on, 42 million Americans, including 3 million Floridians, brace for the possibility that their SNAP benefits won’t arrive in November.
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A new survey from Propel, a group that helps SNAP recipients manage their benefits, will face significant hardship.
- 60% said they would turn to food banks for help
- 44% said they would skip meals
- 33% said they would delay paying other bills to put food on the table
The shutdown, which began Oct. 1, is now the second-longest on record. While the Republican administration took steps leading up to the shutdown to ensure SNAP benefits were paid this month, the cutoff would expand the impact of the impasse to a wider swath of Americans — and some of those most in need — unless a political resolution is found in just a few days.
Gina Plato-Nino, interim director for SNAP at the Food Research & Action Center, joined News4JAX anchor Bruce Hamilton on The Morning Show. She said the concern is this could be a life-changing event for people, and the impact will be immediate.
Press play above to watch the full interview