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AI Overview
No, SNAP benefits have not been stopped in past government shutdowns, although they have been delayed or threatened. In previous shutdowns, such as the 2018-2019 one, the USDA dispersed benefits early and Congress provided emergency funding to ensure payments continued, according to The News-Press.
Past shutdowns:
During the 2018-2019 shutdown, the USDA made February SNAP benefits available at the end of January, and Congress passed funding for March, says The News-Press.
Contingency funding:
The USDA typically uses carryover and reserve funds to keep the program running during a shutdown for a limited time, notes NPR and The Hill.
