"More than 40 million Americans will stop receiving food stamps on 1 November, as the US government shutdown enters its fifth week. The Department of Agriculture says the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Snap) will be suspended until Congress reopens the government. While the Trump administration argues the department does not have the legal authority to use a $5bn contingency fund to continue the aid, Democrats disagree, and two dozen states have sued the government to force the program to continue."
"Meanwhile, Democrats are also refusing to vote to end the shutdown because health insurance costs are set to go up dramatically as insurers prepare for a lapse in subsidies. Senate Democrats are demanding that any short-term government funding deal include an extension of the enhanced subsidies for Affordable Care Act plans, while Trump and the Republicans have said they will not negotiate until the government is back up and running. Extending the subsidies would require $350bn in federal spending over the coming decade."
"We'd like to hear from Americans who are about to lose Snap food assistance due to the shutdown, as well as from people whose healthcare may become unaffordable due to rising premiums. Have you received any notices or paperwork that your insurance will change soon? Tell us. Share your experience Tell us how you might be affected by the looming loss of Snap food assistance due to the US government shutdown, as well as by rising health insurance costs unless subsidies are extended. Your responses, which can be anonymous, are secure as the form is encrypted and only the Guardian has access to your contributions. We will only use the data you provide us for the purpose of the feature and we will delete any personal data when we no longer require it for this purpose. For alternative ways to get in touch securely please see our tips guide."
More than 40 million Americans face the loss of food stamps on 1 November as the government shutdown continues. The Department of Agriculture says the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Snap) will be suspended until Congress reopens the government. The Trump administration contends the department cannot legally use a $5bn contingency fund to maintain benefits; Democrats disagree and two dozen states have sued. Democrats are also blocking a shutdown-end vote because insurers expect higher premiums if subsidies lapse. Senate Democrats demand any short-term funding include extended ACA subsidies, a measure estimated to cost $350bn over a decade. Outreach requests seek experiences from those affected, with responses kept secure and deletable.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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