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Shutdown forces North Carolina to suspend food assistance program Shutdown forces North Carolina to suspend welfare program
(about 3 hours later)
North Carolina has become the first US state to suspend its welfare program because of the government shutdown, and others states have warned that their assistance programs could run out of funds by the end of the month.North Carolina has become the first US state to suspend its welfare program because of the government shutdown, and others states have warned that their assistance programs could run out of funds by the end of the month.
More than 20,700 North Carolina residents are enrolled in the state's Work First welfare program, which helps poor families buy food and supplies. People enrolled in the short-term assistance program will receive October checks, but the agency said it does not have funds to make payments in November.More than 20,700 North Carolina residents are enrolled in the state's Work First welfare program, which helps poor families buy food and supplies. People enrolled in the short-term assistance program will receive October checks, but the agency said it does not have funds to make payments in November.
"We are heavily dependent on federal dollars," Julie Henry, spokeswoman for the state health and human services department, told Reuters. "When these kinds of things happen at the federal level, it has an immediate impact.""We are heavily dependent on federal dollars," Julie Henry, spokeswoman for the state health and human services department, told Reuters. "When these kinds of things happen at the federal level, it has an immediate impact."
County social service agencies stopped processing new applications for assistance because federal funds are expected to run out by November if the shutdown continues. In a letter on 10 October, the HHS department also told country directors to stop processing re-certifications.County social service agencies stopped processing new applications for assistance because federal funds are expected to run out by November if the shutdown continues. In a letter on 10 October, the HHS department also told country directors to stop processing re-certifications.
It cost $4.7m in federal funds to maintain the program in September and state lawmakers are asking the governor to reassess his decision to halt the program.It cost $4.7m in federal funds to maintain the program in September and state lawmakers are asking the governor to reassess his decision to halt the program.
Last week, North Carolina also suspended its WIC program – which provides food for low-income pregnant women, new mothers and children up to the age of five. The state redirected funds and reinstated the program two days later.Last week, North Carolina also suspended its WIC program – which provides food for low-income pregnant women, new mothers and children up to the age of five. The state redirected funds and reinstated the program two days later.
The USDA has said WIC and the Snap food stamps program do not have guaranteed funding through the end of the month, moving states to tap reserve funds.The USDA has said WIC and the Snap food stamps program do not have guaranteed funding through the end of the month, moving states to tap reserve funds.
Arizona attempted to withhold welfare funds in the first days of the shutdown, but citizen complaints moved Republican governor Jan Brewer to redirect $650,000 to keep the program running through October.Arizona attempted to withhold welfare funds in the first days of the shutdown, but citizen complaints moved Republican governor Jan Brewer to redirect $650,000 to keep the program running through October.
Florida's department of children and families said its welfare and food stamps programs will run out of money at the end of the month.Florida's department of children and families said its welfare and food stamps programs will run out of money at the end of the month.
A spokesperson in Michigan's budget office warned that its cash and food aid programs could close next month. "We're good to go for October," state department of human services spokesperson Dave Akerly told the Detroit News. "If (a shutdown) goes further than that, there could be problems."A spokesperson in Michigan's budget office warned that its cash and food aid programs could close next month. "We're good to go for October," state department of human services spokesperson Dave Akerly told the Detroit News. "If (a shutdown) goes further than that, there could be problems."
In South Dakota, Native American tribes stopped receiving funds for heating and general welfare programs at the beginning of the shutdown.In South Dakota, Native American tribes stopped receiving funds for heating and general welfare programs at the beginning of the shutdown.
Utah said on Tuesday that it will have to suspend its WIC and food stamps programs in November if the shutdown continues. The state temporarily halted its WIC program at the beginning of the month but was able to reopen with a federal grant.Utah said on Tuesday that it will have to suspend its WIC and food stamps programs in November if the shutdown continues. The state temporarily halted its WIC program at the beginning of the month but was able to reopen with a federal grant.
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