King Demands Immediate SNAP Funding Release for Maine Households

The Independent senator and former governor of Maine, in a press release, is urging officials to release these funds.

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services announced on Tuesday, October 21st, that it will not receive funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in November due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.

More than 12 percent of Maine residents—nearly 170,000 people—depend on SNAP benefits to help feed themselves and their families.

According to Senator Angus King’s press release on Thursday, October 23rd, he and 45 other senators are urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to immediately release billions in funding so benefits can continue in November despite the ongoing government shutdown, as some counties in Maine have nearly 20 percent of their population relying on the program.

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Senators are urging the USDA to use contingency funding and transfer authority from other nutrition programs to ensure SNAP benefits continue in November.

They stressed that, with families already struggling with high grocery costs, the USDA must act immediately and use every tool available so that benefits are not interrupted.

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And there you have it! Senator King is demanding the immediate release of billions of dollars in SNAP funding for households in Maine.

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