AUSTIN, Texas — The government shutdown has entered its third week with no end in sight. Now, Texas officials say millions of Texans may lose their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP benefits if the shutdown continues past October 27.
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission says 3.5 million Texans rely on food stamps every month. 1.7 million of those are children. SNAP payments can range from $200 to $400 every month depending on the size of a household. HHSC has not said it the state plans to provide gap funding if the shutdown continues.
This comes as Senate Democrats once again blocked a Republican funding proposal yesterday to reopen the government. Democrats say they won’t approve the bill until Republicans agree to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits. Democrats say without these credits, health insurance premiums will rise for millions of Americans. But Republicans say negotiations can wait until after a short-term funding bill passes.
We want to ask you: Will a funding bill pass before SNAP funding runs out? ANSWER BELOW and see the results LIVE on CBS Austin This Morning from 4:30 a.m. – 7:00 a.m.