(Bismarck, ND) — Officials at North Dakota’s Health and Human Services are confirming that Supplemental Nutrition Program payouts, or SNAP benefits, will be paused in November if the federal government shutdown enters its second month. Officials say the state does have enough benefits to temporarily cover November payouts, but the government has directed all states to hold the funds. Over 57-thousand North Dakotans rely on SNAP benefits, adding up to nearly ten-million-dollars in aid. HHS doesn’t know at this time whether or not paused benefits will be reimbursed. An official from Governor Kelly Armstrong’s office says that she’s monitoring the situation and will consider state-level remedies if necessary.
