WASHINGTON, 4 November (H.S.): The ongoing US government shutdown is forcing the White House to distribute only partial food aid payments to 42 million low-income Americans, officials stated on Monday(November 3, 2025). The move comes as the political stalemate in Washington nears a record length.Funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides grocery money to one in eight Americans, lapsed on Saturday.

Although two federal courts ruled last week that the Trump administration must tap into a $4.65 billion emergency fund, the Agriculture Department has indicated it will only disburse about 50% of the required payments for November.The shutdown, which is on track to become the longest in US history, stems from a deadlock between Democrats and Republicans over funding for health insurance subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare.

With the subsidies set to expire, healthcare premiums for over 20 million people are at risk of sharply increasing. Democrats have refused to approve government funding without an extension of the ACA subsidies, while Republicans insist the government must be reopened before any negotiations can occur.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar