ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will not be available in Georgia as of Nov. 1 because of the ongoing government shutdown, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

SNAP recipients can use existing funds on their EBT cards, but the cards will not work starting Nov. 1, based on current USDA guidance.

Around 1.4 million Georgians currently use SNAP benefits to help pay for groceries, according to data from the University of Georgia. That represents nearly 12.4% of the state’s population, and the figure climbed as high as 17% during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Georgia DHS said benefit recipients will be able to use leftover benefits from October for as long as they last, but will not receive new money in November, or as

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