Federal, state leaders unlikely to prevent SNAP delays, leaving 700,000 Tennesseans in limbo

There are several levers federal and state officials could pull to keep 700,000 Tennesseans from losing food aid. But as of now, it seems no one is touching them.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — also known as SNAP, food stamps or EBT — distributes funds on the first of the month. But because of the government shutdown, the account that pays for those benefits has run out of money.

Democrats are holding out for a bill that prevents massive increases in health insurance premiums for low-income Americans. Republicans want a temporary spending bill while the debate continues.

Both the the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the state government have reserves they could dip into to bridge the gap. Congress could pass bipartisan pitches to fund SNAP while continuing budget nego