South Dakota does not have a plan to cover SNAP if shutdown continues

AI-assisted summary

Nearly 75,000 South Dakota residents could lose their SNAP food benefits if a federal government shutdown continues.

State officials have no plan to cover the benefits, as the federal government would not reimburse the funds.

The potential loss of benefits also affects the WIC program, which serves about 13,800 women, infants, and children.

Nearly 75,000 South Dakotans — roughly one in 12 residents — will lose food assistance benefits if the federal government shutdown persists into next week, state officials acknowledged Monday.

The state has no plan to cover benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program if Congress doesn’t act before the program’s funding runs out. The program provides qualifying low-income people — who must meet work requirements,