NEW YORK (PIX11) – The USDA has warned SNAP retailers not to offer special discounts to beneficiaries during the government shutdown.

The month-long government shutdown has led to a pause in SNAP benefits for 3 million New Yorkers. In response, some businesses and restaurants are offering free meals and discounts to SNAP beneficiaries during the benefit shutdown.

Approved SNAP retailers are required to treat all customers the same based on the Equal Treatment Rule, according to the USDA. It means special discounts shouldn’t be offered to SNAP recipients.

“You cannot treat SNAP-EBT customers differently than any other customer,” reads a notice on the USDA’s website.

Such discounts would only be allowed if a retailer has a waiver for the SNAP equal treatment policy, like farmers’ markets

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