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 long as it takes for lawmakers in D.C. to reach a deal on government funding.

“DHS understands how important SNAP benefits are to Georgia families” said DHS Assistant Deputy Commissioner Kylie Winton. “Recipients should plan ahead now and shop for needed items.”

RELATED: SNAP benefits could end next month, leaving Georgia families in limbo

On Friday, activists and supporters of the SNAP program rallied outside the state Capitol in an event that was planned even before the DHS announcement.

“It is a terrifying situation,” said Elias Nail-Dupree, an organizer with the Party for Socialism and Liberation. “Our basic necessities for life are being used as political tools for this theatrical battle between the Republicans and Democrats over lifesaving programs like Medicaid and SNAP.”

Many at the event were calling on Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp to dip into the state’s $14 billion surplus to help cover the dwindling SNAP funds. But Kemp’s office noted state dollars can rarely be used to fund federal programs and that the governor does not have the ability to unilaterally move the state’s rainy day funding around by himself.

Kemp blamed federal Democrats for the ongoing shutdown and the “impacts of the Schumer shutdown,” as he said in an online post.

“It is past time for D.C. Democrats to pass the continuing resolution they previously voted for 13 times,” he went on to write.

U.S. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries spoke Friday, urging the Trump administration to deploy a $5 billion emergency contingency fund to ensure that food assistance for millions of Americans continues on Nov. 1.

The Georgia Department of Human Services recommends recipients plan ahead now and shop for needed items.

It is unknown what will happen for SNAP benefits if the government shut down ends prior to Nov. 1 or the $5 billion in funding Jefferies requested is granted.

Lower-income families who qualify for SNAP receive debit cards loaded each month by the federal government that work only for groceries at participating stores and farmers markets.

RELATED: States worry about how to fill the gap in food aid ahead of SNAP benefits halt

The average monthly benefit is $187 per person. Most beneficiaries have incomes at or below the poverty level.

Recipients can view their EBT card balance through the ConnectEBT website or mobile app.

For more information, click here.

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