PIERRE, (KCCR) — Just hours after declaring SNAP benefits would be available to program enrollees on Monday the South Dakota Department of Social Services has announced that decision is being paused. The Department of Social Services received notice Friday that the funding would be available as they have been watching ongoing litigation and payment guidance from the federal Food and Nutrition Services agency. Lat Friday evening, the U-S Supreme Court issued an “administrative stay on a lower Court’s ruling to allow the release of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funds. Approximately 37-thousand South Dakotans utilize SNAP benefits. In September, the average household SNAP benefit totaled just under 400-dollars. Total benefits paid in September was nearly 15-million dollars. Department Secretary Matt Althoff says his department is waiting on guidance and instruction. from the Food and Nutrition Services program before reassuring recipients of its implementation. Althoff says SNAP administration is a core responsibility of the Department because food access is a basic need.
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