‘I can't eat’: Millions risk losing food aid during US shutdown

APPROXIMATELY one in eight Americans receive food stamp benefits from the US government, a programme at risk of losing its funding as the weekend due to the government shutdown.

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One such beneficiary is Eric Dunham, a 36-year-old man who became disabled after an accident and needs help from the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Snap) to live.

“If I don't get food stamps I can't eat,’ Dunham said, explaining that after all his expenses, he has just $24 (about R416) left over per month.

“That's it, the father of two teenagers said. “The rest goes to child support?

Since the federal government shuttered on October 1 due to ongoing budget disagreements between Republicans and Democrats in Congress, President Donald Trump's administration has announced it would no longer be able to fund Snap as the weekend - the first cessation since the programme began six decades ago.

A federal judge stepped in last week and ordered the government to use emergency funds to keep Snap running, and Trump said he aimed to comply. But many recipients have had their aid disrupted amid the bureaucratic tug-of-war.