Montana issuing February SNAP benefits early due to shutdown

Staff and wire

Montana is issuing February nutrition assistance payments early due to the federal government shutdown.

Low-income residents should see their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program payments for February show up on their electronic benefit transfer cards Thursday.

The Department of Public Health and Human Services emphasizes these are early payments, not extra payments, and must stretch through February.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture authorized states to make early payments because the agency is funded for 30 days after the Dec. 22 government shutdown.

Montana pay...