Reality Check: Have November Food Stamps Benifits Been Cancelled?

There was a recent "fear porn" scanned letter circulating claiming that food stamps were scheduled for cancellation as early as Nov 1 with all SNAP benefits being shut off to recipients. I contacted Jessica Shahin
Associate Administrator directly for confirmation. Her reply bellow:

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From: Jessica.Shahin@fns.usda.gov
To: LASVEGASPI@aol.com
Sent: 10/16/2013 6:29:30 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time
Subj: RE: Fact Checking

Thank you for your message. USDA is hopeful that Congress will provide an appropriation prior to the end of October. We continue to monitor the situation closely and will stay in close coordination with our State partners with respect to program operations in October and beyond.

While October benefits are fully funded, we appreciate that you are concerned about future operations in the context of a continuing lapse.

At this point, USDA has not instructed States to withhold November benefits from participants. The letter to States dated October 11, 2013 regarding November issuance files deals with an automated transmission between States and EBT vendors that could happen as early as October 15th, not with the issuance of November benefits. Based on the current uncertainty, USDA has directed States to hold November issuance files in order to preserve maximum flexibility as we consider possible options should the lapse in funding continue.

FNS will continue to work with our States and appreciates their continued support in responding to information requests that will assist us in determining the ultimate course of action.

Please continue to work with your local office regarding your SNAP case and benefits.
Again, thank you for your message.

Sincerely,
Jessica Shahin
Associate Administrator
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Food and Nutrition Service
US Department of Agriculture

From: LASVEGASPI@aol.com [mailto:LASVEGASPI@aol.com]
Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2013 7:21 PM
To: Shahin, Jessica - FNS
Subject: Fact Checking

Ms Shahin.

I am trying to fact check the validity of this doc found online

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3079167/posts?page=54

The doc purports to be a scanned leaked doc bearing your signature claiming a SNAP benefit shut off as early as Nov 15.

Is this a valid Doc?

Ed Opperman PI DFI
Opperman Investigations Inc
The Opperman Report
www.freedomslips.com
800 448 0772