State officials have found a pot of money initially designated for a Medicaid study that went unused, so it has been reallocated to keep one senior program afloat.
"From this appropriation, we are moving $9.1 million in funding to Senior Meals. A state budget director transferred these funds after we discussed plans with the General Assembly leadership at the end of last week," Governor Andy Beshear said.
This funding crisis comes as the state faces a projected $305 million revenue shortfall. Beshear noted that previous, temporary funding sources used to support the Senior Meals program in recent years have been exhausted.
At the federal level, funding for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and SNAP programs is also at risk due to the shutdown. 600,000 Kentuckians rely on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, formerly known as food stamps.
"We've got a letter from the federal government where they're not sending the money," said Beshear. "It's at least $100 million, and the letter says we're not to work with those vendors either."
Beshear said that current SNAP benefits will be honored through the end of October, but benefits for November will be halted if the shutdown continues. The state has not yet received the November funding for the TANF program, which supports low-income families. Beshear said state funds will be used to cover the loss.
"We're able to cover this for November, but we cannot, at this time, make assurances for December," Beshear said. "And that's unlikely."
Beshear said he is hopeful the federal government will reimburse the state once the shutdown comes to an end.