Gov. Beshear directs $9.1M to keep Senior Meals running amid federal shutdown

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Kentucky is directing $9.1 million to its Senior Meals program after local agencies said they ran out of funding, Gov. Andy Beshear announced Monday.

The money comes from unused state funds and will keep meal services running while the state reviews the program. The announcement came as the federal shutdown begins to affect food assistance programs across Kentucky.

"As a state, we're doing what we can to help cover the support our Kentucky families rely on," Beshear said in a news release Monday.

Because of the shutdown, Kentucky didn't receive November funding for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF.

The state will cover the cost this month so families don't lose benefits, but Beshear said, "we cannot – at this time – make that assurance for December."

SNAP benefits are also affected. The federal government paused November funding, but current benefits will still work. New benefits will be issued once federal money resumes.