The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides government assistance to bring food and other necessities to low-income households.

The Agriculture Department said it can't use contingency funds to pay for SNAP benefits, contradicting earlier guidance that the money was available.

The clock is ticking for four major social safety net programs that keep tens of millions of struggling Americans — including millions of children and senior citizens — fed and warm, as well as provide early education services.

As two million Pennsylvanians face losing funds to buy food this weekend, Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity (R) proposed issuing a low-interest loan to fund benefits. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program,

Lawmakers in Louisiana approved a resolution Wednesday to allow the state's Department of Health to use up to $150 million in funding for some people who would normally receive SNAP benefits.

Gov. Mike Kehoe said the state will spend more than $15 million to cover some food programs as the federal government shutdown continues. Kehoe said in a news release on Wednesday that he would redirect money toward two programs aimed to help feed people in the state.

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe announced additional steps his administration is expediting food assistance for at-risk Missourians, given the impending loss of November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits due to the federal government shutdown.

The federal government shut down on Oct. 1, when Congress failed to pass a full spending bill. Legislation to temporarily fund the government so negotiations can continue has also been held up. The standoff is over an extension of healthcare subsidies through the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare.

Applications for one aid fund open today. Details are still being worked out for another, which is specifically for Native Hawaiians.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Tuesday announced that Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA) will deliver benefits to people who use the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). If the shutdown hasn’t ended by Nov. 1, VENA will begin weekly distributions on Monday.