SAN FRANCISCO — As the federal government shutdown continues, tens of millions of Americans are experiencing a pause in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, known as SNAP, that allow them to buy food.
SNAP benefits stopped as a result of the shutdown starting Saturday, Nov. 1, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the federal agency that administers the program.
MORE: Trump administration says SNAP will be partially funded in November
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins told reporters Friday that the agency does have a contingency fund, but it does not cover “even a half” of the $9.2 billion required for SNAP benefits.
President Donald Trump’s administration said Monday that it will partially fund SNAP after a pair of judges’ rulings required it to keep the food aid program running. However, it’s not clear how much beneficiaries will receive, nor how quickly beneficiaries will see value show up on the debit cards they use to buy groceries. The process of loading the SNAP cards, which involves steps by state and federal government agencies and vendors, can take up to two weeks in some states.
The pause in SNAP benefits is estimated to impact around 42 million Americans, including 16 million children.
Here are five things for SNAP recipients to know about a pause in benefits.
1. Food assistance may be provided temporarily by your state
Some states are stepping in to help provide food assistance for local SNAP recipients while the federal funding freeze continues.
On the USDA website, you can access a state directory to learn more about temporary assistance and local resources in your state.
2. Leftover money on your EBT card will roll over
Each month, SNAP benefits are loaded onto an Electronic Benefits Transfer or EBT cards. The card functions like a reloadable debit card and can be used to buy food at grocery stores and farmer’s markets, as well as some online retailers.
EBT cards will continue to work in November, even as SNAP benefits are frozen.
That means that even though the normal monthly benefits payment will not appear on the card, SNAP recipients should hold onto their EBT card and may continue to use it if they have remaining money leftover, according to Feeding America, a nonprofit organization.
3. Help is available from food banks, donations
Nonprofit organizations and individuals across the country have stepped up to make sure their fellow community members do not go hungry during the expected pause in SNAP benefits.
Click HERE to find resources ranging from community stocked fridges to food banks and restaurant-backed food rescue sites.
4. There is no set date for when SNAP benefits will return
SNAP benefits are expected to resume after congressional lawmakers pass a bill funding the federal government, which will end the current shutdown.
Currently, Republican and Democratic lawmakers are at a stalemate, having failed to advance any proposed legislation to reopen the government.
The Senate has adjourned until Monday afternoon, which will mark the 34th day of the government shutdown. The House will officially be out of session again this week amid the shutdown, scrapping votes for the sixth week in a row.
In the meantime, Trump’s administration has said it will partially fund SNAP after judges ruled to keep the food aid program running. However, it isn’t clear how much beneficiaries will receive or how quickly they will see the value show up on their debit cards.
5. People may continue to apply for SNAP benefits
Even as SNAP benefits are paused due to the federal government shutdown, people may still apply for the program.
Each state has its own application form, and a directory of contact information for local SNAP offices can be found on the USDA website.
ABC News’ Peter Charalambous and Katherine Faulders contributed to this report.
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