The US government shutdown has entered its fifth week and there is no clear end in sight. With Democrats and Republicans deadlocked over passing a spending plan that would reopen federal agencies, millions of Americans are feeling economic pain that could soon grow worse.

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), also known as food stamps, will be cut off for 42 million Americas beginning Nov. 1, including nearly 2 million in Pennsylvania and 500,000 in Philadelphia. Most recipients of federal food assistance are the elderly, families with children, and the disabled.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said talks among rank-and-file senators aimed at ending the government shutdown have ramped up.

The Bedford County Department of Social Services has launched a dedicated SNAP information hotline to support those affected by upcoming changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Woodfin's 3-part plan includes community food drive and resource hub to help families affected by federal benefit expiration on Nov. 1.

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.

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.

The plan detailed how the agency would use the contingency fund provided by Congress to continue benefits. The fund holds roughly $6 billion, about two-thirds of a month of SNAP benefits, meaning USDA would still have to reshuffle an additional $3 billion to cover the remainder for November.