The USDA has accused Democrats of voting “12 times to not fund” Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — more commonly known as SNAP, or food stamps — is a key benefits program that serves more than 40 million people across the country. Now, the shutdown is threatening to temporarily suspend benefits, raising concerns over where millions of people who rely on the program will turn to for food.

As November looms, states are trying to sort what options they can offer beneficiaries to fill the gap in food assistance. Reporters from the NPR Network are covering the impact of this potential lapse in states across the country.

A new bill would see Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits paid retroactively as payments remain in jeopardy due to the ongoing government shutdown.

"Now we'll have to prioritize which bills we can pay and which can wait," said one mother of two about a looming freeze in food aid.

Oct. 28 (UPI) -- With the impending loss of benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program potentially causing low-income Americans and their families to go hungry, 25 states have filed suit to force the federal government to release funds for the program during the federal government shutdown.

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While 25 states plus Washington, DC filed a lawsuit on Oct. 28 in an attempt to force the Trump administration to fund November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, questions remain about WIC, which also receives funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) but via different monies and processes.

A growing number of restaurants and food trucks around the Bay Area are announcing their plans to provide a range of free and discounted meals for recipients of SNAP, the federal food aid program

With benefits expected to run out Saturday because of the government shutdown, Democratic leaders of 25 states allege that the USDA is required to keep providing funds.