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.

With food-stamp funding set to lapse Saturday, recipients are asking what happens to their benefits — and when help might resume.

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 suspend benefits, raising concerns over where millions of people who rely on the program will turn to for food.

Millions of Texans are expected to be impacted by the halt in SNAP benefits next month, as a result of the government shutdown. Austin-area food banks stay open to help those facing food insecurity.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Governor JB Pritzker is set to sign that executive order Thursday supporting people who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, in the state just days before the program is set to run out of money. Nearly two million people in Illinois use SNAP benefits.

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

The federal government shutdown is nearing the one-month mark, causing widespread effects for millions of Americans.