Nearly 42 million people in danger as federal government shutdown continues and Snap funding to end 1 November

As the government shutdown drags on, some states have warned that they may need to suspend SNAP benefits as soon as next month.

On Nov. 1, millions of Americans will lose their SNAP benefits, which give food assistance to low-income families. The federal government shutdown cuts funding.

Half of states have already “shut down” Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for next month, according to the Trump administration.

The programme helps 40 million low-income Americans afford groceries - but the government shutdown has funds running dry.

Nearly 42 million people in danger as federal government shutdown continues and Snap funding to end 1 November

Food insecurity experts say this is the first government shutdown in which SNAP benefits have been at such severe risk.

About 42 million people rely on SNAP benefits but now face reductions or losing access altogether.

The shutdown, now the second-longest in history, has prevented Congress from funding the benefits, which reach more than 41 million Americans.

The US government said funds for Snap, a benefit used by more than 40 million Americans, will stop 1 November because of the shutdown.