AUSTIN, Texas — Millions of Texas families could lose access to crucial federal assistance.

The state's Human and Health Services Commission (HHSC) said if the government shutdown goes past Oct. 27, it will have to cut Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for November.

SNAP, which is run through the USDA Food and Nutrition service, benefits serve roughly 3.5 million Texans, according to HHSC .

Chivas Watson said he's relied on SNAP for about 10 years. Currently, he said he works an $11-an-hour job and supports his partner, their three kids and their family member.

For him, the program gives him $615 a month and offers a lifeline. Last week is when he received a letter from the USDA about the possibility of that lifeline being severed.

"It's how we feed the kids

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