ORLANDO, Fla. – Carina Patterson says she applied for SNAP benefits last month to feed her family, but due to the government shutdown, her application is in limbo.

“I do see I have Medicaid for me and my children, but as far as food assistance goes, I haven’t heard anything, and I don’t even have an ACCESS card yet — because I’m transferring from out of state,” said Patterson.

If the shutdown continues, Patterson says she’ll still be in trouble even if she’s approved, because SNAP payments scheduled for Nov. 1 may be delayed until the government reopens.

For Patterson, who pays $2,500 for rent, works full-time, and has three kids to feed, losing these benefits would be devastating.

“The prices are going up, but our benefits are going down, and we can already barely survive,” she said.

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