WASHINGTON (CNN) - As the government shutdown continues, the U.S. Department of Agriculture says it will not tap into its contingency fund to cover food stamp benefits next month.

A memo obtained by CNN said that states will not be reimbursed if they use their own funds to pay for benefits.

The memo stated that the $6 billion in contingency funds “are not legally available to cover regular benefits.”

As a result, roughly 42 million Americans will not receive critical food assistance from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP

Last week, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said food stamps will run dry by the end of the month if the lapse in federal funding continues.

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