Recipients of Wisconsin's food assistance program can use any remaining balance on their accounts to buy food throughout November, according to an Oct. 25 announcement from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

The message somewhat contradicts an earlier memo from the state health agency posted earlier in the week suggesting FoodShare recipients may not have access to their funds and to "use benefits to stock up on food before the end of October."

The U.S. Department of Agriculture had been lax in keeping states notified states about the impact of the federal shutdown on the food stamp program, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Nothing had been heard since Oct. 10, leaving the state unsure if funds could be found to keep the program operating.

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