WASHINGTON — Nearly 42 million Americans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, referred to as SNAP, will not receive federal benefits next month.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed in a notice that no SNAP funds will be distributed on Nov. 1. The news puts a strain on families across the country as the government shutdown drags on.

Some states have pledged to keep SNAP benefits flowing even if the federal program halts payments, but there are questions about whether U.S. government directives may allow that to happen. The USDA memo also says states would not be reimbursed for temporarily picking up the cost.

Other states are telling SNAP recipients to be ready for the benefits to stop. Arkansas and Oklahoma, for example, are advising recipients to ident

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