The federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, has been an increasingly searched topic of discussion as the government shutdown threatens to halt benefits for the more than 42 million Americans who rely on it. If the shutdown, which is nearing the one-month mark, continues into November, SNAP benefits could cease as early as Nov. 1. Below, find out what to know about the program, including how it works and who is eligible to receive benefits. The program, sometimes referred to as food stamps, issues electronic benefits to millions of eligible low-income individuals and families. Those benefits can then be used to purchase food. SNAP is run by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, which administers federal food assistance programs. "SNAP helps low-income working peo

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