(NEXSTAR) – Just hours before the looming deadline, two judges ruled Friday that the federal government must continue funding SNAP during the government shutdown. However, those expecting food assistance on Nov. 1 may still see delays.

The legal rulings came after a month of back-and-forth since the shutdown began on Oct. 1. At first, the United States Department of Agriculture's shutdown plan said the agency would use emergency funds to keep food aid going through the shutdown. Later, the Trump administration said that would not be the case.

"Bottom line, the well has run dry. At this time, there will be no benefits issued November 1," said the USDA, which runs the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

On Friday, a federal judge in Rhode Island ruled a $5 billion contingency fund

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