As the federal government grinds through a historic shutdown, the headlines – predictably – often focus on political maneuvering. But out of the political spotlight, the real story is unfolding in colder homes, emptier fridges and workplaces where people are showing up without pay. The pain can be quiet, cumulative and largely invisible to those in power who call basic assistance like heating help and food security measures “extreme.”

In Maine, the emergency heating assistance program administered by MaineHousing has been halted due to the shutdown. For families already stretched thin, this isn’t a policy inconvenience – it’s a direct threat to their ability to stay warm as temperatures drop. Meanwhile, SNAP benefits are hanging in the balance, leaving households unsure of how they’ll pay

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