The longest government shutdown in U.S. history impacted or cut off many federal programs that help Americans. And while the government is technically back up and running, some of those aid programs are not.

That reality is having an impact on Tennesseans like Denise Simpson.

One recent morning, the mother of two and Belmont University nursing student stood outside the Metro Action Commission in South Nashville. She’s a SNAP recipient, and without federal food aid, costs were mounting.

“It’s been tough, especially being a mother of two boys, and one of them being special needs — he requires so much,” Simpson said. “It’s hard to be able to take care of your family as needed.”

Simpson was visiting the Metro Action Commission to apply for the “Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program,” o

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