Core Points - The ongoing "shutdown" of the U.S. federal government has significantly impacted the distribution of funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) [2] - The U.S. government announced on November 3 that it will utilize emergency funds to maintain half of the SNAP benefits for November, but some states may take weeks or even months to resume full distributions [2] - This is the first time in 60 years that SNAP has suspended benefit payments, despite previous government shutdowns not affecting the program [2] - The USDA indicated that it will use $4.65 billion in emergency funds for November's SNAP benefits, which will only cover 50% of current needs [2] - SNAP is a crucial part of the U.S. social safety net, serving 42 million people, or about one-eighth of the U.S. population, with most recipients living below the poverty line [2] Individual Perspectives - A SNAP recipient expressed concern about the impact of benefit interruptions on vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and disabled who lack stable income [3] - Another recipient highlighted the panic caused by the situation, emphasizing the need to prioritize food for children over adults [5]