The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — more commonly known as SNAP, or food stamps — is a key benefits program that serves more than 40 million people across the country. Now, the shutdown is threatening to suspend benefits, raising concerns over where millions of people who rely on the program will turn to for food.

A federal judge in Massachusetts might order the federal government to tap emergency funds to pay for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.

With food-stamp funding set to lapse Saturday, recipients are asking what happens to their benefits — and when help might resume.

As November looms, states are trying to sort what options they can offer beneficiaries to fill the gap in food assistance. Reporters from the NPR Network are covering the impact of this potential lapse in states across the country.

Get live updates and the latest news as Trump concludes Asia trip after meeting Xi Jinping in South Korea and the government shutdown continues.

A California police chief is addressing his department's messaging around policing grocery stores in the wake of SNAP benefits potentially being halted on Nov. 1. In an Oct. 28 Fa

"I am going to introduce a bill to ban all non-citizens from any form of welfare. No Food Stamps," Representative Randy Fine said.

If Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits are disrupted, analysts say it could mean more pressure on the already shrinking number of small independent supermarkets.

SNAP benefits will lapse on Saturday amid the ongoing government shutdown. Gov. JB Pritzker ordered $20 million for food banks to help, as food pantries are already seeing increasing demand.

Phil Murphy, along with Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and Senate President Nick Scutari, was preparing to accelerate SNAP funding for food programs.