DULUTH — St. Louis County staff scrambled Wednesday to process pending applications for assistance through the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, knowing it would likely be their last chance to obtain support for needy households until a federal government shutdown can be resolved.

Come Thursday, the federal government advised local officials they will be unable to access SNAP benefits for individuals not already enrolled in the program.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has warned that if the government shutdown lingers into November, funds to cover SNAP benefits may dry up.

In anticipation of this disruption, St. Louis County issued a news release Wednesday afternoon advising the public that it will be unable to process any new applications for SNAP benefits as of Thu

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