Nearly 700,000 Oklahomans could lose food assistance starting Nov. 1, after state officials said federal funding for the program will be suspended as the government shutdown persists.

Funding for the Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program will not resume until Congress reaches a budget deal, the Oklahoma Department of Human Services said on Tuesday, Oct. 21. SNAP benefits are typically disbursed at the start of every month and help low-income families pay for groceries.

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