The nearly 600,000 Hoosiers who rely on food assistance via SNAP are facing a possible lapse in benefits as the federal government shutdown continues with no end in sight .

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will not be able to fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in November if the shutdown continues and a contingency plan isn't approved, according to a letter the USDA sent states ealier this month.

The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, which distributes SNAP benefits, confirmed to IndyStar on Oct. 21 it would not be authorized to distribute federal benefits in November "unless funding is restored."

"We are continuing to monitor the situation in Washington and are following the guidance, attached, from our federal partners at USDA," an agency

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