As the federal shutdown drags on, officials in the D.C. region are preparing for food stamp payments to stop by Nov. 1, potentially leaving residents who depend on the benefits struggling to afford food.

More than 1.6 million people across D.C., Maryland and Virginia receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, and an increasing number of residents have also been experiencing food insecurity as federal layoffs have strained thousands of families’ budgets.

Republicans have introduced bills in the House and Senate that would keep SNAP funded during the shutdown. Democrats and Republicans are blaming each other for the crisis even as both parties have yet to reach a deal to end the shutdown.

Here’s how local and state officials are working to bridge any gap in benefit

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