AUSTIN, Texas — As the U.S. government shutdown enters its fifth week, people across the country could soon lose benefits provided from federal food assistance programs.

This includes those who receive SNAP benefits, which are currently utilized by nearly 42 million people in the United States, with about 3.5 million of those in Texas.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) warned this week that government food assistance could run out for SNAP users if the shutdown is still in effect by Saturday, Nov. 1.

"Senate Democrats have now voted 12 times not to fund the food stamp program, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program," the agency published to its website. "Bottom line, the well has run dry."

What is SNAP?

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program also kn

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