(NEXSTAR) – "The well has run dry," a notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture reads, warning the federal government will not be sending out November food assistance as the government shutdown continues.

SNAP, formerly called the Food Stamp Program, is funded by the federal government but administered by states. The USDA’s shutdown contingency plan allows the agency to tap into reserve funding to keep SNAP operating if the federal government remains shut for longer than a month. However, the Trump administration said it would not do that.

"At this time, there will be no benefits issued November 01. We are approaching an inflection point for Senate Democrats," the USDA notice said.

Cutting off food assistance leaves more than 40 million people hanging in the balance. About 1 in 8 A

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