(NEXSTAR) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has confirmed that federal food assistance will not be disbursed in November as the government shutdown drags on. That will leave more than 40 million people who rely on SNAP (previously known as Food Stamps) without their benefits.

Some states have said they will step in to provide funds for SNAP — while overseen by the USDA, SNAP is administered by state programs — or will be adding extra support to food banks.

It's also possible that some SNAP beneficiaries will continue to receive food assistance through WIC, or the Special Supplement Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.

Those funds, however, may also be destined to dry up.

Like SNAP, state programs handle WIC, which administers food assistance and other services to low-

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