EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. (First Alert 4) - As millions of Americans relying on SNAP benefits wait to see what happens, on Friday, judges ordered the Trump administration to tap into emergency funds to pay out at least partial SNAP benefits.

It’s not the only program being impacted by the now month-long federal shutdown. The National Energy Assistance Directors Association warns there have been delays in another federal program designed to assist with energy bills at a time when many are seeing the cost of energy rise.

The concern was expressed at a forum in East St. Louis, where families shared stories of struggling to make ends meet amid soaring utility costs.

Belleville mother of four, Monique McClure, knows the dilemma of rising energy bills well. McClure lost her job because of federal

See Full Page