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States are warning SNAP recipients they may miss November benefits as a federal shutdown stalls funding. Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, New York and Texas issued alerts after the USDA told agencies on Oct. 10 there would be insufficient funds and ordered them to pause sending EBT files, risking delays. The White House and USDA declined to explain the impact. Advocates call the potential gap devastating for people living paycheck to paycheck. USDA contingency funds exist, but use is unclear; states could front money, though reimbursement is doubtful, Connecticut officials said.

Prepared by Christopher Adams and reviewed by editorial team.