Gov. Tim Walz announced $4 million in emergency funding will go to Minnesota food shelves as the ongoing government shutdown threatens to cut off SNAP benefits for hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans.

As the federal shutdown threatens SNAP benefits, Minnesota directs $4 million to food shelves across Minnesota. USDA warns assistance may stop Nov. 1.

SNAP funding distribution across the U.S. is currently set to end on Nov. 1 as the federal government shutdown continues.

The announcement comes just days before Minnesota’s Department of Children, Youth, and Families, or DCYF, is expected to stop processing SNAP benefits amid an ongoing government shutdown.

Federal officials have said funding for the program, which provides food benefits to low-income families, will run out come November unless a deal to reopen the government is reached. In Minnesota, this will mean funding drying up to provide SNAP benefits to 440,000 recipients.

The ongoing government shutdown means SNAP benefits for roughly 440,000 Minnesotans will be halted on Nov. 1. To help manage the gap, Gov. Tim Walz released $4 million in emergency funding for food shelves.

As Nov. 1 approaches, Minnesotans and North Dakotans relying on SNAP fear missing benefits due to ongoing government shutdown.