Michigan lawmakers proposed a bill package totaling nearly $1 billion to keep food benefits funded in the state. This comes as the federal government shutdown continues into its fourth week.

Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning. What is SNAP? SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, is a federal program that provides benefits to low-income families to help afford food.

The USDA ordered Michigan and other states to halt payment of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits until further notice, starting Nov. 1. The halt comes amid the federal government shutdown that began Oct. 1 after Congress failed to pass an appropriations bill that funds the operations of federal agencies and programs.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel called for a temporary restraining order against the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s decision to allow Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, also known as SNAP,

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says the food stamps freeze is a result of a federal government shutdown funding gap.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel joined 22 other state attorneys general in sending a letter on Friday to Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins pressing for answers on the lapse in funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits,

Michigan families, food banks and pantries and retailers react to looming pause in food assistance benefits due to the federal government shutdown.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, 22 other attorneys general and three governors sued the U.S. Department of Agriculture to maintain SNAP benefits as scheduled in November.

Michigan could have spared a lot of stress for the roughly 1.4 million Michiganders who receive SNAP benefits, if not for wasteful spending in past years, says the Speaker of the state House.