On Nov. 1, millions of Americans will lose their SNAP benefits, which give food assistance to low-income families. The federal government shutdown cuts funding.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP or food stamps, is the latest government program to be hit by the shutdown.

Americans face a "tough time" as food banks are unlikely to be able to meet the demand amid the government shutdown.

Agriculture Department officials said Friday they cannot use a contingency fund to continue paying the SNAP program, despite earlier shutdown guidance allowing its use.

The majority of states—36—have issued warnings regarding SNAP November payments as the government shutdown continues.

With the federal government shutdown entering its 24th day on Friday, families who get food assistance are worried about how they'll put food on the table if the shutdown continues.

If November begins and SNAP payments don't arrive, residents can seek relief at their local food banks, which they can identify through the state's 211 system. Connecticut Foodshare, which operates pantries across the state, has secured additional funding and additional food in preparation for the coming spike in demand, Jakubowski said.

About 680,000 Maryland residents — roughly 40% of whom are children — rely on SNAP to supplement their food budgets.

The government shutdown appears likely to continue into the week leading up to Nov. 1. Here's why that's a key date.