The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as SNAP, is the largest federal nutrition-assistance program in the U.S.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — more commonly known as SNAP, or food stamps — is a key benefits program that serves more than 40 million people across the country. Now, the shutdown is threatening to temporarily suspend benefits, raising concerns over where millions of people who rely on the program will turn to for food.

The USDA has accused Democrats of voting “12 times to not fund” Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

As the federal government shutdown drags on, tens of millions of people are at risk of losing food and nutrition aid as a result. The NPR Network wants to hear from you about the potential loss or delay of these food benefits.

With benefits expected to run out Saturday because of the government shutdown, Democratic leaders of 25 states allege that the USDA is required to keep providing funds.

Due to the ongoing government shutdown, the prospect of November's SNAP benefits going unpaid indefinitely is growing closer.

Illinois and many other states have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture over plans to stop SNAP benefits on Nov. 1 if the federal shutdown remains ongoing. About 2 million people in Illinois are slated to lose benefits on Saturday as the program runs out of money.