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

The Agriculture Department said Friday it can’t use a special reserve fund to pay food stamp benefits during the partial government shutdown because the money is meant to be used when appropriations fall short,

Federal food programs, including SNAP and WIC, face funding shortages affecting over 42 million people as the government shutdown continues.

Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) on Friday introduced a bill to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as the government shutdown threatens payments of the food aid in

The Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York was facing soaring demand before the shutdown. Cuts to food stamps could push it to the limit.

The battle over food stamps has emerged as the latest flash point in the fierce partisan clash over government spending. Republicans in Congress are increasingly highlighting the imminent shortfall facing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in a bid to pressure Democrats to help end the ongoing shutdown.

SNAP, the country's largest anti-hunger program, dates back to the Great Depression and has never been disrupted this way. Most recipients are seniors, families with kids, and those with disabilities.

People who rely on the federal food assistance program might not receive their benefits for the month of November because of the ongoing government shutdown.