What exactly is SNAP and is it the same as food stamps? How does it work? Here's who benefits as the Nov. 1 cutoff nears.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides government assistance to bring food and other necessities to low-income households.

SNAP benefits could be affected on Nov. 1 if the government shutdown continues. Here's how a lack of SNAP benefits would impact Ohio.

On Nov. 3, the Trump administration in a court filing said it would make partial payments for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, using contigency funding though when recipients will see benefits remains unknown.

As the federal government shutdown continues, funding for SNAP is in peril, leading some to wonder exactly what it is.

The USDA said it would draw on its $4.65-billion SNAP contingency fund to keep payments flowing in November, but with a 50% cut. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities challenged the USDA’s calculations, noting that there would be an average 61% cut in benefits.

The government shutdown could end soon and allow for SNAP funding again. But some Californians may have already received their benefits.