Due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has notified every state that November funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the nation's largest anti-hunger program, will not be issued at this time, according to an Oct. 21 announcement from the Maine Dept. of Health and Human Services.

Nationwide, approximately 42 million individuals receive SNAP benefits, including 169,812 in Maine, the release said.

In total, nearly 12.5 percent of Maine's population receive SNAP benefits, with several counties -- Androscoggin, Aroostook, Piscataquis, Somerset, and Washington -- approaching or surpassing 20 percent of their populations.

Nearly 75% of Maine's SNAP households include at least one working adult, more than half include a person with a disability, 43% include an older adult, and over one-third include children. The average monthly SNAP benefit for a family of four in Maine is $572.

"The federal SNAP program helps support food security, improve health outcomes, and strengthen Maine's economy," said Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Sara Gagné-Holmes, in the release. "For tens of thousands of Maine people, these benefits mean the ability to put food on the table. A disruption of this scale will also impact Maine's food pantries, which are vital partners in helping communities meet basic needs, as well as retailers. We are monitoring developments closely and will continue to assess the full impact."

What Maine SNAP Recipients Need to Know

• November federal SNAP benefits cannot be issued until the federal shutdown ends or new guidance is provided by FNS.
• At this time, SNAP benefits already loaded onto EBT cards remain available for use to purchase food.
• Applications, renewals, and other updates continue to be accepted and processed by Maine DHHS during the federal shutdown.
• SNAP recipients are encouraged to sign up for e-noticing through My Maine Connection, which provides the fastest access to updates and notifications.
• Recipients should ensure that contact information, such as phone number and mailing address, remains current with Maine DHHS.
• For help finding information on other available resources, call 211 or text your zip code to 898-211. You can also visit211Maine.org. When the federal shutdown ends, more information will be available about the future of federal SNAP benefits.
• Maine DHHS will share updates as soon as additional information becomes available.
• This change affects all federal SNAP recipients nationwide and cannot be appealed.