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

SNAP food benefits help feed millions of Americans every year. With the program facing a lack of funding, it's worth learning how it actually works.

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

The lawsuit argues the USDA is legally required to continue providing SNAP benefits during the shutdown as long as it has funding.

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.

Although Republicans control both chambers of Congress and the White House, the filibuster rule in the U.S. Senate effectively means 60 votes are needed to pass substantive legislation. The GOP advantage over Democrats in the Senate is only 53-45, with two independents who vote with Democrats.

A new bill would see Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits paid retroactively as payments remain in jeopardy due to the ongoing government shutdown. About 42 million Americans rely on SNAP to help pay for food every month.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits are set to be halted on Nov. 1 because of the federal government shutdown.