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 suspend benefits, raising concerns over where millions of people who rely on the program will turn to for food.

A look into the Americans who could be affected by the delay of SNAP food assistance during the government shutdown.

In an unprecedented situation, tens of millions of Americans could lose access to a crucial food assistance program starting on Saturday amid the federal government shutdown.

In Texas, recipients receive an average of $379 a month in Lone Star Card benefits to use at grocery stores, according to Feeding America. Many recipients are employed but earn below the federal poverty level, making SNAP a critical source of food assistance for working households.

In Pennsylvania, SNAP provides more than $366 million in benefits to about two million families, including 713,000 children.

Hundreds of thousands of Iowans will not receive SNAP benefits Nov. 1 as food pantries already are serving record numbers of clients.

It is difficult to talk about ‘healthy choices’ when families face empty refrigerators,” a pediatric specialist says.