Congress could soon resume food aid benefits that were paused at the start of November. How fast it gets out to beneficiaries could vary by state.

As the controversy over funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the government shutdown dragged on in recent days, the top official in charge of the program pivoted to a new talking point, calling the program that some 42 million Americans rely on "corrupt."

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

SNAP emerged as a critical flashpoint in the longest-ever government shutdown, which entered its 40th day on Nov. 9.

A former director of the U.N. World Food Program said the cutoff of SNAP benefits had immediate impacts on grocers and convenience stores of all sizes.

Gov. Ned Lamont says he has authorized the state to pay out the entire monthly cost of the federal food assistance program using state funds.

Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo’s special session proclamation would need to include language allowing the Legislature to take such action.

Amid coming cuts to SNAP eligibility and a federal government shutdown that has frozen the program, a detailed survey from the nonprofit DataHaven offers new insight into who uses food assistance in Connecticut and what state residents think should happen to it moving forward.

Gyurkovic also receives about $295 in monthly Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, which he supplements with trips to the food pantry. He’s supposed to receive his benefits Nov. 20, but this month he doesn’t know if he’ll receive them.