(Photo courtesy of Michigan Advance)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service told Michigan officials to pause payment of November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, also known as SNAP, due to disruptions caused by the ongoing federal government shutdown.

That’s according to the state’s Department of Health and Human Services in a news release Thursday.

Federal officials also indicated that the shutdown meant a limited availability in funds for the nearly 42 million people across the nation who rely on SNAP. The pause in Michigan SNAP benefits through the month of November was to be in place until further notice, the USDA told the state agency.

The move could place some Michiganders at risk of food insecurity and poverty, the state said.

Nearly 13% of Michigan households, nearly 1.4 million people, receive SNAP benefits, 43% are families with children and 36% are families with members who are older adults or disabled. The state health and human services agency also noted that more than 490,000 children benefit from SNAP resources.

“The impact of households losing SNAP benefits will be felt around the state,” said MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel in a statement. “SNAP is more than a food assistance program; it’s a lifeline for many Michigan families. It helps families put nutritious food on the table, supports local farmers and grocers, and strengthens our communities and economy. We are strongly disappointed by the USDA’s decision to delay this assistance, and in Michigan we will do what we can to help blunt this impact.”

SNAP participants were directed to reach out to their local state health department branch with questions regarding benefits or to check the MI Bridges platform for updates.