The action comes two days after states sued the federal agency that administers SNAP benefits. Funds were set to stop flowing Saturday.

Two federal judges ruled the Trump administration must continue to pay for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

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

The megabill further shuttered the SNAP-Ed, a federally funded grant program that "helps people make their SNAP dollars stretch, teaches them how to cook healthy meals, and lead physically active lifestyles," according to the program's website. Funding for SNAP-Ed ended Oct. 1.

This pair of St. Paul restaurants will offer free kids’ meals Mondays through Wednesdays while SNAP benefits are suspended. Be sure to bring your SNAP card and photo ID. 492 Hamline Av. S., St. Paul, crnook.com; 995 W. 7th St., St. Paul, crshamrocks.com

U.S. District Judge John McConnell said at a hearing Oct. 31 he would block the administration from suspending benefits during the shutdown.

Despite court orders to distribute SNAP benefits, state officials said the funds remain on hold for nearly 2 million Illinoisans.

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

As the US government ends its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), food pantries in New York prepare for a surge in need as families and seniors struggle to afford groceries. View on euro

The Trump administration had said SNAP food assistance wouldn’t be distributed in November because of the government shutdown. But on Friday, a judge ordered that contingency funds be distributed.