The potential SNAP benefit delay could increase growing hunger crisis in Texas, a state which has the highest population of food insecure people in the U.S.

As the government shutdown continues, millions of people in the U.S. could lose their SNAP benefits by Nov. 1, according to the USDA.

SNAP benefits inject over $450 million into the Texas economy every month through grocery purchases and retail spending, according to Texas Health and Human Services. Any disruption could impact both households that rely on the program and the local businesses that depend on consumer food spending.

About 3.5 million Texans—including 1.7 million children—could lose access to SNAP benefits next month if the shutdown continues.

Texans will not likely receive their SNAP benefits on November 1. The North Texas Food Bank talks about the impact of hunger.

As the government shutdown halts federal food assistance, North Texas families are turning to food pantries, where demand is surging amid fears of going hungry.

Delays in routine payments to state agencies have raised the possibility that millions of Texans could lose their SNAP benefits. North Texas recipients

People who rely on the federal food assistance program might not receive their benefits for the month of November because of the ongoing government shutdown.