The North Texas Food back is preparing to see a rise in demand for services as federal funding dries out due to ongoing government shutdown.

Millions may lose SNAP and WIC benefits as the government shutdown threatens funding, leaving families struggling to afford food.

According to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, if the shutdown doesn’t end by October 27, SNAP benefits will not be available next month. That could leave 3.5 million Texans struggling to afford food — and many families forced to choose between paying bills or buying groceries.

HOUSTON, Texas – As the federal government shutdown continues, families who depend on food assistance programs are facing tough days ahead, especially in smaller communities like Matagorda County. Roughly 300,000 families in Harris County depend on SNAP benefits to help cover their groceries.

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.

The ongoing government shutdown has entered its 22nd day, threatening to disrupt the availability of SNAP benefits for eligible Texans if it continues past Monday. The Texas Department of State Health Services has warned that many Texans rely on these benefits for food assistance and that food banks in San Antonio have already seen increased demand due to the shutdown.

Starting November 1, thousands of Texans who rely on SNAP benefits, also known as Lone Star Cards, could be at risk of losing food assistance under new federal guidelines.

Herald-Leader UK football reporter Jon Hale provides his final thoughts and prediction for UK versus Tennessee.