Four key social safety net programs are in jeopardy as the federal government shutdown nears the one-month mark. Democrats and Republicans are locked in battle with no agreement in sight to end the shutdown. Meanwhile, millions of American livelihoods hang in the balance as these programs will not be funded heading into November. Here is a closer look at where things stand with each of these four assistance programs.

Food Stamps

Nearly 42 million Americans take advantage of the food stamp program administered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Known formally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), this program had been slated to hand out about $8 billion in assistance in November. While the agency has a contingency fund containing between $5 billion and $6 billion, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins said that this emergency money cannot be used for November's benefits.

Democrats are pushing the USDA to use the contingency funds to help cover the gap in benefits as lawmakers work out the funding bill. A group of 25 blue states sued the Trump administration on Tuesday on the grounds that the USDA cannot suspend these crucial benefits indefinitely while refusing to lean on the available funds as the shutdown persists.

Some states have been able to find money to provide emergency nutrition assistance to residents in need. However, these efforts do not cover the whole obligation. Local food banks will feel the brunt of the lack of SNAP funding, providers that are already feeling stretched due to a sputtering economy and rising inflation.

Head Start

According to the National Head Start Association, over 65,000 children and families are at risk of losing their local Head Start programs. These programs provide early education resources to families in need, helping them to get a jump start on kindergarten. Although there are approximately 1,600 Head Start programs throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico, only about 140 are in danger of losing funding. This is because the groups obtain funding at different times of the year.

Programs that do not receive their federal money as scheduled may be forced to temporarily close their doors to students. More fortunate local programs may be able to stay open, thanks to funding from school districts, state assistance, and donations from nonprofits.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) assists about 6 million people, providing funding to pay for utility bills. This aid is usually distributed between the middle of November and early December as temperatures plummet and heating needs increase. This aid is currently not threatened; however, experts warn that trouble could be on the way. States are continuing to field applications, telling applicants that the grants have been paused until the shutdown is over.

Many states are expected to use their own funds to assist those in need until the LIHEAP grants are processed. However, states will also feel the stress of finding this extra money as they make up the shortfall left behind by the need to provide emergency food aid during this time.

It will take several weeks for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to distribute the LIHEAP money to the states. A mass of layoffs to the LIHEAP team last spring will complicate the process. An HHS spokesperson recently said that they will work quickly to distribute the funds once the government is back in business.

WIC

Formally known as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, WIC provides benefits for nearly 7 million Americans. While WIC was in danger of losing its funding in October, the Trump administration was able to find leftover tariff revenue to continue to infuse money into the program.

WIC runs under the umbrella of the USDA. This agency recently said that it will continue to tap into tariff revenue to fund the program through November. However, the National WIC Association said on Wednesday that its state agencies have not received the signal that federal support is on the way.

Once again, it will be up to the individual states to provide this assistance should the federal funding not be available. For example, Washington's Department of Health said it has the resources to maintain the benefits through the end of November. On the other side of the country, officials in New Hampshire confirmed that although food benefits are in place through November 7, WIC services may cease on Saturday in many of its local areas.

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