The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has taken center stage during the federal government shutdown. As the funding battle continues, a Minnesota lawmaker is questioning the state over its past SNAP payouts.

"The pain of missed SNAP benefits this month is an early sign of what’s to come," pediatrician Michael Arenson writes.

A DCYF spokesperson says the USDA agreed Friday to release that money, despite a U.S. Supreme Court order allowing the Trump administration’s pause on the benefits to continue.

The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is preparing to issue full SNAP benefit allotments for November over the weekend.

Several Minnesota cities and counties are giving money to help local food shelves cover growing demand after federal food assistance guidelines have flip-flopped several times in the last week. About 440,

A compromise that could end the government shutdown hasn't stopped the confusion around feeding families in need. About 440,000 Minnesotans rely on SNAP benefits to get groceries each month. Many of them are children or seniors.

Minnesota leaders confirmed Saturday the state will issue full SNAP benefits for November to the 440,000 Minnesotans enrolled in wake of a federal court ruling ordering existing federal funds to be directed to the program.