The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) said on its website that SNAP benefits for November will not be issued if the shutdown continues past October 27. While the HHSC notes that Medicaid, WIC, TANF and CHIP benefits won’t be affected, the 3.7 million Texans–roughly 11% of the population–who rely on SNAP to pay for groceries will.

As the United States government shut down threatens SNAP food benefits, the East Texas Food Bank is preparing to step up for East Texans who rely on the program’s assistance. According to Texas Health and Human Services Commission,

Some East Texans are days away from losing benefits they rely on for food.With the government shutdown stretching into its fourth week, next month’s SNAP benefits may not go out.Now, many Americans are looking for ways to stretch the benefits they have left.

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.

“Nearly 3.5 million people in Texas alone rely on monthly SNAP benefits,” said Wilson. SMU Professor Dr. Doric Earle is co-founder of Restorative Farms, an urban farming network fighting food insecurity. With SNAP benefits up in the air, they have to adjust their outreach.