SNAP benefits could be affected Nov. 1 if the government shutdown continues. Here's how many would be affected from Ohio's major counties.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides government assistance to bring food and other necessities to low-income households.

On Saturday, some 42 million low-income Americans, including 16 million children, lost access to benefits through the SNAP program as the government shutdown continues.

Two federal judges ruled on Friday that President Donald Trump’s administration must continue to fund SNAP, the nation’s biggest food aid program, during the government shutdown.

The judges ruled in favor of local officials who sought to force the federal government to keep the SNAP program running in November.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Tuesday announced that Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA) will deliver benefits to people who use the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). If the shutdown hasn’t ended by Nov. 1, VENA will begin weekly distributions on Monday.

The plan detailed how the agency would use the contingency fund provided by Congress to continue benefits. The fund holds roughly $6 billion, about two-thirds of a month of SNAP benefits, meaning USDA would still have to reshuffle an additional $3 billion to cover the remainder for November.

With benefits expected to run out Saturday because of the government shutdown, Democratic leaders of 25 states allege the USDA is required to keep providing funds.