Some 42 million recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits will have to wait for them to be restored after losing them on Saturday.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — more commonly known as SNAP, or food stamps — is a key benefits program that serves more than 40 million people across the country. Now, the shutdown is threatening to suspend benefits, raising concerns over where millions of people who rely on the program will turn to for food.

Long lines have formed at food pantries across the U.S. as federal food benefits were cut off due to the government shutdown.

SNAP benefits are expected to resume after congressional lawmakers pass a bill funding the federal government, which will end the current shutdown. Currently, Republican and Democratic lawmakers are at a stalemate, having failed to advance any proposed legislation to reopen the government.

Here’s what SNAP benefits are, who funds them, the average amount that participants will be missing next month and some food assistance resources.

The government shutdown has frozen SNAP funding for 42 million Americans. Food banks warn shelves are emptying fast as states struggle to fill the gap.

The day after Halloween was certainly no treat for hundreds of thousands of Oregonians who rely on SNAP benefits to help with their grocery costs.

Los Angeles food banks scurry to fill the gap as Angelenos' SNAP benefits are interrupted by the federal government shutdown.

These restaurants around the state are offering free meals to those who may not receive their SNAP benefits this weekend.