One in eight Americans relies on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Arizona roughly tracks the national average, with 855,000 recipients in September, according to the Arizona Department of Economic Security.

Monday, November 3, marked the first day of Food Bucks Now, a program that gives each SNAP recipient $40 to try and make up for the benefits that did not go out that day.

With funding for food stamps on the verge of lapsing for the first time in its 60-year history, local food banks are bracing for higher demand.

In a written statement, the Arizona Attorney General's office said USDA’s $5 billion emergency fund will not be able to cover the full SNAP costs for all 50 states in November.

As Arizonans who rely on SNAP benefits still wait for a percentage of their November funds, volunteers handed out 150 large bags of food at a south Phoenix community distribution on Wednesday.

Arizonans can seek help from food banks and local programs amid the ongoing government shutdown that has stalled SNAP benefits.

The pause in SNAP benefits means there are families in Arizona who are now in need of help with food. Here's more about SNAP, and where people can get help or help others affected.

Those receiving SNAP benefits will not receive their money in November, the Arizona Department of Economic Security announced Thursday.

Arizona joined a multistate lawsuit seeking to prevent the Trump administration from suspending SNAP benefits during the government shutdown.

The Massachusetts judge said the government must use a contingency fund to pay food stamps, but gave the government leeway as to the amount.

Arizona's SNAP beneficiaries face missing benefits, spurring community initiatives and "grocery buddies" to provide food aid.