(NEXSTAR) — As the government shutdown drags on, over 40 million individuals are at risk of not receiving their SNAP benefits in November.

Should the shutdown persist into next month, millions more relying on WIC — the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children — may also face the loss of their benefits.

WIC, similar to SNAP, is managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture but is administered by state agencies. This program provides essential support to low-income pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and young children, serving as a temporary aid. Eligibility hinges on factors such as pregnancy status, having given birth within the last six months, breastfeeding a participating infant under one year old, or caring for a child under five years old.

According to the National WIC Association (NWA), nearly 7 million people across the U.S. benefit from the WIC program.