Amid the U.S. government shutdown, the Department of Agriculture announced that food-aid benefits under one of its major programs will not be issued next month. The delay affects more than 41 million recipients, including states where over 20 % of residents rely on the payments. Governors in affected states have declared states of emergency to access emergency funds ahead of the shortfall. Markets may monitor consumer-spending risks and state-budget stress if large demographic groups face benefit disruption.