The Connecticut General Assembly could give the governor a lot of flexibility in deciding when to release funds for SNAP and how much.

SNAP benefits have officially expired, leaving hundreds of thousands of Connecticut residents without critical food assistance. The Trump administration has until 5 p.m. Monday to respond to a ruling which could allow the use of contingency funds to keep the program running during the ongoing government shutdown.

Connecticut school districts, like Middletown, are funding student meals amid rising hunger issues, ensuring children receive breakfast and lunch daily.

CT families receiving SNAP benefits could lose nearly $200 monthly on average, a bigger hit than families would feel in any other state.

The Trump administration says it’ll only partially fund the nation’s SNAP benefits this month, following a court order to do so. The head of a Bridgeport, Connecticut-based food pantry said that it won’t be enough.

Groups like Connecticut Voices for Children and Connecticut Social Services are encouraging SNAP recipients to spend their benefits before Nov. 1.

The State University of New York (SUNY) system has hundreds of students who serve as “peer navigators,” helping with food assistance. Empire State Service Corps typically helps with a variety of initiatives, including tutoring, disaster relief and supporting food banks.