The state of Connecticut is stepping-in to help more than a quarter-million people who will lose SNAP food benefits this Saturday because of the federal government shutdown.

Food banks are getting $3 million in emergency funding, which could translate to six million meals.

But leaders warned it’s a short-term patch that will not make up for the massive loss in SNAP benefits.

In Connecticut, 360,000 residents will lose SNAP food benefits. For a family of four, that’s a nearly $1,000 per month financial hit.

“We’re in the top 10 most expensive places to live,” said Nancy Coughlin, CEO of Person to Person, which distributes food to families across Fairfield County. “The cost of housing, as we all know, is through the roof.”

The Trump administration said it will not use $5 billion in reserves to fund SNAP for another month – despite the USDA’s own shutdown protocol.

“The well has run dry,” the U.S. Department of Agriculture website posted on Monday. “At this time, there will be no benefits issued November 01.”

The shutdown is now in its 27th day with no signs of a resolution.

“The Democrats are stopping it,” President Donald Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. “All they have to do is agree to go and we’re ready, and we voted for it many times. All we need is five Democrats.”

Sen. Chris Murphy said Democrats will only support a spending plan that reverses deep cuts to Medicaid and health insurance subsidies.

“In Connecticut, if you’re 60 years old and making around $60,000, you could be seeing a $25,000 increase in your premiums,” he said. “Not 25% – $25,000.”

To fill the gap in SNAP benefits, the state of Connecticut is stepping in with an extra $3 million for Connecticut Foodshare, which distributes to food banks across the state.

“Now is the time to step up,” said Department of Social Services Commissioner Andrea Barton Reeves. “Our neighbors need us, and they need us now.”

Gov. Ned Lamont said the $3 million will come out of Medicaid funds, with the expectation of federal reimbursement once the shutdown ends.

“We’re going to try this out for a couple of weeks,” he said. “We’re going to see what the need is going forward.”

So why not fund SNAP directly, like the state is already doing with Medicaid and the Women Infants and Children (WIC) program?

Beyond logistical hurdles with Electronic Balance Transfer (EBT) cards, the feds warned states they will face penalties.

“They’ve been very clear that, that is not an option that’s available for SNAP,” Barton Reeves told reporters. “As a state, we don’t have any access to those particular funds and the ways in which those cards are loaded. We simply determine whether a person is eligible.”

If the shutdown drags on, Lamont said Connecticut may have to tap its Budget Reserve Fund.

State lawmakers may also set aside up to half-a-billion dollars to counter federal budget cuts during a special session on Nov. 12 and 13.

“We are trying very hard to understand all of the things that are coming from Washington right now, but we cannot hold back what we need to start doing,” said state Rep. Toni Walker (D-New Haven), co-chair of the Legislature’s budget committee.

Republicans called the move an off-budget “slush fund.”

“They’re working with the State Treasurer to create a new slush fund – a scheme to maneuver around our state’s financial controls,” said Connecticut House GOP leader Vin Candelora (R-North Branford). “If Democrats truly view this as a crisis, and their repeated news conferences and statements suggest that, then the Governor should declare an emergency and solve this problem."

Back at Person at Person, families don’t care about the political brinksmanship. But they are worried about making ends meet.

“There’s no way that we can fill the gap and 100% make up the need that is going to come from the loss of so many people losing their SNAP benefits,” Coughlin said. “What we are working on now is, making sure we have enough volunteers, enough donors, making sure we have enough donations. We're coming into Thanksgiving, which is a time when people are thinking about food, and we have more food drives.”

If you need help, call 211 or click HERE.

Donate to Person to Person HERE.

Donate to Connecticut Foodshare HERE.

For a list of frequently asked questions regarding the impact of the federal shutdown on SNAP benefits in Connecticut, click here.