Monday marked day 24 of the partial government shutdown. It is now the longest in U.S. history with no deal in sight.
As many Americans plan ahead, there are some things to know. This includes the news that federal food stamp benefits will still be given out for the month of February.
But those benefits are coming earlier than usual for those in Ohio's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP.
The benefits are expected to be issued in the next week, but local agencies are reminding recipients to plan ahead.
"It's kind of one of our fears here that people might think, 'Oh, I have this extra money in my account' and not realize that it's their February benefit," explains Stephanie Dodson of the Summit County Department of Job and Family Services.
So to underscore -- those who receive SNAP benefits will see their February deposit in the next week and must make that last through the month of February.