(LANSING) – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is temporarily suspending November food benefits due to the Federal shutdown.

The MDHHS announced Thursday they were instructed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to not issue Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program or SNAP benefits until further notice. The delay will affect almost 13% of Michigan households, or approximately 1.4 million Michigan residents. The average SNAP household receives $335 a month.

This delay will also affect 492,225 children and over half of all SNAP households that include a person with a disability.

MDHHS is asking SNAP recipients to call their local office if they have any questions. In St. Joseph County the number is 269-467-1200. In Branch County, residents can call 517-279-4200. For Cass County, the number is 269-445-0200 and in Hillsdale County citizens can call 517-439-2200.

You can also go to the MI Bridges website to see updates on the program.