Food stamp program will continue through February

WASHINGTON (FOX 5 DC) - The food stamp program will continue through February whether the Government remains shut down or not, the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture announced on Tuesday.

The plan will provide full benefits for participants in USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through February.

A Washington Post report over weekend had indicated that 38 million low-income Americans would face severe reductions in their food stamps if the shutdown were to go on past January.

The USDA says it is working with states to issue February benefits earlier than usual to meet the deadline before the money runs out.