5 things you can do if you lose SNAP benefits in November

• As a result of the ongoing government shutdown, 42 million Americans are set to lose about $187 a month they typically receive through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Here's what you can do if your SNAP benefits lapse.

Find a food bank

Food banks have already seen a surge in visitors ahead of benefits lapsing.

• Some food banks take cash directly, while others are asking for donated items — like food, personal care needs and household items.
• Capital Area Food Bank, LifeNet4Families and Second Harvest Food Bank are among the bigger food assistance programs seeking donations.

Those in need can seek out their local food banks online.

• Find Help includes a directory to help find food banks by zip code.
• FeedingAmerica can also tell you the nearest local food banks to you.

State emergency funding

Zoom out: Multiple states have already announced plans to cover SNAP benefits amid the government shutdown.

• Some, like Maine, New Hampshire and Washington, have increased funding for food banks, per Axios' research.
• Others — like Delaware and Louisiana — are offering direct financial aid. Vermont, Rhode Island and Ohio are among states doing both.

What we're watching: Some states have not yet announced plans.

• Florida Democrats, for example, have called on Gov. Ron DeSantis to declare a state of emergency to help more than 2.9 million Florida residents enrolled in SNAP.

Nonprofit groups, grocers and apps

Private companies and nonprofits are offering emergency funds to people facing hunger.

• The EBT card app Propel has linked up with GiveDirectly, a nonprofit that makes cash transfers, to share private cash relief for people. Propel will specifically use its data, which tracks millions of EBT cardholders nationwide, to find people most in need.
• Bank of America announced it is sending $5 million to nearly 100 nonprofits addressing urgent hunger needs as a part of a broader $250 million commitment to fighting food insecurity.
• SpringFour, a fintech firm, told Axios it works with banks, including Fifth Third, BMO and Golden 1 Credit Union, to provide food savings, utility aid and rental assistance for those in need, too.
• Albertsons and H-E-B are both fast tracking millions of dollars to community food programs.

Multiple apps are working to fill the gap, too.

• Instacart said it will offer 50% off grocery orders for active SNAP users, as well as expand the Community Carts campaign to 300 food banks.
• DoorDash plans to deliver 1 million free meals through the Emergency Food Response. The company will also waive fees on 300,000 grocery orders for SNAP recipients with the code SNAPDD.

Mutual aid groups

Many community groups are promoting fridges, gardens and kitchens where people can seek food.

• Several can be found on the Mutual Aid Hub, which shares community groups based on geographic location, and Fridge Finder, which shares locations in the New York City area.
• Similarly, the Free Formula Exchange helps people find donated baby formula.
• Many local markets — including Houston, Northwest Arkansas, Tampa Bay — have locations and groups looking to help people, too.

Keep EBT cards available and active

Even if benefits temporarily lapse, experts say to keep EBT cards active and safe throughout November.

• If the shutdown ends, backpay could be sent to EBT cards.
• Experts told Axios that any lost EBT cards will be harder to replace because of the government shutdown.
• "Do not throw away or lose your card — that will make it harder to use your benefits once they're delivered," Propel's policy director Justin King told Axios.

Go deeper: Trump purposefully halting SNAP benefits, "weaponizing hunger," Democrats allege

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional reporting.