Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry declared an emergency Friday over expiring food stamp benefits.
People who depend on SNAP likely will not have new money added to their accounts next month if the federal government shutdown continues.
Landry's declaration will help fund those benefits for the elderly, disabled, and children.
"Our social security net is supposed to help the most vulnerable, and we will try to accomplish this with today's action," said Landry.
The governor's statement also encouraged able-bodied citizens on SNAP to get jobs.
"I encourage our citizens to seek the thousands of new job opportunities across our State, and free themselves from these social programs," Landry said.
According to the non-partisan Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 74 percent of non-disabled, non-elderly adult SNAP recipients work within a year of participation in the program, and 55 percent are working in a typical month of SNAP participation.