Maine is going to press ahead this week with its plan to deliver full food assistance benefits for November, despite the Trump administration’s changing guidance on the program that helps feed 170,000 low income people in the state.

Gov. Janet Mills has directed Maine DHHS to issue full SNAP benefits after the USDA indicated it intends to make full funding available in compliance with a federal court order.

Meanwhile, Maine Sen. Susan Collins said she is negotiating with a bipartisan group on a potential compromise to end the government shutdown, although any deal would have to be endorsed by Democratic and Republican leaders.

It's unclear when Maine residents will see federal SNAP benefits, but recipients will still get help from the state government.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Friday that it is moving to send the money to states to distribute, even as the Trump administration appeals court decisions compelling it to fully fund food stamps.

Governor Janet Mills has directed Maine DHHS to issue those benefits starting Monday. It comes after federal courts directed the U.S. Department of Agriculture to release contingency funding during the ongoing government shutdown. Friday, the USDA said it intends to fully comply with the court order.

Thousands of low income families around Maine may be left scrambling for food on Nov. 1 as USDA says there's no money for SNAP benefits in November.

The announcement that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits wouldn’t be distributed in November rippled through Maine, where tens of thousands of households rely on assistance for food. The news has prompted leaders at all levels of government in Maine to call on the federal government to distribute the benefits to avoid a crisis for recipients.

Gov. Janet Mills announced Friday she is directing the Maine Department of Health and Human Services to issue full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for November.