Wendy Liberatore reports in the Albany Times Union that Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program payments are still supposed to arrive this month despite the government shutdown, but there are reports of problems with the food stamp program. Rep. Antonio Delgado (D-Rhinebeck) says some stores are no longer accepting the Electronic Benefits Transfer cards because vendors cannot renew their SNAP licenses because of the government shutdown. "Families and seniors rely on SNAP benefits to get by. But if they technically have the benefits and are unable to use them, they are utterly useless," Delgado said. "I urge the Department of Agriculture to immediately extend expired EBT licenses for the duration of the shutdown so that no American will go hungry." On January 8 the USDA promised that February's SNAP benefits will be sent out, though whether March benefits arrive remains uncertain. Read the full story in the Albany Times Union.