The Daily Freeman is reporting the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance says most recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP assistance, will receive their full February benefits early, as a result of the ongoing federal government shutdown. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has instructed states to issue full February benefits early, and current SNAP recipients may receive them as early as Jan. 17. This not extra or bonus aid, and households will not receive a second benefit for the month of February. The department is advising recipients to carefully plan their food budgets accordingly. The SNAP recipients who do not receive their benefits early will receive them on Feb. 1. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.