(Providence, RI) -- Food stamp recipients in Rhode Island are being notified about how the federal government shutdown is causing benefits to be delivered early. The state Department of Human Services says February SNAP benefits will be issued by Sunday. The department says customers who have re-certifications due this month are being asked to submit them early so they can be processed on or before Sunday. The DHS is also indicating that for those submitting new SNAP applications, they'll receive pro-rated benefits for January and February if the application is approved by the end of this month.