(CNN) The nation's 38 million food stamp recipients will get their February benefits early amid the partial government shutdown.

State officials say their allotments will be loaded onto electronic benefit transfer cards by Sunday, rather than next month. That's the only way the federal government can make the payment since the program initially wasn't funded beyond January.

The US Department of Agriculture announced last week that it is using a provision allowing it to make obligated payments within 30 days of a government funding lapse. The shutdown began after funding ran out December 21.

The change has left states racing to issue the February benefits -- which are expected to total $4.8 billion -- by January 20. Typically, states issue benefits over the course of a month, in part to make sure grocery stores have enough food and to provide them with a steady stream of customers. Households receive $245 a month, on average.

State officials are working closely with the federal agency to speed up payments, and all are expected to be able to comply, said Ann Flagg, director of the Collaborative Centers for Policy & Practice at the American Public Human Services Association, which represents state and local health and human service agencies.

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