With the federal government shutdown threatening to suspend Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits on Nov. 1, state governments are racing to address the impending crisis. SNAP, commonly known as food stamps, supports over 40 million Americans, many of whom rely on the program to meet their basic food needs. The suspension marks the first time in recent history that the program has been halted due to a government shutdown.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced last week that contingency funds are “not legally available to cover regular benefits,” leaving millions of low-income families in limbo. The announcement has sparked widespread concern and prompted several Democratic governors to urge the administration to find a solution. Meanwhile, Democratic leaders from 25 states have announced plans to sue the USDA over the suspension.
In the absence of federal support, many states are stepping in with emergency measures to help residents. From allocating state funds to deploying the National Guard, here’s how states are responding to the SNAP crisis:
Arizona
Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) has allocated $1.8 million in state funds to assist Arizonans, with $1.5 million directed to food banks and $300,000 funding a new emergency fresh food program. SNAP households will receive $30 vouchers for fresh produce at participating grocery stores, farmers markets, and mobile markets.
California
Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) has deployed National Guard troops and California Volunteers to support food banks and fast-tracked $80 million in state funding for food assistance. The National Guard’s role will remain behind the scenes to avoid public anxiety. California is home to 5.5 million SNAP recipients.
Colorado
Gov. Jared Polis (D) has requested up to $10 million for food banks and pantries and extended funding for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. The state also launched the “Feeding Colorado” initiative to encourage donations and map SNAP user locations. Over 600,000 Coloradans rely on SNAP benefits.
Connecticut
Gov. Ned Lamont (D) announced $3 million in emergency funds for Connecticut Foodshare, a nonprofit supporting food banks. While acknowledging the funds won’t fully cover the gap, Lamont emphasized the state’s commitment to helping residents. Approximately 360,000 Connecticut residents will be affected by the suspension.
Delaware
Gov. Matt Meyer (D) declared a state of emergency to fund SNAP benefits on a week-by-week basis. He also announced additional support for food pantries and encouraged residents to donate to food banks.
Hawaii
Gov. Josh Green (D) introduced a relief program to help families with dependent children cover housing and utility costs. More details are expected soon. Hawaii had over 151,000 SNAP recipients in 2022.
Iowa
Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) directed the state’s Department of Health and Human Services to monitor food bank inventories and ensure they can meet increased demand. About 131,000 Iowa households are eligible for SNAP.
Kentucky
Gov. Andy Beshear (D) announced temporary state funding for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, which overlaps with SNAP in serving vulnerable families.
Louisiana
Gov. Jeff Landry (R) declared a state of emergency, potentially unlocking stabilization funds to address the SNAP suspension. Louisiana has over 792,000 SNAP recipients.
Minnesota
Gov. Tim Walz (D) allocated $4 million for food shelves, with most funds directed toward purchasing food. Approximately 440,000 Minnesotans rely on SNAP and related programs.
Nevada
Gov. Joe Lombardo (R) expanded support for food banks and signaled readiness to deploy the National Guard for food distribution.
New Hampshire
The state partnered with the New Hampshire Food Bank to provide mobile food pantries specifically for SNAP recipients. Over 75,000 New Hampshire residents rely on SNAP benefits.
New Mexico
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) committed $30 million in state funds to ensure food benefits for low-income residents, aiming to cover the first 10 days of November. New Mexico has the highest SNAP participation rate in the country, with 21% of its population relying on the program.
New York
Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) announced $11 million for emergency food relief and later fast-tracked an additional $30 million to provide 16 million meals statewide. Nearly three million New Yorkers use SNAP benefits.
Rhode Island
Gov. Dan McKee (D) declared a state of emergency and allocated $6 million in TANF funds to assist families with children, along with $200,000 for the RI Community Food Bank. About 145,000 Rhode Islanders rely on SNAP.
South Carolina
Gov. Henry McMaster (R) activated the State Guard to assist food banks with distribution and launched a charitable giving campaign through the One SC Fund. Over 556,000 South Carolinians use SNAP benefits.
Virginia
Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) established the Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance initiative, providing state-supported funds to SNAP recipients and allocating $1 million to food banks. Virginia has approximately 850,000 SNAP recipients.
Washington
Gov. Bob Ferguson (D) pledged $2.2 million per week to support food banks, with the first transfer scheduled for Nov. 3 if the shutdown persists. Nearly one million Washingtonians rely on SNAP benefits.
West Virginia
Gov. Patrick Morrisey (R) launched a statewide donation drive and identified up to $13 million in matching funds to support food assistance efforts. Approximately 270,000 West Virginians depend on SNAP benefits.
A Growing Crisis
As the federal government shutdown continues, states are stepping up to fill the gap left by federal inaction. While these measures provide temporary relief, they highlight the critical role of SNAP in supporting millions of Americans. For those affected, local food banks and state programs may offer vital assistance during this challenging time.
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