(The hill) — Starting Saturday, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will be available to millions at stake As the impacts of the weeks-long federal government shutdown expand, including to thousands of beneficiaries in Colorado.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which administers the food stamp program, said last week that it would not use more than $5 million in emergency funding allocated by Congress for emergency scenarios. SNAP benefits next month are Estimated at $8 billion.
SNAP funding is provided to states monthly, with the federal government and states splitting administrative costs and states running their own programs. Some states are affected more than others.
Which states have the largest number of SNAP recipients?
In fiscal year 2024, approximately 41.7 million people received monthly SNAP benefits, According to the US Department of Agriculture. The federal government spent $99.8 billion on the program, which equates to approximately $187.20 per recipient per month.
with The clock is tickingHowever, states across the country, from Texas to Florida to New York, are sounding the alarm. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a think tank dedicated to combating poverty and inequality, at least 5% of the population of every state and Washington, D.C., received SNAP benefits in fiscal year 2024.
New Mexicoat 21 percent, had the highest share of the population receiving SNAP benefits, followed by The nation’s capital by 20 percent, Louisiana and Oregon By 18 percent and Oklahoma By 17 percent. Massachusettsby 16 percent, and illinois, Michigan, Nevada and Pennsylvaniaall at 15 percent, rounding out the top ten.
In Colorado, CBPP reports that SNAP has reached 584,500 residents, or 10 percent of the state. This comes to help 1 in 10 Coloradans. More data showed that more than 64% of participants were families with children, and more than 46% of them belonged to working families.
On average, Coloradans using SNAP received about $186 per month, based on data in 2024. Soon, that number will drop to zero.
USDA, on Friday noteHe argued that the SNAP emergency fund could only be used following unforeseen events, such as natural disasters.
But in A The closure plan has since been deletedAccording to a September 30 USDA post, the department noted that it was mandated by Congress to allocate SNAP benefits using the emergency fund during the shutdown.