People without lawful immigration status are ineligible for federal programs such as SNAP, the Health Insurance Marketplace, and Medicaid.
November 18, 2025
high
eligibility
Federal statutory or regulatory eligibility rules for certain benefits.
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) is a federal food assistance program in the United States.
November 11, 2025
high
definition
SNAP provides nutritional assistance to eligible low-income individuals and families.
Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards are used to deliver food-assistance benefits such as SNAP to program recipients.
November 10, 2025
high
operational
Mechanism for distributing food-assistance benefits to individuals and households.
As of November 2025, more than 20% of New Mexico residents participated in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), representing the highest state participation rate in the United States.
November 10, 2025
high
statistical
State-level participation rate in the federal food-assistance program.
As of November 2025, approximately 16% of West Virginia residents relied on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the federal food assistance program.
November 09, 2025
high
temporal
Statistic about SNAP reliance in West Virginia mentioned during a November 2025 interview.
The term 'food stamps' refers to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the federal program that provides food assistance to eligible low-income individuals and families.
November 09, 2025
high
temporal
Definition/terminology clarification about SNAP.
Availability and timing of SNAP benefit payments depend on federal funding and administrative decisions and can be affected by federal court rulings or other federal actions; states may choose to advance funds to maintain benefit continuity.
November 09, 2025
medium
policy
General principle about how SNAP operations can be influenced by federal legal and funding actions and state responses.
Approximately 42 million Americans received SNAP benefits in 2025.
November 09, 2025
high
statistical
Participation figure for the SNAP program in 2025.
SNAP benefits are commonly provided to recipients via payment cards (electronic benefit transfer or EBT cards) that state agencies load with benefits.
November 09, 2025
high
procedural
EBT cards are the standard mechanism for delivering SNAP benefits to beneficiaries.
State agencies administer SNAP benefits and typically seek federal reimbursement for those benefits through the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
November 09, 2025
high
procedural
State-level administration of SNAP involves authorizing benefits and obtaining federal funds to cover those disbursements.
SNAP is the United States' largest anti-hunger program.
November 07, 2025
high
scale
Relative size and role in national food assistance
SNAP benefits are administered by U.S. state governments.
November 07, 2025
high
administration
Operational responsibility for distributing benefits
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) serves about one in eight Americans, mostly people with lower incomes.
November 07, 2025
high
statistical
Broad participation rate and demographic character of SNAP beneficiaries.
Full monthly SNAP benefit payments cost between $8.5 billion and $9.0 billion per month.
November 07, 2025
high
statistical
Estimated total monthly cost to provide full SNAP benefits nationally.
An emergency federal reserve fund for SNAP contained more than $4.6 billion available to be used for SNAP payments.
November 07, 2025
high
statistical
Size of a designated emergency reserve fund that can be tapped for SNAP benefit payments.
Federal government shutdowns can interrupt payments and services, including payments under nutrition assistance programs such as SNAP, and can cause travel disruptions.
November 07, 2025
high
temporal
Summarizes common operational impacts of federal funding lapses.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) serves approximately 42 million Americans.
November 06, 2025
high
temporal
Baseline size of the federal food assistance program.
A 2025 analysis by the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities found that roughly 40% of SNAP households receive the maximum allowable benefit amount.
November 06, 2025
high
temporal
Distribution of benefit levels among SNAP households as estimated by CBPP.
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities' 2025 modeling of SNAP partial payments used data on SNAP households' income, household composition, and expenses.
November 06, 2025
high
temporal
Modeling methodology for estimating SNAP partial payments
Approximately 42 million Americans receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
November 02, 2025
high
statistical
SNAP (commonly called food stamps) is a federal program that provides nutrition assistance to eligible low-income individuals and families.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) administers SNAP and maintains an emergency contingency fund intended to address potential funding shortfalls in the program.
November 01, 2025
high
structural
Organizational responsibility and existence of a contingency funding mechanism for SNAP.
The federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) served about 42 million people as of 2025.
November 01, 2025
high
statistical
Scale of participation in the U.S. federal food assistance program.
SNAP provides benefits to recipients on a monthly basis.
November 01, 2025
high
descriptive
Frequency of benefit distribution for the federal food assistance program.
Many SNAP recipients access their benefits using debit cards that are periodically reloaded with program funds.
November 01, 2025
high
descriptive
Typical method of benefit access and distribution for SNAP participants.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is the federal agency responsible for administering SNAP benefit payments.
November 01, 2025
high
descriptive
Administrative authority over the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) oversees national food and nutrition assistance programs, including SNAP, and issues guidance that states use to calculate household SNAP benefit allotments.
November 01, 2025
high
administrative
Roles and responsibilities for program administration
SNAP maintains contingency reserve funds that can be used to continue or adjust benefits if regular federal funding is interrupted.
November 01, 2025
high
process
Emergency funding mechanism for SNAP
U.S. federal courts have authority to issue orders that compel federal agencies to disburse program benefits such as SNAP under appropriate legal claims.
October 31, 2025
medium
descriptive
Courts can review executive and administrative actions and, when legal standards are met, can order agencies to take or refrain from actions affecting benefit delivery.
As of 2025, approximately 42 million Americans were enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
October 29, 2025
high
statistical
Approximate scale of SNAP participation reported in 2025
A federal government shutdown can cause temporary lapses in appropriations that may interrupt funding and payments for federal benefit programs such as SNAP.
October 29, 2025
high
process
General effect of government shutdowns on federally funded benefit programs
A 2025 analysis by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities reported that the average monthly SNAP benefit was $187 per person.
October 28, 2025
high
statistical
Average benefit amount reported for SNAP recipients.
Approximately 42 million people nationwide receive benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
October 27, 2025
high
statistical
National participation estimate for SNAP recipients.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has been in existence for roughly 60 years.
October 27, 2025
high
temporal
Historical duration of the federal nutrition assistance program.
SNAP provides nutrition assistance to low-income populations, including children, seniors, and veterans.
October 27, 2025
high
temporal
Primary beneficiary groups served by the federal nutrition assistance program.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) maintains contingency funds that can be used to sustain federal nutrition assistance programs during funding interruptions.
October 27, 2025
high
temporal
Policy mechanism for funding continuity of nutrition assistance programs.
SNAP is the acronym for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, a federal program that provides food-purchasing assistance for low- and no-income people.
October 24, 2025
high
definition
Program name and purpose
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) interprets SNAP contingency funds as intended for rapid-response emergencies such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods, rather than for covering extended budget shortfalls.
October 24, 2025
high
policy
USDA policy interpretation regarding the appropriate use of SNAP contingency funds
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the federal food assistance program formerly known as "food stamps".
October 22, 2025
high
temporal
Official program name and historical name for the U.S. federal food assistance program.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, is a federal program in the United States that provides food assistance to low-income individuals and families.
October 20, 2025
high
temporal
Program definition
SNAP is the largest domestic food-assistance program in the United States by number of participants.
October 20, 2025
high
temporal
Program scale
SNAP benefits are typically issued to recipients via electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards, which are used to access authorized food purchases.
October 20, 2025
high
temporal
Benefit delivery mechanism
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service administers the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and issues guidance to state agencies on SNAP benefit distribution and program operations.
October 20, 2025
high
temporal
Program administration
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federally funded food assistance program in the United States.
October 16, 2025
high
definition
General definition of SNAP
During U.S. federal government shutdowns, access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, commonly called food stamps) can be disrupted, potentially leaving tens of millions of beneficiaries without immediate access to benefits.
October 11, 2025
high
temporal
SNAP benefit distribution and eligibility can be affected when federal agencies lack appropriations during a shutdown.
Over 40 million Americans are enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
October 10, 2025
high
statistical
Baseline enrollment statistic for the federal food assistance program.
SNAP recipients receive benefits on prepaid electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards, with an average payment of about $187 per month (roughly $6 per day) that can be used to buy produce, meat, dairy, and other household food staples.
October 10, 2025
high
statistical
Typical benefit amount and payment mechanism for SNAP participants.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is federally funded and overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), while state governments are responsible for administering benefits and setting their own disbursement dates.
October 10, 2025
high
process
Description of the federal-state division of responsibilities in SNAP administration.
The Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) reported that there was a multiyear contingency reserve of about $6 billion available to cover SNAP costs during the Biden administration.
October 10, 2025
high
policy
Reported size of SNAP contingency funds intended to cover participant benefits and state administrative expenses during funding lapses.
Approximately 42 million Americans receive benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
September 27, 2025
high
statistical
Order-of-magnitude estimate of SNAP enrollment
In January 2019, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidance stated that limited contingency funding was available that could be used to provide SNAP benefits for February during a government funding lapse.
January 01, 2019
high
policy_history
Past USDA guidance on use of contingency funds during a government shutdown.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) administers the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
high
administration
Federal oversight of SNAP is handled by the USDA, which communicates with state agencies about program operations and funding.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides one in eight people in the United States with money to buy food.
high
definition
Program coverage statistic describing the share of the U.S. population receiving SNAP benefits.
SNAP benefits average about $187 per month per recipient.
high
statistical
Typical monthly benefit amount for SNAP recipients.
SNAP benefits cost the federal government about $8 billion per month.
high
statistical
Aggregate monthly federal expenditure on SNAP benefits.
SNAP maintains a contingency reserve estimated at about $5 billion intended to help cover emergencies and shortfalls, and U.S. Department of Agriculture contingency funding for SNAP is intended to provide food assistance in disasters and emergencies such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods.
high
policy/statistical
Description of SNAP's reserve funds and the intended uses of USDA contingency funding.
SNAP stands for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, a federal program that provides food-purchasing assistance to low-income individuals and families.
high
definitional
Definition of the federal nutrition assistance program commonly referred to as SNAP.
U.S. federal government shutdowns can halt distribution of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits and cause federal workers to miss paychecks when agencies lack appropriated funding.
high
impact
Common effects of lapses in federal appropriations
Approximately 42 million Americans rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to help buy food.
high
statistical
Program participation estimate
SNAP benefits are loaded onto Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, which beneficiaries use like debit cards to purchase food and eligible goods.
high
process
How benefit delivery works
State agencies administer SNAP benefits by calculating benefit amounts for eligible households and disbursing payments to program recipients.
high
temporal
Typical administrative process for SNAP benefit calculation and disbursement.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture provides states with information and guidance needed to calculate and distribute SNAP benefits.
high
temporal
Role of the federal agency in supporting state administration of SNAP.
During lapses in federal funding, agencies can use contingency funds to continue certain benefit payments, including partial disbursements of programs like SNAP.
medium
temporal
Operational mechanism used to maintain benefit payments amid federal funding interruptions.
Congress can structure appropriations to fully fund specific agencies or accounts (for example: military construction, Veterans Affairs, the Department of Agriculture, and the legislative branch) so that those agencies and related programs remain operational even if other parts of the government are in a funding lapse.
high
policy
Appropriations can be targeted to exempt certain programs from the effects of a broader government shutdown.
Common consequences of a prolonged U.S. federal government shutdown include missed paychecks for federal employees, interruptions or reductions in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, and reductions in airport operations.
high
impact
These are typical operational and service impacts reported during extended federal funding lapses.
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) is a U.S. federal program that provides nutrition and food assistance benefits to eligible individuals and households.
high
descriptive
Federal food assistance program referenced in discussions of benefits and public assistance.
Approximately 42 million Americans receive SNAP benefits, including about 14 million children.
medium
statistic
Approximate scale of SNAP enrollment and child recipients
SNAP benefits are typically distributed electronically to recipients using Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards.
high
procedural
EBT is the common mechanism for delivering SNAP payments to individual beneficiaries.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issues guidance and directives regarding SNAP benefit issuance, while individual U.S. states administer and implement the distribution of SNAP benefits to residents.
high
administrative
USDA oversees federal SNAP policy and can direct states on implementation; states operate the program at the level of benefit issuance to participants.
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) refers to the federal food assistance program commonly known as food stamps.
high
definition
Clarifies terminology used in discussions of federal nutrition assistance programs.
SNAP recipients in the United States include a large proportion of children and elderly people and a substantial share of people with disabilities.
high
demographic
Describes the demographic composition of households enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Households typically spend their monthly SNAP allotments within the same month the benefits are received.
high
behavioral
Describes common spending patterns among SNAP benefit recipients.
The nationwide issuance and processing of SNAP benefit disbursements in the United States is handled by two private companies.
medium
operational
Describes the centralized administrative processing structure for distributing SNAP benefits.