Public benefits that can be considered in public charge assessments include safety-net and health programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicare.
November 18, 2025
high
policy
Examples of federal programs that may factor into public charge evaluations.
In 2025, approximately 42 million people in the United States received benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
November 15, 2025
high
statistic
National enrollment level for the federal nutrition assistance program SNAP.
Federal government shutdowns can interrupt distribution of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and delay food assistance to large numbers of recipients.
November 12, 2025
high
temporal
Describes a recurring policy/process impact of federal shutdowns on food assistance programs.
As of 2025, SNAP served about one in eight Americans.
November 12, 2025
high
temporal
Baseline reach of the SNAP program in the U.S.
As of 2025, about 42 million lower-income Americans received SNAP benefits, with an average benefit of about $190 per person per month.
November 12, 2025
high
temporal
Core statistics on SNAP enrollment and average monthly benefit per person.
SNAP benefits are distributed using Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards.
November 12, 2025
high
temporal
Describes the payment mechanism commonly used to deliver SNAP benefits to recipients.
Nearly 42 million Americans receive SNAP benefits.
November 12, 2025
high
statistic
Scale of SNAP participation
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides food aid to nearly one in eight Americans.
November 12, 2025
high
statistical
SNAP is a federal program that delivers food assistance to low-income individuals and families in the United States.
More than 42 million Americans rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for food assistance.
November 12, 2025
high
statistical
Scale of the SNAP program in the United States as reported
SNAP benefits are typically distributed to recipients as monthly benefit allocations.
November 11, 2025
high
procedural
Typical benefit delivery cadence for SNAP recipients.
States and advocacy groups reported in 2025 that, operationally, resuming full SNAP benefit payments is generally easier and faster for states than issuing partial payments and later sending remaining amounts.
November 11, 2025
high
operational
Operational consideration regarding full versus partial issuance of SNAP payments reported by states and advocates.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provided benefits to about 42 million Americans in 2025.
November 10, 2025
high
statistical
Scale of SNAP enrollment/recipients in 2025.
States commonly deliver SNAP benefits to recipients by loading funds onto electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards.
November 10, 2025
high
procedural
Typical mechanism for disbursing SNAP monthly benefits to individual recipients.
SNAP provides monthly benefits to eligible recipients and the program is administered at the state level by state agencies.
November 10, 2025
high
temporal
Typical benefit cadence and administrative structure for SNAP
SNAP benefits are commonly delivered via electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards that are loaded with funds for recipients to use for food purchases.
November 10, 2025
high
temporal
Standard mechanism for disbursing SNAP benefits to recipients
U.S. federal government shutdowns can disrupt services and operations, including causing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to cancel flights and pausing processing or benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
November 10, 2025
high
impact
General consequences observed during U.S. government funding lapses.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) supports approximately 42,000,000 low-income Americans.
November 10, 2025
high
statistical
Scale of SNAP participation (number of beneficiaries).
SNAP benefits reach roughly one in eight Americans.
November 10, 2025
high
statistical
Population share receiving SNAP benefits.
Approximately 42 million Americans received SNAP benefits in 2025.
November 09, 2025
high
statistical
Participation figure for the SNAP program in 2025.
SNAP provided benefits to about 42 million Americans as of 2025.
November 09, 2025
high
statistical
Scale of SNAP participation
SNAP benefits are commonly issued to recipients via Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards.
November 09, 2025
high
process
Typical mechanism for delivering SNAP benefits
Nearly 42 million Americans received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits as of November 8, 2025.
November 08, 2025
high
temporal
Scale of SNAP participation in the United States
Most SNAP recipients have incomes below the federal poverty line, and the federal poverty threshold for a family of four is about $32,000.
November 08, 2025
high
temporal
Income characteristics of typical SNAP households and an approximate poverty threshold for a family of four
As of November 8, 2025, the maximum monthly SNAP benefit was nearly $300 for an individual and up to nearly $1,000 for a family of four.
November 08, 2025
high
temporal
Typical maximum monthly benefit amounts under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Government shutdowns can cause federal employees to be furloughed or go unpaid, disrupt commercial air travel, and delay distribution of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
November 08, 2025
high
temporal
Common impacts observed when federal appropriations lapse and parts of the government cease operations.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can be sustained at least partially during federal funding gaps through temporary emergency funds or alternative revenue sources such as customs revenue.
November 07, 2025
high
temporal
Programs like SNAP may use interim funding mechanisms to continue benefit payments when regular appropriations are unavailable.
Nearly 42 million people relied on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in 2025, with the majority being extremely low-income families with children and additional beneficiaries including seniors and people with disabilities.
November 07, 2025
high
statistical
Program reach and beneficiary demographics
As of 2025-11-07, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) serves about 1 in 8 Americans, primarily people with lower incomes.
November 07, 2025
high
statistic
Program coverage estimate
State agencies distribute monthly SNAP benefits via electronic benefit cards that are processed by state-contracted electronic benefit card vendors.
November 07, 2025
high
process
Method of benefit delivery
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) served about 42 million Americans, roughly 1 in 8 people.
November 06, 2025
high
statistical
Program enrollment scale (approximate beneficiary count).
Monthly SNAP benefit payments cost on the order of billions of dollars, approximately between $8.5 billion and $9 billion per month.
November 06, 2025
high
statistical
Estimated monthly aggregate benefit outlays for the program.
SNAP benefits are distributed electronically to recipients via debit-style Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards used for grocery purchases.
November 06, 2025
high
structural
Typical mechanism for delivering benefits to program participants.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is financed by the federal government.
November 05, 2025
high
temporal
Describes the primary funding source for the federal food assistance program.
Most Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients are seniors, families with children, and people with disabilities.
November 04, 2025
high
statistical
Demographic composition commonly reported for SNAP recipients.
As of 2025, the U.S. federal government spent about $8 billion per month on SNAP benefits.
November 04, 2025
high
temporal
Typical monthly federal expenditure on the SNAP program
Propel operates a free mobile app that, as of 2025, is used by about 5 million people to check SNAP balances and to receive grocery coupons and discounts.
November 04, 2025
high
descriptive
Private-sector digital tool serving SNAP participants
The U.S. Department of Agriculture maintains a contingency fund that can be used to provide SNAP benefits when regular funding is unavailable or in emergency situations.
November 04, 2025
high
temporal
Contingency funds are an institutional mechanism to continue benefit payments during funding disruptions.
Many U.S. state systems that process SNAP benefits are decades old and such outdated processing systems can cause delays in benefit distribution of weeks or months.
November 04, 2025
high
temporal
Aging technical infrastructure at the state level can delay delivery of federal benefits.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture can tap contingency funds to allow states to issue partial Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits during a food-aid shortfall.
November 04, 2025
high
policy
Contingency funding mechanism for SNAP benefit continuity during funding shortfalls
As of 2025, SNAP program spending is about $8 billion per month nationally.
November 03, 2025
high
temporal
Typical monthly federal outlays for the SNAP program.
To qualify for SNAP in 2025, a family's net income after allowable deductions for a family of four cannot exceed the federal poverty guideline of about $32,000 per year.
November 03, 2025
high
temporal
Income eligibility threshold for SNAP enrollments reported for 2025.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 2025, about 1 in 8 U.S. residents receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, with an average benefit of $187 per month per person.
November 03, 2025
high
statistical
Coverage and typical benefit size for the federal SNAP food assistance program
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
November 03, 2025
high
administrative
Program administration for federal food assistance
Operating the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) costs roughly $9 billion per month.
November 03, 2025
high
statistical
Approximate monthly federal expenditure to run SNAP
The average monthly SNAP benefit is approximately $190 per person as of 2025.
November 03, 2025
high
statistical
Typical per-person monthly benefit amount for SNAP recipients.
SNAP provides food-purchasing assistance to more than 40 million Americans.
November 03, 2025
high
statistic
Scale of SNAP participation.
SNAP benefits are distributed electronically through Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) and are accepted for purchases at participating retail stores.
November 03, 2025
high
process
How SNAP benefits are accessed and used by beneficiaries.
SNAP is intended to provide nutritional support as a safety-net program for low-income households.
November 03, 2025
high
definition
Program purpose.
A 2025 USDA memo estimated that approximately 42 million people could lose Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits starting on 2025-11-01 if SNAP funding were to run out.
November 01, 2025
high
temporal
Estimate from a USDA internal memo about the potential scale of SNAP benefit disruptions if funding lapses.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides food-purchasing assistance to approximately 42 million Americans.
November 01, 2025
high
statistical
Program enrollment/recipient count for SNAP.
An estimated $9.2 billion would be required to fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for one month (November 2025).
November 01, 2025
high
statistical
Estimated monthly funding requirement to maintain SNAP benefit payments.
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 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.
As of November 2025, more than 42 million Americans relied on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to purchase food.
November 01, 2025
high
statistical
National SNAP enrollment estimate
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides monthly benefits to eligible Americans to purchase groceries.
November 01, 2025
high
temporal
Description of SNAP program purpose and benefit use
Around 42 million Americans were receiving SNAP benefits as of November 2025.
November 01, 2025
high
temporal
Approximate SNAP enrollment level reported for November 2025
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that SNAP recipients receive an average of $187 per month on a prepaid card to buy groceries.
October 31, 2025
high
statistic
Average monthly benefit amount for SNAP recipients as reported by USDA
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that more than one in eight Americans depend on food stamps from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
October 31, 2025
high
statistic
Proportion of the U.S. population reported to rely on SNAP benefits
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) does not use contingency funds to pay for SNAP benefits during a federal government shutdown and does not reimburse states if they cover those benefits on their own.
October 31, 2025
high
policy
Federal administration of SNAP funding during government shutdowns and the limits on contingency fund use.
The State of New York receives roughly $650 million per month in federal funding for SNAP programs.
October 31, 2025
high
statistical
Monthly scale of federal SNAP funding directed to New York State.
In 2025, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provided monthly benefits to approximately 42 million people in the United States.
October 31, 2025
high
temporal
Scale of enrollment in the federal SNAP program.
As of 2025, SNAP benefits are distributed via Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards that function similarly to debit cards.
October 31, 2025
high
temporal
Mechanism for delivering SNAP benefits to recipients.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) distributes benefits electronically through Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT), and participating vendors such as farmers markets can accept EBT benefits.
October 31, 2025
high
procedural
Describes how SNAP benefits are delivered and where they can be used.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps, is the United States' largest federal food aid program, distributing about $8 billion per month and serving roughly one in eight U.S. residents.
October 31, 2025
high
statistical
Program scale and reach
In 2025, about 21% of New Mexico's population relied on SNAP benefits, representing the highest state SNAP participation rate in the nation.
October 30, 2025
high
temporal
State-level SNAP participation rates indicate the share of residents receiving federal nutrition assistance in a given year.
In 2025, nearly one in five residents of Louisiana received SNAP benefits, totaling roughly 800,000 recipients.
October 30, 2025
high
temporal
State enrollment counts and percentages reflect the scale of reliance on SNAP within a state's population for a given year.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is commonly known as 'food stamps'.
October 30, 2025
high
temporal
Terminology used for the federal program that provides nutrition assistance to low-income individuals and families.
As of 2025, roughly 42 million Americans relied on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits delivered monthly via electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
October 30, 2025
high
statistical
SNAP program caseload and benefit delivery method.
An estimated $9.2 billion is the cost to fund one month's SNAP benefits (November 2025), while the U.S. Department of Agriculture's contingency fund was reported to contain around $5 billion.
October 30, 2025
high
statistical
Estimated one-month SNAP funding requirement and size of USDA contingency fund.
Approximately 42 million Americans received SNAP benefits (estimate as of 2025-10-30).
October 30, 2025
high
statistic
Nationwide participation level for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
In 2025, nearly 42 million people relied on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for food and nutrition assistance.
October 30, 2025
high
temporal
Scale of SNAP participation.
A 2025 Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimate of the economic effects of a federal funding lapse was based on assumptions that furloughed federal employees would be paid retroactively when the shutdown ends, that spending on goods and services forgone during the shutdown would be made up after funding resumes, that active-duty military and certain law enforcement personnel would continue to be paid during the shutdown, and that missed Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits would be paid retroactively.
October 29, 2025
high
assumption
These were the key modeling assumptions underlying the CBO's estimate of shutdown impacts.
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.
SNAP benefits are delivered via electronic benefit transfer (EBT) debit cards, and states use differing schedules and reloading processes so beneficiaries do not all receive benefits on the same day of the month.
October 28, 2025
high
process
Description of how SNAP benefit issuance varies by state.
As of 2025, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides food assistance to about 42 million Americans to help supplement their grocery purchases.
October 28, 2025
high
temporal
National federal nutrition assistance program participation level.
As of 2025, SNAP assists about one in eight Americans, delivering benefits via electronic benefit transfer (EBT) debit cards that are typically loaded monthly by the federal government.
October 28, 2025
high
temporal
Description of how SNAP benefits are provided and population reach.
Approximately 42 million people relied on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for food assistance as of 2025-10-28.
October 28, 2025
high
temporal
Estimated national enrollment size of SNAP at the time of reporting.
Primary recipient groups of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) include seniors, families with children, and people with disabilities.
October 28, 2025
high
temporal
Typical demographic groups served by SNAP benefits.
Individual U.S. states administer SNAP benefits while the federal government provides funding and operates the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) infrastructure used to deliver benefits.
October 28, 2025
high
temporal
Division of responsibilities between state agencies and the federal government for SNAP operations and benefit delivery.
During a prolonged U.S. federal government shutdown, federally funded nutrition assistance programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can face funding cliffs that risk benefit shortfalls for recipients.
October 27, 2025
high
temporal
Explains how program funding timelines can affect benefit continuity in a shutdown.
SNAP provides roughly $8 billion per month in federal food assistance and reaches approximately 42 million Americans.
October 27, 2025
high
statistical
Approximate monthly funding level and beneficiary count for SNAP
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps people buy groceries and serves about one in eight Americans.
October 26, 2025
high
statistical
Description of SNAP's purpose and scale of participation in the U.S.
As of 2025, about one in eight Americans receive assistance from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to buy groceries.
October 26, 2025
high
temporal
Program coverage statistic describing SNAP reach
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) states that contingency funds are reserved for disaster response and are not legally available to cover regular SNAP benefits.
October 26, 2025
high
temporal
Federal policy interpretation about the intended use of USDA contingency funds
USDA guidance indicates that states would not be reimbursed by the federal government for temporarily covering SNAP benefit costs if federal SNAP payments were halted.
October 26, 2025
high
temporal
Guidance regarding state-level temporary actions to continue SNAP benefits during a federal interruption
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, is the largest federal anti-hunger program in the United States.
October 24, 2025
high
definitional
Program description and relative role in U.S. anti-hunger policy
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly called "food stamps," is a federal program that provides nutrition assistance to eligible low-income individuals and families.
October 23, 2025
high
definition
Basic description of SNAP
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps about one in eight Americans buy groceries.
October 23, 2025
high
statistic
Describes the program's reach among the U.S. population.
SNAP provides qualifying lower-income households with debit cards that are loaded monthly by the federal government and are usable only for groceries at participating stores and farmers markets.
October 23, 2025
high
descriptive
Describes how benefits are delivered and where they can be spent.
In 2025, the average monthly SNAP benefit was $187 per person.
October 23, 2025
high
statistic
Average per-person monthly benefit amount for SNAP recipients.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) oversees SNAP, and federal control of benefit administration can limit states' ability to independently issue or fund SNAP benefits.
October 23, 2025
high
administrative
Explains administrative oversight and its implications for state actions related to SNAP.
As of 2025-10-22, about 40 million low-income people in the United States receive federal food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), including roughly 5.5 million recipients in California.
October 22, 2025
high
temporal
Baseline counts of SNAP recipients at the national and California state level reported in the news article.
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.
As of 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) maintained an emergency contingency fund for SNAP of roughly $5 billion.
October 21, 2025
high
temporal
Size of the USDA emergency contingency fund related to SNAP.
Approximately 42 million people were estimated to receive SNAP benefits in 2025.
October 21, 2025
high
temporal
Estimated number of SNAP recipients.
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
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
SNAP was formerly known as the food stamp program.
October 16, 2025
high
historical
Alternate historical name for SNAP
Approximately 42 million Americans rely on SNAP benefits in an average month.
October 16, 2025
high
statistical
Typical monthly SNAP caseload
SNAP case records commonly include personal data fields such as recipients' names, dates of birth, home addresses, Social Security numbers, and benefit amounts.
October 16, 2025
high
data_content
Types of personal information maintained in SNAP records
Approximately 42 million Americans received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in 2025.
October 16, 2025
high
statistical
Estimated number of SNAP beneficiaries reported in late 2025
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) delivers participants' monthly benefits electronically via Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards.
October 01, 2025
high
temporal
Describes the standard method states use to distribute SNAP benefits to recipients.
In 2025, approximately 42 million individuals in the United States were cited as recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
October 01, 2025
high
temporal
Reported estimate of SNAP caseload size referenced in October 2025.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides benefits that allow non- or low-income individuals and families to purchase groceries using an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card similar to a debit card.
September 30, 2025
high
definition
Program design and benefit delivery mechanism
More than 42 million Americans relied on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as of September 2025.
September 30, 2025
high
statistic
Program enrollment/beneficiary count
Approximately 42 million people in the United States used the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in 2025.
September 29, 2025
high
temporal
SNAP is the federal program that provides food assistance to low-income individuals and families.
SNAP benefit payments require about $8 billion per month to fund nationwide distributions (figure reported in 2025).
September 29, 2025
high
temporal
This is an aggregate monthly funding requirement for the SNAP program across all states.
SNAP funding is provided by the federal government while administration and benefit issuance are carried out by state agencies.
September 29, 2025
high
temporal
Federal funds finance SNAP benefits, but states manage enrollment, distribution schedules, and local administration.
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 2024, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) assisted nearly 42 million people, approximately two-thirds of whom were families with children.
December 31, 2024
high
temporal
Annual participation statistics for SNAP.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service data covering the first quarter of fiscal year 2025 (Oct 1–Dec 31, 2024) showed more than 226,000 fraudulent SNAP benefit claims, more than 691,000 unauthorized SNAP transactions, and reported stolen benefit claim counts of over 26,000 for Alabama, 25,818 for California, and 25,210 for New York.
October 01, 2024
high
temporal
Initial state-reported SNAP fraud and unauthorized-transaction counts submitted to USDA covering FY2025 Q1.
Stolen SNAP benefits cost the U.S. government more than $102 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2025 (Oct 1–Dec 31, 2024); the cost was $69.4 million in the immediately preceding quarter (Jul 1–Sep 30, 2024) and $31.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2024 (Oct 1–Dec 31, 2023).
October 01, 2024
high
temporal
Quarterly estimates of government costs for stolen SNAP benefits as reported to USDA.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (USDA FNS) initial data for the first quarter of fiscal year 2025 show more than 226,000 fraudulent SNAP benefit claims and more than 691,000 unauthorized SNAP transactions were approved nationwide among reporting states.
October 01, 2024
high
temporal
Counts are from USDA FNS initial reporting for FY2025 Q1 and exclude states that had not reported full data.
Stolen SNAP benefits cost the federal government more than $102 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, compared with $69.4 million in the previous quarter and $31.9 million in the same quarter a year earlier, per USDA data.
October 01, 2024
high
temporal
Figures measure government costs attributable to stolen or improperly used SNAP benefits across reporting states.
USDA FNS initial reporting for the first quarter of fiscal year 2025 identified about 186,000 deceased individuals receiving SNAP benefits and about 500,000 people receiving SNAP assistance in more than one state among reporting jurisdictions.
October 01, 2024
high
temporal
These counts indicate types of program misuse identified in initial USDA FNS data for FY2025 Q1 and exclude non-reporting states.
Federal spending on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was $127 billion in 2022.
January 01, 2022
high
temporal
Annual federal expenditure on the SNAP program.
U.S. federal spending on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) totaled $128 billion in 2021.
December 31, 2021
high
temporal
Annual federal expenditure on the SNAP food assistance program.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) traces its origins to U.S. food stamp initiatives that began in 1939 during the Great Depression.
January 01, 1939
high
historical
Historical origin of the modern SNAP program.
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.
SNAP benefit payments rely on federal appropriations, so a lapse in federal funding can lead to insufficient funds to pay scheduled SNAP benefits.
high
process
Because SNAP is funded through federal appropriations, interruptions in appropriations can affect states' ability to disburse benefits to recipients on schedule.
During U.S. federal government shutdowns, federal employees can miss scheduled paychecks.
high
temporal
Describes a common fiscal consequence of a U.S. federal government shutdown.
Approximately one in eight Americans receives SNAP benefits to help purchase groceries.
high
statistic
Baseline statistic describing the proportion of the U.S. population served by SNAP.
U.S. Department of Agriculture guidance indicates that SNAP contingency funds are reserved for disaster assistance and are not legally available to cover regular monthly benefits, and that states would not be reimbursed for temporarily covering those benefits.
high
policy
USDA interpretation of the allowable use of SNAP contingency funds and reimbursement for states.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly referred to as the food stamp program, covers approximately 40 million Americans.
high
statistical
Scope of SNAP recipient population
Government shutdowns can cause federal employees to miss paychecks and can disrupt federally funded services such as air traffic control operations and food assistance programs.
high
process
General operational effects associated with federal funding lapses
It takes about $8 billion to $9 billion per month to cover all Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in the United States.
high
temporal
Estimated monthly federal cost to provide full SNAP benefits nationwide.
The SNAP contingency fund is approximately $5 billion in size.
high
temporal
Designated reserve funding associated with the U.S. federal SNAP program.
Federal SNAP contingency funds are designated to supplement regular monthly SNAP benefits only when appropriations for regular benefits exist but are insufficient, and the contingency fund is intended to support contingencies such as the Disaster SNAP program that provides food-purchasing benefits in disaster areas (for example, areas affected by hurricanes, tornadoes, or floods).
high
temporal
Legal/policy purpose and intended use of the SNAP contingency fund and Disaster SNAP.
A federal government shutdown can disrupt distribution of federal food assistance programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps.
high
operational
Effect of government funding lapses on federal benefit programs
Approximately 42 million Americans rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to help buy food.
high
statistical
Program participation estimate
SNAP benefits are delivered on a prepaid card and recipients receive an average of $187 per month.
high
statistical
Typical benefit delivery method and average monthly benefit amount
The U.S. federal government funds the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by providing money to state governments, and states oversee and administer SNAP benefits for their residents.
high
structural
Funding and administrative structure of SNAP
A congressionally approved SNAP contingency fund exists to provide benefit payments when regular appropriations for the program lapse.
high
structural
Contingency funding mechanism for SNAP during lapses in appropriations
SNAP benefits are typically issued on a monthly basis and are delivered to recipients through Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards or EBT systems.
high
temporal
Describes the usual timing and delivery mechanism for SNAP benefits
Approximately 42 million Americans participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to help pay for groceries each month.
high
statistical
Participation size of SNAP as a federal food assistance program.
The SNAP program has contingency funds that can be tapped in specific circumstances to continue benefit payments.
high
procedural
Contingency funding mechanism available within the SNAP program to maintain payments under certain conditions.
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) data report that more than 41 million Americans participate in SNAP, with participation rates highest in the states of New Mexico, Oregon, and Louisiana.
high
statistical
Breakdown of SNAP participation levels and states with the highest participation rates according to USDA data.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides federal food benefits to roughly 42 million people in the United States.
high
statistical
Baseline participation level for the federal food assistance program.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) administers and oversees the distribution of federal food benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
high
organizational
Administrative responsibility for federal food benefit distribution.
Nearly 42 million Americans receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits; SNAP was formerly known as food stamps.
high
statistical
Baseline participation level for the U.S. federal food assistance program
SNAP benefits can be used to purchase food at grocery stores and farmers' markets in the United States.
high
operational
Typical authorized redemption locations for SNAP benefits
Under SNAP rules, an individual can receive a monthly maximum food benefit of nearly $300 and a family of four can receive up to nearly $1,000, although many households receive smaller amounts under a formula that considers their income.
high
statistical
Typical maximum monthly benefit levels and income-based reduction mechanism for SNAP
Approximately 42 million Americans use monthly Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to buy groceries.
high
statistical
Estimated number of SNAP beneficiaries using benefits for food purchases