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.
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.
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.
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 Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Agriculture that conducts activities to address agricultural prices and stabilize farm income.
October 22, 2025
high
descriptive
Describes the role of the CCC within USDA policy tools.
The Farm Service Agency (FSA) operates county-level offices that assist agricultural producers with applications for farm loans, crop insurance, disaster assistance, and other USDA farm programs.
October 22, 2025
high
descriptive
Describes the persistent roles of FSA county offices within USDA service delivery.
The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) is a USDA financing entity that is used to support agricultural prices and to provide funds for certain farm programs.
October 22, 2025
high
organizational
Explains the general mandate and financing role of the CCC within USDA policy tools.
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.
In 2024, approximately 749,000 people were enrolled in SNAP in Alabama, and SNAP assistance reached about 15% of Alabama's population (roughly 1 in 7 people).
January 01, 2024
high
statistical
State-level SNAP enrollment and population coverage rate reported for Alabama in 2024.
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.
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.
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.