How many people receive SNAP benefits in every month?

Updates published annually
About 277,400 people during fiscal year (FY) 2024. That’s 15.7% of the state’s population. Participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is determined based on household income levels. SNAP, once known as the Food Stamp program, is administered by the Department of Agriculture providing food assistance to low-income people.

277K

average number of monthly SNAP recipients (FY 2024)

15.7%

of West Virginia's population received SNAP benefits (FY 2024)
In West Virginia participation in the federal food assistance program peaked in FY 2015, when an average 367.9 thousand people received benefits every month.

In FY 2024, an average of 277,400 people received SNAP benefits every month.

Average monthly SNAP recipients

The 15.7% share of the West Virginia population receiving benefits in FY 2024, is greater than the 12.3% receiving benefits nationwide.

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On average, 15.7% of the US population received monthly SNAP benefits in FY 2024.

Percentage of population receiving monthly SNAP payments, annual average

In FY 2024, West Virginia had the sixth highest share of its population receiving SNAP benefits among states and Washington, DC.

In FY 2024, West Virginia ranked sixth out of 51 based on the share of its population receiving SNAP benefits.

Percentage of population receiving monthly SNAP payments

West Virginia households with children are likelier to participate in the program than those without children. In 2023, 26.3% of all households with children participated in SNAP compared with 15.5% without children. 48.3% of single female-parent households participated in the program compared with 6.2% of married-couple households without children under 18.

In 2023, West Virginia's households with children recieved more SNAP benefits than those without children.

Percentage of household type receiving SNAP benefits

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Methodology

USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.

The analysis was generated with the help of AI and reviewed by USAFacts for accuracy.

Page sources

USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.

  • Food and Nutrition Service

    SNAP Data Tables and Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) information

    Food and Nutrition Service logo
  • US Census Bureau

    American Community Survey (ACS)

    US Census Bureau logo