How will the government shutdown impact SNAP?
Without federal funding during the shutdown, over 40 million people may lose access to SNAP benefits.
As the second-longest shutdown in US history continues, its effects increase over time: thousands of federal employees are furloughed, airport controllers and TSA agents work without pay, and without federal funding, millions of people may be without food assistance.
The Agriculture Department (USDA) runs the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, to provide food assistance to low-income people. SNAP is funded by open-ended mandatory spending, meaning that spending is not capped, and spending on the program depends on how many people qualify and claim benefits.
Although the program is considered essential, its benefits rely on annual budgets. Without a budget or a continuing resolution, funds may run out.
The USDA announced that no additional program funding is available beginning November 1, 2025. Twenty-five states and Washington, DC, have filed a lawsuit against the USDA for suspending SNAP funds. As of October 31, two federal judges have ruled that the administration must use contingency funding to support SNAP.
As of this publication, at least three bills have been introduced to Congress to cover SNAP funding during the shutdown.
How many people receive SNAP benefits?
In fiscal year 2024, an average of 41.7 million people received SNAP benefits each month, or 12.3% of the US population. Average monthly program participation has been above 40 million people since 2010, except in 2019 and 2020.
In FY 2024, an average of 41.7 million people received SNAP benefits every month.
Average monthly SNAP recipients, FY 1969–2024
SNAP participation varies by state. In FY 2024, more than one in five people in New Mexico participated in the program, the highest in the nation. Louisiana was second-highest (18.4% of the state’s population) and Oregon was third (17.7%). In Washington, DC, 19.6% of the population received SNAP benefits.
SNAP participation was highest in New Mexico in FY 2024.
Percentage of population receiving monthly SNAP payments
Participation also varies within states. Analyzing SNAP households by congressional districts reveals patterns about where people rely on SNAP benefits. In 2024, households in every congressional district nationwide participated in the program at some point in the last 12 months.
Households receive SNAP benefits in every congressional district.
Share of households who received SNAP benefits at some point over the last 12 months, by congressional district, 2024
New York’s District 15 has the highest SNAP participation in the nation, with 44.4% of households participating in 2024. This district covers the north and south Bronx borough of New York City. It is the only congressional district with more than 40.0% of household SNAP participation.
Three districts have between 30.0% and 39.9% of household participation rates in SNAP: New York’s District 13 (33.2% of household participation), New York’s District 8, and California’s District 21 (30.4%).
In September 2025, the USDA announced it was terminating future Household Food Security Reports.
Twenty-nine other districts have between 20.0% and 29.9% household participation rates, 228 districts have between 10.0% and 19.9% participation, and 175 districts have between 2.9% and 9.9% participation.
How much does the government spend on SNAP?
In FY 2024, the federal government spent around $100.3 billion on SNAP, which was 1.5% of all federal spending that year. That came to about $188 per program participant, per month.
On average, a SNAP participant received $188 in monthly benefits in FY 2024.
Monthly SNAP benefits per person, adjusted to FY 2024 dollars
Learn more about government food assistance, like the Women Infant and Children (WIC) program or the National School Lunch program, and get the data straight to your inbox by signing up for our weekly newsletter.
