Stand up for SNAP: Protect Food Access during the Government Shutdown

More than 900,000 Washington residents are facing delays to their SNAP benefits as the federal government shutdown disrupts funding for the nation’s largest food assistance program.

Food access should never be a political bargaining tool, but as the United States approaches the second month of a partial government shutdown, millions of Americans are at risk of losing access to the SNAP benefits they rely on.

In Washington, more than 540,000 households use SNAP to help put food on the table. The Trump administration agreed to release contingency funds to provide partial SNAP benefits this month, but refused to allocate additional funding to provide benefits in full. This is the first time in history that SNAP has gone unfunded — meaning that thousands of families in our state will go without the support they need.

Who uses SNAP?

SNAP supports families across Washington, including children, seniors, people with disabilities, and workers whose wages don’t keep pace with the rising cost of food and housing.

More than 540,000 households in Washington use SNAP to help afford groceries each month. That means one in nine Washington residents lives in a household that uses SNAP.

Most people who receive SNAP are working, caring for children or older adults, attending school, or living on fixed incomes. For many families, SNAP fills the gap between what they earn and what it actually costs to put food on the table.

“I count on SNAP to feed my two children.” –Megan, SNAP participant in Yelm, WA

SNAP supports families in every community and every county in Washington. The map below shows how many households in each county use SNAP to help put food on the table — underscoring how widely this program supports families, seniors, and workers across our state.

What happens if SNAP isn’t funded?

SNAP is one of the most effective tools we have to reduce hunger and support our economy. SNAP brings over $2 billion in federal dollars into our state each year, and supports 1 in 9 Washington residents. When benefits aren’t paid, households go hungry, local businesses lose revenue, and entire communities feel the impact.

“Without SNAP, I can’t afford to buy food.” –Kathy, SNAP participant in Marysville, WA

On November 3, the Trump administration announced that the USDA will issue partial SNAP benefits in November. Some national news sources have incorrectly reported that SNAP recipients will receive half of their usual monthly benefits. In reality, partial benefit amounts will vary based on household size, income, and expenses. Because of the way that partial SNAP benefits are calculated, some households will receive slightly more than half of their regular benefits, while many households will receive far less.

Here’s what the USDA’s current plan means for three Washington families:

Anna is a single mother who works part-time and has two children. She typically receives $410 per month in SNAP benefits. Under the USDA’s current plan, she’ll receive just $135 in benefits for November.

The Rivera family has three children. Their household of five typically receives $640 per month in SNAP benefits. In November, they’ll receive just $226.

Elijah is a single adult who works a seasonal job with variable hours. During the off-season, he receives $120 per month in SNAP benefits to help make ends meet. In November, Elijah will receive just $16 in benefits.

Even the strongest emergency food system can’t fill this gap.

Food banks, meal programs, and other community organizations play an essential role in supporting families across Washington. But even at full capacity, the emergency food system can’t replace SNAP.

Nationally, SNAP provides about nine meals for every one meal distributed by food banks and other charitable food providers.

When SNAP benefits are reduced or delayed, food banks will quickly see a surge in demand. This is coming at a time when they are already stretched thin by rising food costs and increased need.

This is a preventable crisis.

Food assistance should never be a bargaining chip in budget negotiations, and low-income families shouldn’t become collateral damage.

Take action now: tell the government to fully fund SNAP during the government shutdown.

Hunger Free Washington is a statewide initiative coordinated and led by United Way of King County. Through shared resources, policy leadership, and cross-sector partnership, Hunger Free Washington works to align advocates, schools, community organizations, and policymakers around a common goal: ending food insecurity in Washington State.