Arizona Faces Challenges as SNAP Benefits Threaten to Vanish Amid Government Shutdown
As a potential government shutdown looms, nearly 900,000 individuals in Arizona reliant on food stamps may find themselves without support. Governor Katie Hobbs has made it clear that the state does not have the means to compensate for any loss in federal benefits.
“Arizona doesn’t have the capacity to backfill that,” Governor Hobbs expressed during a ribbon-cutting event at Arizona State University’s Polytechnic Campus. Instead, she is urging nonprofit social service organizations to step in as partners during this challenging time.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which supports over 450,000 households in Arizona, plays a crucial role in providing food security. In recent reports, the average monthly benefit per household was approximately $358, with more than $161.1 million disbursed to SNAP recipients within the state.
Governor Hobbs has managed to allocate funds in certain areas, such as $13.5 million for eviction prevention and homelessness response, and $5 million from COVID relief funds to expand down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers. However, she noted, “The COVID money is very much exhausted.”
In contrast, governors in other states like Virginia, Colorado, and Louisiana are taking steps to address potential SNAP benefit losses. Virginia’s Governor Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency to utilize emergency funds, while Colorado’s Governor Jared Polis requested $10 million from lawmakers to support food stamp assistance. Louisiana’s Governor Jeff Landry declared a state of emergency, yet did not specify the exact measures planned.
Governor Hobbs questioned the resources other states are using to mitigate the situation, stating, “We don’t have those resources.” However, she acknowledged that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which manages SNAP, might have the ability to provide short-term assistance through its $5 billion contingency reserve. This has prompted Democratic lawmakers to urge the agency to release these funds.
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes also emphasized in a letter to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins that Congress allocated at least $6 billion in contingency funds, which could be used to sustain SNAP benefits during the shutdown.
Meanwhile, tensions in Washington continue to mount over the failure to pass a “continuing resolution” to keep federal funding available. While some blame Senate Democrats for withholding votes unless additional healthcare subsidies are reinstated, others, including Republican Governors, criticize Democrats for leveraging the situation for political gains.
Governor Hobbs, a Democrat, expressed frustration with the political games in Washington, stating, “This chaos in Washington, regardless of who’s to blame, is harming Arizonans.” She pointed to the broader impacts beyond food stamps, including airport delays and disruptions to Small Business Administration loans.
Local food banks, such as St. Mary’s Food Bank, are preparing for increased demand. Jerry Brown, a spokesperson for St. Mary’s, noted a continuous rise in visits, with a 10% increase annually over the past four years. Despite the challenges, Brown assured that no one would leave empty-handed, although food box contents might be reduced.
Residents are encouraged to make use of any remaining October benefits to purchase shelf-stable items, as advised by the Arkansas Department of Human Services, to prepare for potential shortages in November.
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