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Food assistance

Government Shutdown Impacts Georgia's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Georgia officials announced on Friday that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, often known as food stamps, will not be available if the government shutdown continues into next month. The state's 1.3 million SNAP recipients are facing uncertainty as the government's failure to pass a budget bill threatens to deplete the program's funds. Recipients are advised to plan ahead and stock up on essential items before November 1st, when new funds will no longer be available.

Key Takeaways:

  • About 1.3 million people in Georgia who are SNAP recipients can use their benefits through October, but will not have access to new funds starting in November.
  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture notified state health officials that insufficient funds will be available to cover November benefits.
  • Expanded work requirements, enacted by President Donald Trump's budget bill, will go into effect in Georgia on November 1st, making it harder for some adults to enroll in the program.
  • Approximately 382,000 Georgians could lose SNAP benefits under the new requirements, according to estimates by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
  • Georgia may be required to pay $487 million annually to fully fund the program starting in 2028 or cut benefits.
  • Food assistance is estimated to be reduced by $69 billion over the next decade, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
  • The Georgia Department of Human Services has advised recipients to plan ahead and shop for needed items before November 1st.
  • The government shutdown, now in its 24th day, is the second-longest funding lapse in history.

Statistics:

  • 1.3 million: The number of people in Georgia who are SNAP recipients.
  • 382,000: The estimated number of Georgians who could lose SNAP benefits under new requirements.
  • $487 million: The amount Georgia may be required to pay annually to fully fund the program starting in 2028.
  • $69 billion: The estimated reduction in food assistance over the next decade, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

Sources:

  • Georgia Department of Human Services
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture
  • Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
  • Congressional Budget Office
  • AJC (article cited)

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