SNAP benefits at risk of being cut in Arizona

According to the Arizona Secretary of State’s office, nearly one million Arizonans rely on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes joined attorneys general from 22 other states in asking the U.S. Department of Agriculture to clarify plans about food assistance and other programs amid a directive telling states not to send November benefits.

The fate of SNAP, which helps about 1 in 8 Americans buy groceries, is becoming a growing concern as the Nov. 1 deadline approaches, when benefits could dry up without either a resolution to the federal government shutdown or other action.

Ashley St. Thomas, Director of Public Policy at Arizona Food Bank Network, joined “Arizona Horizon” to provide more insight on how the end of SNAP benefits in the state might impact those who rely on these benefits.

Read this article to locate a food bank near you or learn how you can help.

The governor’s office announced that $1.8 million in unspent COVID-19 relief funds is going to provide emergency food assistance, including $1.5 million to food banks.

“We’re incredibly grateful to hear about that,” St. Thomas said, “…and it’s gonna go directly to the regional food banks in the state…to help them assist in this crisis.”

About 800,000 people in Arizona participate in S.N.A.P., with 70% of them being kids and older adults with disabilities. S.N.A.P. was formerly called “Food Stamps” and is a grocery purchasing program for low-income Americans.

“It’s the country’s largest and most effective anti-hunger program,” St. Thomas explained, “…it helps them stretch their budgets to be able to purchase groceries.”

St. Thomas emphasized that they would urge Congress to use any resource available to them to ensure that Arizonans, and people across the country, are held harmless and able to put food on the table.