In less than a week, Arizonans who receive food stamps could go without because of the ongoing government shutdown. Gov. Katie Hobbs says the state is not in a position to intervene.
Nearly 900,000 individuals, including more than 367,000 children rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — or SNAP. And when it runs out later this week, Gov. Hobbs says the state likely won’t be able to help.
"Arizona doesn't have the capacity to backfill this. We've been very clear about that. We're looking for every way we can to mitigate. We're going to really count on our nonprofit social services to step up and be partners, helping fill some of those gaps," said Hobbs.
One such organization is nonprofit St. Mary’s Food Bank. Bank spokesperson Jerry Brown says the need was great before the shutdown.
"Now when you add in people missing paychecks due to the government shutdown and add in people who are missing SNAP benefits who don’t already come to the food bank, it’s just going to put more strain on the system that’s already pretty taxed," Brown said.
The average statewide benefit is $357 a month.
-
There’ve been efforts over the years in Arizona to transfer ownership — and control — of federal land to the state. Oftentimes, that’s due at least in part to lawmakers’ not being happy with federal plans for that land. -
Millions rely on this help to pay their bills during extreme cold and heat surges -
After a recent report found that Arizona’s SNAP participation numbers have dropped by roughly 47%, the question is: Why? -
The plan would consolidate research leadership — currently dispersed across the country — in Fort Collins, Colo., while closing laboratories in Montana, Utah and Nevada. -
The study says the Arizona Department of Economic Security shows a 47% decrease — a reduction of more than 400,000, including 180,000 children. Arizona had fewer than 490,000 SNAP recipients as of February.
