Even though courts have ordered the Trump administration to use contingency funds to keep SNAP going during the shutdown, Arizonans who rely on these benefits still haven’t received payments.
In Arizona, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is administered by the Arizona Department of Economic Security.
In a statement to KJZZ, the department said, “DES is working diligently to determine how to move forward quickly while maintaining compliance with complex USDA directives.”
Guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture says states must recalculate food stamp benefits so households will receive just partial payments for November. Households will get up to 50% of their usual benefit, but that could be further reduced if the household has any income.
Arizona DES did not give a timeline for issuing SNAP benefits for this month.
“Issuing SNAP benefits to Arizonans as swiftly and accurately as possible remains our top priority,” the department said.
Nearly 900,000 Arizonans rely on SNAP. Average payments are about $180 per person per month.
Arizona food banks are reporting increased demand amid the delay in SNAP benefits.
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