If you take a look at the available data, you might be surprised at how many people benefit from SNAP payments each month in the United States. The number is so large it could populate a small country! This highlights the importance of food assistance and SNAP payments as critical public policies in the US, ensuring millions of families have access to healthy, nutritional, and safe food.
Since 1939, the US government has worked to implement programs to offer food assistance to those who need it most. Today, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) oversees the SNAP payments program, which in 2023 accounted for 67.8% of the USDA’s spending on food and nutrition assistance, totaling over 80 billion dollars.
Contents
SNAP Statistics
According to USDA data for 2024, approximately 41 million Americans received SNAP payments on average in April. This number was consistent with March data and similar to figures from April 2023. In 2023, this represented 12.6% of the total US population. The percentage of the population receiving SNAP benefits varies by state, ranging from a high of 12.6% to a low of 4.6%.
Payment Dates
One of the key concerns for SNAP recipients is knowing when they will receive their payments. Each state has its own schedule for disbursing SNAP benefits, making it important for recipients to be aware of their specific state’s payment dates. Below is a table that provides the range of dates for SNAP payments by state for your convenience.
| State | Date Range |
|---|---|
| Alabama | August 4 to 23 |
| Alaska | August 1 |
| Arizona | August 1 to 13 |
| Arkansas | August 4 to 13 |
| California | August 1 to 10 |
| Colorado | August 1 to 10 |
| Connecticut | August 1 to 3 |
| Delaware | August 2 to 23 |
| District of Columbia | August 1 to 10 |
| Florida | August 1 to 28 |
| Georgia | August 5 to 23 |
| Guam | August 1 to 10 |
| Hawaii | August 3 to 5 |
| Idaho | August 1 to 10 |
| Illinois | August 1 to 20 |
| Indiana | August 5 to 23 |
| Iowa | August 1 to 10 |
| Kansas | August 1 to 10 |
| Kentucky | August 1 to 19 |
| Louisiana | August 1 to 23 |
| Maine | August 10 to 14 |
| Maryland | August 4 to 23 |
| Massachusetts | August 1 to 14 |
| Michigan | August 3 to 21 |
| Minnesota | August 4 to 13 |
| Mississippi | August 4 to 21 |
| Missouri | August 1 to 22 |
| Montana | August 2 to 6 |
| Nebraska | August 1 to 5 |
| Nevada | August 1 to 10 |
| New Hampshire | August 5 |
| New Jersey | August 1 to 5 |
| New Mexico | August 1 to 20 |
| New York | August 1 to 9 |
| North Carolina | August 3 to 21 |
| North Dakota | August 1 |
| Ohio | August 2 to 20 |
| Oklahoma | August 1 to 10 |
| Oregon | August 1 to 9 |
| Pennsylvania | August 3 to 14 |
| Puerto Rico | August 4 to 22 |
| Rhode Island | August 1 |
| South Carolina | August 1 to 19 |
| South Dakota | August 10 |
| Tennessee | August 1 to 20 |
| Texas | August 1 to 28 |
| Utah | August 5, 11, 15 |
| Virgin Islands | August 1 |
| Vermont | August 1 |
| Virginia | August 1 to 7 |
| Washington | August 1 to 20 |
| West Virginia | August 1 to 9 |
| Wisconsin | August 1 to 15 |
| Wyoming | August 1 to 4 |
Receiving SNAP payments is crucial for many Americans, providing a safety net that ensures they can afford basic groceries. The program not only helps individuals but also supports the economy by enabling recipients to purchase goods, thereby supporting local businesses.
SNAP payments are a lifeline for millions, proving the enduring value of government assistance programs in maintaining public health and economic stability.
FAQs
How many Americans receive SNAP benefits?
About 41 million Americans receive SNAP benefits.
Who manages the SNAP payments program?
The USDA manages the SNAP payments program.
What percentage of the USDA’s budget goes to SNAP?
SNAP accounts for 67.8% of the USDA’s food and nutrition assistance spending.
What is the SNAP benefit range by state?
Payment dates range from the 1st to the 28th, varying by state.
How much did the USDA spend on SNAP in 2023?
The USDA spent over 80 billion dollars on SNAP in 2023.
