Who Is Affected — And How Bad Could It Get?

The scale

• Around 42 million Americans rely on SNAP benefits.
• Approximately 16 million children are among those who could be impacted.
• Average benefit amounts: many households receive around $187/month (for example, as of 2025,) which for many is their primary food‐assistance resource.

What happens if benefits don’t arrive

• For many low‐income households, missing a month’s benefits could mean skipping meals, relying solely on food banks, or increasing debt to purchase food.
• Some states’ food-banks are already reporting surges and preparing for heavier demand.
• Some states are declaring emergencies to free up funds to plug the gap. For instance, governors in California and New York have mobilized state funds and resources.

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