The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has been in the spotlight lately, such as with the recent government shutdown threatening benefits. While they remain under some political pressure and face changes next year, benefits have generally been restored, helping many Americans afford groceries.
In 2024, an average of 41.7 million Americans per month used SNAP benefits, equaling about 12% of the population. Yet benefits vary significantly by state. Last year, 21.2% of residents in New Mexico used SNAP vs. just 4.8% in Utah, according to the USDA.
