1.4 million Georgians in danger of losing SNAP benefits
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More than a million Georgians could be cut off from receiving SNAP benefits if the federal government shutdown drags into next month.
Why it matters: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is federally funded, and the budget impasse in Congress will leave 1.4 million Georgians — and about 42 million Americans overall — struggling to feed their families.
- Fears of the program's funding halt come as low-income families are already struggling with rising food costs and shrinking federal benefits.
What they're saying: Jon West, vice president of partner relations at the Atlanta Community Food Bank, told Axios his organization is now helping 70% more people in its 29-county service area than it was three years ago due to the rising cost of living and higher grocery bills.
- "This is adding fuel to a fire that's already burning really hot and really steady," West said.
- If those benefits aren't available next month, West said, people will soon have to make a choice between food or gas for their vehicles, and medicine or resources their children may need.
By the numbers: West said the ACFB brings in about 500,000 pounds of food, including fresh produce and nonperishable items, each day into its warehouse.
- All of it goes to the 700 local partners, including local food pantries, churches, schools and other nonprofits, that distribute it to people in need.
Reality check: The ACFB and its partners do not have the resources to fill in the SNAP benefits gap, so ACFB's board of directors is collaborating on how to raise money from donors to purchase more food to distribute in the coming weeks.
Catch up quick: The U.S. Department of Agriculture told states last week it would not provide November's SNAP payments.
- The USDA has contingency reserves that could help cover November benefits, Democrats and groups like the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities have argued.
- But in a memo obtained by Axios' Marc Caputo, the department said it could not use those funds to cover fiscal-year 2026 regular benefits.
- That was an apparent departure from its Sept. 30 shutdown plan (which has since been taken down), which stated, "Congressional intent is evident that SNAP's operations should continue since the program has been provided with multi-year contingency funds."
State of play: Democratic state legislators have urged Gov. Brian Kemp to call a special session to find funding for SNAP recipients in Georgia, but the governor said "there is nothing the state can do to fill in the gap," according to the AJC, which noted the state has $14.6 billion in reserves.
The bottom line: SNAP needs to be on "the list of things that we find a solution for" in a bipartisan way, West told Axios.
- "This does not need to be a program that we're playing some kind of game brinkmanship with because there are, here in Georgia, 1.4 million individuals who will feel the impact of that," he said.
How to find resources in your community
The Atlanta Community Food Bank's Food Pantry Map can find pantries in your neighborhood. Find Help Georgia is another tool you can use to find financial and food assistance. Other local organizations include:
- Hosea Helps
- Intown Food Pantry at Druid Hills Presbyterian Church
- MUST Ministries
- Community Assistance Center (for individuals living in Sandy Springs and Dunwoody)
- Lutheran Community Food Ministry