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SNAP Freeze Prompts State Stopgaps: New Mexico Adds $30 Million, Arizona Unveils Food Aid

Emergency funds fall far short of normal federal benefits, leaving food banks to prepare for a surge.

Overview

  • USDA has told states November SNAP benefits will stop during the shutdown, cutting off monthly aid starting Nov. 1.
  • New Mexico will deposit $30 million in state-funded benefits to existing EBT cards, covering roughly Nov. 1–10 at about 30% of usual amounts, with at least $100 for elderly and disabled recipients.
  • Arizona will grant $1.5 million to food banks and launch the $300,000 Food Bucks Now program on Nov. 3 to provide limited vouchers at participating markets for SNAP households without benefits.
  • About 855,000 to 900,000 Arizonans rely on SNAP and the state typically receives roughly $156 million monthly, highlighting the scale gap versus the one-time state aid.
  • Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes joined a multistate lawsuit to compel federal SNAP funding, while local groups and businesses expand stopgap support and Oregon declared a 60-day food emergency with $5 million for food banks.