SNAP benefits may stop as funding deadline nears. How much do you pay for the program?

Unless Democrats agree to release funding tied up in their broader spending demands, millions of Americans could see their food assistance benefits disrupted starting Nov. 1.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps, serves about 42 million people, or nearly 12% of the US population – man, woman, and child. The program cost roughly $100 billion in fiscal year 2024. Of that, about $93.8 billion went directly to recipients, while the rest covered state administrative costs, half of which are paid by the federal government – or taxpayers, to be clear.

It translates to an average benefit of about $187 per person per month, or nearly $8 billion every month in total federal fund outlays.

Because SNAP is considered mandatory entitlement spending under the Farm Bill, funding levels are not fixed annually but fluctuate with enrollment, benefit adjustments, and inflation. However, the ongoing partial government shutdown and lack of a new funding agreement in Congress have put the program in jeopardy for the first time in a few years.

The Department of Agriculture warned that it has about $6 billion in contingency reserves, which may not be enough to sustain regular benefits beyond early November without congressional action.

While the total program cost may seem abstract, the numbers break down to real money for taxpayers. Using IRS data for tax year 2022, there were roughly 80 million taxpayers who paid the vast majority of federal income taxes.

Dividing the $100 billion SNAP cost among those filers means each actual taxpayer effectively shoulders about $1,245 in SNAP-related expenses each year.

In other words, the average taxpaying American contributes more than $100 a month to sustain the nation’s food assistance program.

For context, the average federal income tax paid across all returns – including those with little or no liability – was $17,766 in 2024, according to IRS data.

In Alaska, about 66,000 residents are enrolled in SNAP, according to USDA data as of late October. That represents about 9% of the state’s 733,000 residents, down slightly from 68,300 the year before. While the state has not yet seen disruptions, USDA officials warn that November benefits could be delayed or reduced if Congress fails to act this week.

Households without an older adult (someone age 60 or older) or someone with a disability may qualify for SNAP if their income is less than 185% of the Federal Poverty Level. Households with an older adult or someone with a disability may qualify if their income is less than 200% of the FPL. The rates paid are typically as follows in the Lower 48:

• Household of one – $298
• Household of two – $546
• Household of three – $785
• Household of four – $994
• Household of five – $1,183
• Household of six – $1,421
• Household of seven – $1,561
• Household of eight – $1,789

With just hours left before the new month begins, SNAP recipients, states, and grocers are monitoring the blame game between Democrats and Republicans, as are taxpayers who are footing the bill.