Hobbs pledges $1.8M in Arizona food aid, a crumb compared to impending SNAP cut
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Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, the fifth female governor of the state, speaks at the Arizona Democratic Party’s election night watch party on Nov. 5, 2024, in Phoenix. (Photo by Samuel Nute/Cronkite News)
WASHINGTON – With the Trump administration about to freeze food stamps, Gov. Katie Hobbs announced $1.8 million in emergency aid from state coffers Wednesday – $1.90 for each of the nearly 951,000 Arizonans who rely on the program to buy groceries.
The state infusion is a tiny fraction of the $2 billion in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, or SNAP, sent by the federal government to Arizona in fiscal year 2024 – roughly $5.5 million each day.
“The State of Arizona does not have the money to backfill the disastrous decisions being made by Washington Republicans,” Hobbs, a Democrat, said in announcing the plan. “But I am taking every action possible to mitigate the damage done to everyday people in our state.”
One in eight Americans rely on SNAP and the impending freeze is causing widespread concern.
In Arizona, the program helps 950,978 residents, including 401,455 children and 135,677 seniors, according to a 25-state lawsuit filed Tuesday aimed at forcing the Trump administration to keep payments flowing.
Hobbs’ announcement comes a day after Attorney General Kris Mayes, announcing that Arizona had joined the lawsuit, said she was “underwhelmed” by the state’s response – an implicit jab at her fellow Democrat’s response so far.
Mayes said the governor should call the Legislature into special session so the state could tap its $1.6 billion “rainy day fund” to keep SNAP running.
A spokesperson for the attorney general’s office, Richie Taylor, called the governor’s announcement “a step in the right direction,” adding that Mayes views the lawsuit as a way to “prevent mass hunger across the nation.”
Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins acknowledged that 42 million Americans face hunger starting Nov. 1 when the funding lapses.
But she and others in the Trump administration blame Democrats, saying the funds would resume immediately if they agree to a stopgap Republican budget that would reopen the government.
“We are living through an unprecedented attack on food assistance funding, but I know Arizonans can come together and deliver help to some of the most vulnerable families in our state,” Hobbs said.
The shutdown began Oct. 1 and Congress has not yet authorized SNAP funds for the new fiscal year.
Before the shutdown, the USDA promised to keep the food benefits flowing. But Friday, the department told states that a freeze would take effect Saturday.
Arizona and other states say the department can and should tap a $6 billion contingency fund.
Under Hobbs’ plan, $1.5 million from federal pandemic relief funds will go to food banks across the state. Another $300,000 will go to “Food Bucks Now,” a new emergency program offering $30 vouchers for SNAP households to purchase fresh produce and other groceries.
That’s enough for 10,000 vouchers – enough for 1% of Arizonans who depend on SNAP.
“The biggest thing right now is making sure families know this is a resource – in addition to food drives, food banks and other support programs – for anyone with a SNAP-eligible card,” said Elyse Guidas, executive director of Activate Food Arizona, a key partner in the existing Double Up Food Bucks program.
“We do recognize that $30 of produce isn’t going to be the same amount as what they would get on their SNAP card,” she added. “So the goal is, obviously, to get those SNAP dollars released as soon as possible.”