If SNAP benefits end November 1, how many people will be impacted in our region?

FARGO, N.D. (KVRRFOX 9) — SNAP or food stamp payments will end this weekend due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.

The program provides food assistance to over 42 million low-income people each month.

That equals nearly 1 in 8 people across the country.

In Minnesota, there are 451,966 people on SNAP with 57,129 in North Dakota and 75,282 in South Dakota.

The money comes loaded on prepaid cards that can be used for groceries.

The food stamp program dates back to the Great Depression in the 1930s.

Congress made it permanent with the Food Stamp Act of 1964.

The 2008 Farm Bill increased the federal government’s commitment to food assistance and changed the name of the program to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP.

The USDA says in the accounting year that ended on September 30, 2024, SNAP cost just over $100 billion.

The best way you can help those impacted by a loss of the benefits would be to donate to local food shelves.

North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong is set to announce state action in response to concerns about access to food from SNAP during a news conference Thursday afternoon at the Capitol.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has already announced one-time emergency funding of $4 million for state and Tribal nation food shelves.