OLYMPIA, WA – Roughly one million Washingtonians who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will see reductions in their monthly benefits following the passage of a reconciliation bill in Congress, Governor Bob Ferguson announced last week.
According to the governor, the bill will cut benefits across the board, reduce the maximum monthly allotment for households, and introduce new work requirements that could result in more than 130,000 Washingtonians losing their benefits altogether.
“This bill takes food from our most vulnerable Washingtonians to give tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy,” Ferguson said. “This bill is only beautiful to billionaires.”
Under the changes, the average household benefit under the Thrifty Food Plan will decrease by about $56 per month. The maximum allotment for a family of four will drop from $975 to $848.
The bill also imposes new work requirements, affecting over 130,000 people in the state. Those unable to meet the new criteria risk losing access to the program entirely.
The economic impact of the cuts could extend beyond SNAP recipients. According to estimates from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, each dollar of SNAP spending generates more than $1.50 in economic activity. Ferguson’s Office claims reductions in benefits will affect grocery stores, farmers markets, and other food-related businesses across Washington.
Washington will face at least $100 million more in cost-sharing for benefits and an estimated $87.8 million in additional administrative expenses related to managing the program, according to the Governor’s office.