By Howard Fischer | Capitol Media Services
Key Points:
- Gov. Katie Hobbs says state cannot backfill food stamp benefits amid government shutdown
- Nearly 900,000 Arizonans rely on food stamps, including over 367,000 children
- Arizona food banks face increased pressure due to potential food stamp cuts
Gov. Katie Hobbs says the nearly 900,000 Arizonans receiving food stamps should not look to her or the state for help if benefits dry up next week due to a government shutdown. Instead, she is looking to others outside of state government.
“We’re going to really count on our nonprofit social service community to step up and be partners,” she said. But any way you look at it, the governor said, “it’s going to be very challenging for Arizonans.”
The latest figures show more than 450,000 households in Arizona rely on what is formally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. That includes nearly 900,000 individuals and more than 367,000 children.
