All eyes are on U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani on the eve of President Donald Trump’s administration suspending the federal food stamp program, known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), on Nov. 1.
In a hearing held on Oct. 30, Talwani said that it appeared Trump’s administration couldn’t legally suspend SNAP benefits amid the government shutdown, which 42 million Americans, including nearly 3 million Floridians, rely on.
In Florida, about 2.9 million people, about 1 in 10 Floridians, are set to lose more than $530 million in SNAP benefits, depending on Talwani’s ruling. The state’s most rural counties would be hit the hardest.
How much is the average person receiving in SNAP benefits?
Not as much as you’ve likely heard. The average monthly SNAP benefit per person was $188.45 in May 2025, according to the United States Department of Agriculture’s most recent data. When looking at the numbers by household, that number goes up to $350.89.
SNAP benefits in 2025, on average, are 18.9% lower than they were just a few years ago. The monthly average this year is approximately $356.21, which is a $82.81 decrease from 2022’s average of $439.02.
More recent state-level data is a bit harder to come by. In 2023, Florida’s average
Who receives the most SNAP benefits?
In this case, it’s who most would reasonably suspect.
Households with children under the age of 18 made up a small majority of the total number of households in 2022 receiving SNAP benefits at 35.5%, according to the latest USDA data.
This number has dwindled substantially over a span of 24 years. In 1998, 58.3% of SNAP benefits went to households with children.
Households with people over the age of 59 were just behind them at 31.4%. Inversely, this number has climbed from 18.2% in 1998.
Households with non-elderly individuals with disabilities made up 18.8% of SNAP benefits, which is down slightly from 24.4% in 1998.
The number of households with able-bodied adults without dependents that receive food stamps was 15.9% in 2022, up slightly from 11.9% in 1998.
Which Florida counties receive the most SNAP benefits?
An estimated 1 in 10 Floridians receive SNAP benefits to help them afford groceries each month. From a sheer numbers view, the 10 Florida counties with the most number of people on SNAP are its most populous:
Note: The number of SNAP participants is based on 2023 data from the USDA’s latest community dashboard. The populations are based on The U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 estimates.
It’s Florida’s smallest counties that are likely to feel the biggest impact, however. In Hendry County, nearly one in four residents receive SNAP benefits. One in five residents benefit from the federal food stamp program in seven other counties, and one in six residents benefit in another 10 counties. Here’s a look.
Note: The number of SNAP participants is based on 2023 data from the USDA’s latest community dashboard. The populations are based on The U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 estimates.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: These Florida counties will be hit the hardest if SNAP benefits lapse
Reporting by Brandon Girod, Pensacola News Journal / Pensacola News Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
