SNAP Reliance and Benefits by State – 2026 Study

As of mid-2026, roughly 36 million people in the United States receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, down from nearly 42 million in 2025. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) of 2025 expanded work requirements for SNAP eligibility and shifted more costs to states, contributing to declines in participation across nearly the entire country.

SmartAsset evaluated the most recent SNAP data to estimate each state’s participation rate and determine the average benefit received per person. The findings reveal where SNAP participation is most prevalent, how benefits vary geographically and which states have experienced the largest shifts in enrollment.

Key Findings

• Arizona sheds the most participants. The number of beneficiaries fell by about 54% between 2025 and 2026.
• New Mexico has the largest share of residents receiving SNAP benefits. As in 2025, more than one in five residents of the Land of Enchantment receive benefits. However, enrollment has fallen by nearly 5%.
• Utah and Wyoming have the smallest shares of residents receiving SNAP benefits. Both states have participation rates just above 4%.
• The number of SNAP beneficiaries have declined in 49 states. Only in Alaska has the number of program participants increased, with the Last Frontier seeing a 4.7% spike in enrollment. In late 2023, before enactment of the OBBBA, Alaska debuted a simplified, online application for SNAP benefits, offering an alternative to a 28-page paper form. 
• Average SNAP benefits increased in 22 states. Despite declining SNAP participation nationwide, average monthly benefits per recipient increased in 22 states between May 2025 and May 2026. Wisconsin saw the largest increase at 3.6%, followed by Minnesota (2.9%), Maine (2.2%) and North Dakota (2.0%). Average benefits can increase or decrease for several reasons, such as cost-of-living adjustments, shifts in income and change in household sizes.

Questions and Answers

State by State

Alabama

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 736,178
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 648,920
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -11.90%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $193.08
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $192.82
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: -0.10%

Alaska

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 66,376
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 69,502
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: 4.70%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $357.94
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $311.27
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: -13.00%

Arizona

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 887,253
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 409,584
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -53.80%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $182.25
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $182.95
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: 0.40%

Arkansas

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 239,748
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 220,454
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -8.00%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $172.82
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $172.17
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: -0.40%

California

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 5,494,318
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 5,116,370
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -6.90%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $190.20
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $190.19
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: 0.00%

Colorado

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 614,843
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 570,522
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -7.20%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $195.97
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $193.75
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: -1.10%

Connecticut

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 363,524
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 306,536
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -15.70%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $191.09
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $188.87
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: -1.20%

Delaware

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 118,209
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 100,475
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -15.00%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $180.54
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $178.52
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: -1.10%

Florida

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 2,943,012
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 2,290,760
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -22.20%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $181.97
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $174.11
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: -4.30%

Georgia

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 1,460,449
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 1,362,138
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -6.70%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $183.72
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $180.21
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: -1.90%

Hawaii

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 163,576
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 158,014
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -3.40%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $350.98
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $321.92
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: -8.30%

Idaho

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 133,545
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 122,828
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -8.00%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $179.01
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $180.27
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: 0.70%

Illinois

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 1,879,564
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 1,565,308
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -16.70%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $195.94
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $186.69
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: -4.70%

Indiana

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 586,403
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 493,953
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -15.80%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $194.68
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $195.57
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: 0.50%

Iowa

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 267,158
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 243,062
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -9.00%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $169.04
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $171.50
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: 1.50%

Kansas

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 186,036
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 163,085
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -12.30%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $177.23
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $177.52
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: 0.20%

Kentucky

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 595,155
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 556,227
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -6.50%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $178.02
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $170.20
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: -4.40%

Louisiana

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 803,988
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 631,317
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -21.50%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $186.19
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $189.47
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: 1.80%

Maine

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 163,520
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 147,954
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -9.50%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $174.71
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $178.49
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: 2.20%

Maryland

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 667,981
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 625,202
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -6.40%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $182.49
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $182.75
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: 0.10%

Massachusetts

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 1,081,316
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 909,806
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -15.90%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $214.62
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $194.35
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: -9.40%

Michigan

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 1,473,832
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 1,353,127
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -8.20%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $175.44
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $175.22
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: -0.10%

Minnesota

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 451,966
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 433,930
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -4.00%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $158.75
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $163.35
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: 2.90%

Mississippi

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 357,042
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 313,446
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -12.20%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $179.34
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $180.31
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: 0.50%

Missouri

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 655,940
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 614,331
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -6.30%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $196.10
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $196.17
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: 0.00%

Montana

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 80,523
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 71,734
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -10.90%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $170.70
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $172.85
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: 1.30%

Nebraska

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 150,600
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 130,178
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -13.60%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $181.00
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $181.93
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: 0.50%

Nevada

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 496,848
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 382,191
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -23.10%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $171.80
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $162.04
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: -5.70%

New Hampshire

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 75,717
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 73,182
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -3.30%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $168.08
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $167.80
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: -0.20%

New Jersey

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 826,094
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 773,170
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -6.40%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $194.63
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $196.62
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: 1.00%

New Mexico

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 457,699
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 436,297
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -4.70%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $176.51
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $176.23
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: -0.20%

New York

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 2,962,913
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 2,759,499
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -6.90%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $216.00
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $217.50
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: 0.70%

North Carolina

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 1,378,291
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 1,251,469
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -9.20%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $173.92
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $174.87
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: 0.50%

North Dakota

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 57,129
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 51,790
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -9.30%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $174.33
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $177.88
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: 2.00%

Ohio

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 1,450,955
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 1,340,235
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -7.60%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $186.02
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $183.41
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: -1.40%

Oklahoma

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 692,477
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 556,415
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -19.60%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $186.85
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $181.25
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: -3.00%

Oregon

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 772,893
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 705,225
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -8.80%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $182.41
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $179.30
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: -1.70%

Pennsylvania

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 1,958,047
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 1,729,022
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -11.70%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $181.70
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $181.94
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: 0.10%

Rhode Island

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 142,726
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 122,465
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -14.20%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $197.70
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $195.96
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: -0.90%

South Carolina

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 567,895
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 490,625
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -13.60%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $186.41
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $184.75
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: -0.90%

South Dakota

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 75,282
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 70,130
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -6.80%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $198.23
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $201.15
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: 1.50%

Tennessee

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 690,545
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 597,889
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -13.40%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $206.41
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $207.26
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: 0.40%

Texas

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 3,455,085
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 2,881,747
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -16.60%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $177.82
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $177.66
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: -0.10%

Utah

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 177,087
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 147,544
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -16.70%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $192.17
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $191.25
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: -0.50%

Vermont

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 64,633
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 58,742
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -9.10%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $192.82
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $193.45
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: 0.30%

Virginia

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 824,866
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 704,588
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -14.60%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $177.49
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $176.76
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: -0.40%

Washington

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 905,471
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 843,109
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -6.90%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $184.51
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $182.76
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: -0.90%

West Virginia

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 273,566
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 255,201
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -6.70%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $167.74
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $168.31
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: 0.30%

Wisconsin

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 689,315
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 652,447
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -5.30%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $162.93
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $168.73
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: 3.60%

Wyoming

• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2025: 27,122
• SNAP beneficiaries, May 2026: 24,807
• Percentage change in participation, 2025 to 2026: -8.50%
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2025: $183.81
• Average SNAP benefit per person, May 2026: $181.66
• Percentage change in benefits, 2025 to 2026: -1.20%

Methodology

SNAP participation and average monthly benefits per person were analyzed for May 2025 and May 2026, the most recent month with finalized data available. The U.S. Census Bureau’s Vintage 2025 population estimates were used to calculate approximate state-level participation rates for May 2026. (Because these estimates reflect populations as of July 2025, actual participation rates may be slightly lower in states where populations have since increased or slightly higher in states where populations have declined. For context, the University of Pennsylvania’s Penn Wharton Budget Model projects nationwide population growth of approximately 0.47% in 2026.) Source data providers are not affiliated with, and do not endorse or sponsor, this study or its findings.