As the federal government shutdown drags on, SNAP payments are at immediate risk — jeopardizing a critical lifeline for nearly 270,000 Iowans who depend on these monthly benefits to feed their families.
If payments are halted, families across the state will be forced to turn to already-strained food pantries and community providers.
The map below shows, by county, the share of residents who rely on SNAP benefits in Iowa.
The United States Department of Agriculture reports that, as of May, just under 63,000 Iowans take part in SNAP's program for women, infants, and children , which is also known as WIC. The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services website shows WIC is not impacted through the end of November.
Iowa food pantries brace for increased demand as SNAP benefits threatene

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