Congress boosted the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which gives food vouchers to low-income people, by 13.6 percent as part of the stimulus act in 2009 to help recipients weather the recession. The phase-down, scheduled to begin Nov. 1, is estimated to cost a family of four $36 a month, according to the left-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Cuts for this fiscal year total $5 billion.
Those who oppose letting the benefits increase lapse note that demand remains record-high despite signs of economic recovery. Opponents note that spending on the program has jumped from $20 billion a decade ago to $78 billion last year.
The program remains the subject of future cuts as Congress takes another shot at passing a farm bill. The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The impact among the states will vary depending on levels of poverty. See this Governing piece for a complete state-by-state breakdown.