With SNAP at stake, here’s how many WA residents rely on food benefits by county
The federal fight over food benefits for low-income families intensified this week — and Washington state Democrats are unleashing their ire toward the Trump administration.
U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell released data Monday illustrating the number of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients in the state’s 39 counties. In March, more than 903,500 Washingtonians — or 11.2% of the state’s population — received such benefits.
Nearly 42 million U.S. residents are served by SNAP.
On Friday, two federal judges said the administration of President Donald Trump must tap contingency funding to make SNAP payments. On Monday the administration said it would cover half of the typical food-stamp costs for this month.
Cantwell said in a statement that partially supporting benefits could mean nearly 1 million Washingtonians “may not be able to enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner with their families.”
“Americans are being pushed to their limits with rising costs, and making sure families don’t go hungry shouldn’t be a partisan issue,” the Democrat said.
In Thurston County, 11.3% of residents receive SNAP benefits, according to Cantwell’s data, while 12.1% of folks in Pierce, 10.1% in Whatcom, 13.9% in Benton and 14.8% in Franklin counties also receive the benefits.
This comes as the federal government shutdown has entered its sixth week, becoming the longest shutdown in U.S. history.
Both sides have blamed the other for the stalemate. Democrats made expiring health-care subsidies central to their demands before approving a budget.
Cantwell’s office also previously released data showing county-by-county statistics on Washington recipients of those Enhanced Premium Tax Credits.
Gov. Bob Ferguson posted Tuesday on social media that the federal government delivered guidance that morning on how to administer the halved SNAP benefits. He referenced a “callous” statement made by Trump earlier that day claiming that money for benefits wouldn’t be released until the shutdown ends; the White House later walked that back, saying the administration is complying with the court order.
Ferguson, a Democrat, wrote that the state would charge ahead with the feds’ guidance so that it can be ready to quickly dole out benefits once funding is released.
“I’m calling on Congressional Republicans to come to their senses and get the federal government running again,” Ferguson continued.
U.S. Rep. Michael Baumgartner, a Washington Republican, has criticized Ferguson over his stance on the SNAP issue.
“Republicans in Congress have VOTED YES to continue funding SNAP while Democrats have VOTED NO on the funding to keep the government open,” he wrote Oct. 28 in response to a Ferguson post, adding: “The shutdown is not a game, real people are suffering.”
The SNAP-funding debacle has prompted the Thurston County Food Bank to issue a news release reassuring the community that it’s “here and ready to serve.” In addition to the shutdown hitting SNAP, it’s also affecting incomes and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) benefits.
Thurston County Food Bank urged those in need to read up on its hours and locations, and asked people who are able to donate or volunteer.
“Together, we can ensure that no one in our community goes hungry,” Executive Director John Ficker said in a message to the community. “Thank you for your continued generosity, compassion, and partnership.”
This story was originally published November 6, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
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