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More Amazon and gig workers are turning to SNAP and Medicaid to make ends meet, study finds
Summary by The El Paso Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by CNN Newsource , KVIA ABC-7
· July 23, 2026
· 5 min read
By Tami Luhby, CNN (CNN) — A growing number of Amazon and gig economy workers earn so little that they rely on public assistance to put food on the table and obtain health coverage, a Government Accountability Office study released Wednesday found. The number of Amazon employees receiving food st...
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Summary created by The El Paso Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting CNN Newsource, KVIA ABC-7 Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 23, 2026 Indexed here Jul 23, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway The number of Amazon employees receiving food stamps and Medicaid in September nearly tripled since the GAO’s previous report in 2020 , according to Vermont Sen.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The growing reliance on public assistance among Amazon and gig economy workers has significant implications for El Paso, where many residents work in low-wage jobs. As the city's economy continues to evolve, it's crucial to consider the impact of large employers like Amazon on the local workforce. With a substantial number of Amazon employees in the area relying on food stamps and Medicaid, it's clear that wages are not keeping pace with the cost of living. This trend is not unique to Amazon, as other major employers like Walmart and FedEx also have significant numbers of employees relying on public assistance. As El Paso continues to attract new businesses and investment, it's essential to prioritize fair wages and benefits to ensure that workers can make ends meet without relying on safety net programs. The city's leaders must consider the long-term effects of low-wage jobs on the community and work to create opportunities for better-paying employment.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 23, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 5 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? By Tami Luhby, CNN (CNN) — A growing number of Amazon and gig economy workers earn so little that they rely on public assistance to put food on the table and obtain health coverage, a Government Accountability Office study released Wednesday found. The number of Amazon employees receiving food st...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 23, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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