Links of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program With Food Insecurity, Poverty, and Health: Evidence and Potential

Abstract

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a highly effective program, vital to our nation's health and well-being. SNAP's entitlement funding structure allows it to provide benefits to anyone who meets the program's eligibility requirements, and this structure also enables SNAP to respond quickly when need increases. Research shows that SNAP reduces poverty for millions, improves food security, and is linked with improved health.Despite SNAP's successes, there is room to build on its considerable accomplishments. Evidence suggests that current benefit levels are not adequate for many households. Some vulnerable groups have limited SNAP eligibility, and some eligible individuals face barriers to SNAP participation.Policymakers should address these shortcomings by increasing SNAP benefits and expanding SNAP eligibility to underserved groups. The federal government and states should also continue improving policies and procedures to improve access for eligible individuals.

FIGURE 1—

Tracking Changes in Share of Near-Poor Population and Share of Population Receiving SNAP: United States, 1991–2018 Note. SNAP = Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Poverty estimates are annual estimates. SNAP shares of resident population are calendar year averages. Source. US Census Bureau; US Department of Agriculture.

FIGURE 2—

Household Food Security Status Among Households New to SNAP and After Six Months: United States, 2012 Note. SNAP = Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. “Food insecure” means household lacked consistent access to nutritious food at some point during the year because of limited resources. “Household with food-insecure children” are those in which both children and adults experience food insecurity during the year. “Very low food security” means ≥ 1 household member has to skip meals or otherwise eat less at some point during the year because they lack money. This chart shows the results of a study on longitudinal data comparing households upon beginning to receive SNAP and 6 months later. Source. J. Mabli et al.

FIGURE 3—

Millions of Adults and Children Kept Above Poverty Line by SNAP: United States, 2016 Note. SNAP = Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The figure uses the Supplemental Policy Measure (SPM) and the 2017 SPM poverty line adjusted for inflation. Survey data tend to underreport government benefits. We corrected for this for SNAP and Supplemental Security Income and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. Source. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Corrections for underreported government assistance are from the US Department of Health and Human Services Urban Institute Transfer Income Model.

FIGURE 4—

Long-Term Effects of SNAP Participation: United States, 1968–2009 Note. SNAP = Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The study compared the likelihood of adult outcomes among individuals who had access to SNAP (then food stamps) in early childhood after its introduction in the 1960s and early 1970s with similar children who did not (because they were born before its introduction) in each county. Source. Hoynes et al.