SNAP Food Assistance
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Quick Facts
FY 2024 Budget
$100 Billion
Total w/ Admin Costs
$142 Billion
Monthly Participants
41.7 Million
Avg Monthly Benefit
$188
per person
How SNAP is Funded
SNAP is funded entirely by the federal government:
- Federal funding: 100% of benefit costs paid by USDA from general tax revenue (Individual income taxes, Corporate taxes, Excise taxes, Customs duties and tariffs, etc)
- State administration: States administer programs and share 50% of administrative costs
- No dedicated tax: Funding comes from general federal revenue, not a specific food tax
- Entitlement program: Anyone who qualifies receives benefits - spending adjusts based on need
Note: SNAP spending fluctuates based on economic conditions. During recessions and high unemployment, participation and costs increase automatically as more people qualify.
What SNAP Provides
Food Assistance for Low-Income Families
SNAP provides electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards to purchase food at authorized retailers. Benefits can be used to buy groceries including fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, bread, cereals, and non-alcoholic beverages. Cannot be used for alcohol, tobacco, hot prepared foods, or non-food items.
Who Qualifies
Households must meet income and resource limits. Generally, gross monthly income must be at or below 130% of the federal poverty line ($2,266/month for a family of 3 in 2024). Net income must be at or below 100% of poverty line. Most households must have assets under $2,750 (higher for elderly/disabled).
Work Requirements
Able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) ages 18-52 must work or participate in work programs at least 80 hours per month, or be limited to 3 months of benefits in a 36-month period. Exemptions apply for pregnant women, parents with young children, students, and people unable to work due to physical or mental limitations.
Economic Impact
SNAP is one of the most effective economic stimulus programs. USDA estimates that every $1 in SNAP benefits generates $1.50-$1.80 in economic activity. Benefits are spent quickly at local grocery stores, farmers markets, and retailers, supporting jobs and local economies.
Who Receives SNAP Benefits
Nearly half of recipients are children under 18
Majority of households have at least one working adult
Low-income seniors on fixed incomes
Cannot work due to disability
Program Impact & Effectiveness
- Reduces food insecurity: SNAP lifts 3.6 million people above the poverty line annually, including 1.5 million children
- Improves health: Children who receive SNAP are healthier, do better in school, and earn more as adults
- Counter-cyclical: Spending automatically increases during recessions when more people qualify
- Low error rate: Payment accuracy rate is over 95%, one of the most accurately-administered federal programs
- Low fraud rate: Trafficking rate estimated at 1.2% - minimal given program size
- Temporary assistance: Most participants (70%) receive SNAP for less than 2 years
- Efficient delivery: 93% of funding goes directly to benefits, only 7% to administration
SNAP in Federal Budget Context
- SNAP represents about 1.5% of total federal spending
- It is the largest of the 15 domestic food assistance programs operated by USDA
- Spending peaked at $119 billion in FY 2022 due to pandemic emergency benefits
- FY 2024 spending: approximately $100 billion in benefits, $142 billion including admin costs
- Costs vary based on unemployment rate, food prices, and number of people in poverty