SNAP Benefits and Enrollment: Debunking the 40% Claim
Recent claims suggest Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) enrollment and benefits jumped 40% under President Biden. But USDA data tells a different story. Here’s what the numbers really show.
SNAP Basics: How the Program Works
SNAP (formerly food stamps) helps low-income families afford groceries. Enrollment and benefits adjust based on:
– Economic conditions (e.g., unemployment, inflation)
– Policy changes (like pandemic expansions)
– Cost-of-living updates (e.g., Thrifty Food Plan revisions)
Did SNAP Enrollment Increase 40% Under Biden?
No. USDA data confirms:
– January 2021 (Biden’s start): 42.8 million enrolled
– January 2024: 42.4 million enrolled—a slight decline
– Peak enrollment (2021–2022): ~43 million (a 0.5% increase, not 40%)
The temporary rise stemmed from pandemic-era policies launched under Trump, not Biden. Most expansions ended by 2023.
Did Benefits Rise 40%? The Truth About SNAP Payments
Benefits increased 25%—not 40%—due to an October 2021 update to the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP). This Biden-approved change:
– Boosted average monthly benefits by $36 per person
– Addressed outdated food-cost calculations (last updated in 2006)
Key context:
– Pandemic emergency boosts (extra benefits) ended in early 2023, reducing payments for many.
– Total SNAP spending rose due to food inflation, not just enrollment.
Why the 40% Myth Spread
The claim mixes unrelated factors:
1. Temporary pandemic policies (affecting enrollment + benefits)
2. TFP’s 25% benefit increase (a one-time adjustment)
3. Inflation-driven spending hikes (not per-person increases)
SNAP’s Real Impact: Fighting Hunger, Supporting Economies
Despite misinformation, SNAP:
– Lowers food insecurity (e.g., child hunger drops by 30% with SNAP)
– Boosts local businesses ($1 in SNAP = $1.50 in economic activity)
– Shrinks during recoveries (enrollment falls as jobs return)
Conclusion: Follow the Data
USDA reports disprove the “40% surge” narrative. SNAP saw:
– A modest benefit update (25%)
– Short-term pandemic bumps (now expired)
– No enrollment spike
Misrepresenting these facts risks undermining a program that helps 41+ million Americans eat. For unbiased policy analysis, stay with NextMinuteNews.
Sources:
– USDA SNAP Data
– Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
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