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A recent Urban Institute report has revealed that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP benefits) were not enough to cover the cost of a “modestly priced meal” in 98% of U.S. counties during 2023. The study highlights that the average cost of a meal exceeds by 19% the average maximum SNAP benefit, which is $2.84.

Gap in Food Costs and SNAP Benefits

The report notes that in the five counties with the greatest disparity between SNAP benefits and meal costs, the gap exceeded 70% for the entire year. In addition, in urban areas, meal costs were about 28% higher than the benefits provided by SNAP.

This decline in the relative value of SNAP benefits coincides with the persistently high food inflation observed in the United States. In 2023, food prices increased by 5.8%, a decrease from 9.9% in 2022, but still more than double the average annual food inflation rate of 2.5%.

This situation has led to a record percentage of US residents identifying inflation as their main financial problem in 2024.

Impact of Inflation on SNAP Benefits

The Urban Institute’s report comes at a crucial time, as the House is in the midst of negotiations over the farm bill, which could change the way SNAP benefits are calculated. The Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) is the current formula used to determine these benefits. Republican lawmakers are pushing to make the TFP upgrade back to “cost-neutral,” which would mean inflation would be the main factor for the adjustment of SNAP benefits. Historically, SNAP benefits have been calculated without taking food costs directly into account.

History of the Food Stamp Program
The Food Stamp Program, established in 1964, is a federal welfare program designed to ensure food security for residents with reduced incomes. Through this program, more than 41 million people receive food stamps every month, underscoring the importance of SNAP as a crucial tool to combat food insecurity in the country.

States that start sending SNAP benefits on June 1, 2024

On Saturday, June 1, 35 states and territories will begin implementing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for qualifying residents. SNAP benefits are provided to low-income or no-income households who need help in the financial area to pay for their food, households qualify for benefits if their net monthly income is equal to or less than 100% of the federal poverty level.

Benefits are typically allocated over a 12-month period, funds are loaded onto electronic benefit transfer cards and can be used at participating stores, including major chains such as Walmart and Costco.

snap benefits money not enough — SNAP benefits fall short on most of the US counties.

Although 35 states and territories make payments to beneficiaries on June 1, some residents of these states will not see their benefits affected until June 28, as in the state of Florida, each state manages and distributes the benefits of different ways, some states make payments based on the claimant’s number and others pay them based on the first letter of their last name, some of the smaller states may send all SNAP payments on the same day.

In April 2023, 12.5% of the United States population received SNAP benefits. The 2024 Farm Bill seeks to increase SNAP benefits to people with drug convictions and allow incarcerated people to apply within 30 days of being released.