Summary
A study by the Urban Institute found that SNAP benefits, a food assistance program in the U.S., are not enough to cover modest meal costs in most counties nationwide. The report shows that in 99% of U.S. counties, SNAP benefits fall short, with some areas seeing meal costs more than 75% higher than the benefits provided.
Key Facts
- The Urban Institute conducted an analysis revealing SNAP benefits do not cover meal costs in 99% of U.S. counties.
- Only 41 out of 3,144 counties have meal costs fully covered by SNAP benefits.
- SNAP serves over 40 million low- and no-income Americans.
- The largest shortfalls occur in New York County, NY, and four other counties where meal costs are over 75% higher than SNAP benefits.
- Nationwide, the average meal costs $3.41, which is 57 cents more than the SNAP maximum benefit of $2.84 per meal.
- Urban areas see a larger gap, with meal costs exceeding SNAP benefits by 82 cents, or 29%.
- Rural areas also experience a shortfall, with costs 53 cents, or 19%, above the benefit.
- A cost-of-living adjustment in 2024 did not significantly change the gap between meal costs and SNAP benefits.
