Summary
The article examines the use of SNAP benefits by non-citizens in the United States. It highlights that non-citizens are a small portion of SNAP recipients and generally receive less in welfare benefits compared to U.S.-born citizens. Recent data shows that in fiscal year 2023, non-citizens made up about 4% of SNAP recipients.
Key Facts
- SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which offers food benefits to eligible low-income individuals and families.
- In 2019, 50% of poor households with U.S.-born members participated in SNAP, compared to 47% of eligible poor immigrant households.
- In fiscal year 2023, about 1.764 million non-citizens received SNAP benefits, costing $5.7 billion.
- Non-citizens make up 4% of SNAP recipients but about 6.5% of the U.S. population.
- Most non-citizens who can receive SNAP have some form of legal status, such as temporary protection or parole.
- In fiscal year 2024, SNAP assisted about 41.7 million people monthly, with federal spending reaching $99.8 billion.
- The average SNAP benefit in 2024 was $187.20 per person each month.
- A government shutdown could impact millions of Americans' access to SNAP.
