The percentage of households that reported receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the past 12 months. SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, is a federal program that helps low-income households purchase food. The data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, Table B22001 (“Receipt of Food Stamps/SNAP in the Past 12 Months by Household Type”).
Why does this Matter?
- Reduces the prevalence of food insecurity and supports long-term health
- SNAP participation significantly lowers the risk of food insecurity by up to one-third, and helps minimize diet-related health burdens, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Additionally, SNAP enables better medication adherence, especially for older adults with chronic conditions.1
- Improves child health, development, and future outcomes
- Children in households receiving SNAP report better overall health and fewer health-related sacrifices. For those exposed to SNAP early in life, there are long-term benefits, including reduced obesity and lower risk of chronic diseases in adulthood—demonstrating that SNAP is an investment in lifelong well-being.2
- Boosts economic stability and strengthens communities
- SNAP not only supports immediate household food needs but also stimulates local economies—generating up to $1.79 in economic activity for every dollar spent. By lifting people out of deep poverty, SNAP reinforces financial resilience and community stability.3
1 Center for Science in the Public Interest. (2022, March). The Public Health Impact of SNAP. Center for Science in the Public Interest. Retrieved from https://www.cspi.org/sites/default/files/2022-03/The_Public_Health_Impact_of_SNAP.pdf
2 Food Research & Action Center. (n.d.). The Positive Effect of SNAP Benefits on Participants and Communities. Food Research & Action Center. Retrieved September 2, 2025, from https://frac.org/programs/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/positive-effect-snap-benefits-participants-communities
3 Hanson, K. (2010). The Food Assistance National Input-Output Multiplier (FANIOM) Model and Stimulus Effects of SNAP (U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, Economic Research Report No. ERR-103). USDA ERS.