1 in 8 AMERICANS RECEIVE SNAP!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

SNAP HAMMOCK

by Steve Fair

         

During the Great Depression, the federal government developed the first Food Stamp program. Aimed to help farmers sell agricultural crop surpluses and help hungry people, the Food Stamp Act in 1939 created a nationwide program. It was designed to be a temporary safety net for citizens to receive basic food products i.e.: rice, beans, flour, peanut butter and fresh produce. It was discontinued in 1943.

Congress then passed the School Lunch Act in 1946, which mandated schools provide a healthy lunch to students at an affordable price. That program is still in place. In 1964, the Food Stamp program was re-implemented nationwide. Each state developed their eligibility requirements and households purchased food stamps at a reduced price. The stamps had higher value than what recipients paid. The federal government funded the program, but individual state agencies implemented/administrated the benefit. 

In 1972, Congress passed the Women, Infants and Children program. WIC provided nutrition assistance to low-income pregnant women, infants and children. Then, in 1977, the purchase requirement for food stamps was eliminated, making them free for eligible families.  

In 1988, the Electronic Benefit Transfer cards were rolled out. EBTs eliminated paper stamps and benefits were loaded monthly onto a debit/credit card for beneficiaries. 

In 2008, the food stamp program was renamed the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

According to the USDA, in fiscal year 2024, an average of 41.7 million people received SNAP benefits each month. This is approximately 12.3% of the U.S. population, or about 1 in 8 Americans. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, only 11.7% of Americans live below the poverty line. Somehow the math doesn't add up. 

This week marked 37 days of the “Schumer Shutdown.” Affectionately nicknamed after Democratic New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, this government shutdown is the longest in U.S. history. Senate Democrats have refused to budge on the budget vote, and as a result, November federal SNAP benefits to the states are not being funded as they normally would be. The Trump administration used an emergency fund to load 65% of what is normal to the EBT cards. Three observations: 

First, SNAP needs to clean up fraud. Trafficking benefits for cash, store fraud, and other scams cost American taxpayers billions of dollars each year. In 2023, the Government Accounting Office reported that the USDA estimated that 11.7% ($10.5 billion) of SNAP benefits were improper payments.  

USDA Deputy Secretary Steven Vaden claims some states do not require proper income and asset evaluations for individuals on SNAP and the USDA is stepping up their enforcement efforts by moving personnel from D.C. to the field. Vaden said the USDA has uncovered multiple instances of fraud and abuse regarding SNAP across the country.

Second, many private organizations have stepped up and shown that they are more efficient than our government. Local food banks, community feeding centers, and churches are closer to the food insecurity problem. They can screen out tricksters and swindlers to get food to those who really need it. Those organizations are often manned by volunteers who care about feeding those truly in need. Congress should expand their partnership with food banks and other organizations to insure people who need food are getting it.

Third, the food insecurity safety net has become a hammock. The stated purpose of SNAP is to provide temporary food assistance for people and move them toward employment and self-sufficiency. But according to the USDA, only 38% of able-bodied adults receiving SNAP benefits are employed. The other 62% are unable to work. There are some work requirements to receive benefits. SNAP recipients often eat better than the hardworking taxpayers funding the program. SNAP has become a handout and not a hand up. It is definitely in need of meaningful reform and oversight.