Food stamps: Analysis finds SNAP benefits weren’t large enough for ‘modestly priced meal’ in 98% of counties in 2023

A new report from the Urban Institute shows Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits were not large enough for 98% of counties to pay for a “modestly priced meal” in 2023. 

The report includes key findings that the average meal costs 19% more than the average maximum SNAP benefit of $2.84. In the five counties with the largest gap between SNAP benefits and meal costs, the gap was above 70% all year — meal costs are an average of 28% higher than SNAP benefits in urban areas. 

The decrease in the value of SNAP benefits coincides with the extended high food inflation observed in the United States. Food prices were up 5.8% in 2023. This is down from 9.9% in 2022 but more than double the average 2.5% annual food inflation rate. 

In 2024, the percentage of U.S. residents listing inflation as the top financial problem reached an all-time high. 

The Urban Institute’s report comes as the House of Representatives negotiates the farm bill, which could change how SNAP benefits are evaluated. 

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The Thrifty Food Plan is the formula that determines SNAP benefits. The House GOP is pushing to make the process to update the TFP “cost-neutral” again, making inflation the primary factor driving increases to SNAP benefits. SNAP benefits have historically been determined on a cost-neutral basis. 

The Food Stamp Act is a federal welfare program established in 1964 to bring food security to low-income residents. It provides food stamps to more than 41 million people every month.