The April unemployment numbers were released today and were unsurprisingly awful. The New York Times reported that 20.5 million jobs have been lost since the start of the pandemic, the worst since the Great Depression. As we grapple with the economic fallout, including people unable to pay rent and mortgages, we also see food insecurity on the rise.
Most people of faith feel called to help those in need, and addressing hunger is one very direct and tangible mission. In fact, 50% of the Texas food banks’ network of partner agencies are faith-based. These pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters serve as the front lines of the response to hunger. Their work—primarily volunteer-driven–is integral to ensuring people are fed. However, their work, and that of the food banks has never been meant to serve in a long-term disaster role. In reality, for every bag of food assistance provided by the charitable sector, federal nutrition assistance programs—primarily SNAP—provide 19.
SNAP is a program that was designed exactly for moments like we’re in. As one of the most effective federal nutrition programs to address poverty and hunger, SNAP is able to respond to the rise and fall of the economy. We last saw this work during the Great Recession of 2007. In 2009, as families were still reeling from the Recession, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act increased SNAP levels. (Unfortunately, Congress did not keep its promise with ARRA—something we’ll cover in a future article).
A History of SNAP
SNAP’s history goes back to the Great Depression, and the structure of the program was vastly different than now. In the 1930’s, it was called “food stamps,” and was actually issued on colored paper coupons. Recipients also had to partially pay for the stamps. The first inception of the program only lasted a few years because the government determined it wasn’t needed any longer.
The program wasn’t made fully permanent until the Johnson era of Great Society programs. And then, it wasn’t til 1977 before Congress eliminated the purchase requirement for food stamps. In 1984, food stamp benefits were moved to EBT cards, and in 2008, the program was renamed the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to combat stigma.
Policy Issues
That stigma and misinformation surrounding SNAP has been an issue when it comes to some policy makers. SNAP, despite its effectiveness, has continually been vilified by those wishing to cut it or create more participation barriers. Those opponents frequently point to “fraud, waste, and abuse” in the program. In reality, the program has one of the lowest fraud rates of any government program. SNAP also has lots of myths surrounding it, namely, that you don’t have to work to receive benefits, that illegal immigrants receive it, and that it is a drain on taxpayers (all false).
SNAP actually benefits the economy. For every $1 of SNAP spent, $1.70 is returned to the local economy as recipients use it with retailers. This supports jobs with grocers as well as the transportation and farming industries. When SNAP is reauthorized every five years in the Farm Bill, national retailers regularly join hunger advocates on the Hill arguing for protecting SNAP.
Other Benefits
SNAP can also help more children receive breakfast and lunch at school. Households who receive SNAP automatically qualify for free meals through the School Breakfast Program and the National School Lunch Program. This ensures that the family doesn’t have to again fill out paperwork for another federal nutrition program.
Finally, SNAP improves the nutritional quality of a family’s diet, and decreases health care costs. SNAP allows people greater purchasing power so they have more money in their budget for healthier food. Many SNAP recipients also benefit from the related SNAP-Ed program, which provides nutrition education and healthy cooking classes for SNAP recipients.
The Realities of Getting and Using SNAP
SNAP is not a simple program to apply for and navigate. Applications are 21-pages long, and many of the questions asked can be misinterpreted. Additionally, many pages of documentation are required to back up the application, including lease agreements, bank statements, birth certificates, pay stubs, and other legal documents. This complicated process is one reason most food banks and their partner agencies have dedicated staff to help people apply.
To stay on SNAP past three months, you must be working or participating in a job search program. While this requirement has been waived during times of high unemployment, it does not always account for “hard to employ” populations, such as those with a lack of education and training, certain undiagnosed disabilities, or criminal records.
Despite some perceptions, SNAP households do not receive a large monthly allotment. The average household monthly benefit in Texas is $243. Most SNAP recipients use their own money as well as visit food pantries to support their food needs. Data show that the majority of SNAP households run out of their benefit by the third week of the month. Additionally, SNAP can only be used for food purchases. It cannot be used for medicine, household cleaning products, diapers, tobacco, or alcohol.
Speaking Up for SNAP
Although food distribution is essential to meeting emergency hunger needs, it is even more critical that advocates fight for the protection and increase of SNAP benefits. In future articles, we will discuss ways SNAP can improve the lives of Texans during the ongoing pandemic.
Featured image provided by Feeding Texas.