Who gets SNAP benefits to buy groceries and what the government pays for the program – in 5 charts – The Conversation

Report on the U.S. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a cornerstone of the United States’ social safety net, providing essential food aid to low-income individuals and families. This report analyzes the program’s structure, funding, and demographic reach, with a significant emphasis on its direct contributions to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).

Program Efficacy and Challenges in Achieving SDG 2 (Zero Hunger)

SNAP’s primary objective is to alleviate food insecurity, directly aligning with SDG 2. However, recent events and the structure of benefits present challenges to fully achieving this goal.

Funding Stability and Institutional Reliability (SDG 16)

The stability of institutions responsible for social protection is critical for sustainable development. A significant disruption occurred on November 1, 2025, when the federal government halted SNAP funding, citing a government shutdown. Subsequent court orders mandated the distribution of the approximately US$8 billion in monthly benefits. Such interruptions threaten the consistent delivery of food aid and undermine progress toward SDG 2.

Adequacy of Benefits for Health and Well-being (SDG 3)

While the program’s cost is substantial, individual benefits remain modest. This raises questions about the program’s capacity to support SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) through access to nutritious food.

• The maximum monthly benefit for a single individual is $298.
• The average daily benefit is estimated at $6.17, an amount below some estimates for the cost of a nutritious diet in the U.S.

Analysis of Enrollment and Contribution to SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

SNAP enrollment patterns reflect broader economic conditions and serve as a key mechanism for poverty alleviation (SDG 1) and the reduction of inequalities (SDG 10).

Economic Trends and Enrollment

Program participation historically increases during economic downturns, demonstrating its role as a critical counter-cyclical safety net that supports economic stability (SDG 8).

• Enrollment surged during the Great Recession, peaking in 2013 at approximately 15% of the U.S. population.
• Participation rose again during the COVID-19 pandemic, reaching a peak of 43 million recipients in September 2020.
• Sustained high enrollment is linked to persistent poverty and increased living costs.

Demographic Profile of Beneficiaries

The program primarily serves the most vulnerable populations, which is central to the SDG principle of “leaving no one behind.”

• Nearly 60% of recipients are children under 18 or adults aged 60 and older.
• Approximately 20% of non-elderly adult recipients have a disability.
• Over 55% of families with children receiving SNAP include at least one employed adult, highlighting the challenge of in-work poverty (SDG 8).

Racial Disparities and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

While the largest group of recipients is white, data reveals significant racial and ethnic disparities that reflect systemic inequalities.

• White: 35% of recipients (9.7% of the total white population).
• Black: 26% of recipients (24.4% of the total Black population).
• Hispanic: 16% of recipients (17.2% of the total Hispanic population).

These figures underscore SNAP’s role in mitigating the disproportionate effects of poverty on minority communities, directly addressing the targets of SDG 10.

State-Level Implementation and Governance (SDG 16: Strong Institutions)

The effectiveness of SNAP in achieving its objectives is heavily influenced by state-level policies and administrative practices, highlighting the importance of strong and equitable sub-national institutions.

Geographic Disparities in Access

Enrollment rates vary significantly, from 1 in 5 residents in some states to 1 in 20 in others. This variation is a function of both poverty rates and state policy choices that can either facilitate or hinder access to benefits.

The Role of State Policy in Program Reach

States with higher enrollment rates among eligible populations often employ policies that enhance access, demonstrating effective governance in achieving social protection goals.

1. They minimize administrative burdens and “red tape” for applicants.
2. They conduct more robust outreach to inform eligible families about the program.
3. They adopt policies, such as Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility, that allow qualification at moderately higher income or asset levels.

Conversely, states with low participation rates among eligible populations, such as Arkansas at 59%, indicate institutional barriers that impede progress toward national poverty and hunger reduction targets.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 1: No Poverty

• The article focuses on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a social protection program designed for low-income Americans. It directly addresses poverty by providing financial assistance for food, a basic necessity. The text links SNAP eligibility and enrollment numbers to poverty rates, especially during economic downturns like the Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic.

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

• The core purpose of SNAP, as described in the article, is to help people “buy groceries.” This directly relates to ending hunger and ensuring access to food. The article discusses the adequacy of the benefits, noting the average daily benefit of $6.17 “falls below some estimates of the minimum cost of eating a nutritious diet,” highlighting the challenge of achieving food security even with assistance.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• The article provides a demographic breakdown of SNAP recipients, showing that while more white people are enrolled in absolute numbers, Black and Hispanic populations are disproportionately reliant on the benefits due to higher poverty rates. It states, “24.4% of Black people and 17.2% of Hispanic people compared with 9.7% of white people” receive SNAP. This highlights how the program addresses economic inequalities among different racial and ethnic groups, as well as among children, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 1: No Poverty

1. Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable.
   • The article describes SNAP as a large-scale, federally funded social protection system in the United States. It discusses its reach, enrollment numbers (peaking at 15% of Americans), and the variation in coverage among states, from 59% of eligible residents in Arkansas to nearly all eligible families in others. This directly pertains to the implementation and coverage of a national social protection system.

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

1. Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.
   • SNAP is presented as a primary mechanism for ensuring food access for the poor and vulnerable in the U.S. The article details the number of people served (up to 43 million), the value of the benefits provided, and the demographics of recipients, which include vulnerable groups like children, older adults, and individuals with disabilities. The disruption of SNAP funds mentioned at the beginning of the article directly threatens this access to food.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

1. Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
   • The article demonstrates how SNAP serves as a tool for the economic inclusion of various demographic groups. It explicitly breaks down recipient data by age (“Nearly 60% of Americans enrolled in SNAP are either children under 18 or adults who are 60 or older”), disability (“1 in 5 non-elderly adults with SNAP benefits have a disability”), and race/ethnicity (“greater percentages of Black and Hispanic people get these benefits”). This shows the program’s role in supporting marginalized and economically disadvantaged groups.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

SDG 1: No Poverty

1. Indicator for Target 1.3: Proportion of population covered by social protection floors/systems.
   • The article provides several data points that serve as direct measures for this indicator:
     • The total number of SNAP recipients, which reached a peak of 43 million.
     • The percentage of the national population enrolled, which peaked at “roughly 15% of Americans” in 2013.
     • State-level coverage rates, which show the “percentage of eligible families who obtain SNAP benefits,” ranging from 59% in Arkansas to nearly 100% in states like New Mexico and Louisiana.

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

1. Indicator for Target 2.1: Prevalence of food insecurity.
   • While the article does not use the term “food insecurity,” it implies this indicator by discussing factors directly related to it:
     • The number of people reliant on food assistance (43 million).
     • The financial adequacy of the assistance, stating the “average benefit is an estimated $6.17 daily – which falls below some estimates of the minimum cost of eating a nutritious diet.” This suggests that even with the program, recipients may still face challenges in accessing sufficient, nutritious food.
     • The link between SNAP enrollment and poverty rates, implying that as poverty increases, so does the risk of food insecurity.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

1. Indicator for Target 10.2: Proportion of people living below 50 per cent of median income, by age, sex and persons with disabilities.
   • The article provides disaggregated data on SNAP recipients, which can be used as a proxy for measuring economic inclusion for vulnerable groups. These statistics align with the spirit of this indicator:
     • By Race/Ethnicity: “A little over 35% of people who get SNAP benefits are white… Around 26% are Black and 16% are Hispanic.” It also notes the proportion within each group receiving benefits: “24.4% of Black people and 17.2% of Hispanic people compared with 9.7% of white people.”
     • By Age: “Nearly 60% of Americans enrolled in SNAP are either children under 18 or adults who are 60 or older.”
     • By Disability Status: “About 1 in 5 non-elderly adults with SNAP benefits have a disability.”

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article. In this table, list the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their corresponding targets, and the specific indicators identified in the article.

Source: theconversation.com