SNAP benefits too low, according to research

Research has long shown and lines at food pantries have long demonstrated that benefit levels for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are too low, and today’s new Institute of Medicine (IOM) report on benefit adequacy reaffirms that point. Not only did IOM recognize that benefits are too low, but it also acknowledged flaws in how they are calculated and outlines important recommendations to remedy the problem. Since inadequate benefits in SNAP harm health, early childhood development, and learning, fixing the problem is essential to the nation’s social, economic, and fiscal goals.

The report is clear: SNAP benefits are inadequate, and it is time for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and for Congress to take up this issue.  One in six Americans struggle with hunger, and they need action now.
The report also underscores that recent proposals in Congress to cut SNAP benefits by billions of dollars would worsen health and hunger for struggling children, seniors, and working families. Some of the flaws the IOM Committee point to (e.g., the lag in SNAP benefits keeping up with inflation; and the failure to fully account for shelter costs) are due to previous cuts made by Congress. Congress needs to fix the problems rather than doubling down on harming the most vulnerable Americans.