SNAP IS POWERFUL ANTI-POVERTY TOOL

SNAP lifted 4 million people above the official poverty line in 2012, according to recently released Census Bureau data. The official poverty measure does not count SNAP benefits when calculating a family’s income.  But, the Census Bureau calculates how many people would be lifted out of poverty if it counted SNAP benefits as income. In addition to keeping some people out of poverty, SNAP also made tens of millions of people less poor in 2012.  For these individuals, the program reduced the gap between their income and the poverty line and made them better able to afford a basic diet.

 

Source: Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 9/17/13, SNAP Fights Poverty