SNAP is working precisely as it was designed to do. SNAP spending rose considerably when the recession hit, quickly helping more low-income families, as poverty rose, unemployment mounted, and more people needed assistance. A temporary benefit increase that was part of the 2009 Recovery Act accounted for 20% of the growth in program cost between 2007 and 2011. That increase will end on October 31. As the economy has recovered, SNAP caseload and spending growth have slowed substantially. Spending in the first quarter of calendar year 2013 was only 0.3% higher than the same period in 2012. In coming years, caseloads and spending are expected to begin declining as households’ economic circumstances improve and the Recovery Act’s benefit increase ends.
Source: Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, 5/15/13, SNAP Works
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