USDA: SNAP Enrollment Down in 2018

Data released this summer by the Department of Agriculture shows Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participation declined last year. A report by USDA’s Economic Research Service shows enrollment numbers for the program declined from 15 percent in 2013 to 12.3 percent in 2018, marking the fifth consecutive year of a decline in the percent of the population receiving SNAP. In fiscal-year 2018, an average of 40.3 million low-income individuals per month received SNAP benefits in the United States. In seven States—Colorado, Kansas, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Utah and Wyoming—eight percent or fewer of residents received SNAP benefits in 2018. Between 2013 and 2018, 46 States and the District of Columbia saw a decrease in the share of residents receiving SNAP benefits, while four states experienced increases. Idaho showed the largest decline in percent of residents participating in SNAP, a 36-percent decline from 14.1 to nine percent of residents. Nevada had the largest increase in participation share, growing from 12.9 to 14.5 percent of residents.