USDA Reports 41% of SNAP Households Include Children, 28% Have Earned Income in FY 2023

New data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides a comprehensive look into the demographics of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) households for Fiscal Year 2023. This information clarifies recent claims made on social media regarding the program's beneficiaries. A tweet by "Bennett's Phylactery" asserted, "Only 28% of SNAP households had any earned income at all in 2023" and "Only 34% of SNAP households had children," concluding that recipients "aren't working, they aren't 'struggling to feed their families' - they're just an urban vote bank."

Official figures from the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) confirm that 28 percent of SNAP households indeed reported earned income in FY 2023. This indicates that a significant portion of households receiving food assistance are actively engaged in the workforce. Additionally, the FNS report highlights that 61 percent of households received unearned income from sources such as Social Security or Supplemental Security Income, while 20 percent received no income from either earned or unearned sources.

Contrary to the social media claim, the USDA FNS report, "Characteristics of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Households: Fiscal Year 2023," indicates that 41 percent of all SNAP households included children. Furthermore, a substantial 79 percent of SNAP households contained at least one vulnerable member, such as a child, an elderly individual, or a nonelderly person with a disability, underscoring the program's role in supporting those most in need.

The SNAP program, the nation's largest anti-hunger initiative, is designed to provide food purchasing assistance to low-income households. Its primary objective is to alleviate food insecurity and poverty, with research from the USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) demonstrating its effectiveness in improving household food security and reducing poverty, particularly among children. The program also serves as an economic stabilizer, with benefits stimulating local economies.

Overall, the data underscores that SNAP primarily supports vulnerable populations and working families facing economic hardship. Most SNAP participants who are able to work do so, often cycling in and out of employment due to fluctuating wages or temporary job loss. The program's structure is designed to supplement low or unstable incomes, ensuring access to nutritious food for millions of Americans.