​​SNAP Helps Keep Americans From Going Hungry -- but Racial Barriers Persist

Food insecurity remains a problem in America. According to the USDA, around 10% of U.S. households were food insecure at some point in 2021. That's around 13.5 million households who don't have enough food. Not having enough to eat can impact people's lives in many ways -- including how effective people are at work or how much children learn in school. It is also associated with health issues such as diabetes and high cholesterol.

The good news is that America's food stamps program, known as SNAP, or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, goes a long way to helping people put food on the table. According to a recent study, "SNAP participation reduces the risk of food insecurity in low-income populations by approximately 30%." Unfortunately, the study also found racial disparities in food insecurity among households that do not participate in SNAP.

Black and multiracial households have higher rates of food insecurity

The Johns Hopkins University study looked at almost 5,000 SNAP eligible households to understand the impact SNAP plays in addressing racial disparities in food insecurity. Overall, the study found that entirely Black and multiracial households had a higher risk of being food insecure. However, those racial disparities were not present in households that participate in SNAP.

According to the report, "Black and multiracial households had higher rates of food insecurity than White households in adjusted analyses." When studying non-SNAP households, it showed that those that were entirely Black had a 52% higher risk of food insecurity than entirely white households.

On the one hand, the research suggests that SNAP works in reducing hunger. On the other, it is concerning that some households, particularly Black and multiracial households, aren't accessing the food benefits they're entitled to. "There is an urgent need to address the root causes of racial disparities, including structural and systemic racism in economic systems and food systems," it said.

The researchers suggest there could be systemic barriers to accessing SNAP benefits. The report also pointed to evidence of racially segregated food environments that contribute to food insecurity. These include higher food costs in predominantly Black communities and less access to fruits and vegetables.

How to claim SNAP benefits

According to the report, less than 55% of eligible households participate in SNAP across all racial groups. One reason is a "cumbersome" enrollment process. It says people with disabilities or limited internet access may also find it harder to navigate the red tape involved in signing up.

SNAP benefit amounts depend on several factors, including your location, income, and household size. The maximum monthly SNAP benefit for a family of four is currently $939 in most of the U.S. While a lot of households don't receive the maximum, getting even part of that cash could reduce the pressure on your bank account.

There are a few variations, but broadly speaking, eligibility depends on your income and the amount of money you have. For a family of four, if your gross monthly income is less than $3,007 (130% of the federal poverty level) and your net monthly income is less than $2,313, you'd meet the current SNAP income requirement. In terms of assets, a household can have $2,750 in the bank (more if one member of your household is over 60).

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The application process varies by state. You'll need to fill in forms and may also need to be interviewed. It can all seem quite daunting -- especially when the eligibility requirements are filled with confusing terms and talk of percentages. Don't worry too much about the numbers. Instead, reach out to your local SNAP office and try to talk to someone. You may need to persevere, but it is worth doing because you're entitled to that money.

Application help is available

If you think you might be eligible, but the idea of filling out forms or being interviewed feels like too much, think about the difference that extra cash could make to your day-to-day life. Importantly, you don't have to do it alone.

For example, you might ask a friend or family member to help you with the paperwork. If that's not an option, try your local food pantry or soup kitchen. Even if staff there can't do anything, they may be able to point you in the right direction. There's also an NGO called mRelief whose sole mission is to help people sign up for their food benefits. Sign up online or text "Food" to 74544.