In a recent report entitled, “Trends In USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Participation Rates, FY2016-2019”, the USDA quantified benefits among income demographics.  During Fiscal Year (FY) 2019, monthly benefits amounted to $55.6 billion for 35.7 million participants representing 82 percent of those who were eligible.

As expected, the report confirmed that the most needy individuals participated in SNAP at relatively high rates.  Benefits were extended to households with incomes 50 percent below the Federal Poverty Guideline at twice the rate of those who were at or above the Guideline cutoff level.

Participation rates in SNAP vary by demographic subgroup with special reference to age.  The rate for children is extremely high but in contrast, only 48 percent of eligible adults over 60 years old participated in SNAP during FY2019.