Published June 1, 2026
Annually, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issues a report on the characteristics of households and individuals participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The most recent report released in May provides details about fiscal year 2024 program participants — critical insights for lawmakers, advocates, and stakeholders., to push back against false, harmful narratives about individuals and households SNAP.
Key Takeaways
SNAP serves many working and fixed-income households. Only 3 percent of all SNAP households, and only 8 percent of SNAP households with children, received the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash benefits.
SNAP provides food assistance to people most in need. Most SNAP households (79 percent) include either a child (younger than age 18), an elderly adult (age 60 or older), or an individual with a disability.
U.S. citizens were the primary users of SNAP. Nearly 95 percent of SNAP users were U.S. citizens, 1 percent refugees and 4 percent other non-citizens reflecting SNAP usage being driven by Americans.
SNAP serves low-wage households and reduces poverty. In fiscal year 2024, households had an average gross monthly income of $1,117 and an average net monthly income of $551. When the value of SNAP benefits is included as income, 16 percent of SNAP households moved above the poverty guidelines, and 10 percent of the lowest-income SNAP households moved out of deep poverty.
SNAP serves people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds. Among program participants, White individuals accounted for the largest share, representing more than 35 percent of all recipients. African Americans comprise nearly 25 percent, Hispanics nearly 17 percent, Asians 4 percent, and Native Americans just over 1 percent. It should be noted that 17 percent of participants are listed as “race unknown.”
Despite the many benefits of the program, SNAP benefit levels continue to be woefully inadequate. In fiscal year 2024, 63 percent of SNAP households received less than the maximum benefit amount, meaning only 37 percent of SNAP households received the maximum benefit. The average SNAP household received was $341 per month, which amounts to $11 per day. As described in a prior FRAC analysis, the greatest shortcoming of SNAP is that benefits for most households are not enough to get them through the entire month without hunger or being forced to sacrifice nutrition quality.
Time and again, SNAP has been found to be a critical program, an economic stabilizer and lifeline for the health and well-being of its participants, with well-documented benefits for participants and their communities. As shown in this report from USDA, SNAP targets households that are struggling the most, reducing hunger and poverty for millions of people annually.
For more information about SNAP and what can be done to protect and strengthen the program, visit the SNAP section of FRAC’s website.