FRAC Chat

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 April provides details about fiscal year 2023 program participants, and critical insights for lawmakers, advocates, and stakeholders, while simultaneously pushing back against harmful narratives that have been perpetuated about households participating in SNAP.

Senate Republicans continue to debate deep cuts to basic needs services as part of a larger plan to fund President Trump’s tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy. On Sunday, parliamentary rulings targeted two Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provisions, the measures to shift costs to states and to bar humanitarian-based immigrants from receiving SNAP benefits. On Tuesday, the Senate Agriculture Committee issued a press release incorrectly claiming the parliamentarian had ruled in favor of its updated language to allow its cost shift provision. That release and a related social media post celebrating a GOP “win” were promptly taken down. On Wednesday, the committee released revised language that attempts to comply with procedural requirements but is equally harmful — it keeps the state cost shift with some amendments and exempts other humanitarian-based immigrants. (See table comparison). Whether this amended version will pass muster with the parliamentarian remains to be seen. 

The Food Research & Action Center’s (FRAC) recent report, Community Eligibility: The Key to Hunger-Free Schools, highlights Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) adoption in the 2024– 2025 school year and showcases the significant growth in CEP utilization by schools and school districts around the country since becoming available nationwide over a decade ago. CEP allows high-poverty schools to offer all students breakfast and lunch at no charge regardless of household income, thus reducing stigma in the cafeteria and increasing participation in school meal programs. CEP supports students and their families, by stretching household food budgets, combatting childhood food insecurity, and supporting student health and learning. Furthermore, CEP streamlines the administration of school meal programs, reducing administrative burdens on school nutrition departments, and freeing staff time so school nutrition professionals can focus on their mission: serving students delicious and nutritious school meals.

Millions of households with low income must make difficult decisions every day when juggling the cost of many essential expenses — housing, food, utilities, child care, transportation to work, health care, and more. While costs continue to rise, income remains limited. Nearly half of households renting are cost-burdened (spending more than 30 percent of their income on rent). Households with low incomes spend about 18 percent of their income on energy, over three times the national average.

Senate Republicans have introduced a reconciliation bill that echoes the House’s approach to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), proposing sweeping and deeply concerning cuts. While not identical, the Senate proposal poses a similarly serious threat to food assistance for millions of Americans.