USDA-FNS Releases SNAP Participation Rates for Fiscal Years 2016–2018
The USDA Food and Nutrition Service (USDA-FNS) just released new data regarding participation rates in SNAP between fiscal years (FY) 2016–2018. Of concern is the 18 percent gap between those who were eligible under federal rules in an average month in FY 2018 to receive SNAP versus those who actually participated in the program. While 36 million eligible individuals participated, another 8 million did not. Let’s explore a few of the many possible explanations for this SNAP gap.