What Are the Benefits of the SNAP Program?

on March 9, 2017 in Health

Last week, we joined MomsRising for their regular #FoodFri Twitter chat. The topic for this chat: the benefits of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, better known as SNAP, for American families. We joined as co-hosts with our friends at Food Resource Action Center (FRAC), and the Center on Budget Policy and Priorities.

Below are NCLR highlights from the chat. Join MomsRising for their #FoodFri chat every Friday at 1 pm ET.

Have questions abt #SNAP/#foodstamps?Join @MomsRising @deancbpp @CenteronBudget @FRACtweets @NCLR TODAY 1-2pmEST at #FoodFri! #SNAPmatters pic.twitter.com/Kasx3TfuUY

— MomsRising (@MomsRising) March 3, 2017

Q1. Welcome to #FoodFri @deancbpp @fractweets @NCLR. Today we will be talking about #SNAP. 1st can you tell us a little about your orgs?

— MomsRising (@MomsRising) March 3, 2017

A1: We’re the U.S.’ largest #Latino civil rights org. Our mission: improve Latino opportunities for achieving the American Dream. #FoodFri

— NCLR (@NCLR) March 3, 2017

Q2: How does #SNAP work? How does it help families? #FoodFri

— MomsRising (@MomsRising) March 3, 2017

A2a: #SNAP reduces hunger & food insecurity by providing assistance for low-income people to buy food. #FoodFri

— NCLR (@NCLR) March 3, 2017

A2b: Through an Electronic Benefit Transfer system, families can buy food at grocery stores, farmers’ markets, & other outlets. #FoodFri

— NCLR (@NCLR) March 3, 2017

Q3: Who receives #SNAP benefits? How can I find out if I am eligible? #FoodFri

— MomsRising (@MomsRising) March 3, 2017

A3a: 75% of SNAP households incl: a child, an elderly person, or a person with disabilities; 82% of benefits go to such households. #FoodFri

— NCLR (@NCLR) March 3, 2017

A3b : In 2015, 55% of SNAP households w/kids worked and had earnings. Only 13% of these households received cash welfare benefits. #FoodFri

— NCLR (@NCLR) March 3, 2017

Q4: How important is #SNAP to kids? #FoodFri

— MomsRising (@MomsRising) March 3, 2017

A4a: #SNAP increases access to healthy, affordable food choices for kids. #FoodFri

— NCLR (@NCLR) March 3, 2017

A4b: SNAP is especially important in easing the burden of hunger and malnutrition for millions of Latino children and families. #FoodFri

— NCLR (@NCLR) March 3, 2017

Q5: How are #AfricanAmerican and #Latino families particularly boosted by #SNAP? #FoodFri

— MomsRising (@MomsRising) March 3, 2017

A5a: There are 4.7 million #Latino children living in families that struggle to consistently put food on the table. #FoodFri

— NCLR (@NCLR) March 3, 2017

A5b: Latinos are more likely than the overall pop. to live where access to nutritious, affordable food is limited or nonexistent. #FoodFri

— NCLR (@NCLR) March 3, 2017

A5c: In Jan ’16, SNAP provided 45.4M low-income individuals, including nearly 5M Latinos, with access to healthy, nutritious food. #FoodFri

— NCLR (@NCLR) March 3, 2017

A5d: More on how federal nutrition programs affect #Latino families: https://t.co/d6eVvinpsA #FoodFri

— NCLR (@NCLR) March 3, 2017

Q6: How does #SNAP promote positive #health outcomes? #FoodFri

— MomsRising (@MomsRising) March 3, 2017

A6a: #SNAP provides resources to families for food spending, w/goal of improving the quantity and quality of food that they buy. #FoodFri

— NCLR (@NCLR) March 3, 2017

A6b: Participation in the program is linked to increases in food security and improved nutritional outcomes for children. #FoodFri

— NCLR (@NCLR) March 3, 2017

Q7: What makes #SNAP an effective program? #FoodFri

— MomsRising (@MomsRising) March 3, 2017

A7a: #SNAP integrity is at record levels, a model for other gov’t programs. #FoodFri

— NCLR (@NCLR) March 3, 2017

A7b: Less than 1% of benefits go to households that should’ve been found ineligible. #FoodFri

— NCLR (@NCLR) March 3, 2017

Q9: What are the long-term economic benefits of #SNAP? #FoodFri

— MomsRising (@MomsRising) March 3, 2017

A9: #SNAP is nearly as effective as the Earned Income Tax Credit (#EITC) in lifting families above the poverty line. #FoodFri

— NCLR (@NCLR) March 3, 2017

Q10: What programs or resources are available to help families that benefit from #SNAP? #FoodFri

— MomsRising (@MomsRising) March 3, 2017

A10a: Through our Comprando Rico y Sano program, promotores de salud conduct charlas, grocery store tours, & cooking demos. #FoodFri

— NCLR (@NCLR) March 3, 2017

A10b: These activities promote health-conscious shopping, smart food choices, & cost-saving strategies. #FoodFri

— NCLR (@NCLR) March 3, 2017

A10c: Another goal of Comprando is to educate & enroll eligible #Latinos into #SNAP. #FoodFri

— NCLR (@NCLR) March 3, 2017

A10d: In 2015: 107, 806 received face-to-face nutrition education & #SNAP information; and 26, 557 Latinos were enrolled in SNAP. #FoodFri

— NCLR (@NCLR) March 3, 2017

A10e: You can find out more about Comprando Rico y Sano and our other work related to #SNAP at: https://t.co/t0uwVTpgmM #FoodFri

— NCLR (@NCLR) March 3, 2017