A previous version of this newsletter incorrectly described the findings in our interactive data tool. By rolling back the 2021 Thrifty Food Plan update, SNAP benefits would decrease and fail to cover the cost of a modestly priced meal. We apologize for the error.
Around 42 million people a year rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to help meet their food needs. However, the Trump administration has recently suggested rolling back SNAP benefits nationwide. One option being explored by federal policymakers would eliminate the 2021 update to the Thrifty Food Plan, the model used to ensure SNAP benefits reflect current dietary guidelines, costs of buying and preparing food, and household consumption patterns.
How would rolling back the Thrifty Food Plan update affect the adequacy of the maximum SNAP benefit in states and counties nationwide?
The Urban Institute’s interactive map shows how your state would be affected by the proposed cuts to SNAP. Based on fiscal year 2024 benefit levels, the maximum per meal SNAP benefit would be reduced from $2.84 to $2.25 if the Thrifty Food Plan reevaluation were removed. This would cause the average cost of a meal nationwide to be 51 percent higher than the maximum SNAP benefit.
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