USDA: SNAP Enrollment Down in 2018

Data released this summer by the USDA shows SNAP participation declined last year.  A report by USDA’s Economic Research Service shows enrollment numbers for the program declined from 15% in 2013 to 12.3% in 2018, marking the fifth consecutive year of a decline in the percent of the population receiving SNAP.  In fiscal-year 2018, an average of 40.3 million low-income individuals per month received SNAP benefits in the United States.

Here in the Northwest, roughly 13% of Washingtonians use SNAP benefits, while in 16% of Oregonians use the program; that figure is around 9% in Idaho.  In seven States—Colorado, Kansas, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Utah and Wyoming—8% percent or fewer of residents received SNAP benefits in 2018.

Between 2013 and 2018, 46 States and the District of Columbia saw a decrease in the share of residents receiving SNAP benefits, while four states experienced increases.  Idaho showed the largest decline in percent of residents participating in SNAP, a 36% decline from 14.1%-9% of residents. Nevada had the largest increase in participation share, growing from 12.9%-14.5% of residents.

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