Fact Check: Nearly 37 million Americans lived below the official poverty line in 2023. Another 38 million more would be in poverty if not for government aid like food stamps… $1.2 trillion spent annually on programs keeping them afloat.”

Fact-Check: "Nearly 37 million Americans lived below the official poverty line in 2023. Another 38 million more would be in poverty if not for government aid like food stamps… $1.2 trillion spent annually on programs keeping them afloat."

What We Know

The claim states that approximately 37 million Americans lived below the official poverty line in 2023. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the official poverty rate in 2023 was indeed around 36.8 million people, which aligns closely with the claim. Additionally, the claim suggests that another 38 million would be in poverty without government aid. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) plays a significant role in alleviating poverty, with research indicating that SNAP benefits reduce the depth and severity of poverty, particularly among children.

In terms of spending, the claim mentions $1.2 trillion spent annually on programs that support these individuals. The Budget of the United States Government outlines various federal expenditures, including those for SNAP and other assistance programs, but does not provide a specific total of $1.2 trillion. However, it is important to note that federal spending on social safety net programs, including SNAP, Medicaid, and others, does contribute significantly to poverty alleviation.

Analysis

The claim is partially true based on the following evaluations:

1. Poverty Statistics: The figure of 37 million Americans living below the poverty line is corroborated by the Census Bureau, which reported 36.8 million individuals in poverty in 2023. This supports the first part of the claim.

2. Impact of Government Aid: The assertion that an additional 38 million would be in poverty without government assistance is more complex. While SNAP and other programs do play a crucial role in reducing poverty, quantifying the exact number of individuals who would fall into poverty without these programs is challenging. The USDA's Economic Research Service indicates that SNAP significantly improves food security and alleviates poverty, but specific estimates of how many would be in poverty without such aid are not explicitly stated in the sources.

3. Spending on Assistance Programs: The claim of $1.2 trillion in annual spending on programs is not directly supported by the provided sources. While the federal budget does allocate substantial funds to various assistance programs, including SNAP, the total amount of $1.2 trillion is not verified within the context of the cited documents. The Budget of the United States Government provides insights into federal spending but does not confirm this specific figure.

4. Source Reliability: The sources used in this analysis are credible, including government reports and statistical data from reputable agencies such as the U.S. Census Bureau and the USDA. However, the specific claim about the $1.2 trillion figure lacks direct support from these sources, which raises questions about its accuracy.

Conclusion

The claim is Partially True. While the number of Americans living below the poverty line in 2023 is accurately reported, the assertion regarding the additional 38 million who would be in poverty without government aid is less clear and lacks precise backing. Furthermore, the $1.2 trillion spending figure is not substantiated by the sources provided. Therefore, while the core statistics regarding poverty are supported, the broader implications and specific financial claims require further verification.

Sources

1. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
2. Budget of the United States Government, Fiscal Year 2025
3. 2025 Poverty Guidelines: 48 Contiguous States - HHS ASPE
4. National Poverty in America Awareness Month: January 2025
5. 2025 Budget Summary
6. How Medicaid, SNAP Cutbacks Would Trigger Job Losses
7. House Reconciliation Bill Proposes Deepest SNAP Cut in History
8. U.S. Poverty Statistics and Facts (Updated for 2025) - Debt.org