Fact Check: "SNAP helps reduce food insecurity for low-income families in the U.S."
What We Know
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal assistance program designed to help low-income families afford nutritious food. Research indicates that SNAP plays a significant role in reducing food insecurity among its participants. A study published in JAMA Network Open found that during the COVID-19 pandemic, food insecurity prevalence decreased among SNAP participants across various racial and ethnic groups, while it did not decrease among non-SNAP participants (Wu et al., 2025). This suggests that increased SNAP benefits during the pandemic were effective in alleviating food insecurity for many low-income adults who accessed the program.
Furthermore, a report by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities highlights that SNAP has been shown to reduce poverty and improve food security, linking it to better health outcomes for millions of Americans (Keith-Jennings et al., 2019). The report emphasizes that SNAP's entitlement structure allows it to respond effectively to increased need, particularly during economic downturns.
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim that SNAP helps reduce food insecurity is robust. The study by Wu et al. (2025) provides empirical data showing that food insecurity rates among SNAP participants decreased during the pandemic, indicating that the program effectively mitigated food insecurity during a time of heightened economic distress. The study's methodology, which involved analyzing data from the National Health Interview Survey, adds credibility to its findings, as it encompasses a large and diverse sample of low-income adults.
In addition, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities report (2019) reinforces these findings by detailing SNAP's effectiveness in improving food security and reducing poverty. The authors of this report are affiliated with a reputable policy research organization known for its focus on budget and policy issues affecting low-income individuals, which lends further credibility to their conclusions.
However, it is important to note that while SNAP has been effective in reducing food insecurity, disparities persist among different racial and ethnic groups. The JAMA study found that while food insecurity decreased for many SNAP participants, it did not significantly reduce racial and ethnic disparities in food security, highlighting an area where further policy intervention may be needed (Wu et al., 2025).
Conclusion
The claim that "SNAP helps reduce food insecurity for low-income families in the U.S." is True. The evidence from multiple studies indicates that SNAP effectively reduces food insecurity among its participants, especially during times of economic hardship. While the program has made significant strides in improving food security, ongoing disparities among racial and ethnic groups suggest that additional measures may be necessary to fully address food insecurity across all demographics.
