A study by USDA’s Economic Research Services (ERS) found that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly called the Food Stamp Program, reduces the prevalence of poverty in many U.S. households. 

P. Scott Shearer, Vice President

April 13, 2012

1 Min Read
SNAP Reduces Child Poverty

 

A study by USDA’s Economic Research Services (ERS) found that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly called the Food Stamp Program, reduces the prevalence of poverty in many U.S. households.  The study, “Alleviating Poverty in the United States: The Critical Role of SNAP Benefits,” looked at 10 years of income data from the U.S. Census Bureau and data on SNAP benefits, to determine how SNAP benefits affected household finances.  According to the study, SNAP benefits led to an average annual decline of 4.4 percent in the prevalence of poverty from 2000 to 2009.  Combining SNAP benefits with family income, the average annual decline from 2000 to 2009 for child poverty was reduced 15.5 percent and the average annual decline in the severity of child poverty was 21.3 percent.  According to USDA, there are 46.5 million individuals and 22.2 million households participating in the SNAP program.  

About the Author(s)

P. Scott Shearer

Vice President, Bockorny Group, Inc.

Scott Shearer is vice president of the Bockorny Group Inc., a leading bipartisan government affairs consulting firm in Washington, D.C. With more than 30 years experience in government and corporate relations in state and national arenas, he is recognized as a leader in agricultural trade issues, having served as co-chairman of the Agricultural Coalition for U.S.-China Trade and co-chairman of the Agricultural Coalition for Trade Promotion Authority. Scott was instrumental in the passage of China Permanent Normal Trade Relations and TPA. He is past chairman of the USDA-USTR Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Animals and Animal Products and was a member of the USAID Food Security Advisory Committee. Prior to joining the Bockorny Group, Scott served as director of national relations for Farmland Industries Inc., as well as USDA’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional Affairs (1993-96), serving as liaison for the Secretary of Agriculture and the USDA to Congress.

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