There’s so many myths about food stamp recipients – lets talk about them.
SNAP Myths: Sources & References
Myth #1: “People Who Get SNAP Don’t Work”
Fact: The overwhelming majority of SNAP recipients who can work, do work.
Sources:
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service (ERS). Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Key Statistics and Research. Updated 2024. https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/key-statistics-and-research
- Food Research & Action Center (FRAC). The Positive Effect of SNAP Benefits on Participants and Communities. 2024. https://frac.org/programs/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/positive-effect-snap-benefits-participants-communities
- Second Harvest Food Bank. The Truth Behind SNAP Myths. 2024. https://www.theshfb.org/post/the-truth-behind-snap-myths
- Factually. Do People on SNAP Really Work? 2023. https://factually.co/fact-checks/politics/snap-work-requirements-1e7164
Myth #2: “SNAP is a Drain on Taxpayers”
Fact: Every $1 in SNAP benefits generates roughly $1.50–$1.80 in economic activity.
Sources:
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service. Quantifying the Impact of SNAP Benefits on the U.S. Economy and Jobs. Amber Waves, July 2019. https://www.ers.usda.gov/amber-waves/2019/july/quantifying-the-impact-of-snap-benefits-on-the-u-s-economy-and-jobs
- Food Research & Action Center (FRAC). The Positive Effect of SNAP Benefits on Participants and Communities. 2024. https://frac.org/programs/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/positive-effect-snap-benefits-participants-communities
- Hanson, Kenneth. The Food Assistance National Input–Output Multiplier (FANIOM) Model and Stimulus Effects of SNAP. USDA ERS Report No. 265, 2020. https://ers.usda.gov/sites/default/files/_laserfiche/publications/93529/ERR-265.pdf
Myth #3: “SNAP is Rife with Fraud and Abuse”
Fact: SNAP has one of the lowest fraud and trafficking rates of any public benefit program — under 3%.
Sources:
- U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Actions Needed to Better Measure and Address Retailer Trafficking. GAO-19-115, 2018. https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-19-115.pdf
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). SNAP Payment Error Rates and Trafficking Data. FY 2019–2023. https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/payment-error-rates
- Zipdo. Food Stamp Abuse Statistics 2024. https://zipdo.co/food-stamp-abuse-statistics
- Esquilo.io. What Is Food Stamp Fraud? https://esquilo.io/food-stamps/what-is-food-stamp-fraud
Myth #4: “SNAP Benefits Go to Undocumented Immigrants”
Fact: Undocumented immigrants have never been eligible for federal SNAP benefits.
Sources:
- Propel App. Can Undocumented Immigrants Get SNAP? 2024. https://www.propel.app/snap/can-undocumented-immigrants-get-snap
- National Immigration Forum. Fact Sheet: Immigrants and Public Benefits. 2024. https://forumtogether.org/article/fact-sheet-immigrants-and-public-benefits
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service. Policy on Non-Citizens and SNAP Eligibility. https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/non-citizen-policy
- LegalClarity. Can Non-Citizens Qualify for Food Stamps? 2024. https://legalclarity.org/can-non-citizens-qualify-for-food-stamps