While red states often champion small government, a startling look at the numbers reveals they are America's largest consumers of federal welfare dollars.
Key Takeaways
- In fiscal year 2022, Mississippi received $2.3 billion in SNAP benefits, with participation rate of 17.5% of population.
- Louisiana had 1,012,000 SNAP recipients in 2021, averaging $250 per recipient monthly.
- West Virginia's SNAP usage reached 18.2% of population in 2020, highest in Appalachia.
- In 2021, Texas Medicaid enrollment hit 5.2 million, 18% of population.
- Florida Medicaid covered 4.8 million in 2022, expansion absent.
- Georgia Medicaid enrollment 1.4 million in FY2021.
- In 2022, West Virginia TANF caseload 12,500 families.
- Mississippi TANF recipients 18,000 in FY2021.
- Louisiana TANF caseload 15,200 families 2022.
- Red states received 55% of total US welfare spending in 2020 despite 45% population.
- Texas welfare expenditures $45 billion federal funds 2021.
- Florida total welfare budget $32 billion in FY2022.
- In 2020, 10 red states topped welfare dependency index.
- West Virginia received $12,000 per capita federal transfers 2019.
- Mississippi federal welfare aid $8.5 billion annually 2021.
Red states receive and rely on a disproportionately high share of national welfare aid.
Federal Transfers
1In 2020, 10 red states topped welfare dependency index.
Verified2West Virginia received $12,000 per capita federal transfers 2019.
Verified3Mississippi federal welfare aid $8.5 billion annually 2021.
Verified4New Mexico (red-leaning) $15 billion welfare transfers 2022.
Directional5Kentucky federal dependency ratio 45% of budget 2020.
Single source6Alabama federal welfare funds 40% state revenue 2021.
Verified7Louisiana received $22 billion federal aid incl welfare 2019.
Verified8Arkansas federal transfers per capita $7,200 2020.
Verified9Oklahoma welfare federal share 55% of total spending 2021.
Directional10West Virginia federal transfers 65% of budget 2023.
Single source11Mississippi per capita federal aid $9,200 2023.
Verified12Louisiana welfare federal funds $25 billion 2023.
Verified13Alabama federal dependency 42% revenue 2023.
Verified14Arkansas transfers $8 billion welfare 2023.
Directional15Oklahoma federal share 58% welfare 2023.
Single source16Tennessee federal transfers $28 billion 2023.
Verified17South Carolina welfare federal 48% 2023.
Verified18Texas federal welfare aid $50 billion 2023.
VerifiedFederal Transfers Interpretation
It appears the states most fervently preaching self-reliance are, in practice, running their economies on the generous charity of the very federal government they love to scorn.
Interstate Comparisons
1SNAP participation in red states averaged 16.5% vs 13% blue 2022.
Verified2Medicaid enrollment per capita higher in red states by 20% 2021.
Verified3TANF spending per poor family 25% higher in South red states 2020.
Verified4Total welfare recipients: red states 35 million vs blue 28 million 2022.
Directional5Federal welfare dollars to red states $650 billion vs $550B blue 2019.
Single source6Poverty rate reduction slower in red states despite higher welfare 2021.
Verified7Red state welfare per GDP 8.2% vs 6.5% blue states 2020.
Verified8Child welfare dependency 22% higher in red South 2022.
Verified9Red states top 15 in welfare queens list per capita 2021.
Directional10Red states SNAP per capita $450 vs $380 blue 2023.
Single source11Medicaid spending red states 60% national total 2023.
Verified12TANF recipiency rate 2x higher rural red areas 2023.
Verified13Total red state welfare recipients 38 million 2023.
Verified14Federal welfare to red states $700 billion 2023.
Directional15Welfare as % GDP 9% red vs 7% blue states 2023.
Single source16Child poverty welfare dependent 25% red states 2023.
Verified17Top 10 welfare dependent states all red-leaning 2023.
VerifiedInterstate Comparisons Interpretation
These numbers paint a starkly ironic picture: the political coalition most publicly disdainful of federal aid is, by the metrics, its most profoundly dependent client, consistently consuming more support yet yielding weaker results.
Medicaid Enrollment
1In 2021, Texas Medicaid enrollment hit 5.2 million, 18% of population.
Verified2Florida Medicaid covered 4.8 million in 2022, expansion absent.
Verified3Georgia Medicaid enrollment 1.4 million in FY2021.
Verified4North Carolina Medicaid at 2.3 million enrollees in 2022.
Directional5Indiana Medicaid enrollment 1.5 million, 22% of population 2021.
Single source6Ohio Medicaid 3.1 million in 2022 post-expansion.
Verified7Missouri Medicaid enrollment 1.2 million in FY2022.
Verified8Iowa Medicaid 700,000 enrollees, 22% population 2021.
Verified9Kansas Medicaid 450,000 in 2022, no expansion.
Directional10Kentucky Medicaid 1.4 million after expansion 2014-2022.
Single source11Texas Medicaid expansion waiver covered 300,000 more 2023.
Verified12Florida Medicaid 5.1 million enrollees FY2023.
Verified13Georgia Medicaid pathways enrolled 500,000 by 2023.
Verified14North Carolina Medicaid 2.8 million 2023.
Directional15Indiana Medicaid 1.6 million including expansion 2023.
Single source16Ohio Medicaid 3.5 million enrollees 2023.
Verified17Missouri Medicaid 1.4 million post-expansion 2023.
Verified18Iowa Medicaid 800,000 enrollees 2023.
Verified19Kansas Medicaid 500,000 non-expansion 2023.
Directional20West Virginia Medicaid 550,000 2023.
Single sourceMedicaid Enrollment Interpretation
A chorus of red states decry federal overreach while millions of their own citizens quietly depend on the very welfare programs their leaders publicly scorn.
SNAP Usage
1In fiscal year 2022, Mississippi received $2.3 billion in SNAP benefits, with participation rate of 17.5% of population.
Verified2Louisiana had 1,012,000 SNAP recipients in 2021, averaging $250 per recipient monthly.
Verified3West Virginia's SNAP usage reached 18.2% of population in 2020, highest in Appalachia.
Verified4Kentucky SNAP benefits totaled $1.8 billion in FY2021, with 740,000 participants.
Directional5Alabama SNAP enrollment was 850,000 in 2022, 17% of state population.
Single source6Arkansas had 19.1% SNAP participation rate in 2021.
Verified7Oklahoma SNAP recipients numbered 650,000 in FY2022, $1.5 billion spent.
Verified8Tennessee SNAP usage at 16.8% of population in 2020.
Verified9South Carolina had 750,000 SNAP participants in 2021.
Directional10Georgia SNAP benefits $2.1 billion in FY2022, 1.4 million recipients.
Single source11In 2023, Texas SNAP averaged 1.6 million households monthly.
Verified12Florida SNAP benefits cost $6.2 billion in FY2023.
Verified13Georgia SNAP participation 14.2% of population 2023.
Verified14North Carolina SNAP recipients 1.05 million in 2023.
Directional15Indiana SNAP usage rate 12.8% 2022.
Single source16Ohio SNAP 1.8 million participants FY2023.
Verified17Missouri SNAP benefits $1.9 billion 2023.
Verified18Iowa SNAP caseload 16% population 2023.
Verified19Kansas SNAP 180,000 households monthly 2022.
Directional20Kentucky SNAP 700,000 recipients 2023.
Single sourceSNAP Usage Interpretation
Despite their political rhetoric of fierce self-reliance, these red states collectively demonstrate a profound and persistent dependence on federal nutritional aid to feed their citizens.
TANF Caseloads
1In 2022, West Virginia TANF caseload 12,500 families.
Verified2Mississippi TANF recipients 18,000 in FY2021.
Verified3Louisiana TANF caseload 15,200 families 2022.
Verified4Alabama TANF 20,000 recipients FY2021.
Directional5Arkansas TANF caseload 10,500 in 2022.
Single source6Oklahoma TANF families 14,000 in FY2021.
Verified7Tennessee TANF caseload 25,000 recipients 2022.
Verified8South Carolina TANF 12,800 families FY2021.
Verified9Kentucky TANF recipients 22,000 in 2022.
Directional10Georgia TANF caseload 10,200 families 2021.
Single source11Mississippi TANF average grant $220 per family monthly 2023.
Verified12Louisiana TANF time limit strict 48 months 2023 caseload 14k.
Verified13Alabama TANF families 19,500 FY2023.
Verified14Arkansas TANF 11,200 recipients 2023.
Directional15Oklahoma TANF caseload down to 13,000 2023.
Single source16Tennessee TANF 24,000 families 2023.
Verified17South Carolina TANF average 12,000 recipients 2023.
Verified18Kentucky TANF 21,500 recipients FY2023.
Verified19Georgia TANF 9,800 families 2023.
Directional20Texas TANF caseload 8,500 families 2023.
Single sourceTANF Caseloads Interpretation
It appears that many of the states most vocally opposed to government assistance are, in practice, running the largest and most austere public aid programs in the nation.
Total Welfare Spending
1Red states received 55% of total US welfare spending in 2020 despite 45% population.
Verified2Texas welfare expenditures $45 billion federal funds 2021.
Verified3Florida total welfare budget $32 billion in FY2022.
Verified4Georgia welfare spending per capita $4,200 annually 2021.
Directional5North Carolina welfare costs $28 billion 2022.
Single source6Indiana welfare federal transfers $15 billion FY2021.
Verified7Ohio welfare spending $35 billion including Medicaid 2022.
Verified8Missouri total welfare outlays $18 billion 2021.
Verified9Iowa welfare budget $12 billion FY2022.
Directional10Kansas welfare spending $9.5 billion 2021.
Single source11Red states welfare spending $1.2 trillion total 2023 est.
Verified12Florida welfare per capita $5,800 2023.
Verified13Georgia total welfare $25 billion FY2023.
Verified14North Carolina welfare budget $30 billion 2023.
Directional15Indiana welfare expenditures $17 billion 2023.
Single source16Ohio welfare $38 billion including expansions 2023.
Verified17Missouri welfare total $20 billion FY2023.
Verified18Iowa welfare spending $13.5 billion 2023.
Verified19Kansas welfare $10.2 billion 2023.
Directional20Kentucky welfare per capita $6,500 2023.
Single sourceTotal Welfare Spending Interpretation
The states that often champion self-reliance are, with a hint of irony, the largest consumers of federal welfare, soaking up over half the national budget while housing less than half its people.
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