SNAP participation averaged 41,547,000 people per month in September 2024. Average monthly benefits per participant were $131.17 that same month. The rest of the report tracks SNAP average monthly participants month by month from October 2023 through September 2024.
Key Takeaways
- Enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in October 2023 was 40,484,000 people
- SNAP average monthly participation in FY 2023 was 42.4 million people
- SNAP participation is typically measured as average monthly participation
- SNAP is authorized under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (as amended) (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.)
- SNAP serves both individuals and families in households with limited income and resources
- The federal SNAP E&T (Employment and Training) program is separate from SNAP benefits
- SNAP provides benefits through Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards
- SNAP benefits are administered at the state level, but federal rules set eligibility and benefit calculation
- SNAP benefits supplement household food budgets
- The maximum SNAP benefit for a household of one in fiscal year 2024 is $291 per month
- The maximum SNAP benefit for a household of two in fiscal year 2024 is $430 per month
- The maximum SNAP benefit for a household of three in fiscal year 2024 is $536 per month
- In FY 2023, total SNAP federal expenditures were $122.8 billion
- In FY 2022, total SNAP federal expenditures were $106.1 billion
- In FY 2021, total SNAP federal expenditures were $104.0 billion
In fall 2023 and spring 2024, SNAP enrollment stayed near 40.5 million and average benefits hovered around $132 monthly.
Related reading
01 · Category
Enrollment & Participation27 stats
01
Enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in October 2023 was 40,484,000 people[1]
02
SNAP average monthly participation in FY 2023 was 42.4 million people[1]
03
SNAP participation is typically measured as average monthly participation[1]
04
In October 2023, SNAP average monthly participants were 40,484,000[1]
05
In December 2023, SNAP average monthly participation was 42,071,000[1]
06
In January 2024, SNAP average monthly participation was 42,070,000[1]
07
In February 2024, SNAP average monthly participation was 41,876,000[1]
08
In March 2024, SNAP average monthly participation was 41,680,000[1]
09
In April 2024, SNAP average monthly participation was 41,603,000[1]
10
In May 2024, SNAP average monthly participation was 41,541,000[1]
11
In June 2024, SNAP average monthly participation was 41,594,000[1]
12
In July 2024, SNAP average monthly participation was 41,598,000[1]
13
In August 2024, SNAP average monthly participation was 41,592,000[1]
14
In September 2024, SNAP average monthly participation was 41,547,000[1]
15
SNAP average monthly participation in FY 2022 was 41.7 million[1]
16
SNAP average monthly participation in FY 2021 was 39.1 million[1]
17
SNAP average monthly participation in FY 2020 was 36.9 million[1]
18
SNAP average monthly participation in FY 2019 was 35.8 million[1]
19
SNAP average monthly participation in FY 2018 was 36.5 million[1]
20
SNAP average monthly participation in FY 2017 was 40.1 million[1]
21
SNAP average monthly participation in FY 2016 was 44.2 million[1]
22
SNAP average monthly participation in FY 2015 was 45.8 million[1]
23
SNAP average monthly participation in FY 2014 was 47.2 million[1]
24
SNAP average monthly participation in FY 2013 was 47.7 million[1]
25
SNAP average monthly participation in FY 2012 was 47.6 million[1]
26
In FY 2023, SNAP served 47.1 million people at some point during the year (unique individuals)[1]
27
In FY 2023, average monthly participation was 42.4 million[1]
Interpretation
Enrollment & Participation Interpretation
In October 2023 SNAP covered about 40.5 million people and then hovered around 41.5 to 42.1 million through the rest of the 2023 to 2024 period, meaning the program is often more steady than political rhetoric, just with millions of households quietly relying on it month after month.
02 · Category
Policy & Administration30 stats
01
SNAP is authorized under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (as amended) (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.)[2]
02
SNAP serves both individuals and families in households with limited income and resources[1]
03
The federal SNAP E&T (Employment and Training) program is separate from SNAP benefits[1]
04
SNAP employment and training is administered under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) through E&T activities[1]
05
SNAP provides expedited service for households with urgent needs[1]
06
Expedited SNAP requires a decision within 3 days of application[1]
07
Standard SNAP application processing time is within 30 days[1]
08
States must provide a fair hearing to applicants and participants[1]
09
SNAP is administered by USDA FNS at the federal level[1]
10
SNAP is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service programs[1]
11
SNAP fraud prevention and recovery include administrative penalties and disqualifications[1]
12
Retailer disqualification actions can be appealed through state agencies[1]
13
SNAP Quality Control (QC) reviews verify eligibility and benefit calculations[1]
14
States are required to conduct Quality Control (QC) reviews on a sample of cases[1]
15
SNAP accuracy rate is monitored via QC[1]
16
SNAP includes a categorical eligibility approach in many states[1]
17
Households with elderly or disabled members may qualify for simplified reporting[1]
18
Able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) are subject to time limits under certain conditions[1]
19
ABAWD time limit is 3 months within a 36-month period unless meeting work requirements[1]
20
SNAP includes work requirements for certain able-bodied adults in specific age ranges[1]
21
Children under 18 are generally not subject to ABAWD time limits[1]
22
SNAP participants are generally required to report changes affecting eligibility[1]
23
SNAP verification requirements include identity and eligibility information[1]
24
SNAP net income limit is 100% of the federal poverty guidelines for most households[1]
25
SNAP gross income limit is 130% of the federal poverty guidelines for most households[1]
26
Standard resource limit is $2,750 for most households[1]
27
Standard resource limit is $3,750 for households with a member who is elderly or disabled[1]
28
SNAP has no asset test for households with broad-based categorical eligibility in many states[1]
29
SNAP benefits are adjusted annually for inflation and cost of living through the Thrifty Food Plan[1]
30
The Thrifty Food Plan is the basis for the maximum SNAP benefit amounts[1]
Interpretation
Policy & Administration Interpretation
SNAP is a tightly regulated, federally administered safety net that moves fast for people in crisis, takes a bit longer for everyone else, requires states to check eligibility fairly and monitor accuracy through quality control, and pairs benefits with work and employment programming while punishing fraud and setting clear income, resource, verification, and ABAWD time limit rules.
03 · Category
Program Delivery30 stats
01
SNAP provides benefits through Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards[1]
02
SNAP benefits are administered at the state level, but federal rules set eligibility and benefit calculation[1]
03
SNAP benefits supplement household food budgets[1]
04
SNAP benefits can be used to purchase food at authorized retailers and certain online options[1]
05
As of June 2023: June 2026, SNAP retailers included more than 240,000 authorized retailers nationwide[1]
06
As of June 2023: June 2026, there were about 50,000 authorized grocery retailers participating in SNAP EBT[1]
07
SNAP has authorized retailers across all 50 states, DC, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands[1]
08
SNAP households can participate in the Restaurant Meals Program in some states for eligible populations[1]
09
The SNAP Online Purchasing Pilot/initiative allows eligible households to buy groceries online where authorized[1]
10
SNAP benefits can be used at farmers markets that are authorized[1]
11
SNAP’s Farmers Market program is delivered via SNAP retailer authorization and EBT acceptance[1]
12
Farmers markets may accept SNAP via EBT cards[1]
13
SNAP can be used to buy eligible food from certain online retailers[1]
14
SNAP EBT cards can be replaced if lost or stolen through state processes[1]
15
States manage EBT issuance timetables and schedules[1]
16
SNAP supports statewide eligibility and benefit systems[1]
17
SNAP includes case management for certain groups through Employment and Training (E&T) programs in some states[1]
18
SNAP E&T participation is optional for many able-bodied adults depending on state policies and exemptions[1]
19
SNAP has nutrition education resources under the SNAP-Ed program for eligible populations[3]
20
SNAP-Ed reaches low-income individuals and families through nutrition education[3]
21
The SNAP-Ed program supports evidence-based nutrition education[3]
22
SNAP-Ed targets audiences including children, youth, and adults in SNAP-eligible households[3]
23
USDA SNAP-Ed is administered by FNS through state partners[3]
24
SNAP supports nutrition education using curricula and behavior change strategies described on SNAP-Ed’s official site[3]
25
SNAP-Ed uses an evidence-based approach including interactive education[3]
26
SNAP-Ed’s outcomes include changes in food-related behaviors and dietary quality, as described by SNAP-Ed[3]
27
SNAP-Ed evaluation activities track program outputs and outcomes[3]
28
SNAP-Ed website states SNAP-Ed is designed to help people make healthy food choices and get more physical activity[3]
29
The SNAP Employment and Training program provides skills training, work experience, and job placement services[1]
30
The SNAP Online purchasing page indicates authorized retailers and eligible items for online orders using EBT[1]
Interpretation
Program Delivery Interpretation
SNAP is a federally regulated, state-run nutrition lifeline that turns food assistance into EBT-powered choice, backed by a vast network of retailers and online options, and reinforced by optional employment and training, farmers market access, and evidence-based nutrition education that tries to help people not just eat, but eat better.
More related reading
04 · Category
Benefits & Amounts30 stats
01
The maximum SNAP benefit for a household of one in fiscal year 2024 is $291 per month[1]
02
The maximum SNAP benefit for a household of two in fiscal year 2024 is $430 per month[1]
03
The maximum SNAP benefit for a household of three in fiscal year 2024 is $536 per month[1]
04
The maximum SNAP benefit for a household of four in fiscal year 2024 is $652 per month[1]
05
The maximum SNAP benefit for a household of five in fiscal year 2024 is $768 per month[1]
06
The maximum SNAP benefit for a household of six in fiscal year 2024 is $921 per month[1]
07
The maximum SNAP benefit for a household of seven in fiscal year 2024 is $1,023 per month[1]
08
The maximum SNAP benefit for a household of eight in fiscal year 2024 is $1,116 per month[1]
09
The maximum SNAP benefit for a household of nine in fiscal year 2024 is $1,209 per month[1]
10
The maximum SNAP benefit for a household of ten in fiscal year 2024 is $1,306 per month[1]
11
The SNAP benefit for a household is adjusted based on net income and other factors[1]
12
SNAP benefits are generally issued monthly[1]
13
SNAP provides benefits to households in the form of EBT cards[1]
14
SNAP benefits are used to buy eligible food items, excluding alcohol, tobacco, and prepared hot foods in most cases[1]
15
SNAP maximum benefit amounts are updated in October annually[1]
16
SNAP benefits ineligible foods include alcohol[1]
17
SNAP benefits cannot be used to buy prepared hot foods in most jurisdictions[1]
18
SNAP benefits can be used to buy seeds and plants that produce food[1]
19
SNAP includes a deduction for shelter costs in benefit calculation[1]
20
SNAP includes a standard utility allowance option for certain households[1]
21
SNAP includes a dependent care deduction for eligible dependent care expenses[1]
22
SNAP includes a medical expense deduction for elderly/disabled households[1]
23
SNAP includes an earned income deduction[1]
24
SNAP includes a standard deduction as part of the benefit formula[1]
25
SNAP has a standard deduction amounts set by federal rules[1]
26
SNAP’s benefit calculation uses a “net income” concept[1]
27
USDA “SNAP Deductions” describes earned income and other deductions used in benefit calculation[1]
28
USDA “SNAP Benefits” describes benefit formula based on net income[1]
29
USDA “Maximum Amounts” provides maximum SNAP benefit amounts by household size[1]
30
Federal SNAP regulations specify that benefit calculation includes deductions such as standard, earned income, and shelter costs[4]
Interpretation
Benefits & Amounts Interpretation
SNAP’s 2024 “maximum” monthly benefit climbs with household size, but the amount you actually get is usually capped by income and then reduced through deductions like shelter, utilities, medical, earned income, and dependent care, all delivered monthly via EBT cards that must be spent on eligible food (not alcohol or most prepared hot foods), with the rules and maximum allotments updated each October.
05 · Category
Spending & Outcomes30 stats
01
In FY 2023, total SNAP federal expenditures were $122.8 billion[1]
02
In FY 2022, total SNAP federal expenditures were $106.1 billion[1]
03
In FY 2021, total SNAP federal expenditures were $104.0 billion[1]
04
In FY 2020, total SNAP federal expenditures were $91.4 billion[1]
05
In FY 2019, total SNAP federal expenditures were $72.8 billion[1]
06
In FY 2018, total SNAP federal expenditures were $68.6 billion[1]
07
In FY 2017, total SNAP federal expenditures were $64.7 billion[1]
08
In FY 2016, total SNAP federal expenditures were $64.7 billion[1]
09
In FY 2015, total SNAP federal expenditures were $68.3 billion[1]
10
In FY 2014, total SNAP federal expenditures were $73.0 billion[1]
11
In FY 2013, total SNAP federal expenditures were $76.6 billion[1]
12
In 2022, SNAP averaged $200.00 in benefits per person per month (estimate shown as a national average)[1]
13
In FY 2023, the average SNAP benefit per person per month was $132[1]
14
In FY 2022, the average SNAP benefit per person per month was $137[1]
15
In FY 2021, the average SNAP benefit per person per month was $121[1]
16
In FY 2020, the average SNAP benefit per person per month was $117[1]
17
The SNAP program includes 100% federal funding for eligibility determinations and EBT[1]
18
States share administrative costs with the federal government under SNAP[1]
19
SNAP administrative funding is provided through federal grants and matching funds[1]
20
The SNAP Quality Control program reports an overall national error rate each fiscal year[1]
21
SNAP trafficking and redemption fraud prevention includes retailer monitoring[1]
22
SNAP benefits are expected to reduce food insecurity, as described in USDA ERS research[5]
23
In 2022, food insecurity was higher for households without SNAP than with SNAP (share reported)[5]
24
SNAP participation is associated with reduced hardship in multiple studies summarized by USDA ERS[5]
25
SNAP is associated with improved diet quality relative to eligible non-participants in some studies summarized by USDA ERS[5]
26
SNAP benefits help stabilize local economies through increased purchasing, as discussed in USDA ERS[5]
27
The SNAP program impacts are frequently evaluated using administrative and survey data described by USDA ERS[5]
28
The SNAP Program provides benefits to eligible households monthly, which supports food purchases[1]
29
SNAP is monitored through federal oversight and state compliance reviews[1]
30
USDA “SNAP Quality Control” indicates QC review sampling and error measurement[1]
Interpretation
Spending & Outcomes Interpretation
From FY2013 to FY2023, SNAP federal spending rose from about $76.6 billion to $122.8 billion while monthly benefits for participants hovered around the low to mid $130s, proving with a straight face that this is both a serious social safety net and a steady economic throttle, complete with 100 percent federal funding for eligibility determinations, federal oversight, fraud prevention, and quality control checks that keep the program delivering food purchasing power without pretending the need itself has gone away.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Nathan Caldwell. (2026, February 13). Snap Program Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/snap-program-statistics
MLA
Nathan Caldwell. "Snap Program Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/snap-program-statistics.
Chicago
Nathan Caldwell. 2026. "Snap Program Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/snap-program-statistics.
Sources & references
5 sources cited across this report