SNAP had a total cost of $71 billion in 2016 and benefited about 44.2 million Americans with an average of $125.5 per person per month. It is a large distinction comparing to when it started in 1969 with about $250.5 million of cost, 2.8 million participants and an average of $6.63 per person per month. One can see on the chart** (*3) that the participation and the given benefits vary yearly along with the economy, and there is a strong general trend of increase in cost(*4) over the years. Another noteworthy point is that the participation rate rose from an average of 3.82% of the population in the first five years (1969-73) to 14.46% in the past five years (2012-2016). This may seem as if the situation is deteriorating, but the data should be interpreted along with the average food insecurity rate at both times. While the percentage food insecurity population did go up, the increase is definitely not as dramatic. It illustrates that the growth in the participation rate is not caused by the raised food insecurity as much as the increase of public awareness. In other words, more people who need help are getting help, and that should be celebrated. Furthermore, the federal spending in recent years has in fact been decreasing along with the food insecurity rate. In the 2016 annual report provided by ERS, SNAP participation has been decreasing for three consecutive years, and its spending was 4 percent less than the previous year (*5). Evidence shows that progress is being made.

Since the programs are designed to help those who lack access, the application processes are rather convenient. One can choose to apply through a physical form from a local office nearby, through a local hotline, or online for many programs. The value of benefits received usually varies according to income, household size, and expenses. After application, participants either receive food directly, for instance in school lunch, or receive values that can be traded for food. To make sure benefits are used for their intended purposes, strict rules apply when it comes to what food are considered eligible. For SNAP, bread and cereal; fruits and vegetables; meats, fish and poultry; dairy products; seeds and plants which produce food for the household to eat can all be purchased using EBT. Non-eligible items include alcohol, tobacco, and “hot food”. Several times in history, SNAP has also considered placing limitations on non-nutritious food. The conclusion was it will be expensive and unrealistic to create such labels, therefore SNAP only strongly recommends against purchasing luxury food. However, doing so is not prohibited (*6).