A Brighter, Healthier Future for SNAP: How Benefit Restrictions and Administrative Change Can Ensure a more Effective SNAP

Abstract

SNAP is the largest and most important food program in the Federal Safety Net. Unfortunately, it does not currently meet its dual mandate of reducing food insecurity and improving nutritional outcomes. While it does reduce food insecurity for participants, their nutritional outcomes are equivalent or worse than income eligible peers. This paper explores administrative changes and benefit restrictions that make SNAP more efficient as well as improve nutritional outcomes for participants.