Many Low-Income Households Have Cut Their Grocery Budgets In Recent Months To Cope With Food Inflation

Analysts and supporters warn that progress in tackling poverty and food insecurity will falter rapidly as federal pandemic aid that boosted food stamp benefits expires this year.

Food SNAP ( Photo: Supermarket Perimeter )

The divergence shows that food inflation is disproportionately affecting consumers, even as price increases slow across the economy

The cost of food eaten at home continued to rise by 5.8% year-on-year last month, exceeding the headline inflation rate of 4%. The average monthly SNAP benefit fell to $204.54 in March from $248.93 in February, the last month before the expiration, according to the latest federal government data. As of March, more than 22 million households have enrolled in the program. The report comes weeks after a bipartisan debt limit agreement imposed tougher work requirements on many single SNAP recipients in their early 50s in exchange for more relaxed requirements for veterans, the homeless and young people coming out of foster care.

As of March, more than 22 million households have enrolled in the program

According to the most recent federal data available, the average monthly SNAP benefit fell from $248.93 in February, the last month before the expiration took effect, to $204.54 in March. Conservative economists and policymakers argue that generous aid to SNAP is inadequate given the country’s still-hot job market and that the program is pulling too many people out of the workforce. Some claim it keeps them away.

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