The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Analysis

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The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (S.N.A.P.) is a federal program founded in 1964, with the purpose of reducing hunger and malnutrition in the United States. Low-income families and individuals that qualify for this federal assistance can buy food every month in the form of an electronic benefit transfer (EBT). These EBT cards are similar to debit card; cardholder’s recipient can use their cash benefits or buy eligible food at most stores and retailers. Over the years S.N.A.P expenses have dramatically increase. S.N.A.P needs reform due to the never-ending of the amount of waste, fraud, and abuse.

Considering that S.NA.P has helped many low-income families, disable, aged and able-bodied without dependents to overcome their financial situation. Opposing views claim that S.N.A.P is doing what it is suppose to do, which is to provide assistance to all needy American (Kearney and Harris). S.N.A.P also fights poverty helping families and individuals when unemployment and wages are low. Moreover, recipients only rely on S.N.A.P as a temporary resource not as a permanent benefit (Kearney and Harris). Supporter of S.N.A.P also point out that president Barack Obama suspended the work requirement with the only reason: people could not find employment (Cohn, Jonathan). In addition, many more individuals have been enrolling into S.N.A.P because they cannot afford to buy food to feed their families due to the high unemployment or little income. (Cohn, Jonathan). However, opponents propose that the percentage of individuals enrolling into S.N.A.P will return to the numbers that we saw in the 1990s, once the economy recovers.

In the other hand, one of the biggest concerns about S.N.A.P. is that “The food stamp is the second most...

... middle of paper ...

...12. Web. 07 Apr. 2014.

Hoynes, Hilary Williamson & Schanzenbach, Diane Whitmore, 2012. "Work incentives

and the Food Stamp Program," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 96(1),

pages 151-162.

Hoar, WP 2013, Price Tag for Free Federal Food Approaches $80 Billion, New American (08856540), 29, 13, pp. 41-42, Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 13 February 2014.

Kearney, Melissa S., and Benjamin H. Harris. "Hunger And The Important Role Of SNAP As Part Of The American Safety Net." The Brookings Institution. Brookings, 22 Nov. 2013. Web. 07 Apr. 2014.

Rector, Robert, and Katherine Bradley. "Reforming the Food Stamp Program." The

Heritage Foundation. N.p., 25 July 2012. Web. 01 Mar. 2014.

Tanner, Michael. "Snap Failure: The Food Stamp Program Needs Reform." Cato Institute. Cato Institute, 16 Oct. 2013. Web. 02 Apr. 2014.

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