Food Stamps: Does SNAP Affect The Economy

The government spent $76 billion on SNAP benefits in 2014. Are the benefits of SNAP worth the amount spent on it, and does this program effect the economy negatively? Food Stamps are given to people who are below the poverty line. Not all people think that Food Stamps should be available because they think if people are poor, they should get a job rather than rely on the government to give them money. Food Stamps help poor people and should continue to be available because they prevent hunger, help poverty-stricken families, and boost the economy. SNAP is a government program considered by many to be “the nation’s most important anti-hunger program”. It has helped more than 46 million Americans get a nutritious diet (“Policy Basics”). SNAP helps pay for food by giving a certain amount of Food Stamps, depending on household size, income, and expenses, to households that are below the poverty line (“What is the SNAP”). It was originally created for low-income people to get food that was in surplus. Eventually, the program

Food Stamps boost the economy by “creating markets, and spurring economic growth and jobs in urban and rural communities” (Weill). SNAP benefits can help the economy by getting money into it quickly. In a weak economy, “a $1 increase in SNAP benefits generates about $1.70 in economic activity” (“Policy Basics”). This is a very beneficial thing to have, considering the times we are in. Eventually the people that are in the most trouble will benefit from the program by creating an environment where they can find jobs and earn enough money to support themselves and their family. This increase in the wealth of families will improve our economy drastically. There will be more money floating around in the economy due to an increase in spending. The SNAP program allows people to stabilize themselves financially, which will increase their spending, overall helping the economy in the long