Historic Increase to SNAP Benefits ‘A Step in the Right Direction’

Save the Children – together with its political advocacy arm, Save the Children Action Network – is thrilled by announcement that the Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will rise by 25 percent, on average, above pre-pandemic levels. This is the largest benefit increase in the history of the SNAP program – formerly known as food stamps – that serves over 42 million Americans, including millions of children on the brink of starvation. Distressingly, since the onset of COVID-19, 17 million children have gone hungry, with 2021 projections showing that 13 million children may experience hunger this year alone.

“Over the last year and a half, we have seen hunger in America – particularly child hunger – skyrocket, shedding light on the deep-rooted inadequacies of our country’s food assistance programs,” said Christy Gleason, Vice President of Policy, Advocacy and Campaigns for Save the Children. “Today’s news is a crucial step in the right direction. While there is still more to be done, this increase will undoubtedly help alleviate the child hunger exacerbated by the pandemic, and impact the 13 million children projected to go hungry this year.”

When children go hungry, their physical, mental and educational development – as well as their likelihood to break the cycle of poverty – is severely hindered in the short- and long-term. That’s why Save the Children and Save the Children Action Network have worked tirelessly to combat the increasing rates of child hunger facing the country. Since the start of the pandemic, Save the Children Action Network’s grassroots advocates have sent over 228,000 messages to lawmakers, urging them to ensure kids have access to the nutrition they need to succeed – and thrive – in school and in life. And Save the Children has helped distribute more than 36.5 million meals to children in some of the country’s most impoverished, rural communities.

Save the Children – together with Save the Children Action Network – will continue to work with the Biden administration, the USDA and Congress and advocate for bipartisan solutions to ensure children get the nutrition they need.

Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. Since our founding more than 100 years ago, we’ve changed the lives of more than 1 billion children. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share.