Many people are on EBT, which is the card used for SNAP and other benefits, because economic conditions and program design make it a widely used safety net. First, wages for many low-wage jobs have not kept pace with rising costs for housing, food, childcare, and healthcare, so even working families qualify for help. Second, eligibility thresholds are set to assist households up to 130 percent of the federal poverty level for gross income, which includes a large portion of the working poor. Third, during economic downturns, job losses and reduced hours push more people onto the program, and enrollment remains elevated until wages and employment recover. Fourth, states have adopted broad-based categorical eligibility and simplified application processes that make it easier for eligible households to apply and stay enrolled. Fifth, increased awareness and outreach, especially during the pandemic, brought in eligible families who had not previously participated. Finally, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is an entitlement, meaning anyone who meets the federal eligibility criteria is entitled to benefits, unlike some programs with waiting lists. These factors together result in millions of households using EBT each month.
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