As a part of the COVID policy, in 2020 and 2021, the Trump and Biden administrations expanded eligibility for those to get on welfare and state-run Medicaid.
According to the federal government, in 2024, there were just under 42 million Americans (12.3%) who participated in the food welfare program SNAP.
Jennifer Bash, editor at Reasonable Arguments, broke down the numbers during the government shutdown over funding of welfare programs and SNAP.
Bash’s research found that every single month, 72.5 million Americans, or 22% of the country, get some kind of government assistance. SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, TANF cash aid, housing vouchers, all of it.
“Nationwide, 65% of recipients are kids, seniors, or people with disabilities who genuinely need help. The other 35%, roughly 25 million able-bodied adults, could work but don’t. SNAP alone covers 3 million childless adults who are fully capable of working, and Medicaid expansion adds another 20 million working-age folks earning too little for private plans. Welcome to welfare nation,” says Bash.
While some may want to play the partisan label of who is government assistance, Bash says that debate doesn’t sell.
She says before anyone turns this into a red-versus-blue debate, red states average 40% on aid, blue states 33%. “The economy looks fine on paper with 2.5% GDP growth and 4.1% unemployment, but 60% of SNAP users already work.
Polls show that 65% and more of voter’s support having work requirements for those on welfare and Medicaid.
David Williams with the Taxpayers Protection Alliance says if the federal government would actually crack down fraud and on who’s eligible to be on government assistance and who isn’t, it could save billion each year.
On the issue of SNAP funding during the government shutdown, Bash says, “this wasn’t a mandate to dig in and fight. It was a massive blinking sign that says “Get to work.”
