Democrats and Republicans Want Higher SNAP Benefits as Grocery Bills Rise
Majorities of voters from both parties support higher SNAP benefits for people living alone, a new survey has found.
Recent polling reveals a strong bipartisan desire among Democrats and Republicans to increase Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits as grocery prices soar. Surveys conducted in 11 states and 28 competitive congressional districts found that a majority of voters from both parties support the raise. Democrats overwhelmingly backed higher benefits for individuals living alone, with 71-93% of Democrats in the surveyed areas favoring an increase, compared to 58-87% of Republicans.
Nationally, 88% of Democrats and 70% of Republicans supported the increase. When it came to single mothers, 58-80% of Democrats favored raising benefits, while 51-73% of Republicans did so in 10 of the 11 states and 19 of the 28 congressional districts. The proposed amount for SNAP assistance varied, with the median Democratic respondent selecting $250 and the median Republican choosing $200.
Groceries have risen 35% since 2016, with food eaten away from home increasing by 51% over the same period. Despite a recent slowdown in inflation, food prices remain significantly higher than before the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. Department of Agriculture expects grocery prices to rise 2.7% this year, while food away from home prices are projected to climb 3.5%.
Support for higher SNAP benefits extends to incentives for fruits and vegetables, with between 78-97% of Democrats in the surveyed areas backing discounts on fresh produce with SNAP benefits.
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