A new peer-reviewed article published in Nature Food provides one of the most comprehensive assessments to date of how recent and historical policy changes to the US Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) affect food security, labor markets and household well-being.

Co-authored by Dr. Vincenzina Caputo (Michigan State University) and Dr. David R. Just (Cornell University), the review, “Adjustments, evidence and political tensions in the US Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program,” comes at a critical moment as the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) ushers in the most significant restructuring of SNAP in over a decade.

SNAP, the nation’s largest food assistance program, supports over 40 million Americans each year. The new Nature Food analysis examines six decades of legislative changes, empirical economic evidence and current political debates to clarify what policy reforms are most effective, and which may undermine program goals.

Key Findings

1. Work requirements reduce participation without improving employment.
The OBBBA expands work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs). The authors find that similar policies in the past led to substantial drops in program participation, up to 64% increases in program exits, yet produced little to no sustained gains in employment.

2. Administrative burdens, not eligibility, drive much of the enrollment gap.
Many eligible households fail to enroll due to complex paperwork, documentation demands and recertification procedures. Streamlining enrollment substantially increases take-up and reduces food insecurity.

3. Spending restrictions on “unhealthy” foods may have limited effectiveness.
Six states have recently received USDA waivers to restrict purchases of items such as sugar-sweetened beverages. Evidence shows such restrictions are typically offset by households substituting cash for the banned items unless paired with positive incentives (e.g., fruit-and-vegetable subsidies).

4. Benefit adequacy remains a central challenge, especially under high food inflation.
SNAP benefits have not kept pace with the rising cost of food. Local price variation means many households face inadequate support even when receiving maximum benefits. Reforms to better align benefits with local food prices could significantly reduce food insecurity.

5. SNAP is now a cornerstone of the US social safety net.
The authors highlight SNAP’s evolution from a coupon system to a broader platform affecting food security, public health and economic stability, including its stabilizing role during crises such as the Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Policy Recommendations

Drawing on historical evidence and causal research, the authors recommend:

- Avoid expanding work requirements without strong supporting services, as such requirements risk increasing food insecurity without increasing employment.

- Update benefit calculations to better reflect local food prices and contemporary consumption patterns.

- Simplify enrollment and recertification processes to close persistent participation gaps.

- Integrate positive nutrition incentives directly into Electronic Benefits Transfer systems to promote healthier diets without reducing household autonomy.

The full article is available in Nature Food: Adjustments, evidence and political tensions in the US Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (2025).