Barriers that Constrain the Adequacy of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Allotments

This study identifies the barriers that SNAP participants face when trying to achieve a healthy diet through a nationally representative survey of SNAP participants.  The study identifies the individual, household, and environmental barriers faced by SNAP participants that prevent them from having access to a healthy diet throughout the month; describes the interaction between these barriers; describes the nature of the barriers and the coping strategies used; and identifies any associations with household food insecurity.

Key findings in this report include: 

• 88 percent of SNAP participants reported facing some type of barrier to achieving a healthy diet throughout the month.
• The most common barrier overall, reported by 61 percent of SNAP participants, was the affordability of foods that are part of a healthy diet. 
• Two barriers – affordability and lack of cooking equipment or storage – were associated with household food insecurity.