The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as SNAP, unexpectedly took center stage in debates over the federal government shutdown.
As funding for the program, formerly known as Food Stamps, ran out in October, Congress, President Donald Trump, and the federal courts have wrestled with what to do about feeding millions of Americans who depend on this benefit each month.
SNAP has grown in size and cost since its inception in 1964, as have many other social welfare programs.
Here’s a closer look at the program, what it costs, the participation rates in different states, and how it came to has top $100 billion per year….