How much did SNAP cost per month on average in 2023?

Executive summary — Clear numbers, explained differences

The most direct federal reporting yields an average monthly SNAP benefit of about $208.75 per person in fiscal year 2023, while household-level reporting shows an average household benefit of roughly $332 per month in 2023; converting that household figure by the reported average household size produces about $177 per person depending on the method. These divergent figures reflect different measurement choices — per-person versus per-household reporting, inclusion or exclusion of emergency allotments, and source timing — so the best-supported single per-person figure for FY2023 is $208.75 ^{[1] [2] [3]}.

1. Why published numbers disagree — follow the money and the denominator

Federal reports and news summaries use different units and datasets, producing systematically different averages. The USDA household profile report lists the average SNAP household benefit as $332 per month in FY2023, with an average household size of 1.9 people; dividing that household figure gives about $177 per person ^[2]. By contrast, the FY2023 SNAP State Activity Report and related federal tables present an average monthly benefit of $208.75 per person, based on total issuances divided by average monthly participation and dollar disbursements ^[1]. Other government summaries and media articles focused on later fiscal years cite figures around $187–$188, reflecting FY2024/FY2025 estimates or different inclusions such as administrative costs or changes after emergency allotments expired ^{[4] [5]}. These numeric gaps are methodological, not necessarily contradictory evidence of error.

2. How emergency allotments and timing move the averages

Fiscal years that include pandemic-era emergency allotments or other temporary policy changes show higher totals and therefore higher per-person averages. The FY2023 issuance total reported at about $106.9 billion included both normal benefit issuance and residual emergency allotments in some state accounting, which inflates per-person averages compared with post-emergency years ^[1]. Subsequent summaries for FY2024 and FY2025 show lower per-person averages ($187–$188) after emergency supplements ended, illustrating how policy timing shifts the headline number ^{[4] [5]}. When comparing years, it is essential to note whether numbers include emergency allotments, whether they count only benefits or also state administrative costs, and whether they are reported per household or per person.

3. Which figure is most appropriate for what question

Use the $332 per household figure when asking how much a typical SNAP household received monthly in 2023; use the $208.75 per person figure when asking about per-capita program benefit intensity; and use the $177 per person conversion when someone cites average household benefits and applies average household size to estimate per-person support ^{[2] [1]}. Policy analysts, budget offices, and newsrooms often prefer the per-person figure for cross-program comparisons, while program managers and state agencies often cite household averages because benefits are allocated at the household level. Each approach is valid but answers a different question.

4. What totals and participation tell the broader story

SNAP served roughly 42.1 million people on average per month in FY2023, with total benefits and issuance around $106.9 billion, and administrative costs reported separately ^[1]. Other federal summaries report total SNAP spending near $115 billion with about $107 billion going directly to benefits in calendar-year summaries, reflecting alternative accounting periods and inclusions ^[3]. These totals show SNAP’s scale: whether one uses per-person or per-household averages, the program is a multibillion-dollar federal entitlement reaching tens of millions of participants, and small changes in average benefit produce large fiscal shifts.

5. Source perspectives and potential agenda signals

USDA technical reports and state activity reports present multi-year tabulations and methodological notes and therefore prioritize completeness and consistent definitions ^{[1] [2]}. Media accounts focusing on program vulnerability during a budget impasse or shutdown often cite a round per-person figure (e.g., $187) to communicate urgency and the number of people affected; those pieces can understate methodological nuances for clarity ^{[6] [5]}. When reading claims, note whether authors are emphasizing program cost, participant hardship, or budgetary risk; those emphases influence which SNAP statistic is foregrounded even though the underlying datasets are the same ^{[4] [6]}.

Conclusion — Best concise answer: For fiscal year 2023 the strongest federal per-person estimate is $208.75 per month, while the commonly reported household average was $332 per month (about $177 per person when divided by the reported 1.9-person household). The apparent disagreements arise from different denominators and accounting choices, not from irreconcilable data ^{[1] [2] [3]}.