Recently, House Republicans approved a budget resolution indicating the likelihood of major cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), therefore affecting perhaps millions of Americans who depend on the program for food affordability.
This action comes as new analysis by Trace One shows which states most rely on SNAP benefits; Kentucky stands out as one of the states with above-average participation rates.
Kentucky’s Heavy Reliance on SNAP
According to Trace One’s analysis, which used the latest statistics from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Census Bureau, 13.2% of Kentucky’s residents and 14.9% of households get SNAP benefits—both figures exceeding the national averages of 12.3% and 16.8%, respectively. With the state distributing over $1.15 billion yearly in food assistance, 595,220 people and 276,406 households in Kentucky rely on SNAP raw figures.
“SNAP plays a significant role in reducing food insecurity, particularly in rural and low-income communities across the state,” said Chief Product Officer of Trace One Antoine Daviet. “Data shows that a large portion of Kentucky households relying on SNAP include children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. Removing these benefits could lead to increased financial strain, higher demand on food banks and community support programs, and potential negative effects on health outcomes.”
Individuals in Kentucky get $161 on average; households get $347, somewhat below the national averages of $188 and $352, respectively. Kentucky’s poverty rate of 16.4%, much higher than the national rate of 12.5%, contributes to the state’s strong reliance on food assistance programs.
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Potential Impact of Proposed SNAP Cuts
With one in eight Kentuckians getting SNAP assistance, program changes may leave hundreds of thousands of families trying to make ends meet vulnerable. Reducing SNAP payments might aggravate food poverty, particularly in places with greater poverty rates like Kentucky, according to critics of the suggested reforms.
Historically, modifications to SNAP have represented a compromise between economic discipline and retaining important support for vulnerable populations. The present Republican plan, however, may lead to tougher work requirements, restrictions on the kinds of food that may be bought, and a general cut in program spending.
Nationally, SNAP serves a broad demographic, with children making up 33% of recipients and adults aged 30 to 49 accounting for 25.1%. Women represent a modest majority of grantees at 54%, and racial differences are also noticeable. While non-Hispanic White persons make up 36.1% of SNAP participants, Black (22.7%) and Hispanic (29.1%) individuals are disproportionately represented, underscoring the program’s vital role in tackling systemic disparities.
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Kentucky in the Broader National Context
Kentucky’s SNAP participation rate is among the highest in the Midwest and Southern regions, where food poverty remains a persistent concern. Other Southern states, such as Louisiana (18.5%), Oklahoma (16.9%), and West Virginia (15.7%), show equally high levels of dependency on food aid.
While the South has higher poverty rates, SNAP enrollment in several Western and Northeastern states also exceeds national norms due to more inclusive eligibility policies and intensive outreach efforts. Conversely, states like Utah and Wyoming have the lowest participation rates at just 5%.
As Congress examines changes to the federal budget and SNAP funding, the stakes are particularly high for Kentucky families who depend on these benefits to put food on the table. Advocates for low-income areas worry that scaling back SNAP payments without providing viable alternatives could aggravate food insecurity and poverty in vulnerable neighborhoods.
For a full breakdown of SNAP participation across all 50 states and to examine the entire data, visit the full report from Trace One here
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This article appears in Mar 14-27, 2025.