FEBRUARY 2021

SNAP Households Survey -
February Results

Fresh EBT is a free mobile app that helps over 4 million low-income families manage their SNAP benefits. Through the app, users can access daily savings, income-eligible programs, and local employment opportunities, all available from partner organizations.

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February 2021 key findings

The following insights come from a 10-minute multiple choice and open response survey conducted by Fresh EBT to a random sample of 5,957 Fresh EBT users from February 1 - 14, 2021. All respondents are EBT cardholders.

Second stimulus payment has reached many more, but still fewer Black and Latinx households

Food insecurity continues to drop from December peak

First gains in employment, but inequitably distributed across racial groups

Housing instability has increased, reaching a new peak

insight1

INSIGHT 01

More respondents have received the second stimulus payment, but still fewer Black and Latinx households.

Source: Random sample of Fresh EBT users

68% of respondents have received $600 payment

There is also a racial disparity in how households received the second stimulus payment

The stimulus checks help a community beyond the individual recipient:

I have made meals for others whom I know do not have food and have filled their freezers with meat and bought extra canned goods for people and put them on their porch so they don't know who gave it to them , it is a dignity issue. I used some of my stimulus money to do this.

SNAP Participant, February 2021

Michigan

I gave someone a few dollars from my stimulus check to put diapers on her baby

SNAP Participant, February 2021

Illinois

I give and receive help from others I loaned my friend done money when I got my stimulus check and she gave it back when she got hers . I would normally borrow money from my mother in law but she just passed from covid last week.

SNAP Participant, February 2021

Arkansas

insight2

INSIGHT 02

Food insecurity measures have continued to decrease.

Source: Random sample of Fresh EBT users

In the past 30 days:

33%

have skipped meals

2

Percentage points

42%

have eaten less

3

Percentage points

30%

have visited a food pantry

2

Percentage points

22%

relied on family or friends for meals

4

Percentage points

Those who say they’re receiving extra SNAP benefits has jumped up to 69%, from 57% in January.

The portion of households reporting they have everything they need (food, cleaning supplies, and other household items) climbed to 10%

insight3

INSIGHT 03

The first gains in employment are not equitably distributed.

Source: Random sample of Fresh EBT users

In the past 30 days have you:

For the first time, respondents are reporting improvements in employment.

8%

lost or quit a job

2

Percentage points

14%

had hours reduced

3

Percentage points

However:

Black and Latinx workers are more likely to not be working and looking for work

Black, Latinx, Asian, and female workers are more likely to have had their hours cut in the last 30 days

Black and Latinx workers are almost twice as likely to have lost or quit a job in the past 30 days

insight4

INSIGHT 04

Housing instability has peaked, but more households report paying February rent on time.

Source: Random sample of Fresh EBT users

Each month we ask...

Do you currently live in a house, apartment or other stable housing?

The portion of respondents answering no went up to 8.6%, after hovering around 7.5% from November to January.

But more people are paying February rent on time:

40%

paid rent on time in February

37%

paid rent on time in January

Those not paying this month’s rent at all has remained steady since January, at 5%

Housing insecurity

Spanish

Tú ves que pídele en prestado amigo porque no tenía dinero para pagar la renta y todavía debo dos meses de 1500 que no en podido pagar

English

I had to borrow from a friend because I did not have money to pay rent and I still owe two months of 1500 that I have not been able to pay

SNAP Participant, February 2021

New York

I been loan money yet still behind on bills and rent from being out of work sick with COVID. It been very difficult trying to catch up without getting further behind.

SNAP Participant, February 2021

Georgia

I use my retirement SOC.SEC monet yo rent hotel room, it goes fast, then I am on the street until my next check

SNAP Participant, February 2021

California

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SNAP Households Survey - February Results

February 2021 key findings

INSIGHT 01

More respondents have received the second stimulus payment, but still fewer Black and Latinx households.

Source: Random sample of Fresh EBT users

68% of respondents have received $600 payment

There is also a racial disparity in how households received the second stimulus payment

The stimulus checks help a community beyond the individual recipient:

I have made meals for others whom I know do not have food and have filled their freezers with meat and bought extra canned goods for people and put them on their porch so they don't know who gave it to them , it is a dignity issue. I used some of my stimulus money to do this.

SNAP Participant, February 2021

Michigan

I gave someone a few dollars from my stimulus check to put diapers on her baby

SNAP Participant, February 2021

Illinois

I give and receive help from others I loaned my friend done money when I got my stimulus check and she gave it back when she got hers . I would normally borrow money from my mother in law but she just passed from covid last week.

SNAP Participant, February 2021

Arkansas

INSIGHT 02

Food insecurity measures have continued to decrease.

Source: Random sample of Fresh EBT users

In the past 30 days:

33%

have skipped meals

2

Percentage points

42%

have eaten less

3

Percentage points

30%

have visited a food pantry

2

Percentage points

22%

relied on family or friends for meals

4

Percentage points

Those who say they’re receiving extra SNAP benefits has jumped up to 69%, from 57% in January.

The portion of households reporting they have everything they need (food, cleaning supplies, and other household items) climbed to 10%

INSIGHT 03

The first gains in employment are not equitably distributed.

Source: Random sample of Fresh EBT users

In the past 30 days have you:

For the first time, respondents are reporting improvements in employment.

8%

lost or quit a job

2

Percentage points

14%

had hours reduced

3

Percentage points

However:

Black and Latinx workers are more likely to not be working and looking for work

Black, Latinx, Asian, and female workers are more likely to have had their hours cut in the last 30 days

Black and Latinx workers are almost twice as likely to have lost or quit a job in the past 30 days

INSIGHT 04

Housing instability has peaked, but more households report paying February rent on time.

Source: Random sample of Fresh EBT users

Each month we ask...

Do you currently live in a house, apartment or other stable housing?

The portion of respondents answering no went up to 8.6%, after hovering around 7.5% from November to January.

But more people are paying February rent on time:

40%

paid rent on time in February

37%

paid rent on time in January

Those not paying this month’s rent at all has remained steady since January, at 5%

Housing insecurity

Spanish

Tú ves que pídele en prestado amigo porque no tenía dinero para pagar la renta y todavía debo dos meses de 1500 que no en podido pagar

English

I had to borrow from a friend because I did not have money to pay rent and I still owe two months of 1500 that I have not been able to pay

SNAP Participant, February 2021

New York

I been loan money yet still behind on bills and rent from being out of work sick with COVID. It been very difficult trying to catch up without getting further behind.

SNAP Participant, February 2021

Georgia

I use my retirement SOC.SEC monet yo rent hotel room, it goes fast, then I am on the street until my next check

SNAP Participant, February 2021

SNAP Households Survey -
February Results