The cost of the food stamp program spiked at $80 billion in 2013 during the slow recovery from the 2008-09 recession, fueling calls for changes in the program. In its updated budget baseline, the CBO says SNAP costs could dip to $65 billion in the near future due to falling enrollment.
The CBO estimates are expected to influence the drafting of the 2018 farm bill. The report issued on Monday provided rudimentary information. Congressional staff workers said additional material, including detailed forecasts for USDA programs, would be released in coming days.
In its report, CBO said it expects “outlays for SNAP will decrease slightly in 2018 because of continued declines in participation since the recent (post-recession) peak in 2013.” Lower participation would be counter-balanced by food inflation. The agency said SNAP would cost an average $65 billion from 2020-24. SNAP accounts for three-fourths of farm bill spending.