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The SNAP Gap: What’s Blocking Puerto Rico from Fair Access to Nutrition Support

  • Writer: Astra
    Astra
  • 3 days ago
  • 2 min read

The SNAP Gap limits Puerto Rico’s access to fair nutrition support. Explore OBBBA barriers, lower benefits, and strategies to advance parity today.

For many in Puerto Rico, Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP) benefits are the primary safeguard against food insecurity. Yet The SNAP Gap—the disparity between NAP and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) available in the states—remains striking, both in benefit amounts and program flexibility.


The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) has now made the road to parity even steeper. If Puerto Rico were ever to transition from NAP to SNAP, the territory would face new financial obligations:


  • Covering up to 15% of benefit costs directly from local funds.

  • Paying 75% of all administrative expenses, a level far above the current federal match rate for states.


For a government already operating within tight budget constraints, these requirements are more than procedural—they are structural barriers.


Why does the SNAP Gap Matter Today

For nonprofits, advocacy groups, and food security organizations, this shift means one thing: the mission to close the nutrition gap just got harder. Without parity, NAP households will continue to receive lower monthly benefits than their SNAP counterparts, limiting purchasing power and food access for vulnerable families.


The challenge isn’t just political—it’s financial. As outlined by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Puerto Rico’s current funding model lacks the flexibility to absorb these additional costs without sacrificing other services.


Strategic Considerations for Advocacy

  1. Document the Gap – Use local data to compare average NAP and SNAP benefits, highlighting the impact on nutrition outcomes.

  2. Build Federal Partnerships – Engage directly with lawmakers and USDA officials to explore alternative funding formulas or phased transitions.

  3. Leverage Public Awareness – Share stories that illustrate the human cost of the disparity, drawing on trusted sources like Feeding America and USDA Food and Nutrition Service.


📌 Next Step: See what this means for your organization’s mission →


Learn More or Start a Conversation

👉 Visit www.astrapr.com to explore our advisory services, client stories, and upcoming training sessions.


📩 Have a question? Contact us to speak with our experts.

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