A newly released state-commissioned evaluation reveals that New Jersey’s unique $95 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) monthly minimum benefit has emerged as both a critical anti-hunger lifeline and a major regional economic engine.
The comprehensive study, executed by the Center for Research and Evaluation on Education and Human Services (CREEHS) at Montclair State University, tracked administrative data from March 2023 through May 2025. It concluded that the state-level food assistance supplement generated $93 million in local economic activity over that 27-month window.
New Jersey remains the only state in the nation to safeguard a baseline SNAP benefit at this financial tier.
Under the legislative framework established in 2023, if a New Jersey household qualifies for a federal SNAP allocation that falls below $95, the state automatically injects a fiscal supplement to bridge the difference.
The CREEHS report highlights that the program has yielded a strong return on investment (ROI) for the state’s broader economic ecosystem:
This ongoing state investment supported more than 125,700 individual households during the evaluated timeframe, injecting an average of $3.4 million per month into community food retailers and grocers.
The data indicates that the state-level supplement does not flow primarily into New Jersey’s major urban centers. Instead, the highest concentrations of SNAP participants relying on the state minimum benefit reside in the state’s less densely populated and rural counties.
| Top NJ Counties by Minimum SNAP Share | Percentage of Local SNAP Recipients on Minimum Tier |
| Sussex County | 14.2% |
| Warren County | 13.3% |
| Gloucester County | 12.6% |
| Cape May County | 12.5% |
| Monmouth County | 12.1% |
Demographically, the report discovered that recipients of the minimum benefit are disproportionately older adults, single-person households, English speakers, and individuals who are actively employed but under-earning relative to rising food costs.
“This report reinforces what we already know: SNAP helps people in need by improving access to nutritious food and easing financial strain,” New Jersey Human Services Commissioner Stephen Cha said. “It also supports local economies by driving broader economic activity in communities. SNAP remains a critical lifeline.”
Human Services officials emphasize that the extra cash cushion directly incentivizes vulnerable populations—particularly seniors hesitant to navigate bureaucratic hurdles for small dollar amounts—to consistently apply for and complete their annual recertifications.
“As food prices continue to rise, we’re glad to provide individuals and families with a monthly benefit that helps them stretch their dollars,” Natasha Johnson, assistant commissioner for the Division of Family Development said.
The state is moving to secure the program’s long-term future. In the State Fiscal Year 2025, Human Services distributed more than $27 million in additional monthly SNAP funding. To preserve this safety net, Governor Sherrill’s proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget sets aside $30.2 million specifically to lock in the $95 baseline for roughly 40,000 households statewide.
Residents seeking assistance or looking to verify their program eligibility are encouraged to utilize the state’s digital portal at njsnap.gov.
