Report

SNAP Households Survey November Results

The following insights come from a 10-minute multiple choice and open response survey conducted by Propel to a random sample of 4,806 of over 5M Propel users from November 1 - November 14, 2022. All respondents are EBT cardholders.

Social

HOUSING

Housing uncertainty and evictions have stabilized.

  • The percentage of users who think they won’t be able to stay in their current housing for the next month dropped by 15% to 4.7% of users.
  • The percentage of users who were unable to pay their monthly rent or mortgage fell by 18% to 5.8% of users.
  • After soaring to an all-time high in October, eviction rates fell by 12% to 7.4% in November.
“I’ve been back and forth to multiple places within the last few months. I was fortunate enough to have my aunt let me stay with her for a few weeks because it’s getting cold out and having nowhere to go can really take a toll on you. I help by pitching in on rent whenever I come across any type of money I get.” — Propel user, Florida

There are racial disparities across housing uncertainty and eviction, however:

  • Latinx Propel users are the least certain about staying in their current housing in the next month.
  • White Propel users are the most likely to have paid November rent on time.
UTILITIES

Less than 50% of users are paying their utility bills in full for the first time since February.

  • Only 48.7% of Propel users paid their utility bills in full in November, the lowest level since February.
  • Utility shut offs dropped down from October’s peak but remain high at over 10%.
“Had my son and [his] family stay here awhile and my utilities are being shut off. And they left. Now I'm here with no water cause I can't afford to put it back on.” — Propel user, Hawaii
  • Users of color were less likely to have paid their utility bills in full:
  • Users of color were also more likely to have experienced a shut off:
MENTAL HEALTH

Propel users are worried about the upcoming holidays.

“[I’m] worried about providing for my children. I already struggle for basic necessities but the holidays put pressure to provide extras that I can't afford.” — Propel user, Ohio

More than a third of Propel users said they experience the following more than half the time or nearly every day:

  • Little interest or pleasure in doing things;
  • Feeling down, depressed or hopeless;
  • Feeling nervous anxious or on edge; and
  • Not being able to stop or control worrying.
“I’m always worried about ‘money’ during the holidays. I cannot afford gifts for my family and it makes me depressed.” — Propel user, Vermont