Report

SNAP Households Survey October Results

The following insights come from a 10-minute multiple choice and open response survey conducted by Propel to a random sample of 3,743 of over 5M Propel users from October 1 - October 14, 2022. All respondents are EBT cardholders.

EVICTIONS

Eviction rates reached a new all-time high in October

  • 8.4% of Propel users reported being evicted or foreclosed upon in the past month, a 35% increase from September.
“I have had to pawn and sell most of my valuables and put things into storage because I'm being evicted but here next month I can't even pay for the storage so I'll lose everything again I have nowhere to go and nobody to help me my mother helped me this month but can't help again and I literally have had no money since the middle of last month.” — Propel user, Washington
  • 5.54% of Propel users said that they will not be able to stay in their current housing for the next 30 day, a 30% increase from September.
“My son passed away from fentanyl poisoning. He lived in Kankakee and I live in another town. Some of the people helped me get the funds to get my son cremated. He is here with me now. Besides that my life has been miserable. My car broke down the day after he died. I was evicted and I did not know that was coming. Lost my son's artwork.” — Propel user, Illinois
HOUSING

The rates of unstable housing and not paying rent spiked up.

  • Propel users living in unstable housing increased 9% to nearly 13% of users overall.
  • The percentage of users who were unable to pay their monthly rent or mortgage increased by 16% from September to 7.14% overall.
UTILITIES

Utility shut offs increased by 14% in October.

  • Over 11% of Propel users reported that their utilities were shut off in the past 30 days–the highest rate ever since we began tracking in March 2021.
“Our power was disconnected. My boyfriend's grandmother and aunt drove 2 hours to to move us and most of our belongings 3 counties away to live with them. We have been living with his grandmother for 4 months now. She has definitely been an answer to our prayers.” — Propel user, Alabama
MATERIAL HARDSHIP

The percentage of households reporting not having most things they need reached an all-time high.

  • 22% of Propel users said they do not have most things they need at home, like food and household products. This is an 11% from September.
  • Material hardship is higher among Black Propel users: