The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the most effective anti-hunger program in the U.S., reaching around 41 million people in 2024, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP).

This program plays a critical role in reducing poverty, improving health and economic outcomes, supporting people who are paid low wages, as well as serving as the first line of defense against hunger during economic downturns.

In Louisiana, hundreds of thousands of residents rely on SNAP, with more than 16% of the state’s population receiving SNAP benefits, according to the USDA.

Who all benefits from SNAP? What to know in Louisiana

SNAP helped approximately 41,697,500 people in the U.S., which is 12% of the total population, or one in eight citizens, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP).

In 2024, SNAP helped 847,100 people in Louisiana, or 18% of the state’s population, which equates to one in five residents, according to the CBPP.

In Louisiana, over 69% of SNAP participants are in families with children, over 37% are in families with members who are older adults or are disabled, and over 35% are in working families, says the CBPP.

Majority of SNAP participants in the state have incomes below the poverty line, with 41% having income at or below 50% of the poverty line, 44% having income between 51 to 100% of the poverty line and 15% having income 100% above the poverty line, according to CBPP’s analysis of USDA data.

Many households in Louisiana struggle to put food on the table, with 16.2% of households living in food insecurity, 18.9% of the population living below the poverty line, 25% of children living in families below the poverty line and 14.2% of older adults living below the poverty line, according to the CBPP.

What benefits do SNAP participants receive in Louisiana?

SNAP benefits are targeted according to need, with very low-income households receiving more in benefits than households closer to the povery line because they need more assistance affording adequate food.

In Louisiana, SNAP participants received approximately $1.9 billion in benefits in 2024, according to the CBPP.

These were the average monthly SNAP benefits for the fiscal year 2022 in Louisiana, according to a data analysis by CBPP:

• All households: $336
• Households with children: $551
• Working households: $418
• Households with older adults: $150
• Households with non-elderly disabled individuals: $276

CareerMinds, a global outplacement and career management partner, carried out a survey of 3,002 workers based on career development opportunities.

CareerMinds found that upskilling has become less of an optional, extra step and more of a career essential.

Taking this into account, CareerMinds developed a map that highlights the company in each state where workers have the most opportunities for upskilling and career progression.

Ochsner Health said to be the best company in Louisiana for career development. What to know

In CareerMinds’ survey, Louisiana residents voted Ochsner Health as the company they would most like to work for.

The study found that healthcare companies are sought-after, as states with major medical systems saw increased interest in healthcare employers and upskilling within medicine.

This year, Ochsner Health was named on Fortune Magazine’s “Best Workplaces in Health Care” list, with 82% of employees saying the company is a great place to work, according to Great Place to Work.

Additionally, U.S. News & World Report has recognized Ochsner as the number one hospital in Louisiana for 14 censecutive years and Ochsner Children’s as the number one hospital for children for four consecutive years, according to Great Place to Work.

Ochsner Health is the leading nonprofit healthcare provider in the Gulf South, delivering care at its 46 hospitals and over 370 health and urgent care centers, says Great Place to Work.

The best companies for career development for 2025 in each state according to CareerMinds

• Alabama: Mercedez-Benz U.S. International
• Alaska: Northern Alaska Tour Company
• Arizona: Intel Corporation
• Arkansas: Walmart
• California: Kaiser Permanente
• Colorado: Lockheed Martin
• Connecticut: Hartford HealthCare
• Delaware: DuPont
• Florida: Royal Caribbean Group
• Georgia: Coca-Cola
• Hawaii: Hawaiin Airlines
• Idaho: Micron Technology
• Illinois: United Airlines
• Indiana: Cummins
• Iowa: Principal Financial Group
• Kansas: Garmin
• Kentucky: Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky
• Louisiana: Ochsner Health
• Maine: L.L. Bean
• Maryland: Johns Hopkins Medicine
• Massachusetts: Boston Scientific
• Michigan: General Motors
• Minnesota: Target Corporation
• Mississippi: Peavey Electronics
• Missouri: Boeing Defense, Space & Security
• Montana: Glacier Bancorp
• Nebraska: Union Pacific Railroad
• Nevada: MGM Resorts International
• New Hampshire: Fidelity Investments
• New Jersey: Merck & Co.
• New Mexico: Intel Corporation
• New York: Pfizer
• North Carolina: Bank of America
• North Dakota: Bobcat Company
• Ohio: Procter & Gamble
• Oklahoma: Devon Energy
• Oregon: Nike
• Pennsylvania: Hershey Company
• Rhode Island: Brown University
• South Carolina: Prisma Health
• South Dakota: First PREMIER Bank/ PREMIER Bankcard
• Tennessee: Venderbilt University Medical Center
• Texas: AT&T
• Utah: Intermountain Health
• Vermont: GlobalFoundries
• Virginia: Capital One
• Washington: Amazon
• West Virginia: CAMC Health System
• Wisconsin: Harley-Davidson
• Wyoming: Wyoming Medical Center

Presley Bo Tyler is a reporter for the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com