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Data & Research

Resource | Research, Analysis & Background | Participation Characteristics Reaching Those in Need: Estimates of USDA's SNAP Program Participation Rates in 2019

​This report presents estimates of the percentage of eligible persons, by state, who participated in SNAP during an average month in FY 2019 and in the two previous fiscal years. SNAP eligibility criteria include maximum income and resource thresholds, as well as certain nonfinancial criteria, such as age and disability status.

02/14/2023
Resource | Research | Breastfeeding National and State Level Estimates of WIC Eligibility and Program Reach in 2020

These graphics, the latest in a series of annual reports on WIC eligibility, present 2020 national and state estimates of the number of people eligible for WIC benefits and the percentages of the eligible population and the US population covered by the program, including estimates by participant category.

01/09/2023
Resource | Research | Food Security Trends in USDA SNAP Participation Rates: Fiscal Years 2016 to 2020

This report is the latest in a series on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation rates, which estimate the proportion of people eligible for benefits under federal income and asset rules to those who actually participate in the program. Because the coronavirus COVID-19 public health emergency affected data collection starting in March 2020, this summary covers only the pre-pandemic period of October 2019 through February 2020.

12/07/2022
Resource | Research | Assessing/Improving Operations Considerations for Improving Participant Experiences in the USDA SNAP Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) Programs: Lessons from the SNAP E&T Pilots

Section 4022 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 authorized and funded the SNAP employment and training pilots and the evaluation. The four issue briefs present findings drawn from the evaluation of the 10 pilots. 

12/01/2022
Resource | Research | Participation Characteristics Characteristics of SNAP Households: FY 2020 and Early Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Characteristics of SNAP Households

The SNAP Characteristics report provides information about the demographic and economic circumstances of SNAP households in FY 2020. Because the coronavirus COVID-19 public health emergency affected data collection starting in March 2020, statistics are reported by prepandemic period of October 2019 through February 2020 and the early pandemic period of June to September 2020 (March through May were not reported). 

11/29/2022
Resource | Research | Benefit Content/Cost WIC Food Cost-Containment Practices Study

The WIC Food Cost-Containment Practices Study describes the voluntarily approaches state agencies used in 2018 to reduce food costs when selecting and authorizing WIC foods. This study is the second of its kind; the first was conducted by the USDA Economic Research Service in 2003. This report examines how six types of food cost-containment practices are associated with food costs and WIC participant satisfaction, benefit redemption, and food consumption in 12 state agencies. 

11/09/2022
Resource | Research | Assessing/Improving Operations Child Nutrition Program Operations Study, School Year 2017-18

The Child Nutrition Program Operations Study is a multiyear study series that provides the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service with current information on National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program policies, practices, and needs from state agencies and school food authorities. Specifically, it covers policies related to school nutrition service operations, financial management, meal counting, eligibility, nutrition standards, and personnel. Results inform child nutrition program management and policy development. This study in the series covers school year 2017–18.

11/03/2022
Resource | Research | Food Security USDA Nutrition Education Coordination Report to Congress, FY 2021

USDA's nutrition assistance programs touch the lives of one in four American consumers annually and the nutrition education efforts associated with select programs offer a powerful opportunity to promote food security and improve dietary quality among eligible individuals and families.

08/25/2022
Resource | Research | Assessing/Improving Operations The Use of Supervised Job Search, Job Search Training, and Integrated Job Search in USDA SNAP E&T: Three Case Studies

SNAP state agencies must operate an employment and training (E&T) program for SNAP participants. States most commonly offer the supervised job search or job search training components. To better understand implementation of these components and their effects on participant outcomes, case studies were conducted in three states to examine processes and outcomes of supervised job search, job search training, and integrated job search within a vocational training component.

08/04/2022
Resource | Federal Register Documents | Participation Characteristics Comment Request - Family Day Care Home Participation Study

The Family Day Care Home Participation Study aims to understand FDCH provider experiences with the CACFP by asking a nationally representative sample of both current and former providers about their experiences with the program.

07/29/2022
Page updated: May 28, 2024