This report examines patterns of SNAP benefit redemption in fiscal year 2017 and compares those patterns with findings from two similar studies conducted for fiscal years 2003 and 2009.

As required by federal law, state SNAP agencies verify financial and non-financial information by matching SNAP applicant and participant information to various national and state data sources to ensure they meet the program’s eligibility criteria. Data matching is an important tool for ensuring program integrity and benefit accuracy. However,  information on states’ data matching practices and protocols is limited. This study was undertaken to address this knowledge gap.