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Resource | Research and Data | Participation Rates Trends in SNAP Participation Rates: FY 2010-2013

This report provides estimates of the percentage of individuals eligible for SNAP under the federal income and asset guidelines who participated in an average month in 2013. It provides national estimates for the general population and for subgroups, including children, the elderly, people living in households with various income sources, and noncitizens.

08/28/2015
Resource | Research and Data | Participation Rates Reaching Those in Need: Estimates of State SNAP Participation Rates in 2012

This report – part of an annual series – presents estimates of the percentage of eligible persons, by state, who participated in SNAP during an average month in FY 2012 and in the two previous fiscal years. This report also presents estimates of state participation rates for eligible “working poor” individuals (people in eligible households with earnings) over the same period.

02/10/2015
Resource | Research and Data | Participation Characteristics National and State-Level Estimates of WIC Eligibles and Program Reach 2012

This report offers updated estimates of the number of people eligible for WIC benefits in 2012, including (1) estimates by participant category (including children by single year of age) and coverage rates; (2) updated estimates in U.S. territories; and (3) confidence intervals. The national estimates presented in this report are based on a methodology developed in 2003 by the Committee on National Statistics of the National Research Council (CNSTAT). The report’s State-level estimates use a methodology developed by the Urban Institute that apportions the national figures using data from the American Community Survey.

01/26/2015
Resource | Research and Data | Participation Rates Reaching Those in Need: State Food Stamp Participation Rates in 2005

This report – the latest in an annual series – presents estimates of the percentage of eligible persons, by state, who participated in the Food Stamp Program (FSP) in an average month in fiscal year 2005 and in the 2 previous fiscal years. This report also presents estimates of state participation rates for eligible “working poor” individuals (persons in households with earnings) over the same period. 

10/01/2007
Resource | Research and Data | Participation Rates Trends in Food Stamp Program Participation Rates: 1999 to 2005

This report is the latest in a series on food stamp participation rates based on the March Current Population Survey, and presents national participation rates for fiscal year 2005.

06/01/2007
Resource | Research and Data | Payment Accuracy and Program Integrity 2005 WIC Vendor Management Study

In 1991 and 1998, FNS conducted national studies of WIC vendors to determine the extent of vendor violation of program rules. After the 1998 study, FNS issued regulations to correct vendor practices. The 2005 study replicates the 1998 study to determine whether the regulations were effective, and to measure the frequency of vendor violations and the degree to which vendors charge accurate prices for WIC transactions.

04/27/2007
Resource | Research and Data The Reaching the Working Poor and Poor Elderly Study: What We Learned and Recommendations for Future Research

To increase its understanding of the reasons for nonparticipation, the Food and Nutrition Service(FNS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) contracted with Mathematica Policy Research, Inc. (MPR) to conduct a study of nonparticipation by low-income working and elderly households, entitled Reaching the Working Poor and Poor Elderly. This report summarizes what was learned and offers recommendations for how a national survey of the reasons for nonparticipation in the FSP should be designed and fielded.

12/01/1999
Resource | Research and Data | Participation Rates Trends in FSP Participation Rates: Focus on September 1997

The Food Stamp Program helps needy families purchase food so that they can maintain a nutritious diet. Families are eligible for the program if their financial resources fall below certain income and asset thresholds. However, not all eligible families participate in the program. Some choose not to, while others do not know they are eligible. The participation rate—the ratio of the number of participants to the number of eligibles—reveals the degree to which eligible families participate.

11/01/1999
Resource | Research and Data | Participation Rates Who is Leaving the Food Stamp Program? An Analysis of Caseload Changes from 1994 to 1997

The number of people receiving food stamps fell by over 5.9 million between summer 1994 and summer 1997, with most of the decline occurring in the year between September 1996 and September 1997. This decline occurred during a period of strong economic growth – unemployment fell, inflation stayed low, and the percentage of Americans living in poverty fell slightly. In the same period, Congress enacted and states implemented sweeping reforms to the Food Stamp Program and to the nation’s welfare programs.

03/01/1999
Resource | Research and Data | Participation Characteristics Characteristics of Food Stamp Households: FY 1997

This report provides information about the demographic and economic circumstances of food stamp households. 

02/01/1999
Page updated: September 16, 2025