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Resource | Research and Data | Assessing/Improving Operations Third National Survey of WIC Participants

The National Survey of WIC Participants (NSWP) study series is designed to describe state and local agency characteristics, examine participants’ characteristics, assess participants’ experiences with WIC, and estimate improper payments resulting from certification errors in WIC. The study is conducted approximately every 10 years, and the current study is the third iteration (NSWP-III) in the series. 

12/14/2021
Resource | Research and Data | Assessing/Improving Operations Study of Nutrition and Activity in Childcare Settings in USDA’s CACFP

Centers and family daycare homes participating in CACFP play an important role in supporting the health and wellness of the children they serve. The Study of Nutrition and Activity in Childcare Settings  is the first nationally representative, comprehensive assessment of the CACFP. Data were collected in program year 2016–17 from CACFP providers and participating children on nutritional quality of meals served, nutrient intake of participating children, meal costs and revenues, and more. Findings serve as an important baseline for the subsequent updates to the meal pattern and nutrition standards, which were implemented in October 2017. 

10/25/2021
Resource | Research and Data | Assessing/Improving Operations Third Access, Participation, Eligibility, And Certification Study (APEC-III), SY 2017-18

This is the third study in the Access, Participation, Eligibility, and Certification study series, conducted in school year 2017-18. FNS relies upon the APEC series to provide reliable, national estimates improper payments made to school districts operating the NSLP and SBP. APEC studies also help identify sources of error and inform FNS policy and technical assistance for state agencies and school food authorities to reduce error. FNS conducted previous iterations of the study in school years 2005-06 and 2012-13.

09/03/2021
Resource | Research and Data | Payment Accuracy and Program Integrity The Extent of Trafficking in SNAP: 2015-2017

This study is the eighth in a series of studies that examine the rate of benefit trafficking SNAP, annualized amount of benefits trafficked, and store violation rate. The estimates are presented as ‘current estimates’ that are calculated to be comparable to past studies, and as ‘updated estimates’ that are calculated to be comparable to other trafficking reports released by FNS. 

09/03/2021
Resource | Research and Data | Assessing/Improving Operations Study of Nonresponse to the School Meals Application Verification Process

FNS conducted the Study of Nonresponse to the School Meals Application Verification Process to examine (1) the accuracy of the current verification process, (2) district practices when verifying applications for cause, and (3) the ultimate results of the verification process, including the reasons why households do not respond to verification requests and how many households reapply. 

07/20/2021
Resource | Research and Data | Assessing/Improving Operations Direct Certification in the National School Lunch Program State Implementation Progress Report to Congress SY 2017-2018 and SY 2018-2019

This report presents information on direct certification with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for free school meals for SY 2017-2018 and SY 2018-2019.

06/22/2021
Resource | Research and Data | Payment Accuracy and Program Integrity Feasibility of Revising the SNAP Quality Control Review Process

FNS uses a two-tier system to measure errors in eligibility and benefit determination for SNAP. This feasibility study identifies all processes and components that would be required for a one-tier federal SNAP QC system, including the procedural, staffing, and organizational changes and the technological and data-sharing infrastructures.

12/19/2019
Resource | Research and Data SNAP Payment Error Rates - FY 2018

SNAP Payment Error Rates - Fiscal Year 2018

07/30/2019
Resource | Research and Data | General/Other Identifying Program Components and Practices that Influence SNAP Application Processing Timeliness Rates

This study sought to better understand the root causes of SNAP application timeliness concerns. A comprehensive in-depth study of program components and practices adopted by the 50 states and the District of Columbia to process SNAP applications was conducted. 

02/26/2019
Resource | Research and Data | Assessing/Improving Operations CACFP Sponsor Tiering Determination Aging Study, 2015 - 2020

This report describes the feasibility of a modeling approach to forecast tiering error rates based on prior data, in lieu of annual assessments of misclassified FDCHs. It presents estimates for forecasted rates and associated improper payments for FDCHs for each fiscal year (FY) from 2016 to 2020. Due to data limitations, the report concludes that building a reliable model is not possible with the currently available data and estimates produced by the models cannot be used for IPERIA reporting.

02/26/2019
Page updated: September 16, 2025