Skip to main content
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 | Participation Rates Reaching Those in Need: Estimates of State SNAP Participation Rates in 2018

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 2018 and in the two previous fiscal years. This report also presents estimates of state participation rates for individuals in eligible “working poor” households (households with earnings) over the same period. 

05/19/2021
Resource | Research and Data | Participation Rates Trends in SNAP Participation Rates: FY 2016-2018

This report is the latest in a series on 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. This report presents rates for Fiscal Year 2018, comparing them to rates for FYs 2016 and 2017.

05/18/2021
Resource | Research and Data | Participation Rates Reaching Those in Need: State SNAP Participation Rates in 2007

This report – the latest in an annual series – presents estimates of the percentage of eligible persons, by state, who participated in SNAP during an average month in FY 2007 and in the two 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. 

11/01/2009
Resource | Research and Data | Participation Rates Trends in SNAP Participation Rates: 2000 to 2007

This report is the latest in a series on SNAP participation rates. Estimates are based on the March 2008 Current Population Survey and program administrative data for FY 2007. 

06/01/2009
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 | Assessing/Improving Operations Options For A National Data To Track Participation in Federal Means-Tested Public Assistance Programs: Report to Congress

This report responds to PL 105-379, which mandated the USDA  examine options for the design, development, implementation and operation of a national database to track participation in federal means-tested public assistance programs.

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