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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 | Participation Characteristics Characteristics of SNAP Households: FY 2019

The Characteristics report is published annually, dating back to 1976, and provides information about the demographic and economic circumstances of SNAP households. Using a sample of SNAP Quality Control data that is representative at both the state and national level, this report summarizes the characteristics of households and individuals who participated in SNAP in fiscal year 2019.  Because SNAP is available to most low-income households, participants represent a broad cross section of the Nation's poor. 

03/29/2021
Resource | Research | Participation Characteristics Characteristics of SNAP Households: FY 2016

This report is the latest in a series of annual reports providing information about the demographic and economic circumstances of households and individuals participating in SNAP at both the national and state level. Because SNAP is available to most low-income households, participants represent a broad cross section of the nation's poor. This report covers fiscal year 2016. 

11/28/2017
Resource | Research | General/Other Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Employment and Training Characteristics Study

This study uses surveys of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Employment and Training (E&T) participants and E&T providers to describe the characteristics of SNAP participants who use E&T services and the characteristics of organizations that provide the services. This study uses surveys of SNAP E&T participants and E&T providers to describe the characteristics of SNAP participants who use E&T services and the characteristics of organizations that provide the services.

10/20/2017
Resource | Research | Participation Characteristics Characteristics of SNAP Households: FY 2015

This report is the most recent in a series of annual reports providing information about the demographic and economic circumstances of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program households. In fiscal year 2015, as in prior years, nearly two-thirds of SNAP participants were children (44 percent), elderly (11 percent) or disabled nonelderly adults (10 percent). The average monthly benefit received by SNAP households was $254.

11/14/2016
Resource | Research | General/Other Asset Limits, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Participation, and Financial Stability

This study examines the impact of SNAP asset limits on low-income households’ financial stability, including their participation in traditional financial markets and their ability to weather financial shocks. It found that low-income households with relatively high asset holdings were older and had more education compared to other low-income households.

06/29/2016
Resource | Research | Participation Characteristics Characteristics of SNAP Households: FY 2014

This is the latest in a series of annual reports providing information about the demographic and economic circumstances of households participating in SNAP at both the national and state level. In fiscal year 2014, as in prior years, nearly two-thirds of SNAP participants were children (44 percent), elderly (10 percent), or disabled nonelderly adults (10 percent).

12/21/2015
Resource | Research | Participation Characteristics Dynamics and Determinants of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Participation from 2008 to 2012

These reports describe individuals’ patterns of SNAP participation and analyze which factors were associated with their decisions to enter or exit the program. Both studies use data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Survey of Income and Program Participation covering the period from 2008 to 2012.

12/19/2014
Resource | Research | Participation Characteristics Characteristics of SNAP Households: FY 2013

This annual report provides details on the demographic characteristics and economic circumstances of SNAP households at both the national and state level. In 2013, most participants were children or elderly - 44 percent of participants were under age 18 and 9 percent were age 60 or older. 

12/19/2014
Resource | Research | General/Other Nutrition Assistance In Farmers Markets: Understanding the Shopping Patterns of SNAP Participants

This study was undertaken to understand why some SNAP participants shop at farmers markets and others in the same geographic area do not.

10/06/2014
Page updated: January 12, 2024