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Data & Research

Resource | Research | Assessing/Improving Operations Feasibility Study of Capturing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Purchases at the Point of Sale

This study examined the feasibility of creating a data collection system capable of directly and automatically providing USDA with item-level data on purchases made by SNAP households. Data would be captured at the point of sale from purchases made using EBT cards.

11/18/2016
Resource | Research | General/Other Examination of Cash Nutrition Assistance Program Benefits in Puerto Rico

The Nutrition Assistance Program in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico provides a monthly benefit for food to low-income households that includes both cash and noncash portions. Three-fourths (75 percent) of the benefit must be redeemed for eligible food items through electronic benefit transfer (EBT) at certified retailers. The remaining 25 percent may be redeemed in cash. The entire benefit (both the noncash and cash portions) is to be used only for the purchase of eligible food items.

08/17/2015
Resource | Research | Payment Accuracy and Program Integrity The Extent of Trafficking in the Food Stamp Program: 2002–2005

FNS uses a set of EBT-based administrative tools and undercover investigations to identify and sanction trafficking retailers, and to estimate the extent of trafficking. The estimates of the amount of trafficking, the trafficking rate, and the store violation rate reported here are based on information from almost 33,000 stores subject to administrative or undercover investigation from late 2002 through 2005.

12/01/2006
Resource | Research | Participation Characteristics Characteristics of Food Stamp Households: FY 2005

This report provides information about the demographic and economic circumstances of food stamp households in fiscal year 2005. The report draws on data for households participating in the Food Stamp Program under normal rules and thus does not include information about those who received disaster assistance after the Gulf Coast hurricanes in October 2004 and September 2005.

09/01/2006
Resource | Research | Payment Accuracy and Program Integrity The Extent of Trafficking in The Food Stamp Program: 1999 - 2002

Food stamps are intended for food. When individuals sell their benefits for cash it violates the spirit and intent of the Food Stamp Program as well as the law. This practice, known as trafficking, diverts food stamp benefits away from their purpose. It reduces intended nutritional assistance and undermines public perceptions of the integrity and utility of the program. To combat trafficking, the Food and Nutrition Service conducts undercover investigations of authorized food stores. In addition, the agency has developed powerful new EBT-based administrative tools to identify and sanction traffickers.

07/01/2003
Resource | Research | Policy Analysis Expunging Food Stamp EBT Benefits: A Case Study of the Elderly in the Three States

This analysis explores patterns of permanent benefit removal in Texas, Arizona, and Wisconsin, three states where EBT is the primary method of benefit distribution, but where there are low percentages of elderly. The findings suggest that a relatively small number of food stamp participants do not access their benefits for extended periods.

02/01/2003
Resource | Research | Assessing/Improving Operations Evaluation of the Expanded Off-Line EBT System in Ohio

This report describes how the Direction Card system works; the process undertaken by ODJFS and its EBT vendor to design, develop, and test the system; the implementation process and experiences; and the cost of system design, development, and implementation. Volume 2 of this report compares the ongoing administrative costs of system operations and system levels of benefit loss and diversion with those of on-line EBT systems and the Dayton pilot.

05/01/2002
Resource | Research | Assessing/Improving Operations Evaluation of the Expanded Off-Line EBT System in Ohio: Moving to a Statewide EBT System Using Smart Cards for Food Stamps

To explore the suitability of off-line electronic benefits transfer (EBT) as an alternative to paper issuance and on-line EBT issuance systems, USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service has supported the Ohio Department of Human Services in expanding off-line EBT issuance to all Food Stamp Program recipients in the state. A pilot project in Dayton, Ohio and a demonstration of a combined WIC-EBT off-line system in Wyoming have clearly established the technical feasibility of off-line EBT for FSP benefit issuance. 

03/01/1999
Resource | Research | Payment Accuracy and Program Integrity Food Stamp EBT Systems and Program- Eligible vs. Non-Eligible Food Items: Report to Congress

This report explores the feasibility and potential cost of enabling EBT systems to differentiate between program-eligible and ineligible items. It considers the cost of upgrading systems in stores that now have scanners and the cost of installing new systems in stores without scanners. The report also examines the potential for the purchase of ineligible items even with the introduction of new technological controls.

08/01/1998
Resource | Research | Assessing/Improving Operations Technical and Cost Feasibility of EBT Equipage in Farmers’ Markets and Mobile Food Retailers

This report inventories technological approaches to portable on-line authorization and reports on their technical and cost feasibility, advantages/disadvantages and potential impacts.

08/01/1998
Page updated: January 12, 2024