FNS Documents & Resources

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 2009 and in the two previous fiscal years. This report also presents estimates of state participation rates for eligible “working poor” individuals over the same period. Although SNAP provides an important support for working families, the working poor have participated at rates that are substantially below those for all eligible persons. 

Americans support helping families in need put food on the table, especially when times are tough, but they want to know that taxpayer dollars are being spent wisely. That is why, along with ensuring program access, one of my top priorities for SNAP is further strengthening the integrity of the program and rooting out waste, fraud and abuse so that federal dollars are used appropriately.

This report responds to the requirement of PL 110-246 to assess the effectiveness of state and local efforts to directly certify children for free school meals. Under direct certification, children are determined eligible for free school meals without the need for household applications by using data from other means-tested programs. 

The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program aims to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among students in the nation’s poorest elementary schools by providing free fresh fruits and vegetables to students outside of regular school meals. The results presented in this interim report, for the 2010-2011 school year, focus on the total quantity of fruits and vegetables consumed and total energy intake (also referred to as total caloric intake), allowing the assessment of whether any additional fruit and vegetable consumption was in addition to or in place of other foods consumed.

This report describes individuals’ patterns of participation in the SNAP from 2004 to 2006, a period of caseload growth and improving economic conditions. Based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Survey of Income and Program Participation, the study explores reasons that individuals enter and leave SNAP, how long they receive SNAP benefits, and whether they return to the program after exiting. The report also examines whether participation patterns in the mid-2000s changed from earlier periods.

This study analyzes which factors are associated with individuals’ decisions to start participating in the SNAP and with decisions to leave the program during the period 2004 to 2006. Based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Survey of Income and Program Participation, the study uses a technique called “multivariate regression” to isolate the impact of various factors associated with participation decisions while holding other factors constant. T

This report describes the characteristics of SNAP households and participants nationwide in fiscal year 2010. It also presents an overview of SNAP eligibility requirements and benefit levels in fiscal year 2010. 

Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer For Children:Early Experiences through June 2011 of the Proof-of-Concept Year Contract #: AG-3198-C-11-0002

Pursuant to the 2010 Agriculture Appropriations Act, FNS initiated and carried out the Summer Food for Children demonstration project, aimed at preventing food insecurity and hunger among children during summer months. 

This report is the latest in a series on SNAP participation rates. Estimates are based on the March 2011 Current Population Survey and program administrative data for fiscal year  2010. The findings represent participation rates for FY 2010.