SNAP/Food Stamp Participation Data
National and State Program Data
Food Hardship Publications
FRAC E-pubs
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Publications
School Meals and School Wellness Publications
Afterschool and Summer Programs Publications
Hunger, Obesity, and Health Publications
Early Childhood Publications
Hunger and Poverty in the U.S.
Food Access and Costs Publications
Cost of Food Data
Nutrition Program State Participation Calculators
January – February – March – April – May – June – July – August – September
January – February – March – April – May – June – July – August – September – November – December
SNAP participation averaged 45,415,445 persons in September 2015, a decrease of 48,988 persons compared with August 2015, and a decrease of 1,044,485 persons compared with September 2014.
Still, the program matters for many Americans across the country. Research findings in a December 2015 White House report (pdf) ) confirm SNAP’s effectiveness in promoting good health, education and food security outcomes. The report findings, however suggest that current SNAP benefit amounts are inadequate for households. FRAC’s Plan to End Hunger in America (pdf) includes recommendations to increase SNAP benefit levels and strengthen SNAP’s positive effects further.
State Trends
Of the 14 states with over-the-year SNAP participation increases in September 2015 four (Nevada, Nebraska, North Dakota and California ) rank among the 10 worst in reaching SNAP eligible people, according to the most recent year for which such data are available (2012). Outreach and access initiatives in more recent years as well as economic and climate factors impacting need are contributing to those states’ increased participation levels.
Economic Factors
Despite some improvements in economic conditions, food hardship and need for food assistance remain relatively high. In September 2015, about one in seven people in the U.S. received SNAP and about one in nine were unemployed or underemployed, according to USDA data and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics U-6 measure. A FRAC analysis (pdf) using the Healthways Well-Being survey collected by Gallup showed that 17 percent of respondents did not have enough money to feed themselves or their family in the first six months of 2015.
SNAP Still Misses Eligible People Experiencing Food Hardship
Despite growth in SNAP caseloads since the Great Recession, about one in five people eligible for SNAP are not served. SNAP policies that improve program access and increase staff capacity to process applications as well as SNAP outreach can help communities, families and businesses maximize federal dollars.
The Positive Effect of SNAP Benefits on Participants and Communities
Economic Impacts
For struggling families and communities, SNAP is making a huge difference on their economic well-being and health. For example, SNAP is good for local economies – each one dollar in federally funded SNAP benefits generates $1.79 in economic activity.
Census Bureau data also show the crucial importance of federal nutrition programs and other supports for low-income families. If SNAP benefits are counted as income, 3.6 million people were lifted out of poverty in 2014, according to the Census Bureau. And, when looking at the Census Bureau’s Supplemental Poverty Measure, which serves as an additional indicator of economic well-being, SNAP lifted 4.7 million people out of poverty in 2014.
Health Impacts
Numerous studies demonstrate that SNAP participation and the amounts of monthly SNAP benefits received by households affect the health and well-being of families and children. For instance, a Children’s HealthWatch brief documents health improvements for young children who live in households that received increased SNAP benefits provided by the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Following the increase, “children in families receiving SNAP were significantly more likely to be classified as ‘well’ than young children whose families were eligible but did not receive SNAP.”
Food Security Impacts
There is strong evidence of SNAP’s effectiveness in alleviating food insecurity. Two studies included in the recent “Long-Term Benefits of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program” White House Report demonstrate this point. Mabli and Ohls (2015) compared households’ state of food security before and after receiving SNAP benefits and found that “SNAP participation reduced the overall fraction of households that were food insecure and the fraction that were very low food secure by around 17 percent and 19 percent, respectively. Mabli and Worthington (2014) find even larger impacts on children’s food security in low-income households with children, showing that food insecurity among children fell by roughly 33 percent after their families had been receiving benefits for about six months….”
Furthermore, the ARRA SNAP benefit boost was terminated effective November 2013 with negative impacts on families. In the wake of that cut, new research from Children’s HealthWatch finds that low monthly SNAP benefit levels and the November 2013 rollback in SNAP benefits have had “a measurable, negative effect on household and child food insecurity.”
For more information on SNAP’s impacts on poverty, food security, health, and well-being, see FRAC’s SNAP and Public Health: The Role of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in Improving the Health and Well-Being of Americans (pdf).
SNAP participation averaged 45,464,508 persons in August 2015, a decrease of 42,564 persons compared with July 2015, and a decrease of 1,011,783 persons compared with August 2014.
State Trends
Between August 2014 and August 2015, 40 states and the District of Columbia experienced participation declines. In many states, declines are associated with economic improvements. Restrictive policies and procedures appear to have contributed to large caseload declines in Maine, Wisconsin and Massachusetts in early 2015, compared with early 2014, but Massachusetts registered a caseload increase for the fourth month in a row in August 2015, reflecting recent actions to address access barriers in that state.”
Of the 10 states with over-the-year SNAP participation increases in July 2015 four (Nevada, Nebraska, New Jersey and California ) rank among the 15 worst in reaching SNAP eligible people, according to the most recent year for which such data are available (2012). Outreach and access initiatives in more recent years as well as economic and climate factors impacting need are contributing to those states’ increased participation levels.
July 2015 Participation Tables — 1-Month Change, 1-Year, 5-Year Change, and State-by-State Analysis (pdf)
SNAP participation averaged, 45,480,644 persons in July 2015, a decrease of 29,507 persons compared with June 2015, and a decrease of 1,006,244 persons compared with July 2014.
State Trends
Between July 2014 and July 2015, 39 states and the District of Columbia experienced participation declines. In many states, declines are associated with economic improvements. Restrictive policies and procedures appear to have contributed to large caseload declines in Maine and Massachusetts in early 2015, compared with early 2014, but Massachusetts registered a caseload increase for the third month in a row in July 2015, reflecting recent actions to address access barriers in that state.”
Of the 10 states with over-the-year SNAP participation increases in July 2015 three (Nevada, Nebraska, and New Jersey ) rank among the 15 worst in reaching SNAP eligible people, according to the most recent year for which such data are available (2012). Outreach and access initiatives in more recent years as well as economic and climate factors impacting need are contributing to those states’ increased participation levels.
June 2015 Participation Tables — 1-Month Change, 1-Year, 5-Year Change, and State-by-State Analysis (pdf)
SNAP participation averaged 45,510,153 persons in June 2015, an increase of 14,869 persons compared with May 2015, but a decrease of 985,640 persons compared with June 2014.
State Trends
Between June 2014 and June 2015, 38 states and the District of Columbia experienced participation declines. In many states, declines are associated with economic improvements. Restrictive policies and procedures appear to have contributed to large caseload declines Maine and Massachusetts in early 2015, compared with early 2014, but Massachusetts registered a caseload increase between May 2015 and June 2015, reflecting recent actions to address access barriers in that state.
Of the 12 states with over-the-year SNAP participation increases in June 2015 four (Nevada, California, Nebraska, and New Jersey ) rank among the 15 worst in reaching SNAP eligible people, according to the most recent year for which such data are available (2012). Outreach and access initiatives in more recent years as well as economic and climate factors impacting need are contributing to those states’ increased participation levels.
May 2015 Participation Tables — 1-Month Change, 1-Year, 5-Year Change, and State-by-State Analysis (pdf)
SNAP participation averaged 45,495,380 persons in May 2015, a decrease of 56,589 persons compared with April 2015, and a decrease of 740,226 persons compared with May 2014.
State Trends
Between May 2014 and May 2015, 39 states and the District of Columbia experienced participation declines. In many states, declines are associated with economic improvements. In Maine and Massachusetts, however, new restrictive policies and procedures appear to be contributing to declines in caseloads that outpace the national decline.
North Carolina, whose eligibility processing system problems had contributed to a double digit percentage participation decline between May 2013 and May 2014, registered the highest SNAP participation increase in May 2015. Of the other 10 states with over-the-year SNAP participation increases, three (Nevada, California, and Nebraska) rank among the ten worst in reaching SNAP eligible people, according to the most recent year for which such data are available (2012). Outreach and access initiatives in more recent years as well as economic and climate factors impacting need are contributing to those states’ increased participation levels.
April 2015 Participation Tables — 1-Month Change, 1-Year, 5-Year Change, and State-by-State Analysis (pdf)
SNAP participation was 45,438,832 persons in April 2015, a decrease of 202,930 persons compared with March 2015, and a decrease of 808,516 persons compared with April 2014.
State Trends
Between April 2014 and April 2015, 38 states experienced participation declines. In many states, declines are associated with economic improvements. In Maine and Massachusetts, however, new policies and procedures appear to be contributing to declines in caseloads that outpace the national decline. In Massachusetts, emergency food providers and other advocates report that many client cases are being closed or denied without the state making an eligibility determination.
Of the 12 states with over-the-year SNAP participation increases, three (Nevada, California, and Nebraska) rank among the ten worst in reaching SNAP eligible people, according to the most recent year for which such data are available (2012). In 2012 California ranked second worst in reaching eligible SNAP people, missing 4 in 10 eligible Californians; Nevada ranked third worst, missing nearly 4 in 10 eligible Nevadans; and Nebraska ranked tenth worst, missing 1 in 4 eligible Nebraskans. Outreach and access initiatives in more recent years as well as economic and climate factors impacting need are contributing to those states’ increased participation levels.
March 2015 Participation Tables — 1-Month Change, 1-Year, 5-Year Change, and State-by-State Analysis (pdf)
SNAP participation was 45,641,762 persons in March 2015, a decrease of 40,649 persons compared with February 2015, and a decrease of 455,937 persons compared with March 2014.
State Trends
Between February 2014 and February 2015, 38 states experienced participation declines. In many states, declines are associated with economic improvements. In Maine and Massachusetts, however, new policies and procedures appear to be contributing to declines in caseloads that outpace the national decline. In Massachusetts, emergency food providers and other advocates report that many client cases are being closed or denied without the state making an eligibility determination.
Of the 12 states and the District of Columbia with over-the-year SNAP participation increases, two (Nevada and California) rank among the ten worst in reaching SNAP eligible people, according to the most recent year for which such data are available (2012). In 2012 Nevada ranked third worst in reaching eligible SNAP people, missing nearly 4 in 10 eligible Nevadans; and California ranked second worst, missing 4 in 10 eligible Californians. Outreach and access initiatives in more recent years as well as economic and climate factors impacting need are contributing to those states’ increased participation levels. North Carolina’s relatively large jump in participation in March 2015, compared with March 2014, likely reflects state actions directed by USDA to address backlogs in processing SNAP applications that had depressed participation in 2013 and early 2014.
SNAP participation was 45,682,474 persons in February 2015, a decrease of 346,456 persons compared with January 2015, and a decrease of 494,721 persons compared with February 2014.
State Trends
Between February 2014 and February 2015, 38 states experienced participation declines. In many states, declines are associated with economic improvements. In Maine and Massachusetts, however, new policies and procedures appear to be contributing to declines in caseloads that outpace the national decline. In Massachusetts, emergency food providers and other advocates report that many client cases are being closed or denied without the state making an eligibility determination.
Of the 12 states and the District of Columbia with over-the-year SNAP participation increases, two (Nevada and California) rank among the ten worst in reaching SNAP eligible people, according to the most recent year for which such data are available (2012). In 2012 Nevada ranked third worst in reaching eligible SNAP people, missing nearly 4 in 10 eligible Nevadans; and California ranked second worst, missing 4 in 10 eligible Californians. Outreach and access initiatives in more recent years as well as economic and climate factors impacting need are contributing to those states’ increased participation levels.
SNAP participation was 46,029,343 persons in January 2015, a decrease of 222,731 persons compared with December 2014, and a decrease of 501,546 persons compared with January 2014.
State Trends
Between January 2014 and January 2015, 37 states experienced participation declines. In many states, declines are associated with economic improvements. In Maine and Massachusetts, however, new policies and procedures appear to be contributing to declines in caseloads that outpace the national decline. In Massachusetts, emergency food providers and other advocates report that many client cases are being closed or denied without the state making an eligibility determination.
Of the 13 states and the District of Columbia with over-the-year SNAP participation increases, two (Nevada and California) rank among the ten worst in reaching SNAP eligible people, according to the most recent year for which such data are available (2012). In 2012 Nevada ranked third worst in reaching eligible SNAP people, missing nearly 4 in 10 eligible Nevadans; and California ranked second worst, missing 4 in 10 eligible Californians. Outreach and access initiatives in more recent years as well as economic and climate factors impacting need are contributing to those states’ increased participation levels.
SNAP participation was 46,252,064 persons in December 2014, a decrease of 11,302 from November 2014. A larger decrease was seen over the year with 530,020 fewer persons participating, or 1.1 percent, from December 2013 to December 2014.
State Trends
Between December 2013 and December 2014, 37 states experienced participation declines. Of the 13 states and the District of Columbia with over-the-year SNAP participation increases, three (Nevada, Hawaii, and California) rank among the ten worst in reaching SNAP eligible people, according to the most recent year for which such data are available (2012). In 2012 Nevada ranked third worst in reaching eligible SNAP people, missing nearly 4 in 10 eligible Nevadans. Hawaii ranked fourth worst, missing nearly 4 of 10 eligible Hawaiians; and California ranked second worst, missing 4 in 10 eligible Californians. Outreach and access initiatives in more recent years as well as economic and climate factors impacting need are contributing to those states’ increased participation levels.
SNAP participation was 46,271,508 persons in November 2014, a decrease of 206,170 from October 2014. A larger decrease was seen over the year with 764,136 fewer persons participating, or 1.6 percent, from November 2013 to November 2014.
State Trends
Between November 2013 and November 2014, 38 states and the District of Columbia experienced participation declines. Of the 12 states with over-the-year SNAP participation increases, three (Nevada, Hawaii, and California) rank among the ten worst in reaching SNAP eligible people, according to the most recent year for which such data are available (2012). In 2012 Nevada ranked third worst in reaching eligible SNAP people, missing nearly 4 in 10 eligible Nevadans. Hawaii ranked fourth worst, missing nearly 4 of 10 eligible Hawaiians; and California ranked second worst, missing 4 in 10 eligible Californians. Outreach and access initiatives in more recent years as well as economic and climate factors impacting need are contributing to those states’ increased participation levels.
SNAP participation in September 2014 was 46,459,998, a drop of 16,412 persons compared to the prior month, but a drop of 845,726 persons compared with September 2013.
State Trends
Between September 2013 and September 2014, ten states increased participation: Nevada, North Carolina, California, New Mexico, West Virginia, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, and Illinois. Four of those states (Nevada, California, New Jersey, and Hawaii) rank among the ten worst in reaching SNAP eligible people, according to the most recent year for which such data are available (2011).
The August 2014 national SNAP participation level of 46,484,828 persons in August 2014 was a mere 2,060 person dip over the prior month but a decrease of 1,180,228 persons over August 2013.
State Trends
In August 2014 the District of Columbia and 43 states experienced drops in SNAP participation compared with August 2013 levels. Seven states increased participation between August 2013 and August 2014: California, Connecticut, Florida, Nevada, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Two of those states (California and Nevada) rank among the ten worst in reaching SNAP eligible people, according to the most recent year for which such data is available (2011).
July 2014 Participation Tables — 1-Month Change, 1-Year, 5-Year Change, and State-by-State Analysis (pdf)
An over-the-month decrease of 9,818 persons in the national SNAP participation level to 46,486,434 persons in July 2014 did not meaningfully change from June 2014. SNAP participation did decrease, however, by 1,151,034 persons from July 2013 to July 2014.
State Trends
In July 2014 the District of Columbia and 41 states experienced drops in SNAP participation compared with July 2013 levels. Nine states increased participation between July 2013 and July 2014: Nevada, California, West Virginia, Connecticut, New Jersey, Hawaii, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Colorado, and New Mexico. Five of those states (California, Hawaii, Colorado, New Jersey, and Nevada) rank among the ten worst in reaching SNAP eligible people, according to the most recent year for which such data is available (2011).
National SNAP participation in June 2014 was 46,496,145 persons, a drop of 1,264,102 persons compared with June 2013. While compared with May 2014, national SNAP participation level increased by 220,999 persons, that increase was concentrated heavily in North Carolina (which added 161,823 participants). Previously, for much of 2013 and 2014, North Carolina’s SNAP enrollment numbers had been depressed in connection with application and recertification processing delays.
State Trends
Compared with the prior June, 41 states and the District of Columbia registered drops in SNAP participation in June 2014. Nine states bucked that trend and increased participation between June 2013 and June 2014: Nevada, California, West Virginia, Hawaii, Connecticut, New Jersey, Maryland, Colorado, and Pennsylvania. Five of those states (California, Hawaii, Colorado, New Jersey, and Nevada) rank among the ten worst in reaching SNAP eligible people, according to the most recent year for which such data is available (2011).
SNAP participation in May 2014 dropped by 22,294 to 46,225,054 people; that represented a decrease of 1,410,172 people compared with May 2013. This is the sixth consecutive month that SNAP participation has averaged below 47 million people.
State Trends
In May 2014 the District of Columbia and 43 states experienced drops in SNAP participation compared with May 2013 levels. Seven states increased participation between May 2013 and May 2014: Nevada, California, West Virginia, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Three of those states (California, Hawaii, and Nevada) rank among the ten worst in reaching SNAP eligible people, according to the most recent year for which such data is available (2011).
An over-the-month increase of 149,751 in the national SNAP participation level to 46,247,450 persons in April 2014 was driven by a one-month jump of 216,544 persons in North Carolina; but even with that development, national SNAP participation was still 1,301,127 persons lower in April 2014 than in April 2013. The April 2014 national SNAP participation level is lower than all but two months dating back to October 2011.
State Trends
North Carolina had experienced significant backlogs in processing SNAP applications in 2013 and early 2014, with some cases pending more than 90 days. USDA imposed a series of deadlines for North Carolina to clear the backlogs, with the final deadline set for March 31, 2014.
In April 2014 the District of Columbia and 42 states experienced drops in SNAP participation compared with April 2013 levels. Eight states increased participation between April 2013 and April 2014: Nevada, California, West Virginia, Connecticut, New Jersey, Hawaii, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Four of those states (California, Hawaii, New Jersey, and Nevada) rank among the ten worst in reaching SNAP eligible people, according to the most recent year for which such data is available (2011).
SNAP participation in March 2014 dropped to 46,097,719 persons, a decrease of 79,476 persons compared with February 2014 and a decrease of 1,626,877 persons compared with March 2013. The March participation numbers are the lowest since August 2011 (45,794,474 persons).
Overall, economic improvements are expected to lower SNAP participation, but economic hardship and need for food assistance remain relatively high. About one in seven people in the U.S. received SNAP and about one in eight were unemployed or underemployed in March of 2014, according to USDA data and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics U-6 measure. An analysis using the Healthways Well-Being survey collected by Gallup showed that nearly one in five people did not have enough money to feed themselves or their family in 2013.
State Trends
In March 2014 the District of Columbia and 42 states experienced drops in SNAP participation compared with March 2013 levels. Eight states, however, increased participation between March 2013 and March 2014: Nevada, Connecticut, California, West Virginia, Hawaii, New Jersey, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.
SNAP participation in February 2014 dropped to 46,177,144 persons, a decrease of 353,785 persons compared with January 2014 and a decrease of 1,380,980 persons compared with February 2013. The February participation numbers are the lowest since August 2011 (45,794,474 persons).
Overall, economic improvements are expected to slow SNAP participation, but economic hardship and need for food assistance remain relatively high. About one in seven people in the U.S. received SNAP and about one in eight were unemployed or underemployed in February of 2014, according to USDA data and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics U-6 measure. An analysis using the Healthways Well-Being survey collected by Gallup showed that nearly one in five people did not have enough money to feed themselves or their family in 2013.
State Trends
In February 2014 the District of Columbia and 43 states experienced drops in SNAP participation compared with February 2013 levels. Seven states, however, increased participation between February 2013 and February 2014: Nevada, California, West Virginia, Connecticut, Maryland, Hawaii, and Pennsylvania.
SNAP participation in February 2014 dropped to 46,177,144 persons, a decrease of 353,785 persons compared with January 2014 and a decrease of 1,380,980 persons compared with February 2013. The February participation numbers are the lowest since August 2011 (45,794,474 persons).
Overall, economic improvements are expected to slow SNAP participation, but economic hardship and need for food assistance remain relatively high. About one in seven people in the U.S. received SNAP and about one in eight were unemployed or underemployed in February of 2014, according to USDA data and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics U-6 measure. An analysis using the Healthways Well-Being survey collected by Gallup showed that nearly one in five people did not have enough money to feed themselves or their family in 2013.
State Trends
In February 2014 the District of Columbia and 43 states experienced drops in SNAP participation compared with February 2013 levels. Seven states, however, increased participation between February 2013 and February 2014: Nevada, California, West Virginia, Connecticut, Maryland, Hawaii, and Pennsylvania.
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