**GAO-03-388**                      Published: Mar 12, 2003. Publicly Released: Mar 12, 2003.                  

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## Highlights

Since the late 1990s, many funding changes have been made to the Food Stamp E&T Program. In 1997, legislation required states to spend 80 percent of their funds on participants who lose their food stamp benefits if they do not meet work requirements within a limited time frame. The legislation also increased funds by $131 million to help states serve these participants. But spending rates for the program declined until, in 2001, states spent only about 30 percent of the federal allocation. In 2002, the Congress reduced federal funds to $110 million a year. While it is too soon to know the impact of these changes, GAO was asked to determine whom the program serves, what services are provided, and what is known about program outcomes and effectiveness.

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## Topics

Agriculture and Food

Employment assistance programsFederal fundsFood relief programsPublic assistance programsFunds managementProgram evaluationFood Stamp RecipientsVocational educationJob trainingWorkfare