United States Food and October 2010

Department of Nutrition

Agriculture Service

Nutrition Assistance Program Report Series

The Office of Research and Analysis

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Report No. SNAP-10-CHAR

Characteristics of Supplemental 

Nutrition Assistance Program 

Households: Fiscal Year 2009
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United States Food and

Department of Nutrition

Agriculture Service

October 2010

Supplemental Nutrition 

Assistance Program

Report No. SNAP-10-CHAR

Characteristics of Supplemental 

Nutrition Assistance Program 

Households: Fiscal Year 2009

Authors:

Joshua Leftin, Andrew Gothro, and Esa Eslami

Submitted by: Submitted to:

Mathematica Policy Research, Inc. Office of Research and Analysis

600 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Suite 550 USDA, Food and Nutrition Service

Washington, D.C. 20024-2512 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 503

Alexandria, VA 22302-1500

Project Director: Carole Trippe Project Officer: Jenny Genser

This study was conducted under Contract Number AG-3198-K-09-0035 with the Food and 

Nutrition Service.

This report is available on the Food and Nutrition Service web site: 

http://www.fns.usda.gov/fns/research.htm

Suggested Citation:

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, Office of Research and Analysis, 

Characteristics of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Households: Fiscal Year 2009, by 

Joshua Leftin, Andrew Gothro, and Esa Eslami. Project Officer, Jenny Genser. Alexandria, VA: 

2010.
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iii

This report was prepared by Joshua Leftin, Andrew Gothro, and Esa Eslami of Mathematica 

Policy Research for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service, Office of 

Research and Analysis. Many individuals made important contributions to the report. The authors 

thank Karen Cunnyngham, Carole Trippe, and Ronette Briefel for providing guidance and reviewing 

the report; Daisy Ewell, Katherine Bencio, and Joel Smith for providing programming support; and 

Felita Buckner for preparing the manuscript. The authors also thank Jenny Genser, Kathryn Law, 

Bob Dalrymple, Michael DePiro, Nadine Nichols, Vicky Robinson, and Mary Rose Conroy of the 

U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service for providing guidance and program 

information.

Authors: Joshua Leftin, Andrew Gothro, and Esa Eslami

Mathematica Project Director: Carole Trippe

Mathematica Project Number: 06684.301

FNS Project Officer: Jenny Genser

FNS Contract Number: AG-3198-K-09-0035

October 2010
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v

CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................. xiii

1 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................1

2 AN OVERVIEW OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM .....3

Program Eligibility Requirements ...................................................................3

The Household........................................................................................3

Categorical Eligibility...............................................................................4

Income Eligibility Standards.....................................................................4

Resources................................................................................................6

Nonfinancial Eligibility Standards.............................................................7

Application Procedures ..................................................................................8

Benefit Computation......................................................................................8

SSI-CAP and MFIP Households .................................................................9

SNAP Benefit Issuance ...........................................................................10

Program Changes Since the Previous Fiscal Year ....................................10

SNAP Participation and Costs.................................................................10

3 CHARACTERISTICS OF SNAP HOUSEHOLDS AND PARTICIPANTS ....................15

The Poverty Status of SNAP Households .......................................................16

Households with Special Needs....................................................................16

Households with Children......................................................................18

Households with Elderly People .............................................................18

Households with Disabled Nonelderly People.........................................21

Other Households Served by SNAP.........................................................21

Single-Person Households.....................................................................22

Characteristics of SNAP Participants.............................................................22

Changes in the Economic Conditions of SNAP Households ...........................22

Differences in the Characteristics of SNAP Households Before and After 

the Implementation of ARRA Provisions........................................................23

ACRONYMS AND DEFINITIONS......................................................................29
vi

APPENDIX A: DETAILED TABLES OF SNAP HOUSEHOLD 

CHARACTERISTICS ................................................................ 35 

APPENDIX B: DETAILED TABLES OF SNAP HOUSEHOLDS 

BY STATE .............................................................................. 67 

APPENDIX C: FISCAL YEAR 2009 SNAP PARAMETERS .................................. 85 

APPENDIX D: SOURCE AND RELIABILITY OF ESTIMATES ............................... 95 

APPENDIX E: SAMPLING ERROR OF ESTIMATES .........................................103 

APPENDIX F: DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENT ........................................ 113 

APPENDIX G: PREVIOUS REPORTS IN THIS SERIES ..................................... .119 

INDEX ..................................................................................................... .1
vii

TABLES

TEXT TABLES

2.1 Major Economic Indicators, Calendar Years 1994 2009 ........................ 13

3.1 Distribution of Households and Their Benefits by Countable 

Income as a Percentage of Poverty Guideline, Fiscal Year 2009............. 17

3.2 Effect of SNAP Benefits on the Poverty Status of SNAP Households, 

Fiscal Year 2009................................................................................... 17

3.3 Household Composition and Selected Characteristics of 

Participating Households, Fiscal Year 2009........................................... 19

3.4 Average Values of Selected Characteristics by Household 

Composition, Fiscal Year 2009 ............................................................. 20

3.5 SNAP Benefits of Participants by Selected Demographic 

Characteristics, Fiscal Year 2009 .......................................................... 24

3.6 Nominal and Real Values of Selected Characteristics, Fiscal Year 

2008 and Fiscal Year 2009 ................................................................... 25

3.7 Number of Households, Average Gross Countable Income, and 

SNAP Benefit by Household Composition, Countable Income 

Source, and Benefit Amount for Pre- and Post-ARRA Time Periods, 

Fiscal Year 2009................................................................................... 26

APPENDIX A TABLES

Summary Characteristics 

A-1 Distribution of Participating Households, Individuals, and Benefits 

by Household Composition, Locality, Countable Income Source, 

and SNAP Benefit Amount..................................................................... 37

A-2 Average Gross and Net Countable Income, Total Deduction, 

Countable Resources, SNAP Benefit, Household Size, and 

Certification Period of Participating Households by Household 

Composition, Locality, Countable Income Source, and SNAP Benefit 

Amount................................................................................................ 38

Income, Poverty Status, and Resources

A-3 Distribution of Participating Households with Children, Elderly 

Individuals, and Disabled Nonelderly Individuals by Amount of 

Gross and Net Countable Income, Countable Resources, and Gross 

and Net Countable Income as a Percentage of Poverty Guideline........... 39
viii

APPENDIX A TABLES (continued)

A-4 Distribution of Participating Households by Household Size and 

Amount of Countable Gross and Net Income, Resources, and Gross 

and Net Income as a Percentage of Poverty Guideline ........................... 40

A-5 Average Gross and Net Countable Income, Average Gross and Net 

Countable Income as a Percentage of Poverty Guideline, Average 

Countable Resources, and Average Monthly Benefit of Participating 

Households by Household Composition and Size.................................. 41

A-6 Distribution of Participating Households with Children, Elderly 

Individuals, and Disabled Nonelderly Individuals by Type of 

Countable Income ................................................................................ 42

A-7 Average Income, Total Deduction, SNAP Benefit, and Household 

Size of Participating Households by Type of Countable Income............. 43

A-8 Distribution of Participating Households with Children, Elderly 

Individuals, and Disabled Nonelderly Individuals by Countable 

Earned and Unearned Income Amounts................................................. 44

SNAP Deductions

A-9 Distribution of Participating Households by Type of Deduction and 

Household Composition, Countable Income Source, and SNAP 

Benefit Amount..................................................................................... 46

A-10 Average Values of Deductions of Participating Households by 

Household Composition, Countable Income Source, and SNAP 

Benefit Amount..................................................................................... 47

A-11 Distribution of Participating Households by Selected Household 

Characteristics and Amount of Deduction............................................. 48

SNAP Benefit

A-12 Distribution of Participating Households by Selected Household 

Characteristics and SNAP Benefit Amount, SNAP Benefit as a 

Percentage of the Maximum Benefit, and Certification Period................ 50

Household Composition

A-13 Distribution of Participating Households by Type of Most Recent 

Action and Expedited Service................................................................ 51

A-14 Distribution of Participating Households, Individuals, and Benefits 

by Household Composition................................................................... 52
ix

APPENDIX A TABLES (continued)

A-15 Average Gross and Net Countable Income, Total Deduction, 

Countable Resources, SNAP Benefit, Household Size, and 

Certification Period of Participating Households by Household 

Composition......................................................................................... 53

A-16 Distribution of Participating Households by Countable Income Type 

and Household Composition................................................................. 54

A-17 Distribution of Participating Households with Children, Elderly 

Individuals, and Disabled Nonelderly Individuals by Selected 

Characteristics...................................................................................... 55

A-18 Average Values of Selected Characteristics for Participating 

Households with Children, Elderly Individuals, and Disabled 

Nonelderly Individuals .......................................................................... 56

A-19 Distribution of Participating Households with Countable Earned 

and Unearned Income by Selected Characteristics................................. 57

A-20 Average Values of Selected Characteristics for Participating 

Households with Countable Earned and Unearned Income .................... 58

A-21 Distribution of Participating Households with Selected Household 

Characteristics by the Race of the Household Head............................... 59

A-22 Distribution of Participating Households by Presence of a 

Household Member with Selected Characteristics.................................. 60

Participants

A-23 Gender and SNAP Benefits of Participants by Selected Demographic 

Characteristic ....................................................................................... 61

A-24 Distribution of Participants by Thrifty Food Plan Sex-Age Groups 

and Household Size .............................................................................. 62

A-25 Distribution of Household Heads, All Participants, and Nonelderly 

Adult Participants by Work Registration Status and Employment 

Status................................................................................................... 63

Survey Comparisons: Fiscal Years 1989 to 2009

A-26 Comparison of Participating Households with Key SNAP Household 

Characteristics for Fiscal Years 1989 to 2009 ....................................... 64

A-27 Comparison of Average Nominal and Real Values of Key SNAP 

Household Characteristics for Fiscal Years 1989 to 2009...................... 65

A-28 Comparison of Number of SNAP Participants by Gender and Age 

for Fiscal Years 1989 to 2009................................................................66
x

APPENDIX B TABLES

B-1 Distribution of Participating Households, Individuals, and Benefits 

by State ................................................................................................ 69

B-2 Average Values of Selected Characteristics by State .............................. 70

B-3 Distribution of Participating Households by Poverty Status and by 

State..................................................................................................... 71

B-4 Distribution of Participating Households by Shelter-Related 

Characteristics and by State.................................................................. 72

B-5 Distribution of Participating Households by Household 

Composition and by State..................................................................... 73

B-6 Distribution of Participating Households by Selected Countable 

Income Sources and by State ................................................................ 74

B-7 Average Values of Selected Countable Income Sources by State ............ 75

B-8 Distribution of Participating Households by Earnings-Related 

Characteristics and by State.................................................................. 76

B-9 Distribution of Entrant Households with and without Expedited 

Service by State .................................................................................... 77

B-10 Distribution of Participating Households by Race/Ethnic Origin of 

Household Head and by State ............................................................... 78

B-11 Distribution of Participants by Age and by State.................................... 79

B-12 Distribution of Participants by Citizenship Status and by State...............80

B-13 Distribution of Noncitizen Participants by Age and by State ...................81

B-14 Distribution of Participating Households by Use of Standard Utility 

Allowance and by State..........................................................................82

B-15 Distribution of Participating Categorically Eligible Households by 

Public Assistance Status and by State.....................................................83

APPENDIX C TABLES

C-1 Fiscal Year 2008 HHS Poverty Income Guidelines .................................. 87

C-2 SNAP Maximum Allowable Gross Monthly Income Eligibility 

Standards in Fiscal Year 2009............................................................... 88

C-3 SNAP Maximum Allowable Net Monthly Income Eligibility Standards 

in Fiscal Year 2009 ............................................................................... 89
xi

APPENDIX C TABLES (continued)

C-4 Value of Standard, Maximum Dependent-Care, and Excess Shelter 

Expense Deductions in the Contiguous United States and Outlying 

Areas in Fiscal Year 2009...................................................................... 90

C-5 Value of Maximum Monthly SNAP Benefit in the Contiguous United 

States and Outlying Areas in Fiscal Year 2009....................................... 91

C-6 Value of Minimum Monthly SNAP Benefit in the Contiguous United 

States and Outlying Areas in Fiscal Year 2009....................................... 93

APPENDIX D TABLES

D-1 Number of Cases Sampled, Dropped from the Edited File, and 

Included in the Edited File, Fiscal Year 2009 ..........................................98

D-2 Unweighted Distribution of Participating Households by State ...............99

D-3 Comparison of Program Data to Edited SNAP QC Datafile, Fiscal 

Year 2009............................................................................................100

D-4 Comparison of Calculated and Reported Values for Selected 

Variables of Participating Households, Fiscal Year 2009.......................101

APPENDIX E TABLES

E-1 Standard Errors of Estimated Numbers of SNAP 

Households, Fiscal Year 2009..............................................................109

E-2 Square Root of Design Effects (d) for Standard Errors of 

Estimated Numbers or Percentages of SNAP Households, 

Fiscal Year 2009..................................................................................110

E-3 Standard Errors of Estimated Means, Fiscal Year 2009 .........................111

E-4 Range of Standard Errors of Mean Amounts Expressed as a 

Percentage of the Mean Amount, Fiscal Year 2009...............................112

FIGURE

2.1 SNAP Participants, Unemployed Individuals, and Individuals in 

Poverty, 1985 2009 ..............................................................................12
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xiii

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides millions of Americans with 

the means to purchase food for a nutritious diet. SNAP is the largest of the 15 domestic food and 

nutrition assistance programs administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and 

Nutrition Service (FNS). This report describes the characteristics of SNAP households and 

participants nationwide in fiscal year 2009. It also presents an overview of SNAP eligibility 

requirements and benefit levels in fiscal year 2009 (October 2008 through September 2009), 

including mid-year changes resulting from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 

(ARRA). The appendices include detailed tabulations of household and participant characteristics 

for the nation and by State, as well as a brief description of the sample design and the sampling error 

associated with the estimates presented in the report. 

SNAP Participation and Costs

In an average month in fiscal year 2009, SNAP provided benefits to 33.5 million people living 

in over 15.2 million households across the United States. The total cost of the program in fiscal year 

2009 was $53.6 billion, $50.4 billion of which went to SNAP benefits and the remainder to program 

administration. The average monthly SNAP benefit for all participating households in fiscal year 

2009 was $276.

Compared with fiscal year 2008,1the total number of SNAP participants in fiscal year 2009 

increased by almost 19 percent while SNAP benefits increased by about 46 percent. The continued 

growth in SNAP participation from 2008 to 2009 is likely attributable to the deterioration of the 

economy, expansions in SNAP eligibility, and continued outreach efforts. The significant growth in 

benefits is largely due to the increase in benefit levels established by ARRA, coupled with the rapid 

increase in caseloads.

The participant counts and benefit costs discussed in this section are based on FNS 

administrative records and thus differ slightly from estimates based on the SNAP Quality Control 

(SNAP QC) sample file (see Appendix D for an explanation of the differences). The remainder of 

this report draws on data from the SNAP QC file.

Characteristics of SNAP Households and Participants

Approximately 86 percent of all SNAP households lived in poverty, as measured by the federal 

poverty guidelines issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) (see 

Appendix C). SNAP benefits were concentrated among poorer households; 42 percent of all SNAP 

households had gross income less than or equal to half of the poverty guideline, and these 

households received 56 percent of all benefits. With the value of SNAP benefits included as income, 

13 percent of all SNAP households would move above the poverty guideline as a result of benefit

receipt, and 16 percent would move from below to above half of the poverty guideline.

 

1 In 2010, Missouri submitted corrected SNAP participation data for every year from 2003 to 2008. We 

incorporated the corrected data into this report. Therefore, some statistics from these years presented in the text and 

tables may differ slightly from those in previous reports in this series.
xiv

Twenty-nine percent of SNAP households had earned income, 24 percent received 

Supplemental Security Income (SSI), 22 percent received Social Security income, and 10 percent 

received support from Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF). The percentage of 

households with zero gross income continued to increase in fiscal year 2009, rising to almost 18

percent from 8 percent in fiscal year 2000.

Seventy-nine percent of SNAP households included either a child or an elderly or disabled 

person, and these households received 86 percent of all benefits. Households with children received 

a relatively large average monthly SNAP benefit ($398), reflecting their larger household size. The 

average household with children had 3.3 people compared with an average of 1.1 people for 

households without children. A majority (58 percent) of SNAP households with children were 

single-adult households. Twenty percent of these single-adult households with children received 

cash benefits from TANF. Forty-six percent of all SNAP households with children had earned 

income; 38 percent of single-adult households with children and 60 percent of married-head 

households with children had earned income. Four percent of all households with children had both 

TANF and earned income.

Households with an elderly member received a relatively small average monthly SNAP benefit 

($128), reflecting their smaller-than-average size (1.3 people) and higher-than-average incomes 

compared with other SNAP participants. Eighty percent of SNAP households with an elderly 

member consisted of an elderly person living alone. These individuals received an average monthly 

benefit of $103 compared with an average monthly benefit of $229 for households with elderly 

people not living alone and $300 for households without any elderly people.

In fiscal year 2009, 44 percent of all SNAP participants were nonelderly adults, and 8 percent 

were elderly people. Forty-seven percent of all participants were children, similar to the number of 

participating children in fiscal year 2008. About 65 percent of the children were school age, and 64 

percent of nonelderly adult participants were women.

The percentage of households with zero gross income continued its upward trend, increasing 

from 16 percent in fiscal year 2008 to 18 percent in fiscal year 2009. The percentage of households 

with zero net income also increased, from 34 to 36 percent, while the percentage of households with 

earnings remained at 29 percent. The percentage of households with TANF income continued to 

fall, dropping by 1 point to 10 percent in fiscal year 2009.
1

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a central component of America’s 

nutrition assistance safety net. The stated purpose of SNAP is ―to permit low-income households to 

obtain a more nutritious diet by increasing their purchasing power‖ (Food and Nutrition Act of 

2008, as amended, PL 95-113). SNAP is the largest of the 15 domestic food and nutrition assistance 

programs administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). 

According to FNS administrative records, during fiscal year 2009, SNAP served approximately 33.5

million people in an average month at a total annual cost of $53.6 billion, $50.4 billion of which 

accounted for SNAP benefits.

1

Imposing relatively few nonfinancial categorical exclusion criteria, SNAP is the only lowincome assistance program available nationwide to essentially all financially needy households.2

It 

provides benefits electronically, and the benefits may be redeemed for eligible food items in 193,753

authorized stores across the nation.

Federal, State, and local governments share the costs and administration of SNAP. Congress 

authorizes the program and appropriates necessary funds. The Department of Agriculture 

establishes SNAP regulations under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended. FNS 

administers SNAP nationally, while State and local welfare agencies operate the program locally. The 

federal government fully funds SNAP benefits and the cooperating agencies share administrative 

costs, with FNS paying about 50 percent of the costs.

SNAP benefits are available to most people who meet the income and resource standards set by 

Congress and thus serve a broad spectrum of the needy population. Using SNAP household data 

collected for quality control purposes, FNS sponsors this annual report describing the characteristics 

of the SNAP population (see Appendix G for a list of report titles) and uses the data for additional 

analyses. This report presents a picture of households and individuals participating in SNAP in fiscal 

year 2009. The remainder of this report draws on data for participating households eligible for 

SNAP under normal program rules and thus does not include information about those who received 

disaster assistance in fiscal year 2009.

3

In Chapter 2, we provide an overview of SNAP, including the regulations used to determine 

eligibility and benefits, and the factors that affect program participation and costs, such as national 

economic trends. In Chapter 3, we describe the characteristics of individuals and households 

participating in SNAP in fiscal year 2009. We present detailed national tables of SNAP household 

characteristics in Appendix A and detailed State-by-State tables of SNAP household characteristics 

 

1 The total cost of SNAP in fiscal year 2009 included $3.2 billion in other costs, including the federal share of State 

administrative costs and employment and training programs, printing and processing, anti-fraud funding, and program 

evaluation. 

2 SNAP eligibility requirements include nonfinancial categorical exclusion criteria for certain groups. Specifically, 

some nonelderly nondisabled childless adults during the first half of fiscal year 2009 and some noncitizens were ineligible 

for SNAP benefits.

3 FNS coordinates with State, local, and volunteer organizations to provide food to those affected by storms, 

earthquakes, floods, or other disaster emergencies. About 355 thousand people received disaster assistance at some time 

in fiscal year 2009.
2

in Appendix B. We provide the fiscal year 2009 SNAP eligibility standards and maximum benefit 

amounts in Appendix C. In Appendix D, we provide a detailed explanation and evaluation of the 

source and reliability of the estimates in this report, and in Appendix E, we present the sampling 

error of the estimates. The data collection instrument used to collect the SNAP Quality Control 

(SNAP QC) data, which forms the basis of this report, appears in Appendix F, and a list of the 

reports in this series for earlier years is in Appendix G.
3

CHAPTER 2: AN OVERVIEW OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE 

PROGRAM

The characteristics of SNAP households and the level of SNAP participation change over time 

in response to legislative changes to SNAP and economic and demographic trends. 

Two major pieces of legislation affected SNAP eligibility criteria in 2009. The Food, 

Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill), enacted in June 2008, reauthorized SNAP. 

Provisions related to SNAP, all effective on October 1, 2008, include an increase in the minimum 

SNAP benefit for one- and two-person households, an increase in the standard deduction, the 

elimination of the cap on the dependent care deduction, and the exclusion of most education and

retirement accounts from countable resources when determining SNAP eligibility. The 2008 Farm 

Bill also indexed the resource limits to inflation, adjusting them to the nearest $250 increment each 

fiscal year. We describe these changes and others in more detail later in this chapter.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) took effect on April 1, 2009. It

included changes that raised SNAP benefit levels for the second half of the fiscal year, and 

suspended time-limited benefits for nondisabled adults without dependents.

In this chapter, we explain SNAP eligibility requirements, application procedures, benefit 

computation, and benefit issuance. We conclude the chapter with a summary of program 

participation and costs, and discuss how the costs were related to the economy in fiscal year 2009.

Program Eligibility Requirements

The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended, establishes uniform national eligibility 

standards for SNAP. It defines a SNAP ―household‖; defines categories of households automatically 

eligible for benefits; and sets gross and net income limits, a resource limit, and various nonfinancial 

criteria. Exceptions to the eligibility criteria apply to certain high-cost areas, such as Alaska and 

Hawaii, and to certain individuals such as people age 60 and over and people with disabilities.1

The Household

Under SNAP rules, a household is defined as individuals who share a residential unit and 

purchase and prepare food together. The income and countable resources of each household 

member are aggregated to determine eligibility and benefits. Individuals who live together in a 

residential unit but do not purchase and prepare food together may apply as separate household 

units; their income and countable resources are considered separately in eligibility and benefit 

determinations. People who are elderly and disabled and cannot prepare and purchase food because 

of a substantial disability may apply as a separate household, as long as the gross monthly income of 

 

1 Generally, a person is considered to be disabled for SNAP benefit purposes if he or she receives federal or State 

disability or blindness payments or other disability retirement benefits from a government agency under the Social 

Security Act, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security disability or blindness payments; receives 

an annuity under the Railroad Retirement Act and is eligible for Medicare or is considered to be disabled based on SSI 

rules; is a veteran who is totally disabled, permanently housebound, or in need of regular aid and attendance; or is 

permanently disabled and receiving veterans’ benefits as a surviving spouse or child of a veteran.
4

the remainder of their residential unit is less than 165 percent of the U.S. Department of Health and 

Human Services (HHS) poverty guidelines.2

Categorical Eligibility

Certain households are categorically eligible for SNAP and therefore not subject to income or 

resource limits. A household is categorically eligible if all of its members receive Supplemental 

Security Income (SSI), cash or in-kind Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), or General 

Assistance (GA). Benefits for these categorically-eligible households are determined under the same 

rules that apply to other eligible households.

A broader interpretation of categorical eligibility rules implemented on November 21, 2000 

requires States to confer categorical eligibility on families receiving or certified as eligible to receive 

benefits or services that are at least 50 percent funded by TANF or Maintenance of Effort (MOE) 

funds. States have the option of conferring categorical eligibility on families receiving or certified to 

receive benefits or services that are less than 50 percent funded by TANF/MOE. They may also 

confer categorical eligibility on households in which at least one member receives the benefit or 

service, but the State determines that the entire household benefits. If the purpose of the program 

conferring categorical eligibility is to prevent out-of-wedlock pregnancies or to foster or strengthen 

marriage, the household’s gross income must be under 200 percent of poverty. However, if the 

purpose of the program is to assist needy families and reduce their dependency, no additional SNAP 

means test beyond that already used for the TANF/MOE program is required. 

By the end of fiscal year 2009, 29 States had adopted broad-based categorical eligibility (BBCE) 

policies which confer categorical SNAP eligibility on all households authorized to receive a 

TANF/MOE-funded non-cash benefit. In these States, households meeting the State-determined 

eligibility criteria for the TANF/MOE-funded non-cash benefit are also eligible for SNAP benefits 

and are thus exempt from the SNAP asset or income tests. The non-cash benefit is usually in the 

form of an informational brochure or handout and is targeted to virtually all households applying for 

SNAP benefits. States have flexibility in setting the criteria for receiving the TANF/MOE-funded 

non-cash benefit, but most use only a gross income eligibility limit, generally between 130 and 200 

percent of SNAP poverty guidelines. Eighteen States had BBCE policies in effect throughout all of 

fiscal year 2009, while 11 States established BBCE policies after the start of the fiscal year. Four of 

the total 29 BBCE States had policies that applied only to households with children. In States 

without BBCE, only households participating in a more narrowly targeted TANF-funded program 

could be authorized to receive the TANF/MOE-funded benefit conferring categorical eligibility.

Income Eligibility Standards

Monthly income is the most important determinant of a household’s SNAP eligibility. 

Households that are not categorically eligible must meet two income eligibility standards: a gross 

income standard and a net income standard.3

 

2 Federal poverty guidelines for many assistance programs are established annually by the Secretary of HHS. See 

Appendix C for a list of the fiscal year 2008 SNAP poverty guidelines and a description of how they are determined.

3 Individuals participating in the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) or an SSI Combined Application 

Project (SSI-CAP) are subject to different eligibility and benefit determination rules, as described later in this chapter.
5

As defined in the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended, gross income includes most 

cash income (with the exception of specific types of income such as loans) and excludes most 

noncash income, or in-kind benefits. To be eligible for SNAP, a household that is not categorically 

eligible and does not include an elderly or disabled member must have a monthly gross income that 

is at or below 130 percent of the poverty guideline ($2,297 for a family of four in the contiguous 

United States in fiscal year 2009). Households with elderly or disabled members are not subject to 

the gross income standard. Net income is determined by subtracting deductions permitted under 

SNAP from monthly gross income. The Program deducts the following from a household’s gross 

monthly income to arrive at net monthly income:4

Standard Deduction. Households receive a standard deduction based on location and 

household size. A household with one to three members received $144 in the contiguous 

United States in fiscal year 2009; larger households received a larger standard deduction. 

The standard deduction for outlying States and territories varies to reflect price 

differences between such areas and the contiguous United States (Appendix C). The 

standard deductions are indexed annually to inflation.

Earned Income Deduction. Households with earnings receive a deduction equal to 20 

percent of the combined earnings of household members.

Dependent Care Deduction. Households with dependents receive a deduction for outof-pocket costs incurred for the care of children and other dependents while other 

household members work, seek employment, or attend school. The 2008 Farm Bill 

eliminated the cap on the dependent care deduction at the beginning of fiscal year 2009.

Medical Deduction. A medical deduction is available only to households with elderly 

or disabled members. In most States, such households may deduct combined out-ofpocket medical costs exceeding $35 that are incurred on behalf of elderly or disabled 

members of the household. Seven States have implemented medical deduction 

demonstration programs that use standard deduction amounts for households with 

medical expenses below a specified limit.5 Medical expenses reimbursed by insurance or 

government programs are not deductible in any State.

Child Support Payment Deduction. Households may deduct legally obligated child 

support payments made to or for a non-household member. States may choose to 

exclude child support payments from gross income rather than use the deduction. 

Excess Shelter Expense Deduction. A household is entitled to a deduction equal to 

shelter costs (such as rent, mortgage payments, utility bills, property taxes, and insurance) 

that exceed 50 percent of its countable income after all other potential deductions are 

subtracted from gross income. The limit on the excess shelter expense deduction in the 

contiguous United States for households without elderly or disabled members was $446

 

4 There is a distinction between a household’s deduction entitlement and the amount used to compute SNAP 

benefits. The entitlement is the deduction that a household receives if the total of allowable deductions is less than the 

household’s gross income. Because net income may not be less than zero, households with total deductions greater than 

their gross income may claim only a portion of their deduction entitlement.

5 For detailed information on these demonstrations, see Technical Documentation for the Fiscal Year 2009 SNAP QC 

Database and QC Minimodel.
6

in fiscal year 2009. The amount is indexed to inflation. Households with elderly or 

disabled members are entitled to subtract the full value of shelter costs that exceed 50 

percent of their adjusted income. The limit on the excess shelter expense deduction for 

outlying States and territories varies to reflect price differences between such areas and 

the contiguous United States (Appendix C). Some States also allow homeless households 

a deduction of up to $143 for shelter costs. 

To be eligible for SNAP, a household must have net monthly income at or below 100 percent 

of the poverty guideline ($1,767 for a family of four in the contiguous United States in fiscal year 

2009). Categorically eligible households are not subject to the net income limit. The gross and net 

income eligibility standards vary by household size and for residents of Alaska and Hawaii (see 

Appendix C).

Resources

Another important determinant of SNAP eligibility is a household’s resources. Households that 

are not categorically eligible are permitted up to $2,000 in countable resources or $3,000 in 

countable resources if at least one member is age 60 or older or disabled.6 As stipulated in the 2008 

Farm Bill, the resource limits in future years will be indexed to inflation, rounded to the nearest $250 

increment each fiscal year. Countable resources include cash, resources easily converted to cash 

(such as money in checking or savings accounts, savings certificates, stocks or bonds, or lump-sum 

payments), and some nonliquid resources, such as certain vehicles.7 However, some types of 

property are not counted, such as family homes, tools of a trade, or business property used to earn 

income. Effective October 1, 2008, all retirement and educational savings accounts were also 

excluded. Categorically eligible households are not subject to SNAP resource limits.

Regulations implemented in January 2001 exclude from the resource test any vehicle with equity 

below $1,500, and exempt from the equity test one vehicle per adult in the household as well as any 

vehicles used by a teenager to drive to work or school.8 For vehicles exempt from the equity test but 

not excluded entirely from the resource test, any fair market value exceeding $4,650 is counted 

toward the resource limit. For any remaining vehicles, the higher of either any fair market value in 

excess of $4,650 or any equity is counted.

In addition, the fiscal year 2001 Agricultural Appropriations Act (enacted in September 2000 

and effective on July 1, 2001) allowed States to use TANF vehicle rules in place of SNAP rules if the 

TANF rules were more generous. By September 2009, 42 States had adopted policies that excluded 

the value of all vehicles from the resource test.9 Other States adopted policies that excluded the 

value of one vehicle per adult or per household or increased the allowable value of one or more 

 

6 Some States have implemented higher resource limits by matching the eligibility rules of other assistance 

programs, such as TANF.

7 Vehicles used as a home, to produce income, to transport fuel or water, or to transport disabled people are 

exempt from the resource test.

8 The equity test counts all equity—fair market value minus remaining liens—of the vehicle.

9 In 16 of these States, almost all participating households were categorically eligible for a TANF/MOE-funded 

benefit that conferred categorical eligibility (Table B-15).
7

vehicles. These changes were designed to make it easier for low-income workers to keep a vehicle 

and still receive SNAP benefits.

Nonfinancial Eligibility Standards

The program’s nonfinancial eligibility standards restrict the participation of students, strikers, 

people who are institutionalized, fleeing felons, drug felons, unauthorized immigrants, 

nonimmigrant visitors to the United States, and some lawful permanent resident noncitizens. In 

addition, nondisabled nonelderly adults living in households without dependents are usually subject 

to work registration requirements and time limits on benefit receipt, although the time limits and 

work registration requirements were waived between April 1, 2009, and September 30, 2010.

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA) 

severely limited SNAP eligibility for legal noncitizens.10 The 2002 Farm Security and Rural 

Investment Act restored SNAP benefits to the following groups of legal noncitizens, provided that 

they meet the program’s other eligibility requirements11:

Noncitizens who are receiving disability benefits, effective October 1, 2002

Noncitizens who have lived legally in the United States for five years or more, effective 

April 1, 2003

Noncitizens under age 18, regardless of date of entry, effective October 1, 2003

Those admitted as refugees and those granted asylum or a stay of deportation are eligible for 

SNAP benefits with no length-of-residency requirements.

For the first half of FY 2009, nondisabled nonelderly adults living in households without 

children could receive benefits only if they worked or participated in work-related activities. With 

certain exceptions, those who did not meet these work requirements were restricted to 3 months of 

SNAP benefits in any 36-month period.12 Participants age 18 to 49 were subject to these provisions 

unless they were in one of the following categories:

People who were disabled

People who were mentally or physically unfit for employment

Pregnant women

People needed in the home to care for an ill or incapacitated person

 

10 Unauthorized immigrants have never been eligible for SNAP.

11 PRWORA exempts members of the U.S. Armed Forces, veterans, and dependents of service members and 

veterans from the five-year residency requirement. Other legal noncitizens may qualify for benefits without meeting the 

five-year residency requirement by attaining 40 qualifying quarters of work, including work attained by the applicant’s 

spouse or parents (if the work was attained when the applicant was married to the spouse or a minor child of the 

parent).

12 These nondisabled nonelderly adults living in households without children could be exempted from the work 

requirements if they lived in a waiver area (e.g., due to a high unemployment rate) or had been granted a discretionary 

exemption (limited to 15 percent of the caseload) by the State.
8

Relatives or other caretakers of dependent children

Participants not in any of the above categories were subject to benefit time limits unless they 

met work registration requirements by:

Working at least 20 hours per week

Complying with work requirements under another public assistance or work program

Participating in a drug or alcohol rehabilitation program

Participating in a work experience program

The provisions in ARRA suspended the time limit on benefits for nondisabled adults without 

dependents from April 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010.

Application Procedures

To apply for SNAP benefits, most people appear in person at their local SNAP office. 

However, elderly and disabled people and people with transportation problems may be interviewed 

by telephone or at home. As of September 2009, 21 States had statewide online applications and 2

more had online applications in part of the State. All States must allow individuals to apply for 

SNAP benefits when they apply for TANF or SSI benefits.

The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended, requires local offices to process applications 

for SNAP benefits within 30 days of receipt. However, applications from households with extremely 

low income or a low level of resources must be processed more quickly under the expedited SNAP 

eligibility verification procedures, allowing people to receive SNAP benefits within seven days after 

they apply. Those eligible for expedited service include (1) migrant or seasonal farm workers with 

countable resources equal to or less than $100, and (2) households with gross income equal to or 

less than $150 and countable resources equal to or less than $100.

SNAP participants are required to appear periodically in person at their local SNAP offices or 

participate in a telephone interview for recertification. The certification period varies according to 

the likelihood of a change in a SNAP household’s financial circumstances. The certification period 

for households with elderly members may be up to 24 months. In fiscal year 2009, SNAP 

households were certified for benefits for an average of 12 months, a rate likely augmented by the 

longer certification periods for elderly households.

Benefit Computation

After a household is certified for SNAP, its monthly SNAP benefit is computed on the basis of 

its net monthly income, the benefit reduction rate, and the maximum SNAP benefit for its 

household size and location. The maximum benefit to which a household is entitled is based on the 

June cost of the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) for a family of four, adjusted for household size and for 

geographic areas outside the contiguous United States. The cost of the TFP is based on an 

economical and nutritious diet, adjusted for household size and composition. Maximum benefits are 

generally revised annually to reflect changes in the cost of foods in the TFP. 

As specified in the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended, the maximum benefit was 100 

percent of the TFP during the first half of FY 2009. The maximum monthly benefit for a family of 
9

four in the contiguous United States during this period was $588 (Appendix C). Upon 

implementation of ARRA’s SNAP eligibility provisions on April 1, 2009, the maximum monthly 

benefit increased to 113.6 percent of the TFP. The maximum monthly benefit for a family of four in 

the contiguous United States during the second half of the fiscal year was $668 (Appendix C).

The benefit reduction rate is the rate at which benefits are reduced for every additional dollar of 

net income. The benefit reduction rate is 30 percent, reflecting the assumption that a household will 

spend 30 percent of its net income on food and that SNAP will provide the difference between that 

amount and the maximum benefit. Thus, benefits are reduced by 30 cents for every additional dollar 

of net income.

A household’s monthly SNAP benefit is computed by subtracting 30 percent of its net income 

from the maximum benefit. If a household has zero net income, it receives the maximum SNAP 

benefit. In years prior to fiscal year 2009, all eligible one- and two-person households were 

guaranteed a minimum benefit of $10 per month, except during the initial month of participation. 

For new participants, benefits were pro-rated for the first month. The 2008 Farm Bill increased the 

minimum benefit for one- and two-person households in October 2008, raising it to 8 percent of the 

maximum benefit for a one-person household. Because it is derived from the maximum benefit, the 

minimum benefit increased again on April 1, 2009 with the passage of ARRA and now varies by 

geographic region. The minimum benefit for one- and two-person households in the contiguous

United States was $14 from October 2008 through March 2009 and $16 from April 2009 through

September 2009.13

SSI-CAP and MFIP Households

Through their participation in an SSI Combined Application Project (SSI-CAP), some 

households with SSI benefits receive SNAP benefits that are computed differently than the benefits 

of other SNAP households. SSI-CAP is a joint FNS-Social Security Administration (SSA) and State 

project that streamlines the SNAP application process for certain households eligible for SSI (also 

making them categorically eligible for SNAP). By the end of fiscal year 2009, 15 States were 

operating SSI-CAP demonstrations: Arizona, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, 

Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, 

Virginia, and Washington. In most cases, SSI-CAP is limited to one-person elderly households 

receiving SSI and with no earned income.14 In 12 of the States (Arizona, Kentucky, Louisiana, 

Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, 

and Virginia), SSI-CAP households receive a standard benefit based on whether the State categorizes 

them as having ―high‖ or ―low‖ shelter expenses, as determined by the State. In 3 of the States 

(Florida, Massachusetts, and Washington), SSI-CAP households receive a benefit calculated by using 

actual income, the standard deduction, a standard utility allowance, and a standardized ―high‖ or 

―low‖ shelter expense. SSI-CAP households are not subject to any other deductions from their 

income.

 

13 Minimum benefit values for the other States and territories for fiscal year 2009 are shown in Table C.6.

14 In Florida, Massachusetts, and Washington, a household must have no earned income to enter the program but, 

once enrolled, may have earned income for up to three months and remain eligible. In Kentucky, New York, and Texas, 

a household may have earned income and still be eligible for SSI-CAP benefits. In Kentucky, married couples may also 

be eligible for SSI-CAP benefits, but each individual must meet the eligibility criteria to be treated as a member of the 

same household, and in Texas, married couples may participate but are treated as separate households.
10

Under the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP), households in Minnesota that 

receive TANF are subject to benefit computation that differs from that for other SNAP households. 

MFIP participants’ SNAP benefit is calculated at the same time as the cash assistance benefit by 

subtracting total income from an income threshold that is based on family size and is larger for 

families with earnings. If the difference between total income and the threshold is greater than the 

maximum benefit set by Minnesota, the family receives the full food portion of its benefit for food, 

and possibly an additional cash benefit. As a family’s income rises, the cash portion of the benefit is 

reduced before the food portion of the benefit is reduced. Families with income closer to the 

income threshold may not receive a cash benefit and will receive a smaller food benefit as well. 

MFIP participants are credited with a 39 percent earnings deduction but are not subject to other 

deductions from their income.

SNAP Benefit Issuance

In FY 2009, as in previous years, all 50 States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and the U.S. 

Virgin Islands operated Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) systems. All EBT systems were on-line, 

permitting participants to receive a ―debit‖ card, similar to a bank card, for use in purchasing food at 

authorized retail stores. A household’s monthly benefit is electronically transferred to an account 

created specifically for SNAP benefits. The amount of a purchase is debited from the account at the 

time of the transaction.

Program Changes Since the Previous Fiscal Year

In fiscal year 2009, South Dakota and Vermont implemented medical deduction demonstration 

programs. Under the programs, households with an elderly or disabled member who incurs medical 

expenses up to a specified limit receive a standard medical deduction. Arizona, Michigan, and New 

Jersey implemented SSI-CAP demonstrations during fiscal year 2009, but participation in these 

States remained low through the end of the fiscal year. Three States (Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West 

Virginia) newly adopted BBCE policies at the beginning of fiscal year 2009, while 11 other States 

and territories (California, Connecticut, Guam, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, 

Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Vermont, and the Virgin Islands) adopted BBCE policies after the start of 

the fiscal year.

As described earlier, the 2008 Farm Bill, which became law on June 18, 2008 and took effect in 

October 2008, modified several SNAP eligibility requirements. It increased the minimum SNAP 

benefit for one- and two-person households, setting it at 8 percent of the maximum benefit for a 

one-person household. It also increased the standard deduction, eliminated the cap on dependent 

care deductions, excluded most education and retirement accounts from countable resources 

considered in eligibility determinations, and indexed resource limits to inflation (adjusted to the 

nearest $250 increment). 

ARRA (PL 111-5), which became law on February 17, 2009 and took effect in April 2009, 

increased SNAP benefits by 13.6 percent and suspended time-limited benefits for nondisabled adults 

without dependents until September 2010. 

SNAP Participation and Costs

After declining slowly from 1985 through 1989, the number of SNAP participants grew 

substantially during the early 1990s. As illustrated in Figure 2.1, the number of SNAP participants 

increased by 37 percent from fiscal year 1990 to fiscal year 1994. After peaking at 28.0 million in 
11

March 1994, the number of eligible SNAP participants declined steadily through 2000 but began to 

rise in 2001, and increased each year through 2009. The increase was particularly large from fiscal 

year 200815 to fiscal year 2009. Participation increased from 17.1 million participants in fiscal year 

2000 to 27.6 million in fiscal year 2008 and then to 32.9 million in fiscal year 2009.16

Several factors account for the decline in the number of SNAP participants from 1994 to 2000. 

Part of the decline is associated with the improved economy in the second half of the 1990s. Major 

economic indicators generally showed improvement from 1994 to 1998 (Table 2.1), and the number 

of participants fell during this period of sustained economic growth. In addition, research suggests 

that about a third of the total decline in the number of participants occurred because rising income 

and resources lifted people above SNAP’s eligibility limits. Another 8 percent of the decline reflects 

welfare reform’s restrictions on the eligibility of noncitizens and limits on the time during which 

nonelderly nondisabled childless unemployed adults may receive benefits. The remainder of the 

decline—just over half—occurred because fewer eligible people participated in the program.17

The increase in SNAP participants since 2001 coincided with expansions in SNAP eligibility, 

such as the relaxation of vehicle rules, the restoration of eligibility for many legal noncitizens, and 

the expansions in categorical eligibility, as well as outreach efforts promoted by FNS. From 2001 to 

2003, the increase also coincided with a rise in the unemployment rate and a weakening economy. 

From 2004 to 2006, even though the economy improved, participation continued to grow as 

eligibility expanded. In particular, on October 1, 2003, all legal immigrant children became eligible 

for SNAP. In addition, States continued to relax vehicle rules and expand categorical 

eligibility. From 2007 to 2009, participation grew even further as the economy weakened and the 

unemployment rate began to rise again. Two factors that likely contributed to the sizeable increase in 

participation include the mid-year increase to the maximum benefit allotments, and an increase in 

the number of States adopting BBCE policies after enactment of the 2008 Farm Bill. The percentage 

of eligible individuals choosing to participate in SNAP also rose from 53.9 percent in fiscal year 

2001 to 66.8 percent in fiscal year 2008.

18

Total SNAP costs increased from $37.7 billion in fiscal year 2008 to $53.6 billion in fiscal year 

2009, largely as a result of the increase in SNAP participants; the annual increase in maximum 

allotments, which were driven by the increase in the TFP, and the mid-year increase in the maximum 

allotments under ARRA.

 

15 In 2010, Missouri submitted corrected SNAP QC data for every year from 2003 to 2008. We incorporated the 

corrected data into this report. Therefore, some statistics from these years presented in the text and tables may differ 

slightly from those in previous reports in this series.

16 The number of SNAP participants continued to rise during FY 2010, reaching 41.3 million in June 2010.

17 See Food and Nutrition Service, USDA, The Decline in Food Stamp Participation: A Report to Congress, July 2001.

18 See Trends in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Participation Rates: 2001 to 2008. U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, Office of Research and Analysis, 2010. Participation rates for fiscal year 2009 

will be available in spring 2011.
12

Figure 2.1. SNAP Participants, Unemployed Individuals, and Individuals in Poverty, 1985-2009

a Annual values. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Poverty in the United States: 2009.

b Average monthly values. Source: Food and Nutrition Service Fiscal Year 2010 Program Operations data.

c Average monthly values. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

0

10

20

30

40

50

'85 '86 '87 88 '89 '90 '91 '92 '93 '94 '95 '96 '97 '98 '99 '00 '01 '02 '03 '04 '05 '06 '07 '08 '09

Year

Individuals in Povertya

SNAP Participantsb

Unemployed Individualsc

Millions
13

Table 2.1. Major Economic Indicators, Calendar Years 1994 2009

Calendar Year

Economic Indicator 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Real GDP Increasea 4.1 2.5 3.7 4.5 4.4 4.8 4.1 1.1 1.8 2.5 3.6 3.1 2.7 2.1 0.4 -2.4

Productivity Increaseb 1.0 0.4 2.6 1.5 2.9 3.3 3.4 2.9 4.6 3.7 2.8 1.7 1.0 1.8 2.0 3.7

Unemployment Ratec 6.1 5.6 5.4 4.9 4.5 4.2 4.0 4.7 5.8 6.0 5.5 5.1 4.6 4.6 5.8 9.3

Inflation Rated 2.1 2.1 1.9 1.8 1.1 1.5 2.2 2.3 1.6 2.2 2.8 3.3 3.3 2.9 2.1 1.2

Interest Ratee 8.0 7.6 7.4 7.3 6.5 7.1 7.6 7.1 6.5 5.7 5.6 5.2 5.6 5.6 5.6 5.3

Individuals Below 

Poverty Line

Number in Thousands 38,059 36,425 36,529 35,574 34,476 32,791 31,581 32,907 34,570 35,861 37,040 36,950 36,460 37,276 39,829 43,569

Percentage of Total 

Population 14.5 13.8 13.7 13.3 12.7 11.9 11.3 11.7 12.1 12.5 12.7 12.6 12.3 12.5 13.2 14.3

Sources:

First line of data: Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis, National Income and Product Accounts.

Third line of data: Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Fourth line of data: Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis, National Income and Product Accounts.

Fifth line of data: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

Sixth and seventh lines of data: U.S. Census Bureau, Poverty in the United States.

a Percent change from preceding year. 

b Percent change from preceding year in output per hour, non-farm business sector.

c Unemployment rate for all civilian workers. 

d Percentage change from preceding year in the implicit price deflator for Gross Domestic Product. 

e Corporate AAA bond yield.
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15

CHAPTER 3: CHARACTERISTICS OF SNAP

HOUSEHOLDS AND PARTICIPANTS

SNAP serves the nutritional needs of a broad spectrum of low-income Americans.1In an 

average month in fiscal year 2009, SNAP provided benefits to 32.9 million people living in nearly 15 

million households.2 The vast majority of SNAP households (86 percent) lived in poverty, according 

to the federal poverty guidelines for program eligibility in fiscal year 2009. Most SNAP households 

(79 percent) included a child (under age 18), an elderly person (age 60 and over), or a disabled 

nonelderly person. The average SNAP household received a monthly benefit of $272, had gross 

monthly income of $711, net monthly income of $329, countable resources of $101, and was 

entitled to a total deduction of $471 per month.3,4,5 The average household size was 2.2 people. 

In this chapter, we discuss the composition and economic status of SNAP households, the 

characteristics of SNAP participants, and the changes in the characteristics of SNAP households 

from fiscal year 2008 to fiscal year 2009. In Tables 3.1 and 3.2, we show the poverty status of 

participants and the effect of SNAP benefits on poverty among participating households; in Tables 

3.3 and 3.4, we present sources of income and average monthly income, benefit, and unit size by 

household composition; in Table 3.5, we depict the demographic characteristics of participants; and 

in Table 3.6, we compare the change since 2008 in average income, deductions, and benefit for 

participating households in constant 2009 dollars.

Because of substantial mid-year legislative changes to SNAP eligibility requirements and 

allotment amounts as a result of ARRA, we also briefly discuss changes in the characteristics of 

SNAP households from the first half of the fiscal year (October 2008 through March 2009) to the 

second half of the fiscal year (April 2009 through September 2009) (see Table 3.7).

 

1 The information in this chapter and the estimates in Appendices A and B are based on a sample of 51,250 

households that participated in SNAP in fiscal year 2009. The sample was drawn from SNAP households in the 50 

States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Households in Puerto Rico and the Northern 

Mariana Islands were not included in the sample because Puerto Rico has its own Nutritional Assistance Program, which 

replaced SNAP in July 1982, and the Northern Mariana Islands participate in another block grant program instead of 

SNAP.

2 The estimates of 32.9 million participants and 15 million households differ slightly from the numbers of SNAP 

participants and households in FNS administrative records (33.5 million people and 15.2 million households) because 

the sample estimate is adjusted to exclude receipt of benefits by ineligible households and for those receiving disaster 

assistance. These adjustments also affect household average monthly benefits, which are $272 in the SNAP QC data 

compared with $276 in FNS administrative records (see Appendix D for more information).

3 Given that net income is not used in benefit determination for households participating in MFIP and households 

participating in an SSI-CAP program with a standardized benefit, the average monthly net income estimate excludes 

these households.

4 The information on resource holdings reflects only countable resources. In 2009, the majority of households 

participating in SNAP were categorically eligible, and most of these categorically-eligible households were not subject to 

the resource test and thus had zero countable resources. Most noncategorically-eligible households lived in States that 

did not count some or all of the value of vehicles as resources.

5 The average total deduction estimate reflects the entire deduction to which households are entitled. Given that 

households may not deduct more than their gross income, this figure is greater than the average deduction actually 

received by households. Since deductions are not used in their benefit determination, the estimate excludes SSI-CAP 

households with standardized benefits.
16

The Poverty Status of SNAP Households6

SNAP provides benefits to households in need. In fiscal year 2009 the gross monthly income of 

86 percent of SNAP households was less than or equal to 100 percent of the federal poverty 

guideline (Table 3.1).7 The gross monthly income of 59 percent of all SNAP households was less 

than or equal to 75 percent of the poverty guideline, and the income of 42 percent of all SNAP 

households was less than or equal to 50 percent of the guideline.

SNAP effectively targets benefits to the neediest households; poorer households receive greater

SNAP benefits than do households with more income. The 42 percent of all SNAP households with 

gross monthly income less than or equal to 50 percent of the poverty guideline in fiscal year 2009

received 56 percent of all benefits. In contrast, the 14 percent of households with a gross monthly 

income over the poverty guideline received only 7 percent of all benefits (Table A-1).

The impact of SNAP benefits on a household’s purchasing power is estimated by adding the 

dollar value of the benefits to household income and examining the distribution of households by 

poverty status.8 As shown in Table 3.2, the combination of cash and SNAP benefits yields a 

substantially different distribution of SNAP households by poverty status. Specifically, when SNAP 

benefits are included in gross income, the resulting increase in the income of SNAP households was 

enough to move 13 percent of participating households above the poverty guideline. SNAP benefits 

had an even greater impact on the poorest SNAP households, moving 16 percent above 50 percent 

of the poverty guideline.

Households with Special Needs9

SNAP effectively serves many households that include people with special needs—children, 

elderly, and disabled people. In fiscal year 2009, 79 percent of all SNAP households included a child, 

an elderly person, or a disabled nonelderly person. These households received 86 percent of all 

SNAP benefits (Table A-14).

 

6 For more detailed information on the economic status of SNAP households, see Appendix Tables A-3 through 

A-8.

7 See Appendix Table C-1 for the poverty guidelines.

8 This comparison assumes that program participants value their SNAP benefits at face value.

9 See Appendix Tables A-3, A-6, A-8, A-11, A-12, A-14, A-15, A-16, A-17, A-18, A-19, A-21, A-22, and 

A-23 for more details on these households.
17

Table 3.1. Distribution of Households and Their Benefits by Countable Income as a Percentage of 

Poverty Guideline, Fiscal Year 2009

Gross Income as a Percentage of 

Poverty Guidelinea

Percentage of:

All Households All Benefits

Total ........................................................ 100.0 100.0

25% or less ................................... 27.4 33.9

26 50%......................................... 14.4 21.9

51 75%......................................... 17.0 19.7

76 100%....................................... 27.3 17.5

101 130% ..................................... 10.9 6.1

131% or more ............................... 3.0 0.9

Source: Fiscal year 2009 SNAP QC sample.

a Defined as the fiscal year 2009 SNAP net income screen (see Appendix C).

Table 3.2. Effect of SNAP Benefits on the Poverty Status of SNAP Households, Fiscal Year 2009

Gross Income as a Percentage 

of Poverty Guidelinea

Distribution of Households in

Relation to Poverty Guideline

Difference in 

Percentage 

Based on Cash Only Points

Based on Cash and 

SNAP Benefitsb

Total ..................................................... 100% 100% 0.0

50% or less ................................ 41.8 25.4 -16.4

51 100%.................................... 44.3 47.3 +3.0

101% or more ............................ 13.9 27.3 +13.4

Source: Fiscal year 2009 SNAP QC sample.

a Defined as the fiscal year 2009 SNAP net income screen (see Appendix C).

b Estimates may not add to 100 percent due to rounding.
18

Households with Children

In each month of fiscal year 2009, SNAP served approximately 7.5 million households with 

children, representing 50 percent of all SNAP households (Table 3.3). Households with children and 

earnings constituted 79 percent of all SNAP households with earnings. Nineteen percent of all 

households with children received TANF cash benefits, and 4 percent received a combination of 

TANF and earnings (Table A-6). Compared with other SNAP households, those with children 

received a relatively high average SNAP benefit of $398 per month (Table 3.4), reflecting the fact 

that the average household size among SNAP households with children (3.3 people) was larger than 

the average household size among all SNAP households (2.2 people).

In fiscal year 2009, more than half (58 percent) of all SNAP households with children were 

headed by a single adult (usually a female), representing 29 percent of all SNAP households (Table 

3.3). Approximately 9 percent of all SNAP households included a married head of household and 

children, accounting for 18 percent of all SNAP households with children.

Of the 4.4 million single-adult SNAP households with children, about 887,000 (20 percent) 

received TANF, nearly 1.7 million (38 percent) had earnings, and more than half a million (12

percent) received SSI. Of the 1.3 million married-head households with children, 60 percent had 

earned income and 12 percent received TANF (Table 3.3).

The characteristics of married-head households with children varied considerably from those of 

single-adult households with children. The average monthly SNAP benefit for single-adult 

households with children was lower than that of married-head households with children ($382

versus $479) due to the smaller size of single-adult households (Table 3.4). However, the per capita 

benefit was higher for people in single-adult households with children than for people in marriedhead households with children ($130 versus $110), largely because single-adult households were 

poorer. Single-adult households with children had a substantially lower gross monthly income than 

married-head households with children ($763 versus $1,257).

Among all households with children, 19 percent received child support and 13 percent had no 

countable income (Table A-6).

Households with Elderly People

In each month of fiscal year 2009, SNAP served an average of 2.5 million households with

elderly people (age 60 and over), representing 17 percent of all SNAP households (Table 3.3). These 

households received an average SNAP benefit of $128 per month and had an average household 

size of 1.3 people (Table 3.4).
Table 3.3. Household Composition and Selected Characteristics of Participating Households, Fiscal Year 2009

Households With:

All Households Households With Countable:

Number

(000)

Percent

Earned Income Social Security TANF General Assis

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Pe

Totala ............................................. 14,981 100.0 4,412 100.0 3,358 100.0 1,446 100.0 707 1Children ........................................ 7,474 49.9 3,474 78.7 666 19.8 1,399 96.8 133  Single-Adult Household .............. 4,367 29.1 1,676 38.0 401 12.0 887 61.4 86  Male Adult ................................ 299 2.0 91 2.1 42 1.3 64 4.4 5  Female Adult ............................ 4,068 27.2 1,585 35.9 359 10.7 823 56.9 81  Multiple-Adult Household ........... 2,161 14.4 1,240 28.1 245 7.3 301 20.8 36  Married Head Household ......... 1,340 8.9 807 18.3 131 3.9 155 10.7 18  Other Multiple-Adult

Household ................................ 822 5.5 433 9.8 114 3.4 145 10.1 18 

 Children Only .............................. 945 6.3 558 12.6 19 0.6 212 14.6 11 Elderly Individuals ...................... 2,480 16.6 129 2.9 1,662 49.5 47 3.3 129  Living Alone ................................ 1,992 13.3 73 1.6 1,349 40.2 2 0.1 105  Not Living Alone ......................... 487 3.3 57 1.3 313 9.3 46 3.2 24 Disabled Nonelderly Individualsb 3,172 21.2 302 6.8 1,501 44.7 247 17.1 147  Living Alone ................................ 1,864 12.4 89 2.0 966 28.8 3 0.2 85  Not Living Alone ......................... 1,307 8.7 213 4.8 535 15.9 244 16.9 62 Other Householdsc ....................... 3,083 20.6 716 16.2 26 0.8 37 2.6 349  Single-Person Household ............ 2,775 18.5 563 12.8 21 0.6 25 1.7 337  Multi-Person Household .............. 308 2.1 154 3.5 6 0.2 12 0.9 11 Single-Person Households ........... 6,957 46.4 902 20.4 2,345 69.8 93 6.5 530  Source: Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a The sums of the household types do not match the numbers in the "Total" row because a household can have more than one of the characteristics.

b Due to changes in the SNAP QC data, the definition of disabled changed in 2003. Beginning with the 2003 report, we are only able to identify households that contai

reports, we had additional information that helped to identify which household member was disabled.

c Households not containing children, elderly individuals, or disabled nonelderly individuals.

– No sample households are found in this category.

19
Table 3.4. Average Values of Selected Characteristics by Household Composition, Fiscal Year 2009

Households With:

Average Values

Gross Monthly

Countable

Income

(Dollars)

Net Monthly

Countable

Income

(Dollars)a

Monthly

SNAP Benefit

(Dollars)

Household

Size

(Persons)

Monthly

SNAP Benefit

Per Person

(Dollars)

Total ............................................................ 711 329 272 2.2 129

Children ...................................................... 865 423 398 3.3 127

 Single-Adult Household ............................. 763 356 382 3.0 130

 Male Adult .............................................. 705 322 352 2.7 132

 Female Adult ........................................... 767 359 384 3.0 130

 Multiple-Adult Household ......................... 1,200 663 472 4.3 112

 Married Head Household ........................ 1,257 698 479 4.4 110

 Other Multiple-Adult Household ............ 1,107 607 461 4.1 113

 Children Only ............................................. 572 180 304 2.1 151

Elderly Individuals ..................................... 790 383 128 1.3 101

 Living Alone .............................................. 721 319 103 1.0 103

 Not Living Alone ....................................... 1,071 608 229 2.4 94

Disabled Nonelderly Individualsb ............. 918 467 197 1.9 104

 Living Alone .............................................. 750 299 108 1.0 108

 Not Living Alone ....................................... 1,157 688 322 3.3 99

Other Householdsc ..................................... 250 82 185 1.1 170

 Single-Person Household ........................... 206 61 174 1.0 174

 Multi-Person Household ............................ 646 271 292 2.2 136

Single-Person Households ......................... 507 191 136 1.0 136

 Source: Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Because net income is not used in their benefit determinations, 31,357 MFIP households and 446,540 SSI-CAP households in

States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits are excluded from this column.

b Due to changes in the SNAP QC data, the definition of disabled changed in 2003. Beginning with the 2003 report, we are only

able to identify households that contain a disabled person. In previous reports, we had additional information that helped to identify

which household member was disabled.

c Households not containing children, elderly individuals, or disabled individuals.

20
21

Elderly people who received SNAP benefits tended to live alone and thus received relatively 

small benefit amounts. In fiscal year 2009, 80 percent of all SNAP households with elderly members 

were single-person households (Table 3.3); they received an average SNAP benefit of $103 per 

month compared with $185 for multi-person households with only elderly people and $269 for 

multi-person households with both elderly and nonelderly people (Table A-15). In households 

without elderly members, the average SNAP benefit was $300 (Table A-2). The average size of 

households with elderly people not living alone was 2.4 people.

A majority of SNAP households with elderly people received SSI or Social Security income. In 

fiscal year 2009, 51 percent of all SNAP households with elderly members received SSI and 67

percent received Social Security income (Table 3.3). Twenty-nine percent of households with elderly 

members received both SSI and Social Security income, about the same percentage as in 2008 (Table

A-6). SNAP households with elderly members represented 36 percent of all SNAP households with 

SSI and 49 percent of all SNAP households with Social Security income (Table 3.3).

Households with Disabled Nonelderly People

In fiscal year 2009, SNAP served a monthly average of 3.2 million households with disabled 

nonelderly people (Table 3.3).1 Households with disabled nonelderly people represented 21 percent 

of all SNAP households and received an average monthly SNAP benefit of $197 (Table 3.4).

About 59 percent of SNAP households with disabled nonelderly people were single-person 

households (Table 3.3). Households with a disabled nonelderly person living alone received a lower 

average monthly SNAP benefit than did households with disabled nonelderly people not living alone 

($108 compared with $322) (Table 3.4). Again, the difference in benefits between the two groups 

reflects differences in average household size. Disabled nonelderly people who did not live alone 

resided in households with an average of 3.3 individuals and a per capita benefit of $99. Seventythree percent of households with disabled nonelderly people received SSI and 47 percent received 

Social Security income (Table 3.3).

Other Households Served by SNAP

SNAP serves other needy households in addition to those with children, elderly people, or 

disabled people. In fiscal year 2009, 21 percent of all SNAP households consisted solely of one or 

more nonelderly, nondisabled adults with no children (Table 3.3). These households tended to be 

single-person households (90 percent) and were the largest category (49 percent) of households that 

received GA. However, 89 percent of these households did not receive GA. These households had a 

very low average monthly gross income ($250), and 52 percent had zero gross income (Tables A-15 

and A-16). Households consisting solely of one or more nonelderly, nondisabled adults received an 

average SNAP benefit of $185 per month (Table 3.4). 

 

1 The SNAP QC data do not include information to identify elderly persons who are disabled. In addition, while 

we are able to identify households with a disabled person in the SNAP QC datafile, we cannot identify which household 

member is disabled. In this report, we identify households with a disabled nonelderly person as households with (1) 

nonelderly SSI recipients, (2) a medical expense deduction and no elderly individuals, or (3) nonelderly adults who do 

not appear to be working and who are receiving Social Security, veteran’s benefits, or workers’ compensation.
22

Single-Person Households

Of all SNAP households in fiscal year 2009, 46 percent were single-person households (Table 

3.3).2 These households received an average monthly SNAP benefit of $136 (Table 3.4). A majority 

of these individuals (55 percent) were female, 29 percent were elderly, and another 27 percent were 

nonelderly disabled individuals (Tables A-17 and A-24). Compared with all SNAP households, a 

relatively small proportion of SNAP participants living alone had earned income (13 versus 29

percent), and a relatively high proportion had zero gross income (24 versus 18 percent) (Tables 3.3 

and A-4). By comparison, 44 percent of all multi-person households had earned income, and 12 

percent had zero gross income. Not surprisingly, given the high proportion of elderly and disabled 

individuals making up single-person households, 33 and 34 percent of these households received, 

respectively, SSI and Social Security income.

Characteristics of SNAP Participants

In fiscal year 2009, 47 percent of SNAP participants were children (younger than age 18), and 

they received 47 percent of pro-rated SNAP benefits (Table 3.5). Nearly two-thirds (65 percent) of 

children served by SNAP were school age (age 5 to 17). Forty-four percent of participants were 

nonelderly adults (ages 18 to 59), and 8 percent were elderly adults (age 60 or older). 

Sixty-four percent of nonelderly adults and 67 percent of elderly adults were female (Table A23). Eight percent of participants were citizen children living with noncitizens.3 Nearly 7 percent of 

SNAP participants were foreign-born immigrants—3 percent were naturalized citizens, 3 percent 

were Legal Permanent Residents, and nearly 1 percent were refugees.

Changes in the Economic Conditions of SNAP Households

The overall economic conditions of the average SNAP household improved from fiscal year 

2008 to fiscal year 2009, likely a result of increased participation by households with slightly higher 

income. The average household gross income increased in real dollars from $690 in fiscal year 2008

to $711 in fiscal year 2009, while the average household net income remained virtually flat in real 

dollars, increasing by $1 to $329 during the same period (Table 3.6).

The percentage of households with zero gross income increased from 16 to 18 percent, while 

the percentage of households with zero net income rose by 2 percentage points to 36 percent in 

fiscal year 2009. The average household benefit increased in real dollars from $224 to $272. This 

increase largely reflects the impact of ARRA, which increased maximum allotments by an average of 

$20 per person in the second half of fiscal year 2009. The percentage of households with earnings 

remained flat at 29 percent, while the percentage of households with TANF income continued to 

fall, dropping by 1 point to 10 percent in fiscal year 2009 (Tables 3.6 and A-26).

 

2 These individuals apply for SNAP benefits for themselves only. Other people may be living in the household.

3 Some of the noncitizen household members participated in SNAP with the citizen children; others were ineligible 

and did not participate.
23

Differences in the Characteristics of SNAP Households Before and After the 

Implementation of ARRA Provisions

The number and characteristics of households participating in SNAP changed from the first 

half to the second half of fiscal year 2009, partially as a result of the implementation of ARRA rule 

changes, including the increases to maximum and minimum allotments. SNAP served 15.8 million 

households in an average month from April to September 2009, up from 14.1 million during the 

first half of the fiscal year (Table 3.7). 

The distribution of various household compositions remained fairly stable across the two 

periods. The proportions of households with children, elderly members, or disabled individuals each 

dropped slightly. The proportions of households with nonelderly, nondisabled, childless adults and 

noncitizens each increased by about 1 percentage point. More substantial changes occurred in the 

economic conditions of SNAP households. The average gross income increased from $705 to $716

from the first half to the second half of the fiscal year. On the other hand, the percent of 

households with zero gross income increased from 17 percent to 18 percent, and the proportion 

qualifying for the maximum allotment increased by half a point. The average SNAP benefit 

increased from $250 to $291 primarily as a result of the increase in the maximum allotment to 113.6 

percent of the TFP. The proportion of households receiving the minimum benefit fell from 5 to 3 

percent.
Table 3.5. SNAP Benefits of Participants by Selected Demographic Characteristics, Fiscal Year 2009

Participant Characteristic

Total Participants Pro-rated Benefitsa

Number

(000)

Percent Dollars

(000)

Percent

Total .............................................. 32,889 100.0 4,072,135 100.0

Citizenship

 U.S. Born Citizen ........................ 30,597 93.0 3,787,280 93.0

 Naturalized Citizen ...................... 1,021 3.1 123,991 3.0

 Refugee ........................................ 278 0.8 34,973 0.9

 Other Noncitizen ......................... 994 3.0 125,891 3.1

Citizen Children Living with

Noncitizensb ............................ 2,636 8.0 348,034 8.5

Nonelderly, Nondisabled,

Childless Adults ..................... 1,653 5.0 266,163 6.5

Age

Children ......................................... 15,617 47.5 1,921,997 47.2

 Preschool Age Children ............... 5,403 16.4 696,950 17.1

 0-1 ............................................. 2,182 6.6 284,498 7.0

 2-4 ............................................. 3,221 9.8 412,452 10.1

 School Age Children ................... 10,214 31.1 1,225,047 30.1

 5-7 ............................................. 2,796 8.5 346,530 8.5

 8-11 ........................................... 3,353 10.2 402,792 9.9

 12-15 ......................................... 2,787 8.5 326,831 8.0

 16-17 ......................................... 1,277 3.9 148,893 3.7

 Nonelderly Adults (18-59) .......... 14,544 44.2 1,875,789 46.1

 Elderly Adults (60 or more) ........ 2,728 8.3 274,233 6.7

 Unknown Age .............................. 1 0.0 115 0.0

 Source: Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Pro-rated benefits equal the benefits paid to households multiplied by the ratio of participants with

selected characteristic to total household size.

b Noncitizens may be inside or outside the SNAP unit.

24
25

Table 3.6. Nominal and Real Values of Selected Characteristics, Fiscal Year 2008 and Fiscal Year 

2009

Fiscal Year 

2008

a

Fiscal Year 

2009

Percentage 

Change in 

Nominal 

Values

Percentage 

Change in

Real

Characteristic Values

Nominal 

Value

Real 

Value

(in 2009

dollars)

Nominal 

Value

Average Gross Incomeb

Per Household $693 $690 $711 +2.6 +3.0

Per Person 382 381 391 +2.3 +2.7

Average Net Incomeb

Per Household 329 328 329 -0.1 +0.3

Per Person 167 166 162 -2.9 -2.5

Average Total Deductionb 441 440 471 +6.6 +7.0

Average Household Benefitc 222 224 272 +22.2 +21.6

Consumer Price Index (CPI)

All Items 215.3 214.5 -0.4

Food at Home 214.1 215.1 +0.5

Source of CPI-U average values: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Source of nominal values: Fiscal year 2008 and fiscal year 2009 SNAP QC samples.

a

In 2010, Missouri submitted corrected SNAP QC data for every year from 2003 to 2008. We incorporated 

this corrected data into this report. Therefore, some statistics from these years presented in the text and 

tables may vary slightly from those in previous reports in this series.

b Real values are in constant fiscal year 2009 dollars. Fiscal year 2008 values were inflated by the change in 

the CPI-U for all items between fiscal year 2008 and fiscal year 2009 (-0.4 percent).

cReal values are in constant fiscal year 2009 dollars. Fiscal year 2008 values were inflated by the change in 

the CPI-U for food at home between fiscal year 2008 and fiscal year 2009 (+0.5 percent).
Table 3.7. Number of Households, Average Gross Countable Income, and SNAP Benefit by Household Composition, Countable

Income Source, and Benefit Amount for Pre- and Post-ARRA Time Periods, Fiscal Year 2009

Household Characteristic

Pre-ARRA (October 2008-March 2009) Post-ARRA (April 2009-September 2009)

Total Households Average Values Total Households Average Values

Number

(000)

Percent

Gross

Countable

Income

(Dollars)

SNAP

Benefit

(Dollars)

Number

(000)

Percent

Gross

Countable

Income

(Dollars)

SNAP

Benefit

(Dollars)

Total .............................................. 14,125 100.0 705 250 15,837 100.0 716 291

Household Composition

 Children ....................................... 7,108 50.3 855 365 7,839 49.5 875 428

 School Age ................................ 5,351 37.9 923 383 5,824 36.8 937 451

 Preschool Age ............................ 3,747 26.5 831 390 4,191 26.5 859 461

 No Children ................................. 7,016 49.7 554 133 7,999 50.5 560 157

 Elderly Individuals ...................... 2,380 16.8 783 115 2,579 16.3 796 140

 No Elderly Individuals ................ 11,745 83.2 690 277 13,258 83.7 700 321

 Disabled Nonelderly Individualsa 3,094 21.9 905 183 3,249 20.5 930 210

 No Disabled Nonelderly

Individuals ............................... 11,030 78.1 649 269 12,588 79.5 661 312

 Nonelderly, Nondisabled,

Childless Adultsb ..................... 1,322 9.4 317 203 1,657 10.5 348 236

 No Nonelderly, Nondisabled,

Childless Adults ....................... 12,802 90.6 745 255 14,181 89.5 759 298

 Noncitizens .................................. 757 5.4 841 283 1,001 6.3 875 336

 No Noncitizens ............................ 13,368 94.6 698 248 14,837 93.7 705 288

Countable Income Source

 Gross Income ............................... 11,712 82.9 851 244 12,979 82.0 874 287

 No Gross Income ......................... 2,413 17.1 0 280 2,858 18.0 0 310

 Net Income .................................. 8,594 60.8 997 227 9,612 60.7 1,018 273

 No Net Income ............................ 5,072 35.9 214 301 5,728 36.2 209 333

 Not Applicablec ........................... 459 3.2 686 130 497 3.1 712 163

 Earned Income ............................. 4,123 29.2 1,120 296 4,701 29.7 1,111 352

 No Earned Income ....................... 10,002 70.8 534 231 11,136 70.3 549 266

 Unearned Income ......................... 9,014 63.8 797 226 9,936 62.7 830 266

 No Unearned Income ................... 5,110 36.2 544 293 5,902 37.3 525 334

 TANF Income .............................. 1,387 9.8 732 360 1,505 9.5 727 437

 No TANF Income ........................ 12,737 90.2 702 238 14,332 90.5 715 276

 GA Income .................................. 667 4.7 533 193 747 4.7 510 235

 No GA Income ............................ 13,457 95.3 714 253 15,091 95.3 726 294

 SSI ............................................... 3,480 24.6 826 170 3,598 22.7 847 198

 No SSI ......................................... 10,645 75.4 666 276 12,240 77.3 677 319

 Social Security Income ................ 3,228 22.9 895 134 3,488 22.0 913 164

 No Social Security Income .......... 10,897 77.1 649 284 12,350 78.0 660 327

SNAP Benefit

 Minimum Benefit ........................ 702 5.0 1,092 14 533 3.4 1,197 16

 Maximum Benefit ........................ 5,252 37.2 232 296 5,960 37.6 231 328

 Source: Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Due to changes in the SNAP QC data, the definition of disabled changed in 2003. Beginning with the 2003 report, we are only able to identify

households that contain a disabled person. In previous reports, we had additional information that helped to identify which household member was disabled.

b These participants, age 18-49, are subject to work registration. Prior to April 2009, with some exceptions (for example, those in waiver areas or

receiving state exemptions), they needed to meet work requirements or face time limits on benefit receipt.

c Net income is not used in the benefit determination of MFIP households or SSI-CAP households in Arizona, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New

Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia.

26
ACRONYMS AND DEFINITIONS
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29

ACRONYMS AND DEFINITIONS

ACRONYMS

ARRA = American Recovery and 

Reinvestment Act of 2009

BBCE = Broad-Based Categorical

 Eligibility

EBT = Electronic Benefit Transfer

FNS = U.S. Department of Agriculture, 

Food and Nutrition Service

GA = General Assistance

HHS = U.S. Department of Health and 

Human Services

MFIP = Minnesota Family Investment 

Program

MOE = Maintenance of Effort

PRWORA = Personal Responsibility and Work 

Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 

1996

SNAP = Supplemental Nutrition 

Assistance Program

SNAP QC = Supplemental Nutrition 

Assistance Program Quality 

Control

SSI = Supplemental Security Income

SSI-CAP = SSI Combined Application Project

TANF = Temporary Assistance to Needy 

Families

TFP = Thrifty Food Plan

USDA = U.S. Department of Agriculture

DEFINITIONS

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 

2009 (ARRA). This legislation took effect on 

April 1, 2009. SNAP provisions included 

increases to the maximum and minimum 

allotments, and the suspension from April 1, 

2009 through September 30, 2010 of the time 

limit on benefits for those nonelderly nondisabled 

adults without dependents who had previously 

been subject to the time limit.

Asylees. Noncitizens granted political asylum. In 

the tables in this report, the term ―refugee‖ 

includes refugees, asylees, and deportees.

Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE).

Policy under which most households receive a 

TANF/MOE-funded non-cash service that 

makes the households categorically eligible for 

SNAP. The non-cash service is usually in the 

form of a brochure or handout that provides 

information on State-provided assistance and 

services. Households meeting State-determined 

eligibility criteria receive this information upon 

application or recertification for SNAP.

Categorically Eligible Households. 

Households in which all members receive or are 

authorized to receive TANF, SSI, or GA benefits. 

Includes households receiving benefits or services 

that are at least 50 percent funded by TANF or 

MOE funds. Some States also confer categorical 

eligibility based on benefits or services that are 

less than 50 percent funded by TANF/MOE and 

on households where at least one member

receives a benefit or service, but the State 

determines that the entire household benefits. If 

the purpose of the program conferring 

categorical eligibility is to prevent out-of-wedlock 

pregnancies or foster or strengthen marriage, the 

household’s gross income must be under 200 

percent of poverty. However, if the purpose of 

the program is to further work, this income limit 

does not apply.

Certification Period. Length of time a 

household is certified to receive SNAP benefits. 

When the certification period expires, households 

must be recertified to continue receiving benefits.

Child Support Payment Deduction. Deduction 

for households with legally obligated child 

support payments made to or for a nonhousehold member. States may choose to
30

exclude child support payments from gross 

income rather than use the deduction. See also 

Deductions.

Children. Individuals under age 18.

Countable Resources. Cash on hand and 

resources that may be converted easily to cash, 

such as money in checking or savings accounts, 

savings certificates, stocks or bonds, and lumpsum payments. Such resources also include some 

nonliquid resources, although the family home, 

certain family vehicles, and business tools or 

property are not counted. See also Resource Limit.

Deductions. Allowable deductions from a 

household’s gross monthly income to arrive at 

SNAP net monthly income. The deductions

shown in the tables are those to which 

households were entitled. (MFIP and SSI-CAP 

participants are subject to different rules.) Some 

of the deductions may not have been used before 

a household reached zero net income status, 

however. Therefore, total deductions do not 

equal the difference between gross and net 

income amounts. See also Child Support Payment 

Deduction, Dependent Care Deduction, Earned Income

Deduction, Excess Shelter Expense Deduction, Medical 

Deduction, Minnesota Family Investment Program, SSICombined Application Project, Standard Deduction, and

Total Deduction.

Deemed Income. Individual sponsors of certain 

noncitizens may be subject to sponsor-tononcitizen deeming, which counts the sponsor’s 

income and resources as part of the noncitizen’s 

own income and resources when determining 

eligibility for SNAP.

Dependent Care Deduction. Deduction 

received by SNAP households for expenses 

involved in caring for dependents while other 

household members work, seek employment, or 

attend school. See also Appendix C and Deductions.

Deportees. Noncitizens granted a stay of 

deportation. In the tables in this report, the term 

―refugee‖ includes refugees, asylees, and 

deportees.

Earned Income. Includes wages, salaries, and 

self-employment income.

Earned Income Deduction. Deduction 

received by households with earnings, equal to 20 

percent of the combined earnings of household 

members. (MFIP participants are entitled to a 39 

percent earned income deduction.) See also 

Deductions and Minnesota Family Investment Program. 

Elderly People. Adults age 60 or older.

Electronic Benefit Transfer. Means of benefit 

delivery via electronic debit card, similar to a 

bank card, used to purchase food at authorized 

retail stores.

Entrant Households. Households newly 

certified during fiscal year 2009 and in their first 

month of participation.

Excess Shelter Expense Deduction. 

Deduction received by households with shelter 

costs, equal to those shelter costs that exceed 50 

percent of the household’s countable income 

after all other potential deductions are subtracted 

from gross income. There is a limit on the shelter 

deduction for households without elderly or

disabled members. See also Appendix C and 

Deductions and Homeless Household Shelter Estimate.

Expedited Service Households. Households 

with gross income equal to or less than $150 and 

countable resources equal to or less than $100, or 

with migrant or seasonal farm workers with 

countable resources equal to or less than $100 are 

eligible for expedited SNAP eligibility verification 

procedures. A State agency must review each 

SNAP application and conduct an eligibility 

interview within seven days of application 

submission. Eligible households receive SNAP 

benefits within this timeframe.

Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 

(2008 Farm Bill). Most SNAP provisions in this 

legislation, which reauthorized the SNAP 

program, became effective on October 1, 2008. 

Other SNAP provisions included increases in the 

minimum benefit for one- and two-person 

households and to the standard deduction, 

elimination of the cap on the dependent care 

deduction, and exclusion of most education and 

retirement accounts from countable resources 

when determining SNAP eligibility. It also 
31

indexed the resource limits to inflation, adjusting 

them to the nearest $250 increment each fiscal 

year.

Gross Income. Total monthly countable income 

of a household in dollars, before applying 

deductions.

Gross Income Limit. SNAP monthly gross 

income eligibility standards, determined by 

household size; equal to 130 percent of HHS 

poverty guidelines. See also Appendix C.

Homeless Household Shelter Estimate. Some 

States allow homeless households to deduct a set 

amount for shelter expenses.

Household. Individuals who live in a residential 

unit and purchase and prepare food together.

Households with Children. Households with at 

least one member under age 18.

Households with Disabled Nonelderly 

People. Households with either (1) nonelderly 

SSI recipients, a medical deduction and no elderly 

individuals, or (2) nonelderly adults who do not 

appear to be working and who are receiving 

Social Security, veteran’s benefits, or workers’ 

compensation.

Households with Elderly People. Households 

with at least one member age 60 or older.

Initial Certification Households. Includes both 

households certified for the first time within the 

current certification period and previously 

certified households that have not received 

benefits for at least 30 days.

Lawful Permanent Residents. Noncitizens 

lawfully admitted for permanent resident status. 

Married-Head Households. Households with a 

spouse of the household head.

Maximum Benefit. From October 2008 

through March 2009, the maximum benefit was 

based on 100 percent of the cost of the Thrifty 

Food Plan in June 2008 for a reference family of 

four, rounded to the lowest dollar increment. 

ARRA increased the maximum benefit to 113.6 

percent of the cost of the June 2008 Thrifty Food 

Plan, effective April 1, 2009. The maximum 

benefit varies by geographic region. See also 

Appendix C.

Medical Deduction. Deduction available to 

households with elderly or disabled members, 

equal to all unreimbursed medical expenses 

incurred by the elderly or disabled person that 

exceed $35. See also Deductions.

Medical Deduction Demonstrations. State 

programs that use a standard deduction amount 

for households with medical expenses below a 

specified limit. 

Metropolitan Households. Households whose 

SNAP application was processed at an agency in 

a Census Bureau–defined Metropolitan Statistical 

Area (MSA). An MSA has at least one urbanized 

area with population of 50,000 or more and 

includes adjacent territory with a high degree of 

social and economic integration with the core, as 

measured by commuting ties.

Micropolitan Households. Households whose 

SNAP application was processed at an agency in 

a Census Bureau–defined Micropolitan Statistical 

Area. A Micropolitan Statistical Area has at least 

one urban cluster of at least 10,000 but less than 

50,000 population and includes adjacent territory 

with a high degree of social and economic

integration with the core, as measured by 

commuting ties.

Minimum Benefit. The 2008 Farm Bill 

increased the minimum benefit for one- and twoperson households in October 2008, raising it 

from $10 for all one- and two-person units to 8

percent of the maximum benefit for a one-person 

household. Because it is derived from the 

maximum benefit, the minimum benefit increased 

again in April 2009 with the passage of ARRA, 

and varies by geographic region. See also 

Appendix C.

Minnesota Family Investment Program 

(MFIP). Minnesota’s cash assistance program, 

that calculates SNAP benefits for participating

households as a component separate from the 

cash assistance calculation within the same grant.
32

Net Income. Total monthly countable income 

of a household in dollars after applying 

deductions. Net income is not calculated for 

MFIP households or SSI-CAP households in 

Arizona, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New 

Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, 

South Carolina, Texas and Virginia.

Net Income Limit. SNAP monthly net income 

eligibility standard, determined by household size, 

equal to 100 percent of the HHS poverty 

guidelines. See also Appendix C.

Noncitizen. In this report, ―noncitizen‖ refers to 

individuals residing in the United States who are 

not natural-born or naturalized citizens. These 

include legal permanent residents, refugees, 

asylees, deportees, and unauthorized aliens. Legal 

noncitizens are subject to additional nonfinancial 

eligibility criteria (see p. 7). Unauthorized aliens 

are not eligible to receive SNAP benefits but they 

may be nonparticipating members of SNAP 

units.

Nonelderly Adults. Adults ages 18 to 59.

Nonimmigrant Visitors to the United States. 

Noncitizens who have been admitted for a 

specified period, including tourists, students, and 

foreign nationals with work permits.

Nonparticipating Household Head 

Households. Households headed by someone 

ineligible for SNAP, such as an ineligible 

noncitizen.

Personal Responsibility and Work 

Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 

(PRWORA). A law enacted in 1996 that made 

sweeping changes to the nation’s public 

assistance programs. It disqualified many lawful 

permanent resident noncitizens and nonelderly 

nondisabled adults from SNAP. In addition, it 

changed cash welfare from an entitlement to 

temporary assistance designed to move parents to 

work. Given that many cash welfare recipients 

also participate in SNAP, changes to the cash 

welfare program significantly affect SNAP 

participants.

Poverty Guidelines. The poverty guidelines 

used by FNS are issued by the U.S. Department 

of Health and Human Services. Dividing the 

guidelines by 12 yields the monthly net income 

limits for SNAP. The Census Bureau establishes 

other poverty thresholds used primarily for 

statistical purposes. See also Appendix C.

Preschool-Age Children. Children under age 5.

Pure PA. A household is considered to be pure 

PA if every member of the household receives 

SSI income, is covered by a cash TANF benefit, 

or receives SSI or GA income.

Refugees. Noncitizens accorded refugee status. 

In the tables in this report, the term ―refugee‖ 

includes refugees, asylees, and deportees. See also 

Asylees and Deportees.

Resource Limit. For most non-categorically 

eligible households, the resource limit was $2,000 

in fiscal year 2009. Households with an elderly or 

disabled person were allowed up to $3,000 of 

countable resources. See also Countable Resources.

Rural. A household is considered rural if the 

county in which its local SNAP agency is located 

is not in a Metropolitan Statistical Area or a 

Micropolitan Statistical Area.

School-Age Children. Children ages 5 to 17.

Shelter Deduction. See Excess Shelter Expense 

Deduction.

Single-Adult with Children Households. 

Households with exactly one person age 18 or 

older, no spouse, and at least one person under 

age 18.

Single-Person Households. Households with

exactly one person.

SSI-Combined Application Project (SSICAP). Joint FNS-SSA-State partnerships with a 

goal of streamlining the procedures for providing 

SNAP benefits to certain households eligible for 

SSI.
33

Standard Deduction. Deduction received by all 

households which varies by area and household

size to reflect price differences among areas. See 

also Appendix C and Deductions.

Student. Participant age 18 or older enrolled at 

least half-time in a recognized school, training 

program, or institution of higher education.

Thrifty Food Plan (TFP). Market basket of 

goods based on an economical and nutritious 

diet, adjusted for household size and 

composition. Used to determine maximum 

SNAP benefit amounts.

Total Deduction. Includes child support 

payment, dependent care, earned income, excess 

shelter expense, medical, and standard deductions 

to which SNAP households are entitled. In some 

cases the total deduction exceeds the amount 

deducted from gross income because net income 

may not be less than zero. See also Deductions. 

Unearned Income. Includes TANF, GA, SSI, 

Social Security, unemployment benefits, veteran’s 

benefits, workers’ compensation, other 

government benefits, contributions, deemed

income, education loans, child support, wage 

supplementations, energy assistance, State 

diversion payments, and other unearned income.

Work Registration. Many nonelderly 

nondisabled SNAP participants are required to 

register for work with their welfare office or State 

unemployment agency and must agree to accept 

any suitable job offered to them. Individuals 

exempt from SNAP work registration rules 

include the following: 

All individuals under age 16 or over age 60, 

and some individuals age 16 and 17

Individuals responsible for the care of a 

dependent child under age 6 or the care of 

an incapacitated person

Individuals who are physically or mentally 

unfit for work

Individuals complying with work 

requirements of other assistance programs

Students enrolled at least half-time in a 

school, training program, or institution of 

higher education

Regular participants in a drug addiction or 

alcohol treatment program 

Individuals working 30 hours a week or 

earning more than an amount equal to 30 

hours times the minimum wage

Prior to the implementation of ARRA, SNAP 

participants who did not meet the conditions of 

their work requirements were subject to time 

limits on SNAP benefits. ARRA waived these 

time limits from April 1, 2009 to September 30, 

2010.
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APPENDIX A

DETAILED TABLES OF SNAP HOUSEHOLD CHARACTERISTICS
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Table A-1. Distribution of Participating Households, Individuals, and Benefits by Household Composition, Locality, Countable

Income Source, and SNAP Benefit Amount

Household Characteristic

SNAP Households

Participants in Households

with Household

Characteristic

Monthly SNAP Benefits

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Dollars

(000)

Percent

Total ................................................................................................ 14,981 100.0 32,889 100.0 4,072,135 100.0

Household Composition

 Children .......................................................................................... 7,474 49.9 24,400 74.2 2,977,471 73.1

 School Age ................................................................................... 5,588 37.3 19,640 59.7 2,337,780 57.4

 Preschool Age .............................................................................. 3,969 26.5 13,629 41.4 1,696,494 41.7

 No Children .................................................................................... 7,507 50.1 8,489 25.8 1,094,664 26.9

 Elderly Individuals ......................................................................... 2,480 16.6 3,171 9.6 317,042 7.8

 No Elderly Individuals ................................................................... 12,501 83.4 29,718 90.4 3,755,093 92.2

 Disabled Nonelderly Individualsa .................................................. 3,172 21.2 6,169 18.8 623,681 15.3

 No Disabled Nonelderly Individuals ............................................. 11,809 78.8 26,720 81.2 3,448,454 84.7

 Nonelderly, Nondisabled, Childless Adultsb ................................. 1,490 9.9 2,203 6.7 329,713 8.1

 No Nonelderly, Nondisabled, Childless Adults ............................. 13,491 90.1 30,687 93.3 3,742,422 91.9

 Noncitizens .................................................................................... 879 5.9 2,297 7.0 275,350 6.8

 No Noncitizens ............................................................................... 14,102 94.1 30,593 93.0 3,796,785 93.2

Locality

 Metropolitan ................................................................................... 11,774 78.6 25,674 78.1 3,232,773 79.4

 Micropolitanc ................................................................................. 1,858 12.4 4,225 12.8 495,823 12.2

 Rural ............................................................................................... 1,267 8.5 2,875 8.7 330,126 8.1

Countable Income Source

 Gross Income ................................................................................. 12,345 82.4 28,374 86.3 3,291,202 80.8

 No Gross Income ........................................................................... 2,635 17.6 4,515 13.7 780,933 19.2

 Net Income ..................................................................................... 9,103 60.8 22,325 67.9 2,287,256 56.2

 No Net Income ............................................................................... 5,400 36.0 10,022 30.5 1,714,627 42.1

 Not Applicabled ............................................................................. 478 3.2 542 1.6 70,251 1.7

 Earned Income ............................................................................... 4,412 29.4 13,042 39.7 1,436,516 35.3

 No Earned Income ......................................................................... 10,569 70.6 19,847 60.3 2,635,618 64.7

 Unearned Income ........................................................................... 9,475 63.2 20,292 61.7 2,339,277 57.4

 No Unearned Income ..................................................................... 5,506 36.8 12,598 38.3 1,732,858 42.6

 TANF Income ................................................................................ 1,446 9.7 4,439 13.5 578,468 14.2

 No TANF Income .......................................................................... 13,535 90.3 28,450 86.5 3,493,667 85.8

 GA Income ..................................................................................... 707 4.7 1,068 3.2 152,183 3.7

 No GA Income ............................................................................... 14,274 95.3 31,822 96.8 3,919,951 96.3

 SSI .................................................................................................. 3,539 23.6 6,255 19.0 652,149 16.0

 No SSI ............................................................................................ 11,442 76.4 26,634 81.0 3,419,986 84.0

 Social Security Income .................................................................. 3,358 22.4 5,335 16.2 501,503 12.3

 No Social Security Income ............................................................ 11,623 77.6 27,554 83.8 3,570,632 87.7

Gross Countable Income as a Percentage of Poverty Guideline

 No Income ...................................................................................... 2,635 17.6 4,515 13.7 780,933 19.2

 >0-50% ........................................................................................... 3,626 24.2 9,778 29.7 1,490,625 36.6

 51-100 ............................................................................................ 6,642 44.3 13,911 42.3 1,514,847 37.2

 101+ ............................................................................................... 2,077 13.9 4,686 14.2 285,730 7.0

SNAP Benefit

 Minimum Benefit ........................................................................... 617 4.1 711 2.2 9,185 0.2

 Maximum Benefit .......................................................................... 5,606 37.4 10,234 31.1 1,754,685 43.1

 Source: Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Due to changes in the SNAP QC data, the definition of disabled changed in 2003. Beginning with the 2003 report, we are only able to identify

households that contain a disabled person. In previous reports, we had additional information that helped to identify which household member was

disabled.

b These participants, age 18-49, are subject to work registration. Prior to April 2009, with some exceptions (for example, those in waiver areas or

receiving state exemptions), they needed to meet work requirements or face time limits on benefit receipt.

c A micropolitan area has at least one urban cluster of between 10,000 and 50,000 people and includes adjacent territory with a high degree of social

and economic integration with the core as measured by commuting ties.

d Net income is not used in the benefit determinations of MFIP households or SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits.

37
Table A-2. Average Gross and Net Countable Income, Total Deduction, Countable Resources, SNAP Benefit, Household Size, and

Certification Period of Participating Households by Household Composition, Locality, Countable Income Source, and SNAP Benefit

Amount

Household Characteristic

Total Households Average Values

Number

(000)

Percent

Gross

Countable

Income

(Dollars)

Net

Countable

Income

(Dollars)a

Total

Deduction

(Dollars)b

Countable

Resources

(Dollars)

SNAP

Benefit

(Dollars)

Household

Size

(Individuals)

Certification

Period

(Months)

Total .............................................. 14,981 100.0 711 329 471 101 272 2.2 12.0

Household Composition

 Children ....................................... 7,474 49.9 865 423 525 93 398 3.3 9.0

 School Age ................................ 5,588 37.3 931 470 536 103 418 3.5 9.0

 Preschool Age ............................ 3,969 26.5 846 403 527 78 427 3.4 8.8

 No Children ................................. 7,507 50.1 557 229 413 110 146 1.1 14.9

 Elderly Individuals ...................... 2,480 16.6 790 383 468 210 128 1.3 19.8

 No Elderly Individuals ................ 12,501 83.4 695 319 471 80 300 2.4 10.4

 Disabled Nonelderly Individualsc 3,172 21.2 918 467 483 94 197 1.9 15.5

 No Disabled Nonelderly

Individuals ............................... 11,809 78.8 655 292 467 103 292 2.3 11.0

 Nonelderly, Nondisabled,

Childless Adultsd ..................... 1,490 9.9 334 141 345 41 221 1.5 8.4

 No Nonelderly, Nondisabled,

Childless Adults ....................... 13,491 90.1 753 350 485 108 277 2.3 12.3

 Noncitizens .................................. 879 5.9 861 393 565 141 313 2.6 13.5

 No Noncitizens ............................ 14,102 94.1 702 325 465 99 269 2.2 11.9

Locality

 Metropolitan ................................ 11,774 78.6 702 310 482 91 275 2.2 12.0

 Micropolitan ................................ 1,858 12.4 753 390 444 144 267 2.3 11.3

 Rural ............................................ 1,267 8.5 740 409 405 136 260 2.3 11.6

Countable Income Source

 Gross Income ............................... 12,345 82.4 863 401 514 111 267 2.3 12.7

 No Gross Income ......................... 2,635 17.6 0 0 275 58 296 1.7 8.3

 Net Income .................................. 9,103 60.8 1,008 523 485 126 251 2.5 12.2

 No Net Income ............................ 5,400 36.0 211 0 449 61 318 1.9 9.5

 Not Applicablee ........................... 478 3.2 699 – 67 83 147 1.1 34.8

 Earned Income ............................. 4,412 29.4 1,115 517 642 121 326 3.0 9.0

 No Earned Income ....................... 10,569 70.6 542 247 396 93 249 1.9 13.2

 Unearned Income ......................... 9,475 63.2 814 393 468 108 247 2.1 14.0

 No Unearned Income ................... 5,506 36.8 534 222 474 90 315 2.3 8.5

 TANF Income .............................. 1,446 9.7 729 326 445 51 400 3.1 10.0

 No TANF Income ........................ 13,535 90.3 709 329 473 107 258 2.1 12.2

 GA Income .................................. 707 4.7 521 180 441 31 215 1.5 12.8

 No GA Income ............................ 14,274 95.3 720 336 472 105 275 2.2 11.9

 SSI ............................................... 3,539 23.6 837 425 449 92 184 1.8 19.2

 No SSI ......................................... 11,442 76.4 672 302 476 104 299 2.3 9.7

 Social Security Income ................ 3,358 22.4 904 462 480 168 149 1.6 16.8

 No Social Security Income .......... 11,623 77.6 655 292 468 82 307 2.4 10.6

SNAP Benefit

 Minimum Benefit ........................ 617 4.1 1,138 846 292 207 15 1.2 14.5

 Maximum Benefit ........................ 5,606 37.4 232 0 449 59 313 1.8 10.5

 Source: Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Because net income is not used in their benefit determinations, 31,357 MFIP households and 446,540 SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized

SSI-CAP benefits are excluded from this column. Thus, the average values are based on fewer households than the number shown in the Total Households

column.

b Because deductions are not used in their benefit determinations, 446,540 SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits are excluded

from this column. Thus, the average values are based on fewer households than the number shown in the Total Households column.

c Due to changes in the SNAP QC data, the definition of disabled changed in 2003. Beginning with the 2003 report, we are only able to identify households

that contain a disabled person. In previous reports, we had additional information that helped to identify which household member was disabled.

d These participants, age 18-49, are subject to work registration. Prior to April 2009, with some exceptions (for example, those in waiver areas or receiving

state exemptions), they needed to meet work requirements or face time limits on benefit receipt.

e Net income is not used in the benefit determinations of MFIP households or SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits.

– Not Applicable.

38
Table A-3. Distribution of Participating Households with Children, Elderly Individuals, and Disabled Nonelderly Individuals by

Amount of Gross and Net Countable Income, Countable Resources, and Gross and Net Countable Income as a Percentage of

Poverty Guideline

Household Characteristic

Total Households Households with:

Number

(000)

Percent

Children Elderly Individuals Disabled Nonelderly

Individualsa

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Total ................................... 14,981 100.0 7,474 100.0 2,480 100.0 3,172 100.0

Gross Countable Income

 $0 ...................................... 2,635 17.6 942 12.6 90 3.6 1 0.0

 1-199 ................................. 733 4.9 369 4.9 20 0.8 4 0.1

 200-399 ............................. 1,221 8.1 747 10.0 66 2.7 18 0.6

 400-599 ............................. 1,306 8.7 853 11.4 161 6.5 149 4.7

 600-799 ............................. 3,730 24.9 916 12.3 1,269 51.2 1,634 51.5

 800-999 ............................. 1,648 11.0 795 10.6 401 16.2 489 15.4

 1,000+ ............................... 3,708 24.8 2,852 38.2 473 19.1 877 27.6

Net Countable Income

 $0 ...................................... 5,400 36.0 2,367 31.7 400 16.1 395 12.5

 1-199 ................................. 2,094 14.0 1,064 14.2 333 13.4 491 15.5

 200-399 ............................. 2,154 14.4 976 13.1 472 19.0 706 22.3

 400-599 ............................. 1,884 12.6 823 11.0 528 21.3 612 19.3

 600-799 ............................. 1,122 7.5 686 9.2 236 9.5 295 9.3

 800-999 ............................. 696 4.6 504 6.7 120 4.8 179 5.6

 1,000+ ............................... 1,153 7.7 1,023 13.7 96 3.9 342 10.8

 Not Applicableb ................ 478 3.2 31 0.4 296 11.9 151 4.8

Countable Resourcesc

 $0 ...................................... 11,706 78.1 5,691 76.2 1,776 71.6 2,464 77.7

 1-500 ................................. 2,434 16.2 1,380 18.5 451 18.2 521 16.4

 501-1,000 .......................... 453 3.0 222 3.0 117 4.7 115 3.6

 1,001-1,500 ....................... 180 1.2 91 1.2 54 2.2 35 1.1

 1,501-1,750 ....................... 68 0.5 34 0.5 22 0.9 14 0.4

 1,751-2,000 ....................... 49 0.3 24 0.3 15 0.6 6 0.2

 2,001-3,000 ....................... 52 0.3 13 0.2 29 1.2 13 0.4

 3,001+ ............................... 39 0.3 18 0.2 15 0.6 5 0.1

Gross Countable Income

as a Percentage of Poverty

Guideline

 No Gross Income .............. 2,635 17.6 942 12.6 90 3.6 1 0.0

 >0-25% ............................. 1,475 9.8 952 12.7 35 1.4 20 0.6

 26-50 ................................. 2,151 14.4 1,708 22.9 103 4.1 249 7.9

 51-75 ................................. 2,546 17.0 1,606 21.5 369 14.9 802 25.3

 76-100 ............................... 4,096 27.3 1,252 16.8 1,410 56.8 1,527 48.1

 101-125 ............................. 1,462 9.8 744 10.0 318 12.8 399 12.6

 126-130 ............................. 164 1.1 81 1.1 33 1.3 41 1.3

 131-150 ............................. 244 1.6 116 1.6 59 2.4 77 2.4

 151+ .................................. 207 1.4 72 1.0 65 2.6 56 1.8

Net Countable Income as

a Percentage of Poverty

Guideline

 No Net Income .................. 5,400 36.0 2,367 31.7 400 16.1 395 12.5

 >0-25% ............................. 3,193 21.3 1,989 26.6 409 16.5 695 21.9

 26-50 ................................. 2,907 19.4 1,554 20.8 592 23.9 951 30.0

 51-75 ................................. 2,005 13.4 1,009 13.5 527 21.2 653 20.6

 76-100 ............................... 820 5.5 445 5.9 207 8.3 258 8.1

 101-125 ............................. 124 0.8 65 0.9 32 1.3 48 1.5

 126-130 ............................. 7 0.0 1 0.0 2 0.1 2 0.1

 131-150 ............................. 25 0.2 8 0.1 8 0.3 10 0.3

 151+ .................................. 23 0.2 4 0.1 8 0.3 8 0.2

 Not Applicableb ................ 478 3.2 31 0.4 296 11.9 151 4.8

 Source: Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Due to changes in the SNAP QC data, the definition of disabled changed in 2003. Beginning with the 2003 report, we are only able to identify

households that contain a disabled person. In previous reports, we had additional information that helped to identify which household member was

disabled.

b Net income is not used in the benefit determinations of MFIP households or SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits.

c Categorically eligible households have no countable resources since the program does not consider resources in their eligibility determinations.

39
Table A-4. Distribution of Participating Households by Household Size and Amount of Countable Gross and Net Income, Resources, and

Gross and Net Income as a Percentage of Poverty Guideline

Household

Characteristic

Total Households Household Size

Number

(000)

Percent

1 2 3 4 5 6+

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Total ............................ 14,981 100.0 6,957 100.0 2,946 100.0 2,304 100.0 1,528 100.0 743 100.0 504 100.0

Gross Countable

Income

 $0 ............................... 2,635 17.6 1,653 23.8 462 15.7 273 11.9 155 10.2 65 8.7 27 5.3

 1-199 .......................... 733 4.9 370 5.3 160 5.4 110 4.8 58 3.8 19 2.5 16 3.3

 200-399 ...................... 1,221 8.1 551 7.9 308 10.4 198 8.6 109 7.1 35 4.7 20 3.9

 400-599 ...................... 1,306 8.7 493 7.1 360 12.2 247 10.7 129 8.5 51 6.9 26 5.1

 600-799 ...................... 3,730 24.9 2,700 38.8 432 14.7 308 13.4 171 11.2 77 10.4 42 8.3

 800-999 ...................... 1,648 11.0 726 10.4 389 13.2 286 12.4 142 9.3 64 8.6 40 7.9

 1,000+ ........................ 3,708 24.8 463 6.7 835 28.4 881 38.2 763 49.9 432 58.2 334 66.2

Net Countable Income

 $0 ............................... 5,400 36.0 3,020 43.4 1,102 37.4 671 29.1 367 24.0 159 21.4 80 16.0

 1-199 .......................... 2,094 14.0 1,005 14.5 460 15.6 342 14.8 179 11.7 67 9.0 41 8.2

 200-399 ...................... 2,154 14.4 1,094 15.7 417 14.1 333 14.4 192 12.6 77 10.4 41 8.2

 400-599 ...................... 1,884 12.6 938 13.5 354 12.0 297 12.9 183 12.0 70 9.4 41 8.2

 600-799 ...................... 1,122 7.5 320 4.6 271 9.2 251 10.9 157 10.3 72 9.8 50 10.0

 800-999 ...................... 696 4.6 92 1.3 184 6.3 178 7.7 125 8.2 73 9.9 44 8.8

 1,000+ ........................ 1,153 7.7 40 0.6 145 4.9 224 9.7 321 21.0 222 29.8 202 40.2

 Not Applicablea ......... 478 3.2 448 6.4 13 0.4 9 0.4 3 0.2 2 0.3 3 0.5

Countable Resources

 $0 ............................... 11,706 78.1 5,658 81.3 2,273 77.2 1,756 76.2 1,118 73.2 538 72.4 363 72.0

 1-500 .......................... 2,434 16.2 930 13.4 504 17.1 431 18.7 315 20.6 155 20.9 99 19.7

 501-1,000 ................... 453 3.0 194 2.8 89 3.0 65 2.8 59 3.8 25 3.3 22 4.4

 1,001-1,500 ................ 180 1.2 72 1.0 41 1.4 26 1.1 16 1.1 13 1.8 12 2.5

 1,501-1,750 ................ 68 0.5 28 0.4 16 0.5 10 0.4 6 0.4 4 0.5 4 0.9

 1,751-2,000 ................ 49 0.3 25 0.4 8 0.3 6 0.3 6 0.4 2 0.3 2 0.5

 2,001-3,000 ................ 52 0.3 32 0.5 7 0.2 7 0.3 2 0.1 3 0.4 1 0.1

 3,001 + ....................... 39 0.3 18 0.3 9 0.3 4 0.2 5 0.3 3 0.4 0 0.0

Gross Countable

Income as a

Percentage of Poverty

Guideline

 No Gross Income ....... 2,635 17.6 1,653 23.8 462 15.7 273 11.9 155 10.2 65 8.7 27 5.3

 >0-25% ...................... 1,475 9.8 519 7.5 312 10.6 288 12.5 202 13.2 83 11.2 71 14.1

 26-50 .......................... 2,151 14.4 503 7.2 506 17.2 510 22.2 332 21.7 175 23.5 125 24.8

 51-75 .......................... 2,546 17.0 797 11.5 612 20.8 505 21.9 338 22.1 169 22.7 126 25.0

 76-100 ........................ 4,096 27.3 2,613 37.6 573 19.5 402 17.4 279 18.3 143 19.3 86 17.0

 101-125 ...................... 1,462 9.8 590 8.5 322 10.9 246 10.7 162 10.6 90 12.1 52 10.4

 126-130 ...................... 164 1.1 68 1.0 35 1.2 30 1.3 18 1.2 6 0.8 7 1.3

 131-150 ...................... 244 1.6 105 1.5 59 2.0 35 1.5 29 1.9 10 1.3 7 1.4

 151+ ........................... 207 1.4 108 1.6 65 2.2 16 0.7 12 0.8 2 0.3 3 0.7

Net Countable Income

as a Percentage of

Poverty Guideline

 No Net Income .......... 5,400 36.0 3,020 43.4 1,102 37.4 671 29.1 367 24.0 159 21.4 80 16.0

 >0-25% ...................... 3,193 21.3 1,130 16.2 679 23.1 630 27.3 428 28.0 189 25.5 136 27.0

 26-50 .......................... 2,907 19.4 1,177 16.9 539 18.3 525 22.8 340 22.3 187 25.1 139 27.7

 51-75 .......................... 2,005 13.4 837 12.0 379 12.9 315 13.7 253 16.6 133 18.0 86 17.2

 76-100 ........................ 820 5.5 275 4.0 165 5.6 140 6.1 126 8.2 63 8.4 50 10.0

 101-125 ...................... 124 0.8 40 0.6 43 1.5 13 0.6 11 0.7 9 1.2 8 1.6

 126-130 ...................... 7 0.0 5 0.1 2 0.1 – – – – – – 0 0.0

 131-150 ...................... 25 0.2 10 0.1 14 0.5 – – – – – – – –

 151+ ........................... 23 0.2 13 0.2 10 0.3 – – – – 0 0.0 – –

 Not Applicablea ......... 478 3.2 448 6.4 13 0.4 9 0.4 3 0.2 2 0.3 3 0.5

 Source: Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Net income is not used in the benefit determinations of MFIP households or SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits.

– No sample households in this category.

40
Table A-5. Average Gross and Net Countable Income, Average Gross and Net Countable Income as a Percentage of Poverty Guideline,

Average Countable Resources, and Average Benefit of Participating Households by Household Composition and Size

Household Characteristic

Total Households Average Values

Number

(000)

Percent

Gross

Countable

Income

(Dollars)

Net

Countable

Income

(Dollars)a

Gross

Countable

Income as a

Percentage of

Poverty

Guideline

(Percent)

Net

Countable

Income as a

Percentage of

Poverty

Guideline

(Percent)a

Countable Resources

(Dollars)

SNAP

Benefit

(Dollars)

Over All

Households

Over

Households

with

Countable

Resources

Total .............................................. 14,981 100.0 711 329 58.1 25.3 101 464 272

Household Composition

 Children ....................................... 7,474 49.9 865 423 55.3 25.9 93 390 398

 School Age ................................ 5,588 37.3 931 470 57.1 27.8 103 409 418

 Preschool Age ............................ 3,969 26.5 846 403 52.2 23.7 78 349 427

 No Children ................................. 7,507 50.1 557 229 60.9 24.6 110 552 146

 Elderly Individuals ...................... 2,480 16.6 790 383 83.3 39.0 210 740 128

 No Elderly Individuals ................ 12,501 83.4 695 319 53.1 22.8 80 388 300

 Disabled Nonelderly Individualsb 3,172 21.2 918 467 82.1 38.6 94 419 197

 No Disabled Nonelderly

Individuals ............................... 11,809 78.8 655 292 51.6 21.8 103 476 292

Household Size

 1 ................................................... 6,957 46.4 507 191 58.4 22.0 99 529 136

 2 ................................................... 2,946 19.7 687 300 58.9 25.7 117 512 260

 3 ................................................... 2,304 15.4 830 384 56.6 26.2 85 358 382

 4 ................................................... 1,528 10.2 1,018 533 57.6 30.1 97 363 472

 5 ................................................... 743 5.0 1,208 677 58.4 32.7 117 423 547

 6 ................................................... 326 2.2 1,410 848 59.5 35.8 103 357 649

 7 ................................................... 107 0.7 1,389 832 51.9 31.1 82 323 751

 8+ ................................................. 71 0.5 1,788 1148 57.6 36.9 183 647 884

 Source: Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Because net income is not used in their benefit determinations, 31,357 MFIP households and 446,540 SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized

SSI-CAP benefits are excluded from this column. Thus, the average values are based on fewer households than the number shown in the Total Households

column.

b Due to changes in the SNAP QC data, the definition of disabled changed in 2003. Beginning with the 2003 report, we are only able to identify households

that contain a disabled person. In previous reports, we had additional information that helped to identify which household member was disabled.

41
Table A-6. Distribution of Participating Households with Children, Elderly Individuals, and Disabled Nonelderly Individuals by Type of

Countable Income

Type of Income

Total Households Households with:

Totala Percent

Children Elderly Individuals Disabled Nonelderly

Individualsb

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Total .................................................................... 14,981 100.0 7,474 100.0 2,480 100.0 3,172 100.0

Countable Earned Income ................................ 4,412 29.4 3,474 46.5 129 5.2 302 9.5

 Wages and Salaries ........................................... 3,883 25.9 3,111 41.6 102 4.1 273 8.6

 Self-Employment .............................................. 553 3.7 389 5.2 30 1.2 26 0.8

 Other Earned Income ........................................ 62 0.4 43 0.6 2 0.1 5 0.1

Countable Unearned Income ........................... 9,475 63.2 4,337 58.0 2,333 94.1 3,169 99.9

 TANF ................................................................ 1,446 9.7 1,399 18.7 47 1.9 247 7.8

 General Assistance ............................................ 707 4.7 133 1.8 129 5.2 147 4.6

 Supplemental Security Income ......................... 3,539 23.6 909 12.2 1,268 51.1 2,306 72.7

 Social Security .................................................. 3,358 22.4 666 8.9 1,662 67.0 1,501 47.3

 Unemployment Income ..................................... 697 4.7 460 6.2 26 1.1 41 1.3

 Veterans’ Benefits ............................................. 121 0.8 23 0.3 56 2.3 34 1.1

 Workers’ Compensation ................................... 40 0.3 22 0.3 4 0.2 18 0.6

 Other Government Benefitsc ............................. 217 1.5 71 0.9 72 2.9 110 3.5

 Household Contributions .................................. 488 3.3 327 4.4 29 1.2 35 1.1

 Household Deemed Income .............................. 16 0.1 15 0.2 1 0.0 0 0.0

 Educational Loans ............................................. 4 0.0 3 0.0 1 0.0 0 0.0

 Child Support Enforcement Payments .............. 1,478 9.9 1,424 19.1 15 0.6 237 7.5

 State Diversion Payments ................................. 8 0.1 2 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0

 Energy Assistance Income ................................ 1 0.0 1 0.0 0 0.0 1 0.0

 Wage Supplementation ..................................... 1 0.0 1 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0

 Other Unearned Incomed .................................. 454 3.0 228 3.0 153 6.2 49 1.5

 TANF or GA Income ........................................ 2,142 14.3 1,521 20.4 175 7.1 386 12.2

 TANF and Earnings .......................................... 311 2.1 305 4.1 5 0.2 17 0.5

 TANF and SSI ................................................... 251 1.7 244 3.3 22 0.9 234 7.4

 TANF or SSI or GA .......................................... 5,235 34.9 2,149 28.8 1,348 54.4 2,334 73.6

 (TANF or SSI or GA) and Earnings ................. 577 3.8 469 6.3 22 0.9 227 7.1

 TANF and Child Support .................................. 92 0.6 91 1.2 4 0.2 24 0.8

 SSI and Social Security ..................................... 1,351 9.0 231 3.1 711 28.7 668 21.1

 SSI or Social Security ....................................... 5,545 37.0 1,343 18.0 2,219 89.5 3,139 99.0

 SSI and Earnings ............................................... 244 1.6 156 2.1 18 0.7 226 7.1

 GA and Earnings ............................................... 49 0.3 32 0.4 2 0.1 10 0.3

 Earnings and Child Support .............................. 617 4.1 600 8.0 5 0.2 40 1.3

No Countable Income ....................................... 2,635 17.6 942 12.6 90 3.6 1 0.0

 Source: Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a The sum of individual income sources does not add to the total because households can receive income from more than one source.

b Due to changes in the SNAP QC data, the definition of disabled changed in 2003. Beginning with the 2003 report, we are only able to identify households that

contain a disabled person. In previous reports, we had additional information that helped to identify which household member was disabled.

c Examples of other government benefits include Black Lung Benefits, Railroad Retirement payments, and USDA payments to farmers.

d Examples of other unearned income include alimony, foster care payments, and dividends and interest payments.

42
Table A-7. Average Income, Total Deduction, SNAP Benefit, and Household Size of Participating Households by Type of Countable

Income

Type of Income

Total Households Average Values

Totala Percent

Gross

Countable

Income

(Dollars)

Net

Countable

Income

(Dollars)b

Income

Source

(Dollars)c

Total

Deduction

(Dollars)d

SNAP

Benefit

(Dollars)

Household

Size

(Individuals)

Total .................................................................... 14,981 100.0 711 329 - 471 272 2.2

Countable Earned Income ................................ 4,412 29.4 1,115 517 951 642 326 3.0

 Wages and Salaries ........................................... 3,883 25.9 1,176 556 1,004 655 318 3.0

 Self-Employment .............................................. 553 3.7 776 290 505 580 385 2.9

 Other Earned Income ........................................ 62 0.4 634 234 301 496 339 2.5

Countable Unearned Income ........................... 9,475 63.2 814 393 682 468 247 2.1

 TANF ................................................................ 1,446 9.7 729 326 395 445 400 3.1

 General Assistance ............................................ 707 4.7 521 180 219 441 215 1.5

 Supplemental Security Income ......................... 3,539 23.6 837 425 527 449 184 1.8

 Social Security .................................................. 3,358 22.4 904 462 710 480 149 1.6

 Unemployment Income ..................................... 697 4.7 1,107 661 857 467 270 2.8

 Veterans’ Benefits ............................................. 121 0.8 943 514 407 479 145 1.7

 Workers’ Compensation ................................... 40 0.3 1,142 730 815 467 229 2.6

 Other Government Benefitse ............................. 217 1.5 946 449 230 551 200 1.9

 Household Contributions .................................. 488 3.3 567 224 240 433 357 2.6

 Household Deemed Income .............................. 16 0.1 770 390 643 443 302 2.5

 Educational Loans ............................................. 4 0.0 903 393 368 547 310 2.6

 Child Support Enforcement Payments .............. 1,478 9.9 980 530 322 496 390 3.4

 State Diversion Payments ................................. 8 0.1 730 239 372 589 214 1.7

 Energy Assistance Income ................................ 1 0.0 766 641 273 243 520 4.2

 Wage Supplementation ..................................... 1 0.0 980 688 902 319 274 2.7

 Other Unearned Incomef ................................... 454 3.0 876 433 319 496 237 2.1

 TANF or GA Income ........................................ 2,142 14.3 658 276 339 443 339 2.6

 TANF and Earnings .......................................... 311 2.1 1,083 537 1,005 557 356 3.2

 TANF and SSI ................................................... 251 1.7 1,137 682 952 468 334 3.4

 TANF or SSI or GA .......................................... 5,235 34.9 749 347 495 444 241 2.0

 (TANF or SSI or GA) and Earnings ................. 577 3.8 1,232 665 1,135 583 313 3.2

 TANF and Child Support .................................. 92 0.6 986 559 518 451 426 3.8

 SSI and Social Security ..................................... 1,351 9.0 833 442 780 426 147 1.5

 SSI or Social Security ....................................... 5,545 37.0 879 444 766 473 172 1.7

 SSI and Earnings ............................................... 244 1.6 1,486 900 1,288 608 250 3.2

 GA and Earnings ............................................... 49 0.3 1,151 542 933 644 334 3.0

 Earnings and Child Support .............................. 617 4.1 1,383 760 1,297 635 342 3.6

No Countable Income ....................................... 2,635 17.6 0 0 0 275 296 1.7

 Source: Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a The sum of individual income sources does not add to the total because households can receive income from more than one source.

b Because net income is not used in their benefit determinations, 31,357 MFIP households and 446,540 SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized

SSI-CAP benefits are excluded from this column. Thus, the average values are based on fewer households than the number shown in the Total Households column.

c Average value of specified source over households with income from source.

d Because deductions are not used in their benefit determinations, 446,540 SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits are excluded

from this column. Thus, the average values are based on fewer households than the number shown in the Total Households column.

e Examples of other government benefits include Black Lung Benefits, Railroad Retirement payments, and USDA payments to farmers.

f Examples of other unearned income include alimony, foster care payments, and dividends and interest payments.

43
Table A-8. Distribution of Participating Households with Children, Elderly Individuals, and Disabled Nonelderly Individuals by

Countable Earned and Unearned Income Amounts

Household Characteristic

Total Households Households with:

Number

(000)

Percent

Children Elderly Individuals Disabled Nonelderly

Individualsa

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Total ................................... 14,981 100.0 7,474 100.0 2,480 100.0 3,172 100.0

Countable Earned Income

 $0 ...................................... 10,569 70.6 4,000 53.5 2,351 94.8 2,870 90.5

 1-199 ................................. 445 3.0 235 3.1 24 1.0 67 2.1

 200-399 ............................. 477 3.2 300 4.0 21 0.9 55 1.7

 400-599 ............................. 498 3.3 357 4.8 20 0.8 36 1.1

 600-799 ............................. 548 3.7 412 5.5 19 0.8 33 1.0

 800-999 ............................. 562 3.8 434 5.8 15 0.6 31 1.0

 1,000+ ............................... 1,882 12.6 1,735 23.2 29 1.2 80 2.5

Countable Unearned

Income

 $0 ...................................... 5,506 36.8 3,136 42.0 146 5.9 3 0.1

 1-199 ................................. 847 5.7 573 7.7 20 0.8 10 0.3

 200-399 ............................. 1,340 8.9 952 12.7 67 2.7 26 0.8

 400-599 ............................. 1,174 7.8 797 10.7 161 6.5 177 5.6

 600-799 ............................. 3,479 23.2 736 9.8 1,271 51.3 1,753 55.3

 800-999 ............................. 1,150 7.7 434 5.8 391 15.8 493 15.5

 1,000+ ............................... 1,485 9.9 846 11.3 422 17.0 710 22.4

Countable TANF Income

 $0 ...................................... 13,535 90.3 6,074 81.3 2,432 98.1 2,925 92.2

 1-199 ................................. 268 1.8 252 3.4 16 0.6 79 2.5

 200-399 ............................. 540 3.6 520 7.0 19 0.8 105 3.3

 400-599 ............................. 435 2.9 425 5.7 8 0.3 52 1.6

 600-799 ............................. 142 0.9 141 1.9 4 0.2 7 0.2

 800-999 ............................. 47 0.3 47 0.6 0 0.0 2 0.1

 1,000+ ............................... 14 0.1 13 0.2 0 0.0 1 0.0

Countable GA Income

 $0 ...................................... 14,274 95.3 7,341 98.2 2,351 94.8 3,024 95.4

 1-199 ................................. 340 2.3 47 0.6 80 3.2 123 3.9

 200-399 ............................. 275 1.8 26 0.4 40 1.6 11 0.3

 400-599 ............................. 58 0.4 34 0.5 7 0.3 11 0.3

 600-799 ............................. 21 0.1 15 0.2 2 0.1 1 0.0

 800-999 ............................. 6 0.0 6 0.1 0 0.0 1 0.0

 1,000+ ............................... 7 0.0 4 0.1 0 0.0 0 0.0

Countable TANF or GA

Income

 $0 ...................................... 12,839 85.7 5,952 79.6 2,305 92.9 2,785 87.8

 1-199 ................................. 599 4.0 290 3.9 94 3.8 195 6.1

 200-399 ............................. 814 5.4 544 7.3 59 2.4 115 3.6

 400-599 ............................. 492 3.3 458 6.1 15 0.6 63 2.0

 600-799 ............................. 162 1.1 157 2.1 6 0.3 9 0.3

 800-999 ............................. 54 0.4 54 0.7 0 0.0 3 0.1

 1,000+ ............................... 22 0.1 18 0.2 0 0.0 2 0.1

See footnotes at end of table.

44
Table A-8. Distribution of Participating Households with Children, Elderly Individuals, and Disabled Nonelderly Individuals by

Countable Earned and Unearned Income Amounts — Continued

Household Characteristic

Total Households Households with:

Number

(000)

Percent

Children Elderly Individuals Disabled Nonelderly

Individualsa

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Countable SSI

 $0 ...................................... 11,442 76.4 6,565 87.8 1,212 48.9 866 27.3

 1-199 ................................. 697 4.7 85 1.1 375 15.1 327 10.3

 200-399 ............................. 435 2.9 66 0.9 226 9.1 212 6.7

 400-599 ............................. 398 2.7 120 1.6 142 5.7 260 8.2

 600-799 ............................. 1,768 11.8 510 6.8 447 18.0 1,331 42.0

 800-999 ............................. 55 0.4 20 0.3 27 1.1 33 1.0

 1,000+ ............................... 185 1.2 107 1.4 50 2.0 143 4.5

 Maximum for 1 Personb ... 812 5.4 226 3.0 192 7.7 623 19.6

 Maximum for 2 Personsc .. 5 0.0 0 0.0 4 0.2 2 0.0

Countable Social Security

 $0 ...................................... 11,623 77.6 6,808 91.1 818 33.0 1,670 52.7

 1-199 ................................. 115 0.8 55 0.7 39 1.6 40 1.3

 200-399 ............................. 390 2.6 102 1.4 191 7.7 149 4.7

 400-599 ............................. 700 4.7 126 1.7 373 15.0 287 9.0

 600-799 ............................. 1,019 6.8 145 1.9 517 20.9 464 14.6

 800-999 ............................. 663 4.4 97 1.3 325 13.1 319 10.0

 1,000+ ............................... 471 3.1 141 1.9 217 8.7 243 7.7

Other Countable

Unearned Income

 $0 ...................................... 11,679 78.0 5,111 68.4 2,123 85.6 2,678 84.4

 1-199 ................................. 1,060 7.1 644 8.6 189 7.6 237 7.5

 200-399 ............................. 845 5.6 663 8.9 75 3.0 111 3.5

 400-599 ............................. 499 3.3 388 5.2 32 1.3 60 1.9

 600-799 ............................. 297 2.0 211 2.8 21 0.8 34 1.1

 800-999 ............................. 214 1.4 142 1.9 18 0.7 19 0.6

 1,000+ ............................... 379 2.5 309 4.1 19 0.8 32 1.0

 Source: Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Due to changes in the SNAP QC data, the definition of disabled changed in 2003. Beginning with the 2003 report, we are only able to identify

households that contain a disabled person. In previous reports, we had additional information that helped to identify which household member was

disabled.

b The fiscal year 2009 maximum monthly SSI benefit for one person is $674. The number shown is the number of households where one person

receives an SSI benefit of this amount. (The household may contain more than one person.)

c The fiscal year 2009 maximum monthly SSI benefit for two persons is $1,011. The number shown is the number of households where two persons

receive an SSI benefit of this amount. (The household may contain more than two persons.)

45
Table A-9. Distribution of Participating Households by Type of Deduction and Household Composition, Countable Income Source, and

SNAP Benefit Amount

Household Characteristic

Total Households Type of Deduction

Number

(000)

Percent

Earned Income Dependent Care Excess Shelter Medical Child Support

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Percent

with

Maximuma

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Total ....................................... 14,981 100.0 4,401 29.4 586 3.9 10,425 69.6 25.4 548 3.7 266 1.8

Household Composition

 Children ................................ 7,474 100.0 3,473 46.5 581 7.8 5,625 75.3 35.6 78 1.0 141 1.9

 School Age ......................... 5,588 100.0 2,597 46.5 381 6.8 4,262 76.3 35.5 67 1.2 109 1.9

 Preschool Age .................... 3,969 100.0 1,954 49.2 435 11.0 2,899 73.0 36.0 23 0.6 81 2.0

 No Children .......................... 7,507 100.0 929 12.4 5 0.1 4,799 63.9 13.4 470 6.3 125 1.7

 Elderly Individuals ............... 2,480 100.0 126 5.1 1 0.0 1,759 70.9 0.1 297 12.0 11 0.5

 No Elderly Individuals ......... 12,501 100.0 4,275 34.2 585 4.7 8,665 69.3 30.5 251 2.0 255 2.0

 Disabled Nonelderly

Individualsb ...................... 3,172 100.0 296 9.3 31 1.0 2,492 78.6 0.1 259 8.2 72 2.3

 No Disabled Nonelderly

Individuals ........................ 11,809 100.0 4,105 34.8 555 4.7 7,932 67.2 33.4 288 2.4 195 1.6

Countable Income Source

 Gross Income ........................ 12,345 100.0 4,401 35.7 578 4.7 9,496 76.9 22.7 547 4.4 252 2.0

 No Gross Income .................. 2,635 100.0 – – 8 0.3 928 35.2 52.9 1 0.0 14 0.5

 Net Income ........................... 9,103 100.0 3,484 38.3 500 5.5 6,987 76.7 17.3 462 5.1 193 2.1

 No Net Income ..................... 5,400 100.0 910 16.9 86 1.6 3,438 63.7 41.8 86 1.6 74 1.4

 Not Applicablec .................... 478 100.0 7 1.5 – – – – – – – – –

 Earned Income ...................... 4,412 100.0 4,401 99.8 537 12.2 3,507 79.5 36.8 44 1.0 139 3.1

 No Earned Income ................ 10,569 100.0 – – 49 0.5 6,917 65.4 19.7 503 4.8 128 1.2

 Unearned Income ................. 9,475 100.0 1,532 16.2 251 2.6 7,172 75.7 16.9 544 5.7 170 1.8

 No Unearned Income ........... 5,506 100.0 2,869 52.1 335 6.1 3,253 59.1 44.1 4 0.1 97 1.8

 TANF Income ...................... 1,446 100.0 311 21.5 36 2.5 1,136 78.6 30.8 11 0.8 8 0.5

 No TANF Income ................. 13,535 100.0 4,090 30.2 550 4.1 9,289 68.6 24.8 536 4.0 259 1.9

 GA Income ........................... 707 100.0 49 7.0 2 0.2 529 74.9 28.9 8 1.1 3 0.4

 No GA Income ..................... 14,274 100.0 4,352 30.5 584 4.1 9,895 69.3 25.2 540 3.8 263 1.8

 SSI ........................................ 3,539 100.0 235 6.7 28 0.8 2,558 72.3 0.3 93 2.6 40 1.1

 No SSI .................................. 11,442 100.0 4,166 36.4 558 4.9 7,867 68.8 33.6 455 4.0 227 2.0

 Social Security Income ......... 3,358 100.0 237 7.1 17 0.5 2,579 76.8 3.1 494 14.7 65 1.9

 No Social Security Income ... 11,623 100.0 4,165 35.8 569 4.9 7,846 67.5 32.8 54 0.5 201 1.7

SNAP Benefit

 Minimum Benefit ................. 617 100.0 131 21.2 6 1.0 293 47.4 1.2 101 16.3 8 1.3

 Maximum Benefit ................ 5,606 100.0 912 16.3 87 1.6 3,442 61.4 41.8 86 1.5 74 1.3

 Source: Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Percent of households with deduction that receive the maximum.

b Due to changes in the SNAP QC data, the definition of disabled changed in 2003. Beginning with the 2003 report, we are only able to identify households

that contain a disabled person. In previous reports, we had additional information that helped to identify which household member was disabled.

c Net income is not used in the benefit determinations of MFIP households or SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits.

– No sample households in this category.

46
Table A-10. Average Values of Deductions of Participating Households by Household Composition, Countable Income Source, and SNAP

Benefit Amount

Household Characteristic

Total

Households

(000)

Average Amount of Deduction

(Dollars)

Earned Incomea Dependent Careb Excess Shelterc Medicalb Child Supportc

All

Households

With

Deduction

All

Households

With

Deduction

All

Households

With

Deduction

All

Households

With

Deduction

All

Households

With

Deduction

Total ................................ 14,981 58 190 8 207 246 343 6 151 5 243

Household Composition

 Children ......................... 7,474 98 211 16 206 254 336 2 172 5 267

 School Age .................. 5,588 102 219 14 210 261 340 2 183 5 262

 Preschool Age ............. 3,969 105 214 23 208 241 328 1 111 6 289

 No Children ................... 7,507 15 115 0 300 238 351 10 148 4 216

 Elderly Individuals ........ 2,480 8 138 0 194 292 363 23 160 1 168

 No Elderly Individuals .. 12,501 67 192 10 207 238 339 3 141 5 247

 Disabled Nonelderly

Individualsd ............... 3,172 14 139 2 237 303 367 12 140 4 174

 No Disabled Nonelderly

Individuals ................. 11,809 70 194 10 205 232 335 4 161 5 269

Countable Income

Source

 Gross Income ................ 12,345 71 190 10 207 273 341 7 151 5 239

 No Gross Income .......... 2,635 0 0 0 154 128 360 0 200 2 324

 Net Income .................... 9,103 86 221 11 199 228 298 6 125 5 238

 No Net Income .............. 5,400 12 73 4 249 277 435 5 290 4 259

 Not Applicablee ............. 478 67 291 00000000

 Earned Income .............. 4,412 190 190 26 212 266 333 1 148 8 268

 No Earned Income ........ 10,569 0 0 1 153 238 348 8 151 3 216

 Unearned Income .......... 9,475 28 163 6 199 273 344 9 151 4 230

 No Unearned Income .... 5,506 107 205 13 212 202 341 0 207 5 268

 TANF Income ............... 1,446 29 133 4 150 259 330 1 127 1 176

 No TANF Income ......... 13,535 62 195 9 210 245 345 6 152 5 245

 GA Income .................... 707 10 138 0 183 277 367 1 80 1 166

 No GA Income .............. 14,274 61 191 9 207 245 342 6 152 5 244

 SSI ................................. 3,539 12 149 2 229 282 341 4 138 2 141

 No SSI ........................... 11,442 70 193 10 205 237 343 6 154 5 261

 Social Security 

Income ....................... 3,358 9 117 2 282 297 362 23 144 4 178

 No Social Security

Income ....................... 11,623 72 195 10 204 232 337 1 214 5 265

SNAP Benefit

 Minimum Benefit .......... 617 44 206 2 165 82 174 17 106 2 166

 Maximum Benefit ......... 5,606 12 73 4 247 277 435 5 289 4 257

 Source: Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Because this deduction is not used in their benefit determinations, 600,249 SSI-CAP households are excluded from this column. Thus, the average values are

based on fewer households than the number shown in the Total Households column.

b Because this deduction is not used in their benefit determinations, 31,357 MFIP households and 600,249 SSI-CAP households are excluded from this column.

Thus, the average values are based on fewer households than the number shown in the Total Households column.

c Because this deduction is not used in their benefit determinations, 31,357 MFIP households and 446,540 SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized

SSI-CAP benefits are excluded from this column. Thus, the average values are based on fewer households than the number shown in the Total Households column.

d Due to changes in the SNAP QC data, the definition of disabled changed in 2003. Beginning with the 2003 report, we are only able to identify households that

contain a disabled person. In previous reports, we had additional information that helped to identify which household member was disabled.

e Net income is not used in the benefit determinations of MFIP households or SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits.

47
Table A-11. Distribution of Participating Households by Selected Household Characteristics and Amount of

Deduction

Household Characteristic

Total Households Households with:

Number

(000)

Percent

Children Elderly

Individuals

Disabled

Nonelderly

Individualsa

Countable Earned

Income

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Total .................................................. 14,981 100.0 7,474 100.0 2,480 100.0 3,172 100.0 4,412 100.0

Total Deduction

 $0-143b ............................................ 28 0.2 27 0.4 0 0.0 0 0.0 2 0.0

 144 ............................................... 2,648 17.7 749 10.0 342 13.8 312 9.8 1 0.0

 145-150 ........................................... 241 1.6 209 2.8 13 0.5 58 1.8 15 0.3

 151-200 ........................................... 661 4.4 325 4.3 119 4.8 176 5.6 136 3.1

 201-250 ........................................... 585 3.9 217 2.9 164 6.6 187 5.9 110 2.5

 251-300 ........................................... 698 4.7 294 3.9 149 6.0 213 6.7 152 3.5

 301-350 ........................................... 738 4.9 325 4.3 170 6.9 216 6.8 186 4.2

 351-400 ........................................... 734 4.9 393 5.3 134 5.4 196 6.2 239 5.4

 401-450 ........................................... 890 5.9 456 6.1 162 6.5 216 6.8 251 5.7

 451-500 ........................................... 777 5.2 413 5.5 125 5.0 190 6.0 246 5.6

 501+ ................................................ 6,537 43.6 4,065 54.4 806 32.5 1,257 39.6 3,067 69.5

 Not Applicablec ............................... 447 3.0 – – 296 11.9 151 4.8 6 0.1

Earned Income Deduction

 $0 ..................................................... 9,979 66.6 4,001 53.5 1,985 80.1 2,643 83.3 4 0.1

 1-50 ................................................. 571 3.8 312 4.2 28 1.1 83 2.6 571 12.9

 51-100 ............................................. 594 4.0 396 5.3 27 1.1 53 1.7 594 13.5

 101-150 ........................................... 673 4.5 502 6.7 24 1.0 44 1.4 673 15.2

 151-200 ........................................... 695 4.6 537 7.2 19 0.8 38 1.2 695 15.8

 201-250 ........................................... 612 4.1 537 7.2 10 0.4 29 0.9 612 13.9

 251-300 ........................................... 477 3.2 433 5.8 8 0.3 18 0.6 477 10.8

 301+ ................................................ 779 5.2 756 10.1 11 0.4 32 1.0 779 17.7

 Not Applicabled .............................. 600 4.0 – – 368 14.8 232 7.3 6 0.1

Dependent Care Deduction

 $0 ..................................................... 13,763 91.9 6,861 91.8 2,111 85.1 2,908 91.7 3,862 87.5

 1-50 ................................................. 92 0.6 92 1.2 0 0.0 5 0.2 75 1.7

 51-100 ............................................. 92 0.6 92 1.2 – – 2 0.1 86 2.0

 101-150 ........................................... 91 0.6 91 1.2 – – 4 0.1 86 2.0

 151-200 ........................................... 77 0.5 77 1.0 0 0.0 3 0.1 69 1.6

 201-250 ........................................... 44 0.3 44 0.6 1 0.0 3 0.1 40 0.9

 251-300 ........................................... 52 0.3 52 0.7 – – 5 0.2 49 1.1

 301+ ................................................ 138 0.9 134 1.8 0 0.0 9 0.3 131 3.0

 Not Applicablee ............................... 632 4.2 31 0.4 368 14.8 232 7.3 14 0.3

Medical Deduction

 $0 ..................................................... 13,802 92.1 7,364 98.5 1,815 73.2 2,680 84.5 4,354 98.7

 1-50 ................................................. 85 0.6 9 0.1 43 1.7 43 1.4 5 0.1

 51-100 ............................................. 219 1.5 45 0.6 106 4.3 115 3.6 19 0.4

 101-150 ........................................... 101 0.7 11 0.1 57 2.3 46 1.5 8 0.2

 151-200 ........................................... 46 0.3 2 0.0 33 1.3 14 0.4 3 0.1

 201-250 ........................................... 20 0.1 2 0.0 14 0.6 6 0.2 2 0.0

 251-300 ........................................... 18 0.1 2 0.0 11 0.4 8 0.2 1 0.0

 301+ ................................................ 58 0.4 7 0.1 32 1.3 27 0.9 6 0.1

 Not Applicablee ............................... 632 4.2 31 0.4 368 14.8 232 7.3 14 0.3

Child Support Deduction

 $0 ..................................................... 14,083 94.0 7,301 97.7 2,100 84.7 2,868 90.4 4,259 96.5

 1-50 ................................................. 33 0.2 11 0.1 2 0.1 18 0.6 10 0.2

 51-100 ............................................. 36 0.2 18 0.2 3 0.1 11 0.3 17 0.4

 101-150 ........................................... 36 0.2 17 0.2 1 0.1 12 0.4 17 0.4

 151-200 ........................................... 30 0.2 15 0.2 3 0.1 7 0.2 16 0.4

 201-250 ........................................... 32 0.2 18 0.2 1 0.0 5 0.2 16 0.4

 251-300 ........................................... 25 0.2 14 0.2 1 0.0 4 0.1 16 0.4

 301+ ................................................ 74 0.5 49 0.7 1 0.1 14 0.4 46 1.0

 Not Applicablef ............................... 632 4.2 31 0.4 368 14.8 232 7.3 14 0.3

See footnotes at end of table.

48
Table A-11. Distribution of Participating Households by Selected Household Characteristics and Amount of

Deduction — Continued

Household Characteristic

Total Households Households with:

Number

(000)

Percent

Children Elderly

Individuals

Disabled

Nonelderly

Individualsa

Countable Earned

Income

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Excess Shelter Deduction

 $0 ..................................................... 4,078 27.2 1,817 24.3 425 17.1 528 16.7 891 20.2

 1-50 ................................................. 576 3.8 282 3.8 121 4.9 144 4.5 173 3.9

 51-100 ............................................. 603 4.0 291 3.9 143 5.8 167 5.3 183 4.1

 101-150 ........................................... 707 4.7 351 4.7 158 6.4 203 6.4 227 5.2

 151-200 ........................................... 792 5.3 382 5.1 160 6.5 224 7.1 239 5.4

 201-250 ........................................... 747 5.0 398 5.3 140 5.7 200 6.3 242 5.5

 251-300 ........................................... 883 5.9 476 6.4 156 6.3 195 6.2 275 6.2

 301-350 ........................................... 802 5.4 430 5.8 133 5.4 207 6.5 260 5.9

 351-400 ........................................... 736 4.9 386 5.2 103 4.2 193 6.1 259 5.9

 401-445 ........................................... 583 3.9 321 4.3 86 3.5 163 5.1 228 5.2

 446 ................................................... 2,643 17.6 2,001 26.8 2 0.1 3 0.1 1,286 29.1

 447+ ................................................ 1,353 9.0 307 4.1 557 22.4 794 25.0 135 3.1

 Not Applicablef ............................... 478 3.2 31 0.4 296 11.9 151 4.8 14 0.3

 No Deduction .................................. 4,078 27.2 1,817 24.3 425 17.1 528 16.7 891 20.2

 Deduction Less than Capg ............... 6,434 42.9 3,319 44.4 1,201 48.4 1,696 53.5 2,088 47.3

 Deduction Equal to Cap .................. 2,649 17.7 2,005 26.8 2 0.1 3 0.1 1,289 29.2

 Benefit Less than Maximum

Benefit ......................................... 1,210 8.1 1,051 14.1 2 0.1 2 0.1 848 19.2

 Benefit Equal to Maximum

Benefit ......................................... 1,439 9.6 954 12.8 – – 0 0.0 441 10.0

 Deduction Greater than Cap ............ 1,342 9.0 301 4.0 556 22.4 793 25.0 130 2.9

 Not Applicablef ............................... 478 3.2 31 0.4 296 11.9 151 4.8 14 0.3

 Source: Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Due to changes in the SNAP QC data, the definition of disabled changed in 2003. Beginning with the 2003 report, we are only able

to identify households that contain a disabled person. In previous reports, we had additional information that helped to identify which

household member was disabled.

b This row contains households in Minnesota, which does not offer a standard deduction, and the Virgin Islands, which has a

standard deduction of $127.

c Deductions are not used in the benefit determinations of SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits.

d This deduction is not used in the benefit determinations of SSI-CAP households.

e This deduction is not used in the benefit determinations of MFIP households or SSI-CAP households.

f This deduction is not used in the benefit determinations of MFIP households or SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized

SSI-CAP benefits.

g Households without elderly or disabled members are subject to a cap on their excess shelter deduction.

– No sample households in this category.

49
Table A-12. Distribution of Participating Households by Selected Household Characteristics and SNAP Benefit Amount, SNAP Benefit as a Per

Benefit, and Certification Period

Total Households Households with:

Number

(000)

Percent

Children Elderly Individuals Disabled Nonelderly Individualsa Countabl

Inco

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Total ......................................................................................... 14,981 100.0 7,474 100.0 2,480 100.0 3,172 100.0 4,412 SNAP Benefit Minimum Benefit or lessb ...................................................... 622 4.1 58 0.8 277 11.2 228 7.2 133  Greater than the Minimum - 50 .............................................. 680 4.5 53 0.7 323 13.0 279 8.8 75  51 - 75 ..................................................................................... 641 4.3 64 0.9 314 12.7 237 7.5 82  76 - 100 ................................................................................... 606 4.0 99 1.3 217 8.7 259 8.2 114  101 - 150 ................................................................................. 1,233 8.2 258 3.5 419 16.9 500 15.8 283  151 - 200 ................................................................................. 4,329 28.9 628 8.4 667 26.9 712 22.4 804  201 - 300 ................................................................................. 1,263 8.4 1,049 14.0 104 4.2 303 9.5 680  301 or More ............................................................................ 5,607 37.4 5,264 70.4 158 6.4 654 20.6 2,242 Benefit as a Percentage of the Maximum Minimum ................................................................................ 617 4.1 55 0.7 276 11.1 225 7.1 131  < 25%c .................................................................................... 832 5.6 247 3.3 313 12.6 318 10.0 216 

 25 - 50 ..................................................................................... 2,167 14.5 983 13.2 633 25.5 725 22.9 767  51 - 75 ..................................................................................... 2,715 18.1 1,669 22.3 455 18.3 839 26.5 1,185  76 - 99 ..................................................................................... 3,043 20.3 2,150 28.8 288 11.6 583 18.4 1,196  Maximum ................................................................................ 5,606 37.4 2,370 31.7 516 20.8 482 15.2 917 Months in Certification Period Averaged .................................................................................. 12 – 9 – 20 – 16 – 9 

 1 .............................................................................................. 29 0.2 12 0.2 2 0.1 3 0.1 6  2 .............................................................................................. 37 0.2 11 0.2 2 0.1 4 0.1 6  3 .............................................................................................. 87 0.6 30 0.4 5 0.2 4 0.1 20  4 .............................................................................................. 108 0.7 33 0.4 1 0.0 5 0.2 22  5 .............................................................................................. 145 1.0 100 1.3 3 0.1 17 0.5 43  6 .............................................................................................. 5,563 37.1 3,659 49.0 215 8.7 681 21.5 2,193  7 .............................................................................................. 100 0.7 54 0.7 7 0.3 10 0.3 35  8 .............................................................................................. 39 0.3 21 0.3 3 0.1 5 0.2 12  9 .............................................................................................. 35 0.2 22 0.3 3 0.1 4 0.1 12  10 ............................................................................................ 82 0.5 46 0.6 5 0.2 7 0.2 20  11 ............................................................................................ 160 1.1 79 1.1 21 0.8 28 0.9 34  12 ............................................................................................ 6,249 41.7 3,205 42.9 1,033 41.6 1,375 43.4 1,899  13+ .......................................................................................... 2,336 15.6 196 2.6 1,180 47.6 1,024 32.3 106  Unknown ................................................................................. 11 0.1 6 0.1 0 0.0 4 0.1 1 

 Source: Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Due to changes in the SNAP QC data, the definition of disabled changed in 2003. Beginning with the 2003 report, we are only able to identify households that contain 

reports, we had additional information that helped to identify which household member was disabled.

b The minimum benefit, applicable to one- and two-person households, is equal to 8 percent of the maximum benefit for single-person households. See Table C-6 for the 

c Does not include households with the minimum benefit.

d Average number of months in certification period. Percent not applicable in this row.

– Not Applicable.

50
Table A-13. Distribution of Participating Households by Type of Most Recent Action and Expedited

Service

Most Recent Action and Expedited

Service

Total Households Entrants Other Households

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Total ................................................ 14,981 100.0 726 100.0 14,255 100.0

Initial Certification .......................... 6,266 41.8 726 100.0 5,541 38.9

 Eligible for and Receiving

Expedited Service ...................... 1,802 12.0 349 48.1 1,453 10.2

 Eligible for But Did Not Receive

Expedited Service ...................... 469 3.1 53 7.3 416 2.9

 Not Eligible for Expedited Service 3,996 26.7 324 44.6 3,672 25.8

Recertification ................................. 8,715 58.2 – – 8,715 61.1

 Eligible for and Receiving

Expedited Service ...................... 128 0.9 – – 128 0.9

 Eligible for But Did Not Receive

Expedited Service ...................... 57 0.4 – – 57 0.4

 Not Eligible for Expedited Service 8,530 56.9 – – 8,530 59.8

 Source: Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

– By definition these are mutually exclusive categories; therefore, no households will be found in these categories.

51
Table A-14. Distribution of Participating Households, Individuals, and Benefits by Household Composition

Household Composition

SNAP Households

Participants in Households

with Household

Characteristic

Monthly SNAP Benefits

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Dollars

(000)

Percent

Totala ............................................................................. 14,981 100.0 32,889 100.0 4,072,135 100.0

Children, Elderly Individuals, or Disabled

Individuals .............................................................. 11,898 79.4 29,451 89.5 3,500,350 86.0

Childrenb ...................................................................... 7,474 49.9 24,400 74.2 2,977,471 73.1

 Single-Adult Household ............................................... 4,367 29.1 13,092 39.8 1,669,250 41.0

 Male Adult ................................................................ 299 2.0 810 2.5 105,385 2.6

 Female Adult ............................................................. 4,068 27.2 12,282 37.3 1,563,865 38.4

 Multiple-Adult Household ........................................... 2,161 14.4 9,319 28.3 1,020,797 25.1

 Married Head Household .......................................... 1,340 8.9 5,935 18.0 641,663 15.8

 Other Multiple-Adult Household .............................. 822 5.5 3,384 10.3 379,134 9.3

 Children Only ............................................................... 945 6.3 1,989 6.0 287,424 7.1

Elderly Individuals ....................................................... 2,480 16.6 3,171 9.6 317,042 7.8

 Living Alone ................................................................ 1,992 13.3 1,992 6.1 205,513 5.0

 Living with Only Elderly Individuals .......................... 234 1.6 469 1.4 43,423 1.1

 Living with at Least One Nonelderly Individual ......... 253 1.7 710 2.2 68,107 1.7

Disabled Nonelderly Individualsc ............................... 3,172 21.2 6,169 18.8 623,681 15.3

 Living Alone ................................................................ 1,864 12.4 1,864 5.7 202,201 5.0

 Not Living Alone ......................................................... 1,307 8.7 4,305 13.1 421,480 10.4

Other Householdsd ....................................................... 3,083 20.6 3,439 10.5 571,785 14.0

 Single-Person Household ............................................. 2,775 18.5 2,775 8.4 481,953 11.8

 Multi-Person Household .............................................. 308 2.1 664 2.0 89,832 2.2

Nonelderly, Nondisabled, Childless Adultse .............. 1,490 9.9 2,203 6.7 329,713 8.1

 Single-Person Household ............................................. 1,104 7.4 1,104 3.4 196,082 4.8

 Multi-Person Household .............................................. 386 2.6 1,099 3.3 133,631 3.3

Single-Person Households ........................................... 6,957 46.4 6,957 21.2 945,117 23.2

 Source: Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a The sum of individual categories does not match the table total because a household can have more than one of the characteristics in the

table.

b Individuals with missing age were assigned child or adult status based on their relationship to the household head.

c Due to changes in the SNAP QC data, the definition of disabled changed in 2003. Beginning with the 2003 report, we are only able to

identify households that contain a disabled person. In previous reports, we had additional information that helped to identify which household

member was disabled.

d Households not containing children, elderly individuals, or disabled individuals.

e These participants, age 18-49, are subject to work registration. Prior to April 2009, with some exceptions (for example, those in waiver

areas or receiving state exemptions), they needed to meet work requirements or face time limits on benefit receipt.

52
Table A-15. Average Gross and Net Countable Income, Total Deduction, Countable Resources, SNAP Benefit, Household Size, and

Certification Period of Participating Households by Household Composition

Household Composition

Total Households Average Values

Number

(000)

Percent

Gross

Countable

Income

(Dollars)

Net

Countable

Income

(Dollars)a

Total

Deduction

(Dollars)b

Countable

Resources

(Dollars)

SNAP

Benefit

(Dollars)

Household

Size

(Individuals)

Certification

Period

(Months)

Totalc ........................................................... 14,981 100.0 711 329 471 101 272 2.2 12.0

Children, Elderly Individuals, or

Disabled Individuals ............................ 11,898 79.4 830 395 506 114 294 2.5 12.8

Childrend .................................................... 7,474 49.9 865 423 525 93 398 3.3 9.0

 Single-Adult Household ............................. 4,367 29.1 763 356 492 78 382 3.0 9.0

 Male Adult .............................................. 299 2.0 705 322 494 218 352 2.7 9.2

 Female Adult ........................................... 4,068 27.2 767 359 492 68 384 3.0 9.0

 Multiple-Adult Household ......................... 2,161 14.4 1,200 663 603 135 472 4.3 8.8

 Married Head Household ........................ 1,340 8.9 1,257 698 626 166 479 4.4 8.8

 Other Multiple-Adult Household ............ 822 5.5 1,107 607 565 83 461 4.1 8.9

 Children Only ............................................. 945 6.3 572 180 496 66 304 2.1 9.2

Elderly Individuals ..................................... 2,480 16.6 790 383 468 210 128 1.3 19.8

 Living Alone .............................................. 1,992 13.3 721 319 456 206 103 1.0 21.0

 Living with Only Elderly Individuals ........ 234 1.6 1,030 551 527 198 185 2.0 18.4

 Living with at Least One Nonelderly

Individual ............................................... 253 1.7 1,108 660 498 250 269 2.8 11.5

Disabled Nonelderly Individualse ............. 3,172 21.2 918 467 483 94 197 1.9 15.5

 Living Alone .............................................. 1,864 12.4 750 299 476 89 108 1.0 19.0

 Not Living Alone ....................................... 1,307 8.7 1,157 688 492 100 322 3.3 10.5

Other Householdsf ..................................... 3,083 20.6 250 82 337 53 185 1.1 8.6

 Single-Person Household ........................... 2,775 18.5 206 61 319 34 174 1.0 8.6

 Multi-Person Household ............................ 308 2.1 646 271 504 226 292 2.2 8.6

Nonelderly, Nondisabled, Childless

Adultsg .................................................. 1,490 9.9 334 141 345 41 221 1.5 8.4

 Single-Person Household ........................... 1,104 7.4 157 45 286 22 178 1.0 8.0

 Multi-Person Household ............................ 386 2.6 841 414 516 95 346 2.8 9.5

Single-Person Households ......................... 6,957 46.4 507 191 402 99 136 1.0 15.0

 Source: Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Because net income is not used in their benefit determinations, 31,357 MFIP households and 446,540 SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized

SSI-CAP benefits are excluded from this column. Thus, the average values are based on fewer households than the number shown in the Total Households

column.

b Because deductions are not used in their benefit determinations, 446,540 SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits are

excluded from this column. Thus, the average values are based on fewer households than the number shown in the Total Households column.

c The sum of individual categories does not match the table total because a household can have more than one of the characteristics in the table.

d Individuals with missing age were assigned child or adult status based on their relationship to the household head.

e Due to changes in the SNAP QC data, the definition of disabled changed in 2003. Beginning with the 2003 report, we are only able to identify households

that contain a disabled person. In previous reports, we had additional information that helped to identify which household member was disabled.

f Households not containing children, elderly individuals, or disabled individuals.

g These participants, age 18-49, are subject to work registration. Prior to April 2009, with some exceptions (for example, those in waiver areas or receiving

state exemptions), they needed to meet work requirements or face time limits on benefit receipt.

53
Table A-16. Distribution of Participating Households by Countable Income Type and Household Composition

Household Composition

Total

Households Countable Income Type

Number

(000)

Percent

Earned Income Zero Gross

Income TANF Income GA Income SSI Social SecurityIncome

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Totala ......................................... 14,981 100.0 4,412 100.0 2,635 100.0 1,446 100.0 707 100.0 3,539 100.0 3,358 100.0

Children, Elderly Individuals,

or Disabled Individuals ...... 11,898 79.4 3,696 83.8 1,030 39.1 1,409 97.4 358 50.7 3,538 100.0 3,332 99.2

Childrenb .................................. 7,474 49.9 3,474 78.7 942 35.8 1,399 96.8 133 18.8 909 25.7 666 19.8

 Single-Adult Household ........... 4,367 29.1 1,676 38.0 652 24.7 887 61.4 86 12.1 534 15.1 401 12.0

 Male Adult ............................ 299 2.0 91 2.1 68 2.6 64 4.4 5 0.6 29 0.8 42 1.3

 Female Adult ......................... 4,068 27.2 1,585 35.9 584 22.2 823 56.9 81 11.5 505 14.3 359 10.7

 Multiple-Adult Household ....... 2,161 14.4 1,240 28.1 182 6.9 301 20.8 36 5.1 346 9.8 245 7.3

 Married Head Household ...... 1,340 8.9 807 18.3 122 4.6 155 10.7 18 2.5 176 5.0 131 3.9

 Other Multiple-Adult

Household ............................ 822 5.5 433 9.8 60 2.3 145 10.1 18 2.5 171 4.8 114 3.4

 Children Only ........................... 945 6.3 558 12.6 108 4.1 212 14.6 11 1.6 28 0.8 19 0.6

Elderly Individuals ................... 2,480 16.6 129 2.9 90 3.4 47 3.3 129 18.3 1,268 35.8 1,662 49.5

 Living Alone ............................ 1,992 13.3 73 1.6 73 2.8 2 0.1 105 14.9 1,027 29.0 1,349 40.2

 Living with Only Elderly

Individuals ............................ 234 1.6 11 0.2 10 0.4 – – 15 2.1 135 3.8 149 4.4

 Living with at Least One

Nonelderly Individual .......... 253 1.7 46 1.0 7 0.3 46 3.2 9 1.3 106 3.0 164 4.9

Disabled Nonelderly

Individualsc ......................... 3,172 21.2 302 6.8 1 0.0 247 17.1 147 20.8 2,306 65.2 1,501 44.7

 Living Alone ............................ 1,864 12.4 89 2.0 0 0.0 3 0.2 85 12.0 1,275 36.0 966 28.8

 Not Living Alone ..................... 1,307 8.7 213 4.8 1 0.0 244 16.9 62 8.8 1,031 29.1 535 15.9

Other Householdsd ................... 3,083 20.6 716 16.2 1,606 60.9 37 2.6 349 49.3 1 0.0 26 0.8

 Single-Person ........................... 2,775 18.5 563 12.8 1,525 57.9 25 1.7 337 47.7 1 0.0 21 0.6

 Multi-Person ............................ 308 2.1 154 3.5 80 3.1 12 0.9 11 1.6 – – 6 0.2

Nonelderly, Nondisabled,

Childless Adultse ................ 1,490 9.9 374 8.5 773 29.3 35 2.5 78 11.0 83 2.3 70 2.1

 Single-Person Household ......... 1,104 7.4 215 4.9 711 27.0 5 0.4 64 9.0 5 0.1 7 0.2

 Multi-Person Household .......... 386 2.6 159 3.6 62 2.4 30 2.1 14 2.0 78 2.2 63 1.9

Single-Person Households ....... 6,957 46.4 902 20.4 1,653 62.7 93 6.5 530 74.9 2,307 65.2 2,345 69.8

 Source: Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a The sum of individual categories does not match the table total because a household can have more than one of the characteristics in the table.

b Individuals with missing age were assigned child or adult status based on their relationship to the household head.

c Due to changes in the SNAP QC data, the definition of disabled changed in 2003. Beginning with the 2003 report, we are only able to identify households that

contain a disabled person. In previous reports, we had additional information that helped to identify which household member was disabled.

d Households not containing children, elderly individuals, or disabled individuals.

e These participants, age 18-49, are subject to work registration. Prior to April 2009, with some exceptions (for example, those in waiver areas or receiving state

exemptions), they needed to meet work requirements or face time limits on benefit receipt.

– No sample households in this category.

54
Table A-17. Distribution of Participating Households with Children, Elderly Individuals, and Disabled Nonelderly Individuals by Selected

Characteristics

Household Characteristic

Total Households Household with:

Number

(000)

Percent

Children School-Age

Children

Preschool-Age

Children

Elderly

Individuals

Disabled

Nonelderly

Individualsa

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Total ............................................................ 14,981 100.0 7,474 100.0 5,588 100.0 3,969 100.0 2,480 100.0 3,172 100.0

Household Composition

 Children ...................................................... 7,474 49.9 7,474 100.0 5,588 100.0 3,969 100.0 136 5.5 1,052 33.2

 School Age ............................................... 5,588 37.3 5,588 74.8 5,588 100.0 2,083 52.5 125 5.0 914 28.8

 Preschool Age .......................................... 3,969 26.5 3,969 53.1 2,083 37.3 3,969 100.0 23 0.9 400 12.6

 Elderly Individuals ..................................... 2,480 16.6 136 1.8 125 2.2 23 0.6 2,480 100.0 54 1.7

 Disabled Nonelderly Individualsa .............. 3,172 21.2 1,052 14.1 914 16.4 400 10.1 54 2.2 3,172 100.0

Countable Income Source and Resources

 Gross Income ............................................. 12,345 82.4 6,531 87.4 4,983 89.2 3,434 86.5 2,390 96.4 3,171 100.0

 No Gross Income ....................................... 2,635 17.6 942 12.6 605 10.8 535 13.5 90 3.6 1 0.0

 Net Income ................................................. 9,103 60.8 5,075 67.9 3,968 71.0 2,635 66.4 1,784 72.0 2,626 82.8

 No Net Income ........................................... 5,400 36.0 2,367 31.7 1,599 28.6 1,314 33.1 400 16.1 395 12.5

 Not Applicableb ......................................... 478 3.2 31 0.4 20 0.4 21 0.5 296 11.9 151 4.8

 Earned Income ........................................... 4,412 29.4 3,474 46.5 2,598 46.5 1,954 49.2 129 5.2 302 9.5

 Unearned Income ....................................... 9,475 63.2 4,337 58.0 3,432 61.4 2,128 53.6 2,333 94.1 3,169 99.9

 TANF Income ............................................ 1,446 9.7 1,399 18.7 978 17.5 794 20.0 47 1.9 247 7.8

 GA Income ................................................. 707 4.7 133 1.8 113 2.0 59 1.5 129 5.2 147 4.6

 SSI .............................................................. 3,539 23.6 909 12.2 783 14.0 360 9.1 1,268 51.1 2,306 72.7

 Social Security Income .............................. 3,358 22.4 666 8.9 600 10.7 198 5.0 1,662 67.0 1,501 47.3

 Countable Resources .................................. 3,275 21.9 1,782 23.8 1,402 25.1 890 22.4 704 28.4 708 22.3

Deductions

 Total Deduction ......................................... 14,510 96.9 7,449 99.7 5,572 99.7 3,954 99.6 2,184 88.1 3,021 95.2

 Earned Income Deduction .......................... 4,401 29.4 3,473 46.5 2,597 46.5 1,954 49.2 126 5.1 296 9.3

 Dependent Care Deduction ........................ 586 3.9 581 7.8 381 6.8 435 11.0 1 0.0 31 1.0

 Excess Shelter Deduction .......................... 10,425 69.6 5,625 75.3 4,262 76.3 2,899 73.0 1,759 70.9 2,492 78.6

 Medical Deduction ..................................... 548 3.7 78 1.0 67 1.2 23 0.6 297 12.0 259 8.2

 Child Support Deduction ........................... 266 1.8 141 1.9 109 1.9 81 2.0 11 0.5 72 2.3

SNAP Benefit

 Minimum Benefit or lessc .......................... 622 4.1 58 0.8 45 0.8 16 0.4 277 11.2 228 7.2

 Greater than the Minimum - 100 ............... 1,927 12.9 215 2.9 153 2.7 86 2.2 855 34.5 775 24.4

 101-200 ...................................................... 5,563 37.1 886 11.9 594 10.6 386 9.7 1,086 43.8 1,212 38.2

 201-300 ...................................................... 1,263 8.4 1,049 14.0 748 13.4 507 12.8 104 4.2 303 9.5

 301 or More ................................................ 5,607 37.4 5,264 70.4 4,048 72.4 2,975 75.0 158 6.4 654 20.6

 Minimum Benefit ....................................... 617 4.1 55 0.7 42 0.7 15 0.4 276 11.1 225 7.1

 Maximum Benefit ...................................... 5,606 37.4 2,370 31.7 1,601 28.6 1,316 33.2 516 20.8 482 15.2

Household Size

 1 .................................................................. 6,957 46.4 333 4.5 165 3.0 168 4.2 1,992 80.3 1,864 58.8

 2 .................................................................. 2,946 19.7 2,147 28.7 1,268 22.7 995 25.1 375 15.1 493 15.5

 3 .................................................................. 2,304 15.4 2,233 29.9 1,648 29.5 1,140 28.7 61 2.5 330 10.4

 4 .................................................................. 1,528 10.2 1,515 20.3 1,313 23.5 855 21.5 27 1.1 251 7.9

 5 .................................................................. 743 5.0 742 9.9 695 12.4 456 11.5 14 0.6 136 4.3

 6+ ............................................................... 504 3.4 504 6.7 497 8.9 354 8.9 10 0.4 98 3.1

 Source: Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Due to changes in the SNAP QC data, the definition of disabled changed in 2003. Beginning with the 2003 report, we are only able to identify households that

contain a disabled person. In previous reports, we had additional information that helped to identify which household member was disabled.

b Net income is not used in the benefit determinations of MFIP households or SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits.

c The minimum benefit, applicable to one- and two-person households, is equal to 8 percent of the maximum benefit for single-person households. See Table C-6

for the FY 2009 minimum benefit values.

55
Table A-18. Average Values of Selected Characteristics for Participating Households with Children, Elderly

Individuals, and Disabled Nonelderly Individuals

Household Characteristic

Average Values for Households with:

Total Children School-Age

Children

Preschool-Age

Children

Elderly

Individuals

Disabled

Nonelderly

Individualsa

Countable Income and Resources

 Gross Income ........................................ 711 865 931 846 790 918

 Net Incomeb .......................................... 329 423 470 403 383 467

 Earned Income ...................................... 280 489 509 526 36 65

 Unearned Income .................................. 431 376 422 320 754 852

 TANF Income ....................................... 38 75 72 83 6 24

 GA Income ............................................ 10 6 7 6 8 5

 SSI ......................................................... 125 79 93 61 224 421

 Social Security Income ......................... 159 64 78 34 473 352

 Countable Resources ............................. 101 93 103 78 210 94

Countable Income as a Percentage of

Poverty Guildeline

 Gross Income ......................................... 58.1 55.3 57.1 52.2 83.3 82.1

 Net Incomeb ........................................... 24.5 25.8 27.7 23.6 34.4 36.7

Deductions

 Total Deductionc .................................... 471 525 536 527 468 483

 Earned Income Deductiond .................... 58 98 102 105 8 14

 Over Households with Deduction .......... 190 211 219 214 138 139

 Dependent Care Deductione .................. 8 16 14 23 0 2

 Over Households with Deduction .......... 207 206 210 208 194 237

 Excess Shelter Deductionf ..................... 246 254 261 241 292 303

 Over Households with Deduction .......... 343 336 340 328 363 367

 Medical Deductione ............................... 6 2 2 1 23 12

 Over Households with Deduction .......... 151 172 183 111 160 140

 Child Support Deductionf ...................... 5 5 5 6 1 4

 Over Households with Deduction .......... 243 267 262 289 168 174

SNAP Benefit .............................................. 272 398 418 427 128 197

Household Size ........................................... 2.2 3.3 3.5 3.4 1.3 1.9

Certification Period ................................... 12.0 9.0 9.0 8.8 19.8 15.5

 Source: Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Due to changes in the SNAP QC data, the definition of disabled changed in 2003. Beginning with the 2003 report, we are only able to

identify households that contain a disabled person. In previous reports, we had additional information that helped to identify which household

member was disabled.

b Because net income is not used in their benefit determination, 31,357 MFIP households and 446,540 SSI-CAP households are excluded

from this category.

c Because deductions are not used in their benefit determination, 446,540 SSI-CAP households in are excluded from this category.

d Because this deduction is not used in their benefit determination, 600,249 SSI-CAP households in are excluded from this category.

e Because this deduction is not used in their benefit determination, 31,357 MFIP households and 600,249 SSI-CAP households are

excluded from this category.

f Because this deduction is not used in their benefit determination, 31,357 MFIP households and 446,540 SSI-CAP households are

excluded from this category.

56
Table A-19. Distribution of Participating Households with Countable Earned and Unearned Income by Selected

Characteristics

Household Characteristic

Total Households Countable Income Type

Number

(000)

Percent

 Earned Income Unearned Income TANF Income GA Income

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Total .................................................................... 14,981 100.0 4,412 100.0 9,475 100.0 1,446 100.0 707 100.0

Household Composition

 Children ............................................................. 7,474 49.9 3,474 78.7 4,337 45.8 1,399 96.8 133 18.8

 School Age ...................................................... 5,588 37.3 2,598 58.9 3,432 36.2 978 67.6 113 16.0

 Preschool Age ................................................. 3,969 26.5 1,954 44.3 2,128 22.5 794 54.9 59 8.4

 Elderly Individuals ............................................ 2,480 16.6 129 2.9 2,333 24.6 47 3.3 129 18.3

 Disabled Nonelderly Individualsa ..................... 3,172 21.2 302 6.8 3,169 33.4 247 17.1 147 20.8

Countable Income Source and Resources

 Gross Income .................................................... 12,345 82.4 4,412 100.0 9,475 100.0 1,446 100.0 707 100.0

 No Gross Incomeb ............................................. 2,635 17.6 – – – – – – – –

 Net Income ........................................................ 9,103 60.8 3,486 79.0 7,009 74.0 1,051 72.7 340 48.1

 No Net Income .................................................. 5,400 36.0 913 20.7 2,012 21.2 395 27.3 359 50.8

 Not Applicablec ................................................. 478 3.2 14 0.3 454 4.8 0 0.0 7 1.0

 Earned Income .................................................. 4,412 29.4 4,412 100.0 1,541 16.3 311 21.5 49 7.0

 Unearned Income .............................................. 9,475 63.2 1,541 34.9 9,475 100.0 1,446 100.0 707 100.0

 TANF Income ................................................... 1,446 9.7 311 7.1 1,446 15.3 1,446 100.0 11 1.5

 GA Income ........................................................ 707 4.7 49 1.1 707 7.5 11 0.7 707 100.0

 SSI Income ........................................................ 3,539 23.6 244 5.5 3,539 37.3 251 17.4 203 28.7

 Social Security Income ..................................... 3,358 22.4 240 5.4 3,358 35.4 107 7.4 100 14.2

 Countable Resources ......................................... 3,275 21.9 1,266 28.7 2,173 22.9 205 14.2 62 8.7

Deductions

 Total Deduction ................................................. 14,510 96.9 4,405 99.9 9,023 95.2 1,446 100.0 700 99.0

 Earned Income Deduction ................................. 4,401 29.4 4,401 99.8 1,532 16.2 311 21.5 49 7.0

 Dependent Care Deduction ............................... 586 3.9 537 12.2 251 2.6 36 2.5 2 0.2

 Excess Shelter Deduction .................................. 10,425 69.6 3,507 79.5 7,172 75.7 1,136 78.6 529 74.9

 Medical Deduction ............................................ 548 3.7 44 1.0 544 5.7 11 0.8 8 1.1

 Child Support Deduction .................................. 266 1.8 139 3.1 170 1.8 8 0.5 3 0.4

SNAP Benefit

 Minimum Benefit or lessd ................................. 622 4.1 133 3.0 568 6.0 11 0.7 12 1.7

 Greater than the Minimum - 100 ....................... 1,927 12.9 270 6.1 1,783 18.8 36 2.5 76 10.8

 101-200 ............................................................. 5,563 37.1 1,087 24.6 3,138 33.1 158 11.0 468 66.2

 201-300 ............................................................. 1,263 8.4 680 15.4 853 9.0 212 14.7 29 4.1

 301 or More ....................................................... 5,607 37.4 2,242 50.8 3,133 33.1 1,029 71.1 121 17.2

 Minimum Benefit .............................................. 617 4.1 131 3.0 564 6.0 10 0.7 12 1.7

 Maximum Benefit ............................................. 5,606 37.4 917 20.8 2,218 23.4 396 27.4 367 51.9

Household Size

 1 ......................................................................... 6,957 46.4 902 20.4 4,617 48.7 93 6.5 530 74.9

 2 ......................................................................... 2,946 19.7 1,004 22.8 1,823 19.2 499 34.5 76 10.7

 3 ......................................................................... 2,304 15.4 1,047 23.7 1,359 14.3 416 28.8 51 7.2

 4 ......................................................................... 1,528 10.2 768 17.4 913 9.6 233 16.1 28 4.0

 5 ......................................................................... 743 5.0 396 9.0 447 4.7 112 7.8 16 2.2

 6+ ...................................................................... 504 3.4 295 6.7 316 3.3 93 6.4 6 0.9

 Source: Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Due to changes in the SNAP QC data, the definition of disabled changed in 2003. Beginning with the 2003 report, we are only able to identify

households that contain a disabled person. In previous reports, we had additional information that helped to identify which household member was

disabled.

b Some states allow child support expenses to be subtracted before gross income is calculated. As a result, it is possible to have countable income

but no gross income.

c Net income is not used in the benefit determinations of MFIP households or SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits.

d The minimum benefit, applicable to one- and two-person households, is equal to 8 percent of the maximum benefit for single-person households.

See Table C-6 for the FY 2009 minimum benefit values.

– No sample households in this category.

57
Table A-20. Average Values of Selected Characteristics for Participating Households with Countable

Earned and Unearned Income

Household Characteristic

Average Values for Households with:

Total

Countable

Earned

Income

Countable

Unearned

Income

Countable

TANF Income

Countable GA

Income

Countable Income and Resources

 Gross Income ......................................... 711 1,115 814 729 521

 Net Incomea .......................................... 329 517 393 326 180

 Earned Income ....................................... 280 951 132 144 48

 Unearned Income ................................... 431 165 682 585 473

 TANF Income ........................................ 38 24 60 395 6

 GA Income ............................................. 10 3 16 1 219

 SSI .......................................................... 125 31 197 113 154

 Social Security Income .......................... 159 34 252 44 79

 Countable Resources .............................. 101 121 108 51 31

Countable Income as a Percentage of

Poverty Guideline

 Gross Income ......................................... 58.1 76.6 70.1 49.0 49.2

 Net Incomea ........................................... 24.5 33.3 30.3 20.8 15.1

Deductions

 Total Deductionb .................................... 471 642 468 445 441

 Earned Income Deductionc .................... 58 190 28 29 10

 Over Households with Deduction .......... 190 190 163 133 138

 Dependent Care Deductiond .................. 8 26 6 4 0

 Over Households with Deduction .......... 207 212 199 150 183

 Excess Shelter Deductione ..................... 246 266 273 259 277

 Over Households with Deduction .......... 343 333 344 330 367

 Medical Deductiond ............................... 6 1 9 1 1

 Over Households with Deduction .......... 151 148 151 127 80

 Child Support Deductione ...................... 5 8 4 1 1

 Over Households with Deduction .......... 243 268 230 176 166

SNAP Benefit .............................................. 272 326 247 400 215

Household Size ........................................... 2.2 3.0 2.1 3.1 1.5

Certification Period ................................... 12.0 9.0 14.0 10.0 12.8

 Source: Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Because net income is not used in their benefit determination, 31,357 MFIP households and 446,540 SSI-CAP

households are excluded from this category.

b Because deductions are not used in their benefit determination, 446,540 SSI-CAP households in are excluded from this

category.

c Because this deduction is not used in their benefit determination, 600,249 SSI-CAP households are excluded from this

category.

d Because this deduction is not used in their benefit determination, 31,357 MFIP households and 600,249 SSI-CAP

households are excluded from this category.

e Because this deduction is not used in their benefit determination, 31,357 MFIP households and 446,540 SSI-CAP

households are excluded from this category.

58
Table A-21. Distribution of Participating Households With Selected Household Characteristics by the Race of the Household Head

Characteristic

Total Households Households With:

Number

(000)

Percent

Children Elderly

Individuals

Disabled

Nonelderly

Individualsa

Countable Earned

Income

Countable TANF

Income

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Total ..................................................... 14,981 100.0 7,474 100.0 2,480 100.0 3,172 100.0 4,412 100.0 1,446 100.0

Raceb of Household Head

 Whitec ................................................. 5,150 34.4 2,267 30.3 867 35.0 1,285 40.5 1,468 33.3 367 25.4

 African Americand .............................. 3,209 21.4 1,607 21.5 419 16.9 711 22.4 867 19.7 348 24.1

 Hispanice ............................................. 1,451 9.7 868 11.6 272 11.0 232 7.3 464 10.5 185 12.8

 Asianf .................................................. 371 2.5 144 1.9 164 6.6 38 1.2 93 2.1 47 3.3

 Native Americang ............................... 536 3.6 231 3.1 154 6.2 95 3.0 133 3.0 46 3.2

 Multiple Races Reportedh ................... 17 0.1 9 0.1 6 0.2 3 0.1 5 0.1 3 0.2

 Race Unknowni ................................... 3,215 21.5 1,332 17.8 595 24.0 781 24.6 774 17.5 219 15.2

Nonparticipating Household Headj ... 1,031 6.9 1,015 13.6 3 0.1 27 0.9 607 13.8 231 16.0

 Source: Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Due to changes in the SNAP QC data, the definition of disabled changed in 2003. Beginning with the 2003 report, we are only able to identify households

that contain a disabled person. In previous reports, we had additional information that helped to identify which household member was disabled.

b New codes to allow reporting of multiple races were implemented beginning in April 2007. We have grouped the new codes together to form general race

and ethnicity categories. Reporting of race and ethnicity is voluntary under the new format and was missing for 23 percent of participants in FY 2009. Because

of these changes, FY 2009 race and ethnicity distributions are not comparable to distributions for years prior to FY 2007.

c This category includes the following values: White; White, not of Hispanic origin.

d This category includes the following values: Black or African American; (Black or African American) and White; Black, not of Hispanic origin.

e This category includes the following values: Hispanic; (Hispanic or Latino) and (American Indian or Alaska Native); (Hispanic or Latino) and Asian;

(Hispanic or Latino) and (Black or African American); (Hispanic or Latino) and (Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander); (Hispanic or Latino) and White;

(Hispanic or Latino) and (American Indian or Alaska Native) and White; (Hispanic or Latino) and Asian and White; (Hispanic or Latino) and (Black or

African American); (Hispanic or Latino) and (American Indian or Alaska Native) and (Black or African American); (Hispanic or Latino) and Respondent

reported more than one race and does not fit into the listed values.

f This category includes the following values: Asian; Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander; Asian and White; Asian or Pacific Islander.

g This category includes the following values: American Indian or Alaska Native; (American Indian or Alaska Native) and White; (American Indian or

Alaska Native) and (Black or African American); American Indian or Alaska Native (old value).

h This category includes households with household heads that reported more than one race but that do not fit into any previous category.

i This category includes the following values: Unknown; Not recorded on the application for this individual; The application was not found during the QC

review, therefore racial/ethnic data is not available.

j This category includes some households with no household head and no adult listed on the file.

59
Table A-22. Distribution of Participating Households By Presence of a Household Member with Selected Characteristics

Characteristic

Total Households Households with:

Number

(000)

Percent

Children Elderly

Individuals

Disabled

Nonelderly

Individualsa

Countable Earned

Income

Countable TANF

Income

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Total ............................................................ 14,981 100.0 7,474 100.0 2,480 100.0 3,172 100.0 4,412 100.0 1,446 100.0

Citizenship

 U. S. Born Citizen ...................................... 13,987 93.4 7,384 98.8 1,828 73.7 3,066 96.7 4,289 97.2 1,416 97.9

 Naturalized Citizen .................................... 843 5.6 301 4.0 431 17.4 100 3.2 206 4.7 58 4.0

 Refugee ...................................................... 129 0.9 70 0.9 22 0.9 13 0.4 42 1.0 26 1.8

 Legal Permanent Resident ......................... 759 5.1 387 5.2 280 11.3 78 2.5 272 6.2 62 4.3

 Unknown .................................................... – – – – – – – – – – – –

 Citizen Children Living with Participating

 Noncitizen Adults ................................... 348 2.3 348 4.7 22 0.9 35 1.1 198 4.5 53 3.7

 Citizen Children Living with

 Nonparticipating Noncitizen Adults ....... 895 6.0 895 12.0 3 0.1 27 0.8 610 13.8 201 13.9

 Source: Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Due to changes in the SNAP QC data, the definition of disabled changed in 2003. Beginning with the 2003 report, we are only able to identify households that

contain a disabled person. In previous reports, we had additional information that helped to identify which household member was disabled.

– No sample households in this category.

60
Table A-23. Gender and SNAP Benefits of Participants by Selected Demographic Characteristic

Participant Characteristic

Total Participants Female Participants Male Participants Pro-rated Benefitsb

Number

(000)

Percenta Number

(000)

Percenta Number

(000)

Percenta Dollars

(000)

Percent

Total ..................................................... 32,889 100.0 18,854 57.3 14,035 42.7 4,072,135 100.0

Citizenship

 U. S. Born Citizen ............................... 30,597 93.0 17,455 53.1 13,141 40.0 3,787,280 93.0

 Naturalized Citizen ............................. 1,021 3.1 659 2.0 362 1.1 123,991 3.0

 Refugee ............................................... 278 0.8 147 0.4 131 0.4 34,973 0.9

 Other Noncitizen ................................. 994 3.0 593 1.8 401 1.2 125,891 3.1

Citizen Children Living with

Noncitizen Adultsc ........................ 2,636 8.0 1,317 4.0 1,319 4.0 348,034 8.5

Nonelderly, Nondisabled, Childless

Adultsd ........................................... 1,653 5.0 703 2.1 949 2.9 266,163 6.5

Age

Child ..................................................... 15,617 47.5 7,704 23.4 7,913 24.1 1,921,997 47.2

 Preschool (4 or Less) .......................... 5,403 16.4 2,663 8.1 2,740 8.3 696,950 17.1

 School Age (5-17) ............................... 10,214 31.1 5,041 15.3 5,173 15.7 1,225,047 30.1

Nonelderly Adult .................................. 14,544 44.2 9,322 28.3 5,221 15.9 1,875,789 46.1

 18-35 ................................................... 7,490 22.8 5,153 15.7 2,337 7.1 974,426 23.9

 36-59 ................................................... 7,054 21.4 4,169 12.7 2,884 8.8 901,363 22.1

Elderly Individual (60 or More) ........... 2,728 8.3 1,827 5.6 901 2.7 274,233 6.7

Unknown Age ....................................... 1 0.0 1 0.0 0 0.0 115 0.0

Racee

 Whitef ................................................. 10,586 32.2 6,054 18.4 4,532 13.8 1,269,836 31.2

 African Americang .............................. 7,393 22.5 4,411 13.4 2,982 9.1 925,821 22.7

 Hispanich ............................................ 5,103 15.5 2,871 8.7 2,232 6.8 656,208 16.1

 Asiani .................................................. 934 2.8 517 1.6 418 1.3 125,297 3.1

 Native Americanj ................................ 1,400 4.3 795 2.4 605 1.8 177,590 4.4

 Multiple Races Reportedk ................... 55 0.2 29 0.1 26 0.1 7,169 0.2

 Race Unknownl ................................... 7,419 22.6 4,177 12.7 3,242 9.9 910,214 22.4

 Source: Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Percent of all participants.

b Pro-rated benefits equal the benefits paid to households multiplied by the ratio of participants with selected characteristic to total household size.

c Noncitizens may be inside or outside the SNAP unit.

d These participants, age 18-49, are subject to work registration. Prior to April 2009, with some exceptions (for example, those in waiver areas or

receiving state exemptions), they needed to meet work requirements or face time limits on benefit receipt.

e New codes to allow reporting of multiple races were implemented beginning in April 2007. We have grouped the new codes together to form general

race and ethnicity categories. Reporting of race and ethnicity is voluntary under the new format and was missing for 23 percent of participants in FY 2009.

Because of these changes, FY 2009 race and ethnicity distributions are not comparable to distributions for years prior to FY 2007.

f This category includes the following values: White; White, not of Hispanic origin.

g This category includes the following values: Black or African American; (Black or African American) and White; Black, not of Hispanic origin.

h This category includes the following values: Hispanic; (Hispanic or Latino) and (American Indian or Alaska Native); (Hispanic or Latino) and Asian;

(Hispanic or Latino) and (Black or African American); (Hispanic or Latino) and (Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander); (Hispanic or Latino) and

White; (Hispanic or Latino) and (American Indian or Alaska Native) and White; (Hispanic or Latino) and Asian and White; (Hispanic or Latino) and

(Black or African American); (Hispanic or Latino) and (American Indian or Alaska Native) and (Black or African American); (Hispanic or Latino) and

Respondent reported more than one race and does not fit into the listed values.

i This category includes the following values: Asian; Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander; Asian and White; Asian or Pacific Islander.

j This category includes the following values: American Indian or Alaska Native; (American Indian or Alaska Native) and White; (American Indian or

Alaska Native) and (Black or African American); American Indian or Alaska Native (old value).

k This category includes individuals who reported more than one race and who do not fit into any previously mentioned value.

l This category includes the following values: Unknown; Not recorded on the application for this individual; The application was not found during the

QC review, therefore racial/ethnic data is not available.

61
Table A-24. Distribution of Participants by Thrifty Food Plan Sex-Age Groups and Household Size

Participant Characteristic

Household Size

Total

(000) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8+

Total ....................................... 32,889 6,957 5,892 6,913 6,110 3,715 1,956 747 600

Children Under Age 12

0 - 2 years ........................... 3,337 121 691 966 762 428 218 77 75

3 - 5 years ........................... 3,069 70 534 804 782 472 248 90 69

6 - 8 years ........................... 2,715 44 333 712 730 476 248 98 73

9 - 11 years ......................... 2,430 32 285 586 647 444 260 99 78

Females .................................. 18,854 3,822 3,679 4,144 3,452 2,010 1,043 401 303

 0 - 2 years ........................... 1,634 58 349 473 363 208 108 36 39

 3 - 5 years ........................... 1,507 37 248 384 398 240 128 42 31

 6 - 8 years ........................... 1,353 23 158 383 356 231 113 57 34

 9 - 11 years ......................... 1,196 18 127 306 323 211 126 51 33

 12 - 14 years ....................... 1,034 12 139 272 253 174 104 47 35

 15 - 19 years ....................... 1,489 101 295 336 318 202 132 56 48

 20 - 50 years ....................... 7,606 1,375 1,758 1,856 1,384 722 320 110 80

 51+ years ............................ 3,035 2,198 605 134 57 22 12 2 4

Males ...................................... 14,035 3,134 2,213 2,769 2,658 1,705 913 346 297

 0 - 2 years ........................... 1,703 62 342 493 399 221 110 41 36

 3 - 5 years ........................... 1,563 33 287 420 385 233 120 48 38

 6 - 8 years ........................... 1,362 21 176 329 375 245 135 41 40

 9 - 11 years ......................... 1,235 14 158 280 324 233 134 48 45

 12 - 14 years ....................... 1,070 16 149 252 271 191 102 50 39

 15 - 19 years ....................... 1,378 57 246 361 307 208 107 50 42

 20 - 50 years ....................... 3,871 1,710 424 536 551 347 190 61 52

 51+ years ............................ 1,854 1,221 432 98 47 28 14 7 6

 Source: Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

62
Table A-25. Distribution of Household Heads, All Participants, and Nonelderly Adult Participants by Work Registration Status and

Employment Status

Employment/Work Registration Status

Household Heads All Participants Nonelderly Adult Participants

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Total ................................................................................................ 14,981 100.0 32,889 100.0 14,544 100.0

Work Registration Status

Work Registrant ............................................................................... 3,090 20.6 4,273 13.0 4,107 28.2

 Mandatory E&T Participant ........................................................... 1,355 9.0 1,798 5.5 1,780 12.2

 Voluntary E&T Participant ............................................................ 82 0.5 102 0.3 99 0.7

 Not E&T Participant ...................................................................... 1,653 11.0 2,374 7.2 2,228 15.3

Exempt ............................................................................................. 10,859 72.5 28,617 87.0 10,437 71.8

 For Disability ................................................................................. 4,487 30.0 5,859 17.8 3,626 24.9

 For Reason Other than Disability .................................................. 6,372 42.5 22,757 69.2 6,811 46.8

Nonparticipating Household Heada ................................................. 1,031 6.9 – – – –

SNAP Employment and Training Program Status

Total Participating in SNAP E&T ................................................... 717 4.8 2,237 6.8 928 6.4

 SNAP Job Search or Job Search Training ..................................... 575 3.8 731 2.2 712 4.9

 SNAP E&T Workfare or Work Experience ................................... 69 0.5 88 0.3 87 0.6

 SNAP E&T Work Supplementation .............................................. 23 0.2 30 0.1 29 0.2

 SNAP E&T Education Leading to HS Diploma or GED .............. 12 0.1 1,342 4.1 58 0.4

 SNAP E&T Postsecondary Education Leading to Degree or

Certificate ................................................................................... 30 0.2 36 0.1 34 0.2

 SNAP E&T Remedial Education Not Leading to a Degree .......... 3 0.0 4 0.0 4 0.0

 SNAP E&T Vocational Training ................................................... 5 0.0 5 0.0 5 0.0

Total Participating in Other E&T .................................................... 1,856 12.4 3,535 10.7 1,848 12.7

 Participating in Non-SNAP E&T (Such as TANF) ....................... 1,361 9.1 2,370 7.2 1,224 8.4

 Other .............................................................................................. 495 3.3 1,165 3.5 624 4.3

Not Participating in E&T ................................................................. 11,377 75.9 27,117 82.4 11,768 80.9

Nonparticipating Household Heada ................................................. 1,031 6.9 – – – –

Employment Status

Total Employed ................................................................................ 3,280 21.9 4,173 12.7 4,033 27.7

 Self-Employed, Farming ................................................................ 7 0.0 10 0.0 9 0.1

 Self-Employed, Non-Farming ........................................................ 343 2.3 471 1.4 446 3.1

 Migrant Farm Labor ....................................................................... 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0

 Non-Migrant Farm Labor .............................................................. 2 0.0 3 0.0 3 0.0

 Active Duty Military Service ......................................................... 1 0.0 3 0.0 3 0.0

 Employed by Other ........................................................................ 2,926 19.5 3,685 11.2 3,570 24.5

Unemployed and Looking for Work ................................................ 2,595 17.3 3,521 10.7 3,452 23.7

Not in Labor Force and Not Looking for Work ............................... 8,075 53.9 25,196 76.6 7,059 48.5

Nonparticipating Household Heada ................................................. 1,031 6.9 – – – –

 Source: Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Household heads who are not participating with the household. Some household heads in this category are ineligible for the SNAP, or are in separate SNAP

units not included in the SNAP QC sample. This category also includes some households with no adult listed on the file.

– Not Applicable.

63
64

Table A.26. Comparison of Participating Households with Key SNAP Household Characteristics for Fiscal Years 1989 to 2009a

Percentage of Households with:

Time Period

Total 

Households 

(000)

Zero 

Gross 

Income

Zero Net 

Incomeb

Minimum 

Benefit

Elderly 

People Children

Disabled 

Peoplec

AFDC/

TANF Earnings SSI

Any 

Noncitizen

Fiscal Year 1989 7,217 7.1 18.3 7.5 19.3 60.4 9.1 41.9 19.6 20.6 9.8

Fiscal Year 1990 7,811 7.4 19.3 5.0 18.1 60.3 8.9 42.0 19.0 19.6 10.3

Fiscal Year 1991 8,863 8.3 20.5 4.1 16.5 60.4 9.0 40.5 19.8 18.6 11.8

Fiscal Year 1992 10,059 9.6 21.9 3.6 15.4 62.2 9.5 39.5 20.2 18.4 10.4

Fiscal Year 1993 10,791 9.7 23.7 4.0 15.5 62.1 10.7 39.4 20.6 19.4 11.6

Fiscal Year 1994 11,091 10.2 23.8 4.5 15.8 61.1 12.5 38.1 21.4 21.4 10.7

Fiscal Year 1995 10,883 9.7 25.0 4.3 16.0 59.7 18.9 38.3 21.4 22.6 10.7

Fiscal Year 1996 10,552 10.2 24.9 4.5 16.2 59.5 20.2 36.6 22.5 24.1 10.5

Fiscal Year 1997 9,452 9.2 22.7 6.6 17.6 58.3 22.3 34.6 24.2 26.5 8.4

Fiscal Year 1998 8,246 8.8 20.8 8.3 18.2 58.3 24.4 31.4 26.3 28.1 4.3

Fiscal Year 1999 7,670 8.5 20.6 9.7 20.1 55.7 26.4 27.3 26.8 30.2 6.0

Fiscal Year 2000 7,335 8.4 20.1 10.9 21.0 53.9 27.5 25.8 27.2 31.7 6.4

Fiscal Year 2001 7,450 9.4 22.2 11.2 20.4 53.6 27.7 23.1 27.0 31.8 5.4

Fiscal Year 2002 8,201 10.5 24.3 10.7 18.7 54.1 27.0 20.9 28.0 29.5 5.2

Fiscal Year 2003 8,971 12.7 27.7 7.0 17.1 55.1 22.1 17.2 27.5 26.3 5.4

Fiscal Year 2004 10,069 13.1 29.7 5.9 17.3 54.3 22.7 16.2 28.5 26.8 6.2

Fiscal Year 2005 10,852 13.7 30.0 5.2 17.1 53.7 23.0 14.5 29.1 26.4 6.2

Fiscal Year 2006 11,313 14.1 31.0 6.2 17.9 52.0 23.1 13.0 29.5 26.8 6.1

Fiscal Year 2007 11,561 14.7 31.4 6.6 17.8 51.0 23.8 12.1 29.6 27.7 5.7

Fiscal Year 2008 12,464 16.2 33.6 6.7 18.5 50.6 22.6 10.6 28.9 26.2 5.6

Fiscal Year 2009 14,981 17.6 36.0 4.1 16.6 49.9 21.2 9.7 29.4 23.6 5.9

Source: Fiscal Year 1989 to 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control samples.

Note: Beginning with 2003, the weighting of the SNAP QC data reflects adjustments to FNS' Program Operations counts of households to account for receipt of 

benefits in error or for disaster assistance. Beginning with 2005, the weighting process was revised so that weighted SNAP QC data match adjusted Program 

Operations counts of households, individuals, and benefit amounts. In the 2009 report, we extended this methodology to the 2003 and 2004 data. We also 

incorporated corrected SNAP program operations data from Missouri for every year from 2003 to 2008. Therefore, statistics for these years may vary slightly 

from those presented in previous reports in this series.

a Fiscal year analysis files were not developed for the years before 1989.

b Beginning in 2004, net income is not calculated for MFIP households or SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits.

c The substantial increase in 1995 and decrease in 2003 result in part from the changes in definition of a disabled household. Prior to 1995, disabled households were 

defined as households with SSI but no members over age 59. In 1995, that definition changed to households with at least one member under age 65 who received SSI, or 

f a disability. Due to changes in the SNAP QC 

data in 2003, the definition of a disabled household changed again to households with either SSI income or a medical expense deduction and without an elderly person, 

and households with a nonelderly adult who does not appear to be working and is receiving Social Secu
65

Table A.27. Comparison of Average Nominal and Real Values of Key SNAP Household Characteristics for Fiscal Years 1989 to 2009

Gross Income

(Dollars)

Net Income

(Dollars)a

Total Deduction 

(Dollars)b

Countable Resources 

(Dollars)

SNAP Benefit

(Dollars)

Gross Income 

as a 

Percentage of 

Poverty 

Guidelines

(Percent)

Household 

Size

Time Period (Persons)

Nominal

Value

Real 

Valuec

Nominal

Value

Real

Valuec

Nominal

Value

Real

Valuec

Nominal

Value

Real

Valuec

Nominal

Value

Real

Valued

Fiscal Year 1989 442 765 247 427 216 374 79 137 132 229 60 2.6

Fiscal Year 1990 453 743 251 412 225 369 79 130 150 244 59 2.6

Fiscal Year 1991 464 731 253 398 235 370 78 123 162 257 58 2.6

Fiscal Year 1992 478 731 258 394 250 382 78 119 170 267 57 2.6

Fiscal Year 1993 490 728 258 383 262 389 77 114 170 261 56 2.6

Fiscal Year 1994 507 734 268 388 272 394 81 117 168 251 57 2.5

Fiscal Year 1995 514 724 265 373 283 398 83 117 172 249 56 2.5

Fiscal Year 1996 528 722 275 376 287 392 93 127 174 243 57 2.5

Fiscal Year 1997 558 746 299 400 291 389 92 123 169 230 58 2.4

Fiscal Year 1998 584 769 321 422 294 387 118 155 165 220 60 2.4

Fiscal Year 1999 603 777 338 435 299 385 142 183 162 212 62 2.4

Fiscal Year 2000 620 773 355 442 298 371 156 194 158 202 63 2.3

Fiscal Year 2001 624 756 353 427 311 377 148 179 163 202 62 2.3

Fiscal Year 2002 633 759 355 426 324 388 134 161 173 212 61 2.3

Fiscal Year 2003 608 709 317 370 346 403 149 174 192 230 57 2.3

Fiscal Year 2004 634 720 312 354 382 434 140 159 197 228 58 2.3

Fiscal Year 2005 644 707 316 347 390 428 137 150 209 237 58 2.3

Fiscal Year 2006 668 711 323 344 410 436 137 146 208 232 59 2.3

Fiscal Year 2007 684 708 325 336 430 445 143 148 212 227 59 2.2

Fiscal Year 2008 693 690 329 328 441 439 125 125 222 223 58 2.2

Fiscal Year 2009 711 711 329 329 471 471 101 101 272 272 58 2.2

Source of CPI-U values: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Source of nominal values: Fiscal Year 1989 to 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control samples.

Note: Beginning with 2003, the weighting of the SNAP QC data reflects adjustments to FNS' Program Operations counts of households to account for receipt of 

benefits in error or for disaster assistance. Beginning with 2005, the weighting process was revised so that weighted SNAP QC data match adjusted Program 

Operations counts of households, individuals, and benefit amounts. In the 2009 report, we extended this methodology to the 2003 and 2004 data. We also 

incorporated corrected SNAP program operations data from Missouri for every year from 2003 to 2008. Therefore, statistics for these years may vary slightly 

from those presented in previous reports in this series.

a Beginning in 2004, net income is not calculated for MFIP households or SSI-CAP households in States with standardized SSI-CAP benefit amounts.

b Some of the change in average total deductions and average net income between 2003 and 2004 may be attributable to two changes in the SNAP QC datafile 

development process. First, we revised the way certain deductions are calculated to correct for inconsistencies and data entry errors. Second, given that deductions are not 

used in their benefit determination, SSI-CAP participants in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits are excluded from the average total deduction calculation 

beginning in 2004. 

c Real values are in constant 2009 dollars adjusted by changes in the CPI-U for all items.

d Real values are in constant 2009 dollars adjusted by changes in the CPI-U for food at home.
66

Table A.28. Comparison of Number of SNAP Participants by Gender and Age for Fiscal Years 1989 to 2009

Source: Fiscal Year 1989 to 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control samples.

Note: Beginning with 2003, the weighting of the SNAP QC data reflects adjustments to FNS' Program Operations counts of households to account for receipt 

of benefits in error or for disaster assistance. Beginning with 2005, the weighting process was revised so that weighted SNAP QC data match adjusted 

Program Operations counts of households, individuals, and benefit amounts. In the 2009 report, we extended this methodology to the 2003 and 2004 

data. We also incorporated corrected SNAP program operations data from Missouri for every year from 2003 to 2008. Therefore, statistics for these 

years may vary slightly from those presented in previous reports in this series.

a Total participants may not equal the sum of male and female participants if there are persons whose gender was not coded on the file.

Total

Participants

(000)

Female Participants by Age (000) Male Participants by Age (000)

Time Period 0 17 18 59 60+ Totala 0 17 18 59 60+ Totala

Fiscal Year 1989..................

Fiscal Year 1990..................

Fiscal Year 1991..................

Fiscal Year 1992..................

Fiscal Year 1993..................

Fiscal Year 1994..................

Fiscal Year 1995..................

Fiscal Year 1996..................

Fiscal Year 1997..................

18,956

20,440

22,988

25,775

27,595

28,009

26,955

25,926

23,117

4,681

4,998

5,952

6,618

7,080

7,102

6,927

6,573

5,950

5,359

5,802

6,556

7,348

7,855

7,949

7,714

7,427

6,588

1,132

1,139

1,171

1,235

1,334

1,389

1,369

1,354

1,328

11,334

12,169

13,679

15,204

16,276

16,453

16,025

15,373

13,880

4,761

5,141

6,008

6,746

7,131

7,305

6,952

6,639

5,918

2,262

2,442

2,840

3,350

3,643

3,666

3,403

3,355

2,796

429

435

452

468

536

566

554

541

506

7,612

8,265

9,300

10,566

11,316

11,552

10,926

10,549

9,233

Fiscal Year 1998.................. 19,969 5,258 5,505 1,197 11,967 5,258 2,236 430 7,926

Fiscal Year 1999.................. 18,149 4,654 5,006 1,217 10,878 4,676 2,066 482 7,226

Fiscal Year 2000.................. 17,091 4,313 4,667 1,216 10,198 4,451 1,954 485 6,891

Fiscal Year 2001.................. 17,297 4,404 4,751 1,189 10,347 4,437 2,037 471 6,949

Fiscal Year 2002.................. 19,041 4,821 5,260 1,187 11,269 4,891 2,375 501 7,769

Fiscal Year 2003.................. 20,764 5,211 5,826 1,173 12,211 5,343 2,689 518 8,552

Fiscal Year 2004.................. 23,279 5,749 6,635 1,312 13,697 5,885 3,081 607 9,573

Fiscal Year 2005.................. 24,794 6,195 7,053 1,407 14,656 6,165 3,329 638 10,132

Fiscal Year 2006.................. 25,472 6,172 7,260 1,525 14,957 6,341 3,471 702 10,515

Fiscal Year 2007.................. 25,775 6,186 7,371 1,563 15,120 6,419 3,538 698 10,655

Fiscal Year 2008.................. 27,607 6,634 7,830 1,687 16,151 6,725 3,903 827 11,456

Fiscal Year 2009.................. 32,889 7,704 9,322 1,827 18,854 7,913 5,221 901 14,035
APPENDIX B

DETAILED TABLES OF SNAP HOUSEHOLDS BY STATE
This page has been left blank for double-sided copying.
Table B-1. Distribution of Participating Households, Individuals, and Benefits by State

State 

SNAP Households Participants in Households Monthly SNAP Benefits

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Dollars

(000)

Percent

Totala ..................................... 14,981 100.0 32,889 100.0 4,072,135 100.0

Alabama ................................. 275 1.8 665 2.0 79,052 1.9

Alaska .................................... 25 0.2 64 0.2 10,737 0.3

Arizona ................................... 334 2.2 792 2.4 100,619 2.5

Arkansas ................................. 168 1.1 401 1.2 45,957 1.1

California ............................... 1,113 7.4 2,645 8.0 358,599 8.8

Colorado ................................. 137 0.9 316 1.0 41,343 1.0

Connecticut ............................ 136 0.9 252 0.8 33,641 0.8

Delaware ................................ 40 0.3 91 0.3 10,738 0.3

District of Columbia .............. 56 0.4 102 0.3 12,965 0.3

Florida .................................... 999 6.7 1,947 5.9 246,418 6.1

Georgia ................................... 529 3.5 1,272 3.9 159,636 3.9

Guam ...................................... 9 0.1 31 0.1 6,429 0.2

Hawaii .................................... 57 0.4 112 0.3 22,365 0.5

Idaho ...................................... 54 0.4 134 0.4 16,516 0.4

Illinois .................................... 655 4.4 1,407 4.3 182,769 4.5

Indiana .................................... 292 1.9 684 2.1 84,905 2.1

Iowa ........................................ 130 0.9 288 0.9 33,319 0.8

Kansas .................................... 97 0.6 213 0.6 24,435 0.6

Kentucky ................................ 310 2.1 690 2.1 81,307 2.0

Louisiana ................................ 294 2.0 701 2.1 84,273 2.1

Maine ..................................... 99 0.7 199 0.6 24,021 0.6

Maryland ................................ 208 1.4 446 1.4 53,485 1.3

Massachusetts ........................ 330 2.2 618 1.9 75,391 1.9

Michigan ................................ 686 4.6 1,432 4.4 170,947 4.2

Minnesota ............................... 163 1.1 338 1.0 38,367 0.9

Mississippi ............................. 212 1.4 501 1.5 56,553 1.4

Missouri ................................. 350 2.3 780 2.4 91,324 2.2

Montana ................................. 40 0.3 91 0.3 10,939 0.3

Nebraska ................................ 57 0.4 133 0.4 14,842 0.4

Nevada ................................... 91 0.6 195 0.6 23,381 0.6

New Hampshire ..................... 38 0.3 77 0.2 9,186 0.2

New Jersey ............................. 239 1.6 493 1.5 61,472 1.5

New Mexico ........................... 117 0.8 286 0.9 33,132 0.8

New York ............................... 1,205 8.0 2,265 6.9 315,035 7.7

North Carolina ....................... 502 3.3 1,128 3.4 133,795 3.3

North Dakota .......................... 24 0.2 52 0.2 6,539 0.2

Ohio ........................................ 622 4.2 1,352 4.1 179,596 4.4

Oklahoma ............................... 195 1.3 462 1.4 54,212 1.3

Oregon .................................... 301 2.0 576 1.8 67,493 1.7

Pennsylvania .......................... 619 4.1 1,300 4.0 152,617 3.7

Rhode Island .......................... 51 0.3 100 0.3 13,850 0.3

South Carolina ....................... 295 2.0 670 2.0 80,747 2.0

South Dakota .......................... 31 0.2 74 0.2 9,230 0.2

Tennessee ............................... 482 3.2 1,054 3.2 130,072 3.2

Texas ...................................... 1,160 7.7 2,937 8.9 344,572 8.5

Utah ........................................ 72 0.5 180 0.5 21,473 0.5

Vermont ................................. 35 0.2 70 0.2 8,028 0.2

Virgin Islands ......................... 6 0.0 16 0.0 2,744 0.1

Virginia .................................. 287 1.9 630 1.9 74,277 1.8

Washington ............................ 374 2.5 755 2.3 86,481 2.1

West Virginia ......................... 136 0.9 302 0.9 32,891 0.8

Wisconsin ............................... 234 1.6 545 1.7 56,410 1.4

Wyoming ................................ 11 0.1 26 0.1 3,012 0.1

 Source: Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Due to rounding, the sum of individual categories may not match the table total.

69
Table B-2. Average Values of Selected Characteristics by State

State 

Average Values

Gross

Countable

Income

(Dollars)

Net

Countable

Income

(Dollars)a

Total

Deduction

(Dollars)b

Countable

Resources

(Dollars)

SNAP

Benefit

(Dollars)

Household

Size

(Persons)

Certification

Period

(Months)

Total ...................................... 711 329 471 101 272 2.2 12.0

Alabama ................................. 712 379 405 21 287 2.4 12.4

Alaska .................................... 917 489 594 175 432 2.6 6.9

Arizona ................................... 655 307 455 50 301 2.4 8.0

Arkansas ................................. 692 405 350 122 274 2.4 14.3

California ............................... 594 237 457 97 322 2.4 11.8

Colorado ................................. 644 273 484 136 302 2.3 10.6

Connecticut ............................ 716 240 599 113 247 1.9 12.7

Delaware ................................ 829 380 523 0 268 2.3 7.3

District of Columbia .............. 459 267 281 5 232 1.8 13.9

Florida .................................... 620 283 420 134 247 1.9 11.0

Georgia ................................... 682 320 443 1 302 2.4 7.7

Guam ...................................... 653 273 518 40 686 3.3 9.9

Hawaii .................................... 771 430 395 196 392 2.0 11.7

Idaho ...................................... 783 345 543 133 308 2.5 10.3

Illinois .................................... 593 266 406 95 279 2.1 11.6

Indiana .................................... 715 327 463 171 291 2.3 7.8

Iowa ........................................ 764 379 465 319 257 2.2 9.8

Kansas .................................... 738 384 433 144 251 2.2 13.0

Kentucky ................................ 664 361 380 131 262 2.2 10.8

Louisiana ................................ 708 360 414 88 287 2.4 15.0

Maine ..................................... 873 324 625 288 243 2.0 12.0

Maryland ................................ 742 349 495 34 257 2.1 7.7

Massachusetts ........................ 831 306 631 409 228 1.9 14.5

Michigan ................................ 794 357 534 262 249 2.1 13.7

Minnesota ............................... 648 422 327 62 235 2.1 11.6

Mississippi ............................. 710 406 364 78 267 2.4 10.7

Missouri ................................. 701 373 401 108 261 2.2 11.6

Montana ................................. 758 353 492 235 271 2.3 14.5

Nebraska ................................ 795 422 446 192 260 2.3 11.2

Nevada ................................... 698 351 440 58 257 2.1 7.7

New Hampshire ..................... 879 345 632 194 243 2.0 7.3

New Jersey ............................. 719 302 472 9 257 2.1 9.4

New Mexico ........................... 747 405 417 66 283 2.4 12.2

New York ............................... 805 240 707 4 261 1.9 19.3

North Carolina ....................... 692 357 431 107 267 2.2 8.4

North Dakota .......................... 828 302 614 0 277 2.2 10.4

Ohio ........................................ 673 255 521 28 289 2.2 7.6

Oklahoma ............................... 697 382 395 91 277 2.4 15.1

Oregon .................................... 767 358 502 3 225 1.9 11.5

Pennsylvania .......................... 782 357 503 8 247 2.1 16.5

Rhode Island .......................... 735 211 668 0 273 2.0 11.9

South Carolina ....................... 632 344 355 0 274 2.3 8.9

South Dakota .......................... 761 315 557 211 300 2.4 13.5

Tennessee ............................... 623 320 382 94 270 2.2 7.8

Texas ...................................... 766 400 440 205 297 2.5 12.4

Utah ........................................ 697 373 411 142 297 2.5 7.1

Vermont ................................. 1,040 384 746 74 230 2.0 10.0

Virgin Islands ......................... 578 328 301 88 448 2.6 7.3

Virginia .................................. 683 366 395 150 259 2.2 13.5

Washington ............................ 781 376 517 0 232 2.0 13.7

West Virginia ......................... 747 437 382 265 242 2.2 13.4

Wisconsin ............................... 921 518 511 0 241 2.3 11.8

Wyoming ................................ 708 395 405 192 275 2.4 6.4

 Source: Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Because net income is not used in their benefit determinations, 31,357 MFIP households and 446,540 SSI-CAP households in States that

use standardized SSI-CAP benefits are excluded from this column.

b Because deductions are not used in their benefit determinations, 446,540 SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP

benefits are excluded from this column. 

70
Table B-3. Distribution of Participating Households by Poverty Status and by State

State Number

(000)

Gross Countable Income as a Percentage of the Poverty Guideline

50% or Less 51% – 100% 101% or More

Number

(000)

Row Percent Number

(000)

Row Percent Number

(000)

Row Percent

Totala ..................................... 14,981 6,262 41.8 6,642 44.3 2,077 13.9

Alabama ................................. 275 113 41.0 129 46.8 34 12.3

Alaska .................................... 25 12 47.9 9 36.3 4 15.9

Arizona ................................... 334 169 50.5 121 36.3 44 13.2

Arkansas ................................. 168 72 43.1 77 46.2 18 10.7

California ............................... 1,113 731 65.7 316 28.4 66 6.0

Colorado ................................. 137 66 48.4 54 39.4 17 12.2

Connecticut ............................ 136 53 38.7 60 43.8 24 17.5

Delaware ................................ 40 15 37.4 16 41.1 9 21.5

District of Columbia .............. 56 36 63.6 16 29.3 4 7.1

Florida .................................... 999 418 41.9 469 46.9 112 11.2

Georgia ................................... 529 239 45.2 222 42.0 68 12.8

Guam ...................................... 9 6 61.5 3 28.7 1 9.8

Hawaii .................................... 57 23 41.0 29 51.2 4 7.8

Idaho ...................................... 54 21 39.0 25 46.9 8 14.2

Illinois .................................... 655 317 48.5 281 42.9 56 8.6

Indiana .................................... 292 121 41.5 126 43.0 45 15.5

Iowa ........................................ 130 48 37.3 59 45.3 23 17.4

Kansas .................................... 97 38 38.7 46 46.8 14 14.5

Kentucky ................................ 310 128 41.1 160 51.5 23 7.4

Louisiana ................................ 294 119 40.4 143 48.7 32 10.9

Maine ..................................... 99 26 26.2 50 50.8 23 22.9

Maryland ................................ 208 91 43.5 80 38.5 37 17.9

Massachusetts ........................ 330 102 30.7 159 48.0 70 21.3

Michigan ................................ 686 256 37.3 269 39.3 161 23.5

Minnesota ............................... 163 71 43.8 71 43.3 21 12.9

Mississippi ............................. 212 82 38.8 111 52.5 18 8.7

Missouri ................................. 350 141 40.3 167 47.9 42 11.9

Montana ................................. 40 15 37.7 18 44.1 7 18.2

Nebraska ................................ 57 20 34.9 29 50.0 9 15.1

Nevada ................................... 91 39 42.6 37 40.8 15 16.6

New Hampshire ..................... 38 9 22.6 20 53.7 9 23.7

New Jersey ............................. 239 97 40.6 112 46.6 31 12.8

New Mexico ........................... 117 49 42.1 53 45.4 15 12.5

New York ............................... 1,205 336 27.9 668 55.4 201 16.6

North Carolina ....................... 502 209 41.7 229 45.6 64 12.7

North Dakota .......................... 24 8 34.9 10 41.8 5 23.3

Ohio ........................................ 622 257 41.3 292 46.9 73 11.7

Oklahoma ............................... 195 79 40.4 97 49.5 20 10.1

Oregon .................................... 301 122 40.5 104 34.4 75 25.1

Pennsylvania .......................... 619 197 31.9 327 52.9 94 15.2

Rhode Island .......................... 51 18 35.1 25 49.3 8 15.6

South Carolina ....................... 295 141 47.7 124 42.1 30 10.2

South Dakota .......................... 31 12 39.5 13 42.7 5 17.8

Tennessee ............................... 482 226 46.9 201 41.6 55 11.5

Texas ...................................... 1,160 468 40.3 530 45.7 162 14.0

Utah ........................................ 72 34 47.4 30 41.1 8 11.5

Vermont ................................. 35 7 19.7 15 43.8 13 36.5

Virgin Islands ......................... 6 4 64.8 2 26.4 1 8.8

Virginia .................................. 287 121 42.1 127 44.4 39 13.5

Washington ............................ 374 154 41.2 146 39.2 73 19.6

West Virginia ......................... 136 46 33.6 71 52.3 19 14.1

Wisconsin ............................... 234 77 32.9 89 38.2 68 28.9

Wyoming ................................ 11 4 39.5 5 48.5 1 12.0

 Source: Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Due to rounding, the sum of individual categories may not match the table total.

71
Table B-4. Distribution of Participating Households by Shelter-Related Characteristics and by State

State 

Households with Shelter

Deduction

Households at the Shelter

Cap Average

Monthly

Shelter

Expense

(Dollars)

Average

Monthly

Shelter

Expense

Among

Households

with Expense

(Dollars)

Average

Shelter

Deductiona

(Dollars)

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Totalb ..................................... 10,425 69.6 2,649 17.7 544 667 343

Alabama ................................. 177 64.5 26 9.3 404 515 260

Alaska .................................... 16 65.2 3 11.1 566 688 404

Arizona ................................... 223 66.8 62 18.6 497 663 338

Arkansas ................................. 94 55.9 11 6.3 358 483 232

California ............................... 851 76.5 308 27.7 546 661 330

Colorado ................................. 102 74.5 32 23.3 569 691 364

Connecticut ............................ 106 77.7 38 28.3 785 946 519

Delaware ................................ 29 71.7 10 25.2 610 757 372

District of Columbia .............. 22 39.6 3 5.4 246 467 266

Florida .................................... 705 70.5 136 13.6 473 607 306

Georgia ................................... 348 65.7 68 12.8 452 599 312

Guam ...................................... 5 51.1 0 3.3 226 335 198

Hawaii .................................... 29 51.4 2 4.1 352 487 244

Idaho ...................................... 43 79.5 12 22.6 611 710 351

Illinois .................................... 431 65.8 75 11.4 425 595 301

Indiana .................................... 202 69.3 45 15.5 511 658 338

Iowa ........................................ 97 74.6 22 17.3 529 615 310

Kansas .................................... 71 72.7 11 11.0 464 545 279

Kentucky ................................ 208 67.0 20 6.5 396 480 255

Louisiana ................................ 183 62.3 28 9.6 420 546 274

Maine ..................................... 82 82.8 25 25.1 820 941 490

Maryland ................................ 148 71.3 39 18.8 550 675 342

Massachusetts ........................ 287 86.8 87 26.2 827 916 472

Michigan ................................ 486 70.9 176 25.7 656 837 419

Minnesota ............................... 81 49.7 11 6.6 347 535 277

Mississippi ............................. 103 48.6 10 4.6 350 459 234

Missouri ................................. 231 66.0 38 10.9 412 519 259

Montana ................................. 28 70.4 10 24.0 570 704 371

Nebraska ................................ 41 71.7 8 14.8 503 564 293

Nevada ................................... 65 71.6 16 17.3 516 661 319

New Hampshire ..................... 33 87.6 13 34.0 890 918 471

New Jersey ............................. 173 72.3 43 17.9 573 703 380

New Mexico ........................... 77 66.0 17 14.2 448 546 284

New York ............................... 897 74.4 389 32.3 955 986 509

North Carolina ....................... 337 67.2 66 13.2 449 556 285

North Dakota .......................... 19 79.2 6 27.5 682 759 424

Ohio ........................................ 461 74.1 171 27.5 618 753 421

Oklahoma ............................... 130 66.7 19 9.6 420 519 260

Oregon .................................... 221 73.4 60 19.8 578 732 354

Pennsylvania .......................... 480 77.6 137 22.1 631 698 369

Rhode Island .......................... 49 96.0 22 42.5 870 891 493

South Carolina ....................... 137 46.3 20 6.8 322 469 255

South Dakota .......................... 23 76.2 9 29.2 641 766 402

Tennessee ............................... 284 58.8 42 8.6 376 552 276

Texas ...................................... 730 62.9 120 10.4 432 525 264

Utah ........................................ 46 63.2 11 15.6 441 584 286

Vermont ................................. 31 89.7 10 29.8 989 1,039 542

Virgin Islands ......................... 3 43.3 0 6.0 223 292 185

Virginia .................................. 184 64.0 31 10.6 428 531 274

Washington ............................ 331 88.5 76 20.3 624 657 326

West Virginia ......................... 94 68.9 11 8.0 448 524 258

Wisconsin ............................... 185 79.1 43 18.4 616 668 307

Wyoming ................................ 8 69.9 1 11.0 429 497 251

 Source: Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Over households with a shelter deduction.

b Due to rounding, the sum of individual categories may not match the table total.

72
Table B-5. Distribution of Participating Households by Household Composition and by State

State 

Households with:

Children Elderly Individuals Disabled Nonelderly

Individualsa

Single Adults with

Children

Nonelderly,

Nondisabled, Childless

Adultsb

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Totalc ..................................... 7,474 49.9 2,480 16.6 3,172 21.2 4,367 29.2 1,490 9.9

Alabama ................................. 165 60.0 32 11.7 68 24.8 121 44.2 14 5.1

Alaska .................................... 12 48.0 3 11.3 4 17.1 6 22.6 5 19.6

Arizona ................................... 190 56.7 43 12.7 48 14.3 96 28.6 27 8.1

Arkansas ................................. 89 53.3 21 12.7 40 23.9 55 33.0 42 25.3

California ............................... 782 70.2 55 4.9 16 1.5 314 28.2 136 12.2

Colorado ................................. 74 54.0 22 16.4 25 18.3 44 32.3 5 3.9

Connecticut ............................ 49 36.2 29 21.0 34 24.7 35 26.1 15 11.3

Delaware ................................ 22 55.8 5 13.5 8 20.8 16 39.2 3 6.6

District of Columbia .............. 19 34.3 8 14.0 10 18.8 14 25.7 18 32.0

Florida .................................... 412 41.2 238 23.8 192 19.2 198 19.8 113 11.3

Georgia ................................... 292 55.1 84 15.9 96 18.2 191 36.1 45 8.4

Guam ...................................... 7 70.7 1 14.2 0 1.8 2 21.4 0 0.8

Hawaii .................................... 22 38.5 13 22.4 13 23.0 12 21.6 4 6.1

Idaho ...................................... 31 58.7 7 12.5 13 23.8 15 28.0 4 7.1

Illinois .................................... 299 45.7 89 13.6 136 20.8 196 29.9 133 20.4

Indiana .................................... 157 53.7 36 12.4 70 23.9 100 34.3 28 9.5

Iowa ........................................ 63 48.8 19 14.3 26 20.1 39 29.8 1 0.7

Kansas .................................... 46 46.9 13 13.6 26 27.0 28 29.0 4 4.2

Kentucky ................................ 149 48.0 49 15.9 96 30.9 94 30.2 37 11.9

Louisiana ................................ 164 55.8 45 15.4 73 24.7 126 42.9 45 15.4

Maine ..................................... 39 39.2 19 19.6 31 31.8 22 22.7 10 10.5

Maryland ................................ 102 48.9 30 14.3 45 21.6 76 36.5 12 5.8

Massachusetts ........................ 122 36.8 66 19.9 111 33.6 87 26.2 29 8.8

Michigan ................................ 286 41.7 91 13.2 164 23.8 167 24.4 68 9.9

Minnesota ............................... 72 44.3 25 15.4 43 26.4 42 25.7 11 7.0

Mississippi ............................. 111 52.5 33 15.7 55 25.8 73 34.3 24 11.4

Missouri ................................. 170 48.5 51 14.7 88 25.1 108 30.9 36 10.3

Montana ................................. 19 48.1 5 12.6 9 23.3 11 27.7 5 11.2

Nebraska ................................ 31 54.5 9 15.5 14 24.5 20 35.7 2 3.2

Nevada ................................... 43 47.1 15 16.8 18 20.2 23 25.6 5 5.0

New Hampshire ..................... 17 44.7 5 13.2 14 38.4 11 30.3 1 3.9

New Jersey ............................. 109 45.6 59 24.7 45 18.8 70 29.2 15 6.1

New Mexico ........................... 71 60.9 17 14.6 20 17.1 43 36.5 9 8.1

New York ............................... 454 37.7 354 29.4 321 26.6 242 20.1 45 3.8

North Carolina ....................... 263 52.5 82 16.4 100 19.9 158 31.5 54 10.8

North Dakota .......................... 11 45.2 5 19.7 6 24.7 6 27.5 1 4.1

Ohio ........................................ 309 49.7 90 14.4 161 25.9 200 32.1 60 9.7

Oklahoma ............................... 102 52.0 27 13.8 51 26.1 66 33.5 10 5.3

Oregon .................................... 114 38.0 39 12.9 57 18.8 58 19.4 82 27.2

Pennsylvania .......................... 268 43.3 123 19.9 180 29.1 177 28.6 73 11.8

Rhode Island .......................... 24 46.3 10 19.2 14 27.7 15 30.1 1 2.0

South Carolina ....................... 154 52.4 44 15.0 52 17.8 105 35.6 46 15.5

South Dakota .......................... 16 51.7 5 17.5 6 19.8 10 33.5 3 9.2

Tennessee ............................... 229 47.4 67 13.9 104 21.6 136 28.1 78 16.1

Texas ...................................... 741 63.9 219 18.9 196 16.9 420 36.2 49 4.3

Utah ........................................ 41 57.2 6 8.6 13 17.5 22 30.3 2 3.3

Vermont ................................. 15 41.7 8 23.5 11 30.9 9 25.0 2 4.7

Virgin Islands ......................... 4 60.7 1 22.2 0 5.7 3 41.1 0 2.5

Virginia .................................. 144 50.0 49 17.2 66 23.1 92 32.0 23 7.9

Washington ............................ 155 41.4 55 14.8 84 22.6 79 21.1 44 11.7

West Virginia ......................... 66 48.4 24 17.7 46 34.0 35 25.7 6 4.1

Wisconsin ............................... 123 52.5 29 12.6 47 20.2 74 31.5 4 1.8

Wyoming ................................ 6 55.7 2 14.9 2 22.1 4 36.9 0 3.1

 Source: Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Due to changes in the SNAP QC data, the definition of disabled changed in 2003. Beginning with the 2003 report, we are only able to identify

households that contain a disabled person. In previous reports, we had additional information that helped to identify which household member was

disabled.

b These participants, age 18-49, are subject to work registration. Prior to April 2009, with some exceptions (for example, those in waiver areas or

receiving State exemptions), they needed to meet work requirements or face time limits on benefit receipt.

c Due to rounding, the sum of individual categories may not match the table total.

73
Table B-6. Distribution of Participating Households by Selected Countable Income Sources and by State

State 

Households with Countable:

TANFa GA SSI Social Security Earned Income

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Totalb ..................................... 1,446 9.7 707 4.7 3,539 23.6 3,358 22.4 4,412 29.4

Alabama ................................. 18 6.4 – – 70 25.3 61 22.2 86 31.3

Alaska .................................... 3 12.8 5 20.6 3 13.8 5 19.8 7 30.1

Arizona ................................... 36 10.9 – – 45 13.5 51 15.4 119 35.5

Arkansas ................................. 5 3.2 0 0.2 38 22.8 41 24.7 51 30.5

California ............................... 431 38.7 104 9.3 – – 50 4.5 364 32.7

Colorado ................................. 2 1.2 23 16.9 28 20.2 31 22.4 42 30.9

Connecticut ............................ 16 11.9 15 10.9 37 27.1 38 27.9 28 20.6

Delaware ................................ 4 9.2 4 8.9 7 18.1 9 21.4 14 34.2

District of Columbia .............. 13 23.8 2 3.7 11 20.0 8 14.5 5 8.2

Florida .................................... 38 3.8 6 0.6 271 27.1 241 24.1 223 22.4

Georgia ................................... 10 1.8 3 0.5 108 20.4 111 21.0 175 33.1

Guam ...................................... 2 16.3 0 4.5 0 0.2 1 12.9 4 37.9

Hawaii .................................... 6 10.3 6 10.8 15 27.1 14 25.1 16 28.6

Idaho ...................................... 1 1.2 8 15.6 12 21.8 13 24.2 21 39.1

Illinois .................................... 19 3.0 37 5.6 155 23.8 117 17.9 164 25.1

Indiana .................................... 33 11.4 – – 58 20.0 75 25.6 100 34.3

Iowa ........................................ 13 10.2 0 0.2 26 19.7 29 22.7 51 39.6

Kansas .................................... 12 11.9 4 4.2 23 24.0 24 24.8 30 31.2

Kentucky ................................ 22 7.1 0 0.1 108 34.9 83 26.7 67 21.7

Louisiana ................................ 9 3.1 2 0.6 88 29.8 65 22.2 96 32.6

Maine ..................................... 13 13.4 28 27.9 25 25.1 37 37.9 26 25.9

Maryland ................................ 18 8.6 14 6.9 41 19.6 44 21.1 60 29.0

Massachusetts ........................ 46 14.1 13 4.0 127 38.5 93 28.2 67 20.3

Michigan ................................ 72 10.5 9 1.2 131 19.1 178 25.9 224 32.6

Minnesota ............................... 0 0.3 13 7.9 46 28.5 34 20.6 42 25.5

Mississippi ............................. 10 4.9 – – 65 30.4 56 26.3 64 30.3

Missouri ................................. 41 11.7 1 0.2 76 21.8 93 26.6 97 27.8

Montana ................................. 3 7.4 0 0.4 9 21.2 10 24.1 14 33.8

Nebraska ................................ 8 13.5 4 6.8 13 23.5 15 26.6 20 34.9

Nevada ................................... 6 6.5 0 0.4 20 21.9 20 22.1 25 27.4

New Hampshire ..................... 5 12.0 6 16.8 10 26.3 14 36.0 9 23.9

New Jersey ............................. 40 16.8 39 16.2 64 26.8 55 23.1 49 20.3

New Mexico ........................... 19 16.5 2 1.5 22 18.7 24 20.2 44 37.5

New York ............................... 54 4.4 166 13.8 457 37.9 348 28.9 321 26.7

North Carolina ....................... 19 3.9 0 0.1 117 23.4 125 24.9 150 29.9

North Dakota .......................... 2 8.2 0 1.0 5 22.4 8 32.1 9 36.9

Ohio ........................................ 68 10.9 13 2.1 166 26.6 142 22.9 165 26.5

Oklahoma ............................... 4 2.1 50 25.6 52 26.4 48 24.8 61 31.3

Oregon .................................... 25 8.4 21 7.0 46 15.4 65 21.7 104 34.7

Pennsylvania .......................... 57 9.2 48 7.7 206 33.3 171 27.7 146 23.6

Rhode Island .......................... 8 15.9 1 2.2 15 30.2 14 27.8 11 21.3

South Carolina ....................... 18 6.1 1 0.3 61 20.7 61 20.7 82 27.8

South Dakota .......................... 2 6.8 – – 7 21.3 8 26.5 12 37.6

Tennessee ............................... 57 11.8 1 0.1 91 18.8 117 24.3 139 28.9

Texas ...................................... 57 4.9 – – 293 25.3 246 21.2 453 39.0

Utah ........................................ 4 6.1 1 1.7 11 15.2 12 16.8 26 36.2

Vermont ................................. 5 14.2 2 7.0 9 26.2 14 39.2 11 31.0

Virgin Islands ......................... 0 7.8 1 15.8 – – 1 19.8 2 32.9

Virginia .................................. 28 9.9 3 1.2 75 26.0 71 24.9 86 29.9

Washington ............................ 43 11.5 48 12.9 87 23.2 70 18.8 99 26.6

West Virginia ......................... 8 5.7 0 0.1 49 36.1 40 29.2 34 25.2

Wisconsin ............................... 12 5.2 2 0.8 37 15.8 52 22.2 92 39.2

Wyoming ................................ 0 3.6 0 1.1 3 24.4 2 22.6 4 32.5

 Source: Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a This does not include households receiving a noncash benefit or a noncountable cash benefit (e.g., households participating in Minnesota’s Family

Investment Program).

b Due to rounding, the sum of individual categories may not match the table total.

– No sample data in this category.

74
Table B-7. Average Values of Selected Countable Income Sources by State

State 

Average Countable Valuesa

TANFb GA SSI Social Security Earned Income

Total ...................................... 395 219 527 710 951

Alabama ................................. 196 – 507 694 1,011

Alaska .................................... 674 284 511 850 1,159

Arizona ................................... 261 – 559 751 957

Arkansas ................................. 184 827 529 695 932

California ............................... 536 237 – 727 752

Colorado ................................. 372 226 455 713 895

Connecticut ............................ 462 279 502 712 916

Delaware ................................ 278 140 489 780 1,167

District of Columbia .............. 404 281 562 688 947

Florida .................................... 243 311 538 666 935

Georgia ................................... 233 116 508 717 951

Guam ...................................... 192 149 754 684 1,191

Hawaii .................................... 541 395 529 681 1,025

Idaho ...................................... 309 48 445 720 971

Illinois .................................... 317 112 555 689 876

Indiana .................................... 216 – 481 730 900

Iowa ........................................ 322 102 492 751 904

Kansas .................................... 311 146 515 695 975

Kentucky ................................ 229 245 519 642 920

Louisiana ................................ 269 202 521 643 931

Maine ..................................... 410 11 500 761 1,106

Maryland ................................ 440 201 524 748 1,103

Massachusetts ........................ 487 300 548 737 1,188

Michigan ................................ 390 251 529 805 971

Minnesota ............................... 1 227 534 721 897

Mississippi ............................. 133 – 504 629 970

Missouri ................................. 255 321 511 716 936

Montana ................................. 421 266 442 730 962

Nebraska ................................ 306 100 467 713 966

Nevada ................................... 344 396 505 738 946

New Hampshire ..................... 511 168 526 785 1,077

New Jersey ............................. 332 181 586 704 1,020

New Mexico ........................... 384 254 498 684 990

New York ............................... 563 348 591 715 891

North Carolina ....................... 225 272 463 677 968

North Dakota .......................... 330 301 494 718 1,009

Ohio ........................................ 378 113 516 713 894

Oklahoma ............................... 219 43 473 647 1,002

Oregon .................................... 395 55 473 802 1,057

Pennsylvania .......................... 359 208 560 709 991

Rhode Island .......................... 425 192 544 732 970

South Carolina ....................... 229 157 497 693 902

South Dakota .......................... 395 – 483 695 922

Tennessee ............................... 166 606 496 721 876

Texas ...................................... 185 – 463 648 1,022

Utah ........................................ 427 234 468 717 981

Vermont ................................. 523 130 529 824 1,181

Virgin Islands ......................... 308 182 – 653 908

Virginia .................................. 297 243 472 686 973

Washington ............................ 465 228 583 768 1,174

West Virginia ......................... 308 262 562 700 945

Wisconsin ............................... 441 328 631 864 1,094

Wyoming ................................ 490 252 479 659 986

 Source: Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Average values are over households with income source.

b This does not include households receiving a noncash benefit or a noncountable cash benefit (e.g., households participating in

Minnesota’s Family Investment Program).

– No sample data in this category.

75
Table B-8. Distribution of Participating Households by Earnings-Related Characteristics and by State

State 

Households with Earnings Average Earned Income Deduction

(Dollars)

Number

(000)

Percent Average Earnings

(Dollars) All Householdsa Households with

Deduction

Total ...................................... 4,412 29.4 951 58 190

Alabama ................................. 86 31.3 1,011 63 202

Alaska .................................... 7 30.1 1,159 70 231

Arizona ................................... 119 35.5 957 68 192

Arkansas ................................. 51 30.5 932 57 186

California ............................... 364 32.7 752 49 150

Colorado ................................. 42 30.9 895 55 179

Connecticut ............................ 28 20.6 916 38 183

Delaware ................................ 14 34.2 1,167 80 233

District of Columbia .............. 5 8.2 947 15 189

Florida .................................... 223 22.4 935 46 187

Georgia ................................... 175 33.1 951 63 190

Guam ...................................... 4 37.9 1,191 90 238

Hawaii .................................... 16 28.6 1,025 59 205

Idaho ...................................... 21 39.1 971 76 194

Illinois .................................... 164 25.1 876 44 176

Indiana .................................... 100 34.3 900 62 180

Iowa ........................................ 51 39.6 904 72 182

Kansas .................................... 30 31.2 975 61 195

Kentucky ................................ 67 21.7 920 42 184

Louisiana ................................ 96 32.6 931 63 186

Maine ..................................... 26 25.9 1,106 57 221

Maryland ................................ 60 29.0 1,103 64 222

Massachusetts ........................ 67 20.3 1,188 50 238

Michigan ................................ 224 32.6 971 63 194

Minnesota ............................... 42 25.5 897 52 209

Mississippi ............................. 64 30.3 970 67 194

Missouri ................................. 97 27.8 936 52 187

Montana ................................. 14 33.8 962 65 192

Nebraska ................................ 20 34.9 966 67 193

Nevada ................................... 25 27.4 946 52 189

New Hampshire ..................... 9 23.9 1,077 51 215

New Jersey ............................. 49 20.3 1,020 41 204

New Mexico ........................... 44 37.5 990 74 198

New York ............................... 321 26.7 891 60 179

North Carolina ....................... 150 29.9 968 61 193

North Dakota .......................... 9 36.9 1,009 74 201

Ohio ........................................ 165 26.5 894 47 179

Oklahoma ............................... 61 31.3 1,002 63 200

Oregon .................................... 104 34.7 1,057 73 211

Pennsylvania .......................... 146 23.6 991 48 198

Rhode Island .......................... 11 21.3 970 41 194

South Carolina ....................... 82 27.8 902 54 180

South Dakota .......................... 12 37.6 922 69 185

Tennessee ............................... 139 28.9 876 51 175

Texas ...................................... 453 39.0 1,022 84 204

Utah ........................................ 26 36.2 981 71 196

Vermont ................................. 11 31.0 1,181 73 236

Virgin Islands ......................... 2 32.9 908 60 181

Virginia .................................. 86 29.9 973 59 194

Washington ............................ 99 26.6 1,174 74 234

West Virginia ......................... 34 25.2 945 48 189

Wisconsin ............................... 92 39.2 1,094 86 218

Wyoming ................................ 4 32.5 986 64 199

 Source: Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Because the earnings deduction is not used in their benefit determinations, 600,249 SSI-CAP households are excluded from this column.

76
Table B-9. Distribution of Entrant Households with and without Expedited Service by State

State 

Total Entrant

Households

(000)

Entrant Households Eligible For

and Receiving Expedited Service

Entrant Households Eligible For

But Not Receiving Expedited

Service

Entrant Households Not Eligible

For Expedited Service

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Totala ..................................... 726 349 48.1 53 7.3 324 44.6

Alabama ................................. 14 5 37.4 2 11.8 7 50.8

Alaska .................................... 2 1 45.0 0 5.4 1 49.6

Arizona ................................... 20 10 53.5 1 7.4 8 39.0

Arkansas ................................. 10 2 18.3 1 10.5 7 71.3

California ............................... 64 31 48.2 9 14.0 24 37.8

Colorado ................................. 8 6 76.5 1 8.7 1 14.9

Connecticut ............................ 7 3 48.0 1 11.1 3 40.8

Delaware ................................ 2 1 46.8 0 8.2 1 45.1

District of Columbia .............. 3 2 73.4 – – 1 26.6

Florida .................................... 42 16 39.2 5 11.7 21 49.2

Georgia ................................... –––––––

Guam ...................................... 0 0 42.9 0 7.2 0 49.8

Hawaii .................................... 2 1 54.5 0 5.9 1 39.6

Idaho ...................................... 3 2 50.6 – – 2 49.4

Illinois .................................... 20 11 54.1 3 12.4 7 33.4

Indiana .................................... 10 3 30.1 1 9.9 6 59.9

Iowa ........................................ 8 4 45.9 0 5.1 4 49.0

Kansas .................................... 6 2 31.8 0 8.6 3 59.6

Kentucky ................................ 13 5 38.3 0 2.2 8 59.5

Louisiana ................................ 17 7 42.4 1 4.4 9 53.2

Maine ..................................... 2 1 44.3 – – 1 55.7

Maryland ................................ 16 9 57.9 1 6.6 6 35.5

Massachusetts ........................ 16 5 27.7 – – 12 72.3

Michigan ................................ 29 16 54.2 3 10.8 10 35.0

Minnesota ............................... 7 4 52.0 0 6.1 3 42.0

Mississippi ............................. 4 2 43.3 – – 2 56.7

Missouri ................................. 27 14 50.8 0 1.1 13 48.1

Montana ................................. 3 2 52.2 0 1.6 1 46.2

Nebraska ................................ 3 2 48.3 0 7.6 1 44.0

Nevada ................................... 6 4 57.3 0 6.3 2 36.4

New Hampshire ..................... 3 2 53.2 0 3.5 1 43.3

New Jersey ............................. 7 4 55.0 0 2.9 3 42.2

New Mexico ........................... 8 4 45.3 0 2.6 4 52.1

New York ............................... 63 37 59.8 1 2.2 24 37.9

North Carolina ....................... 31 17 53.9 1 2.7 13 43.4

North Dakota .......................... 1 0 37.1 0 7.1 1 55.8

Ohio ........................................ 26 14 53.1 3 10.9 9 36.0

Oklahoma ............................... 12 6 50.9 1 7.9 5 41.2

Oregon .................................... 14 4 30.4 0 3.2 10 66.4

Pennsylvania .......................... 26 13 49.5 2 7.0 11 43.5

Rhode Island .......................... 3 0 16.0 1 21.7 2 62.3

South Carolina ....................... 14 7 50.1 1 4.3 6 45.7

South Dakota .......................... 2 1 49.5 0 2.8 1 47.7

Tennessee ............................... 26 11 44.3 5 18.1 10 37.6

Texas ...................................... 67 28 42.4 4 6.0 35 51.7

Utah ........................................ 5 4 83.7 0 3.2 1 13.1

Vermont ................................. 2 0 18.3 0 18.1 1 63.6

Virgin Islands ......................... 0 0 49.5 0 8.1 0 42.4

Virginia .................................. 13 8 63.7 1 5.6 4 30.7

Washington ............................ 20 10 51.1 0 1.4 9 47.5

West Virginia ......................... 6 3 55.9 – – 2 44.1

Wisconsin ............................... 10 4 37.3 1 13.9 5 48.8

Wyoming ................................ 1 0 40.9 0 4.2 1 54.9

 Source: Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Due to rounding, the sum of individual categories may not match the table total.

– No sample data in this category.

77
Table B-10. Distribution of Participating Households by Race/Ethnic Origin of Household Head and by State

State 

Race/Ethnic Origina of Household Head

White African-American Hispanic Otherb Missing/Unknownc

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Totald ..................................... 5,150 34.4 3,209 21.4 1,451 9.7 925 6.2 4,246 28.3

Alabama ................................. 84 30.6 148 54.0 2 0.7 3 1.1 38 13.7

Alaska .................................... 7 26.6 4 16.0 0 0.7 9 35.3 5 21.4

Arizona ................................... 130 38.9 26 7.8 96 28.8 40 11.9 42 12.5

Arkansas ................................. 88 52.4 53 31.3 2 1.3 3 1.5 22 13.4

California ............................... 250 22.4 177 15.9 297 26.7 69 6.2 320 28.8

Colorado ................................. 20 14.7 5 3.4 9 6.7 2 1.5 101 73.6

Connecticut ............................ 40 29.1 26 19.3 30 22.4 13 9.3 27 19.9

Delaware ................................ 3 8.3 2 4.3 0 0.1 0 0.1 35 87.1

District of Columbia .............. 0 0.1 1 2.3 0 0.1 1 2.4 53 95.1

Florida .................................... – – 4 0.4 – – 283 28.3 712 71.3

Georgia ................................... 173 32.8 312 58.9 12 2.3 7 1.4 24 4.6

Guam ...................................... –––––– 7 78.7 2 21.3

Hawaii .................................... 11 19.4 1 1.0 2 2.9 38 65.8 6 10.8

Idaho ...................................... 43 80.0 0 0.7 4 7.7 1 1.9 5 9.7

Illinois .................................... – – 1 0.1 – – 71 10.9 583 89.1

Indiana .................................... 191 65.5 72 24.6 10 3.4 3 1.1 16 5.4

Iowa ........................................ 70 53.6 9 7.2 2 1.8 2 1.2 47 36.2

Kansas .................................... 63 64.4 18 18.5 5 5.1 3 3.0 9 9.0

Kentucky ................................ 251 80.9 52 16.9 1 0.4 1 0.3 5 1.5

Louisiana ................................ 99 33.8 173 58.7 3 0.9 4 1.5 15 5.1

Maine ..................................... 95 96.2 2 1.8 – – 1 0.8 1 1.2

Maryland ................................ 48 23.0 76 36.5 3 1.3 6 2.9 75 36.2

Massachusetts ........................ 158 47.9 41 12.4 27 8.2 17 5.1 87 26.4

Michigan ................................ 263 38.3 162 23.6 11 1.6 18 2.6 232 33.9

Minnesota ............................... 87 53.6 41 25.2 4 2.3 18 11.0 13 8.0

Mississippi ............................. 28 13.2 58 27.2 0 0.2 1 0.6 125 58.8

Missouri ................................. 223 63.9 107 30.5 3 0.9 4 1.0 13 3.7

Montana ................................. 22 55.4 3 6.2 0 0.7 7 17.8 8 19.9

Nebraska ................................ 34 59.6 12 20.9 4 6.8 3 5.7 4 6.9

Nevada ................................... 43 47.5 22 23.9 12 13.1 5 5.5 9 10.1

New Hampshire ..................... 34 89.3 1 2.9 1 2.7 1 1.7 1 3.3

New Jersey ............................. 60 25.2 82 34.2 59 24.8 14 5.8 24 10.0

New Mexico ........................... 28 24.3 3 2.4 59 50.7 14 11.7 13 11.0

New York ............................... 398 33.1 323 26.8 316 26.2 87 7.2 80 6.7

North Carolina ....................... 205 40.8 242 48.3 9 1.7 9 1.8 37 7.3

North Dakota .......................... 16 66.2 1 3.4 0 0.2 6 27.1 1 3.1

Ohio ........................................ – – 0 0.1 – – 11 1.8 611 98.1

Oklahoma ............................... 121 61.8 37 19.1 7 3.6 21 10.7 9 4.7

Oregon .................................... 221 73.4 15 5.0 5 1.7 20 6.8 40 13.2

Pennsylvania .......................... 353 57.1 192 31.1 46 7.4 8 1.3 19 3.1

Rhode Island .......................... – – – – – – 14 27.4 37 72.6

South Carolina ....................... 102 34.6 157 53.1 28 9.5 0 0.0 8 2.8

South Dakota .......................... 5 16.0 8 25.9 0 0.6 4 12.4 14 45.1

Tennessee ............................... 241 50.0 107 22.1 2 0.4 5 1.1 128 26.5

Texas ...................................... 221 19.1 205 17.7 363 31.3 21 1.8 350 30.2

Utah ........................................ 50 69.0 2 3.4 5 6.8 5 7.3 10 13.5

Vermont ................................. 17 48.9 0 1.1 0 0.3 1 3.6 16 46.1

Virgin Islands ......................... 0 2.2 5 74.7 1 18.4 0 0.6 0 4.1

Virginia .................................. 124 43.2 139 48.5 6 2.0 8 2.7 10 3.6

Washington ............................ 165 44.1 21 5.7 2 0.4 23 6.1 163 43.7

West Virginia ......................... 124 91.7 9 6.6 0 0.3 0 0.4 1 1.0

Wisconsin ............................... 133 56.7 52 22.4 1 0.3 11 4.5 38 16.2

Wyoming ................................ 8 72.0 0 1.7 1 6.8 1 11.4 1 8.1

 Source: Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a New codes to allow reporting of multiple races were implemented beginning in April 2007. We have grouped the new codes together to form general race and

ethnicity categories. Reporting of race and ethnicity is voluntary under the new format and was missing for 26 percent of participants in FY 2008. Because of these

changes, FY 2008 race and ethnicity distributions are not comparable to distributions for years prior to FY 2007.

b Other includes household heads that are Asian, Native American, or who reported multiple races that do not fit into previous categories.

c Missing/Unknown includes household heads for which racial/ethnic information was not recorded on the application, is not available because the application was

not found, or is unknown, and households with no household head and no adult listed on the file.

d Due to rounding, the sum of individual categories may not match the table total.

– No sample data in this category.

78
Table B-11. Distribution of Participants by Age and by State

State 

Preschool-Age

Children

School-Age

Children

Total

Children

Nonelderly

Adults

Elderly

Adults

People in

Nonelderly,

Nondisabled,

Childless

Householdsb

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Totala ..................................... 5,403 16.4 10,214 31.1 15,617 47.5 14,544 44.2 2,728 8.3 1,653 5.0

Alabama ................................. 109 16.4 226 34.0 335 50.3 296 44.5 35 5.2 15 2.3

Alaska .................................... 9 14.4 20 30.8 29 45.3 32 50.1 3 4.6 6 9.0

Arizona ................................... 156 19.7 258 32.6 414 52.3 332 41.9 46 5.8 31 3.9

Arkansas ................................. 71 17.8 118 29.6 190 47.3 188 46.9 23 5.8 48 12.1

California ............................... 538 20.3 1,048 39.6 1,586 59.9 999 37.8 60 2.3 147 5.6

Colorado ................................. 61 19.3 103 32.7 164 52.0 127 40.2 25 7.8 5 1.7

Connecticut ............................ 31 12.4 67 26.6 98 39.0 123 48.8 31 12.2 16 6.4

Delaware ................................ 16 17.8 30 33.5 46 51.3 38 41.9 6 6.6 3 2.9

District of Columbia .............. 12 11.6 27 26.1 39 37.8 55 54.4 8 7.9 19 18.6

Florida .................................... 295 15.2 546 28.0 841 43.2 837 43.0 268 13.8 119 6.1

Georgia ................................... 225 17.7 399 31.4 624 49.1 554 43.6 93 7.3 50 3.9

Guam ...................................... 7 21.4 13 41.4 20 62.9 10 31.7 2 5.4 0 0.4

Hawaii .................................... 17 15.0 29 25.9 46 40.9 52 46.2 14 12.9 4 3.4

Idaho ...................................... 26 19.6 45 33.2 71 52.8 56 41.9 7 5.4 4 3.0

Illinois .................................... 230 16.3 446 31.7 676 48.1 630 44.8 101 7.2 148 10.5

Indiana .................................... 119 17.4 208 30.5 327 47.8 318 46.5 39 5.6 29 4.3

Iowa ........................................ 49 17.0 84 29.1 133 46.1 135 47.0 20 6.9 1 0.4

Kansas .................................... 38 17.8 62 29.2 100 47.0 99 46.3 14 6.7 4 2.0

Kentucky ................................ 96 13.9 202 29.2 298 43.1 338 49.0 55 7.9 43 6.2

Louisiana ................................ 117 16.7 225 32.1 342 48.7 313 44.6 46 6.6 53 7.6

Maine ..................................... 22 11.1 52 26.0 74 37.2 104 52.2 21 10.6 11 5.7

Maryland ................................ 71 15.9 133 29.9 204 45.8 210 47.1 32 7.1 13 2.9

Massachusetts ........................ 77 12.4 170 27.5 247 40.0 300 48.5 71 11.6 33 5.3

Michigan ................................ 182 12.7 393 27.4 575 40.2 756 52.8 100 7.0 85 6.0

Minnesota ............................... 62 18.3 99 29.3 161 47.6 151 44.5 27 7.9 12 3.7

Mississippi ............................. 79 15.8 158 31.6 238 47.4 229 45.8 34 6.8 26 5.2

Missouri ................................. 131 16.8 228 29.2 359 46.0 367 47.0 54 7.0 40 5.2

Montana ................................. 15 16.2 25 27.4 40 43.6 46 50.5 5 6.0 5 6.0

Nebraska ................................ 25 18.5 41 31.1 66 49.7 57 43.3 9 7.1 2 1.5

Nevada ................................... 39 19.8 58 29.5 96 49.3 83 42.2 17 8.4 5 2.6

New Hampshire ..................... 13 16.2 20 25.7 32 41.9 40 51.2 5 6.9 1 1.9

New Jersey ............................. 81 16.3 149 30.3 230 46.6 196 39.7 67 13.7 16 3.2

New Mexico ........................... 52 18.1 99 34.7 151 52.7 116 40.5 19 6.8 10 3.4

New York ............................... 266 11.8 629 27.8 895 39.5 955 42.2 415 18.3 45 2.0

North Carolina ....................... 198 17.6 349 30.9 547 48.5 493 43.8 87 7.7 59 5.2

North Dakota .......................... 9 18.2 13 25.8 23 44.0 24 46.6 5 9.4 1 1.8

Ohio ........................................ 238 17.6 385 28.5 623 46.1 635 46.9 94 7.0 64 4.7

Oklahoma ............................... 77 16.7 142 30.7 219 47.4 215 46.4 28 6.1 12 2.7

Oregon .................................... 82 14.2 147 25.5 228 39.7 308 53.4 40 7.0 88 15.3

Pennsylvania .......................... 168 13.0 382 29.4 551 42.3 615 47.3 134 10.3 88 6.8

Rhode Island .......................... 15 15.1 29 28.8 44 43.9 46 46.0 10 10.1 1 1.1

South Carolina ....................... 113 16.9 199 29.7 312 46.6 311 46.4 47 7.0 51 7.6

South Dakota .......................... 14 19.1 22 30.1 36 49.2 31 42.7 6 8.1 3 3.9

Tennessee ............................... 147 13.9 311 29.5 458 43.5 525 49.8 71 6.8 90 8.5

Texas ...................................... 599 20.4 1,087 37.0 1,685 57.4 1,011 34.4 241 8.2 56 1.9

Utah ........................................ 36 20.3 61 33.7 97 54.0 76 42.3 7 3.7 3 1.6

Vermont ................................. 9 12.5 18 25.6 27 38.1 35 49.1 9 12.8 2 2.6

Virgin Islands ......................... 3 15.9 6 36.2 8 52.1 6 38.1 2 9.8 0 1.1

Virginia .................................. 102 16.2 186 29.6 288 45.7 288 45.7 54 8.6 26 4.2

Washington ............................ 119 15.7 209 27.7 328 43.4 368 48.7 60 7.9 45 6.0

West Virginia ......................... 40 13.2 80 26.6 120 39.8 155 51.4 27 8.8 6 2.1

Wisconsin ............................... 93 17.0 170 31.2 263 48.2 250 45.9 33 6.0 5 0.9

Wyoming ................................ 5 20.6 7 27.5 13 48.1 12 45.1 2 6.7 0 1.6

 Source: Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Due to rounding, the sum of individual categories may not match the table total.

b These participants, age 18-49, are subject to work registration. Prior to April 2009, with some exceptions (for example, those in waiver areas or receiving State

exemptions), they needed to meet work requirements or face time limits on benefit receipt.

79
Table B-12. Distribution of Participants by Citizenship Status and by State

State 

All Participants U. S. Born

Citizens

Naturalized

Citizens Refugees Other Noncitizens

Citizen Children

Living with a

Noncitizena

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Total ...................................... 32,889 100.0 30,597 100.0 1,021 100.0 278 100.0 994 100.0 2,636 100.0

Alabama ................................. 665 2.0 662 2.2 1 0.1 – – 2 0.2 11 0.4

Alaska .................................... 64 0.2 61 0.2 1 0.1 1 0.2 2 0.2 3 0.1

Arizona ................................... 792 2.4 733 2.4 16 1.6 8 2.9 35 3.5 126 4.8

Arkansas ................................. 401 1.2 399 1.3 1 0.1 0 0.0 1 0.1 9 0.3

California ............................... 2,645 8.0 2,316 7.6 135 13.3 38 13.5 157 15.8 700 26.6

Colorado ................................. 316 1.0 302 1.0 6 0.6 2 0.6 6 0.6 30 1.1

Connecticut ............................ 252 0.8 235 0.8 8 0.7 1 0.3 8 0.8 7 0.3

Delaware ................................ 91 0.3 88 0.3 1 0.1 0 0.1 1 0.1 5 0.2

District of Columbia .............. 102 0.3 100 0.3 1 0.1 0 0.1 1 0.1 1 0.0

Florida .................................... 1,947 5.9 1,602 5.2 175 17.2 23 8.4 146 14.7 146 5.5

Georgia ................................... 1,272 3.9 1,235 4.0 14 1.4 7 2.4 16 1.6 54 2.0

Guam ...................................... 31 0.1 29 0.1 1 0.1 – – 1 0.1 6 0.2

Hawaii .................................... 112 0.3 99 0.3 8 0.8 – – 6 0.6 7 0.3

Idaho ...................................... 134 0.4 129 0.4 1 0.1 3 0.9 2 0.2 11 0.4

Illinois .................................... 1,407 4.3 1,340 4.4 36 3.5 4 1.5 27 2.7 117 4.4

Indiana .................................... 684 2.1 674 2.2 3 0.3 4 1.5 3 0.3 23 0.9

Iowa ........................................ 288 0.9 283 0.9 1 0.1 2 0.7 2 0.2 12 0.5

Kansas .................................... 213 0.6 207 0.7 2 0.2 2 0.7 2 0.2 11 0.4

Kentucky ................................ 690 2.1 680 2.2 2 0.2 7 2.5 1 0.1 7 0.3

Louisiana ................................ 701 2.1 696 2.3 2 0.2 1 0.2 3 0.3 3 0.1

Maine ..................................... 199 0.6 194 0.6 1 0.1 1 0.4 3 0.3 2 0.1

Maryland ................................ 446 1.4 421 1.4 14 1.3 3 1.1 8 0.8 10 0.4

Massachusetts ........................ 618 1.9 540 1.8 44 4.4 7 2.5 27 2.7 37 1.4

Michigan ................................ 1,432 4.4 1,369 4.5 21 2.1 18 6.4 24 2.4 32 1.2

Minnesota ............................... 338 1.0 292 1.0 21 2.1 18 6.6 6 0.7 20 0.8

Mississippi ............................. 501 1.5 499 1.6 2 0.1 0 0.0 – – 1 0.0

Missouri ................................. 780 2.4 766 2.5 4 0.4 2 0.8 8 0.8 24 0.9

Montana ................................. 91 0.3 91 0.3 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 1 0.0

Nebraska ................................ 133 0.4 127 0.4 2 0.2 2 0.8 2 0.2 7 0.3

Nevada ................................... 195 0.6 183 0.6 5 0.5 0 0.1 7 0.7 28 1.1

New Hampshire ..................... 77 0.2 73 0.2 1 0.1 2 0.9 1 0.1 1 0.0

New Jersey ............................. 493 1.5 426 1.4 36 3.5 2 0.6 29 2.9 54 2.0

New Mexico ........................... 286 0.9 269 0.9 5 0.5 0 0.1 12 1.2 31 1.2

New York ............................... 2,265 6.9 1,785 5.8 266 26.0 31 11.2 183 18.4 186 7.0

North Carolina ....................... 1,128 3.4 1,109 3.6 3 0.3 5 1.9 11 1.1 74 2.8

North Dakota .......................... 52 0.2 48 0.2 0 0.0 3 1.1 1 0.1 1 0.1

Ohio ........................................ 1,352 4.1 1,329 4.3 11 1.1 3 1.2 9 0.9 22 0.9

Oklahoma ............................... 462 1.4 457 1.5 2 0.2 0 0.1 3 0.3 10 0.4

Oregon .................................... 576 1.8 544 1.8 8 0.8 6 2.1 18 1.9 47 1.8

Pennsylvania .......................... 1,300 4.0 1,241 4.1 19 1.8 20 7.3 20 2.1 31 1.2

Rhode Island .......................... 100 0.3 88 0.3 5 0.4 1 0.5 6 0.6 8 0.3

South Carolina ....................... 670 2.0 668 2.2 0 0.0 – – 2 0.2 12 0.4

South Dakota .......................... 74 0.2 71 0.2 0 0.0 1 0.4 1 0.1 1 0.0

Tennessee ............................... 1,054 3.2 1,037 3.4 6 0.6 2 0.6 9 0.9 51 1.9

Texas ...................................... 2,937 8.9 2,728 8.9 70 6.9 9 3.2 130 13.1 508 19.3

Utah ........................................ 180 0.5 168 0.5 4 0.3 5 1.8 3 0.3 20 0.7

Vermont ................................. 70 0.2 69 0.2 1 0.1 1 0.2 1 0.1 1 0.0

Virgin Islands ......................... 16 0.0 13 0.0 1 0.1 – – 1 0.1 1 0.0

Virginia .................................. 630 1.9 605 2.0 15 1.4 3 1.1 7 0.7 20 0.8

Washington ............................ 755 2.3 670 2.2 30 2.9 20 7.1 35 3.6 76 2.9

West Virginia ......................... 302 0.9 301 1.0 0 0.0 – – 0 0.0 0 0.0

Wisconsin ............................... 545 1.7 522 1.7 7 0.7 8 3.0 8 0.8 30 1.2

Wyoming ................................ 26 0.1 26 0.1 0 0.0 – – – – 0 0.0

 Source: Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Noncitizens may be inside or outside the SNAP unit.

– No sample data in this category.

80
Table B-13. Distribution of Noncitizen Participants by Age and by State

State Total

(000)

Children Nonelderly Adults Elderly Adults

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Total ...................................... 1,272 244 19.2 681 53.5 347 27.3

Alabama ................................. 2 1 29.1 1 50.7 0 20.2

Alaska .................................... 2 1 39.6 1 53.7 0 6.7

Arizona ................................... 43 4 9.1 28 65.7 11 25.2

Arkansas ................................. 1 0 11.0 1 58.8 0 30.2

California ............................... 194 39 19.8 139 71.8 16 8.4

Colorado ................................. 8 1 15.9 4 51.8 3 32.3

Connecticut ............................ 9 1 13.9 4 42.4 4 43.8

Delaware ................................ 1 0 15.2 1 69.0 0 15.7

District of Columbia .............. 1 0 26.6 1 49.0 0 24.4

Florida .................................... 169 30 17.8 84 49.7 55 32.5

Georgia ................................... 23 6 25.8 11 46.5 6 27.7

Guam ...................................... 1 – – 0 56.0 0 44.0

Hawaii .................................... 6 1 10.3 2 42.9 3 46.8

Idaho ...................................... 4 1 31.0 3 59.4 0 9.6

Illinois .................................... 31 2 5.5 15 49.5 14 45.0

Indiana .................................... 7 1 17.9 4 60.1 2 22.1

Iowa ........................................ 4 1 28.4 2 45.1 1 26.5

Kansas .................................... 3 1 26.2 2 59.0 1 14.8

Kentucky ................................ 8 2 27.8 5 54.6 1 17.6

Louisiana ................................ 3 1 30.9 2 47.9 1 21.3

Maine ..................................... 4 1 40.2 2 46.1 1 13.6

Maryland ................................ 11 4 31.6 4 38.8 3 29.6

Massachusetts ........................ 34 4 13.1 20 59.7 9 27.3

Michigan ................................ 42 10 23.9 26 61.9 6 14.2

Minnesota ............................... 25 10 39.3 12 49.6 3 11.1

Mississippi ............................. 0 0 100.0 – – – –

Missouri ................................. 11 3 29.9 5 46.2 3 23.9

Montana ................................. 0 0 22.0 0 48.8 0 29.2

Nebraska ................................ 4 1 36.2 2 53.5 0 10.2

Nevada ................................... 8 0 6.3 4 58.4 3 35.3

New Hampshire ..................... 4 2 45.1 2 44.8 0 10.1

New Jersey ............................. 31 3 11.0 14 47.1 13 41.8

New Mexico ........................... 12 1 4.8 8 65.8 3 29.4

New York ............................... 214 37 17.3 84 39.3 93 43.4

North Carolina ....................... 16 6 39.1 7 41.1 3 19.8

North Dakota .......................... 4 2 42.2 2 50.4 0 7.4

Ohio ........................................ 12 5 42.6 5 40.4 2 17.1

Oklahoma ............................... 3 1 17.5 2 53.5 1 29.0

Oregon .................................... 24 5 20.9 14 58.2 5 20.9

Pennsylvania .......................... 41 15 36.1 17 42.8 9 21.2

Rhode Island .......................... 8 3 32.5 4 55.4 1 12.1

South Carolina ....................... 2 – – 2 100.0 – –

South Dakota .......................... 2 1 42.3 1 43.2 0 14.6

Tennessee ............................... 11 4 33.1 5 45.3 2 21.6

Texas ...................................... 139 8 5.4 81 58.1 51 36.5

Utah ........................................ 8 3 41.5 4 52.0 1 6.5

Vermont ................................. 1 0 25.3 1 55.8 0 18.9

Virgin Islands ......................... 1 0 14.8 1 57.0 0 28.2

Virginia .................................. 10 0 4.1 7 68.2 3 27.8

Washington ............................ 55 15 26.9 29 51.7 12 21.4

West Virginia ......................... 0 – – 0 100.0 – –

Wisconsin ............................... 16 7 43.9 7 45.5 2 10.6

Wyoming ................................ – – – – – – –

 Source: Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

– No sample data in this category.

81
Table B-14. Distribution of Participating Households by Use of Standard Utility Allowance and by State

State Number

(000)

Standard Utility Allowance (SUA) - Usage and Entitlementa

Households with

Heating/Cooling SUA

Households with Another

SUA 

Households with No SUA 

 

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Totalb ..................................... 14,981 9,074 60.6 1,137 7.6 4,292 28.7

Alabama ................................. 275 192 69.9 6 2.1 77 28.0

Alaska .................................... 25 11 43.1 7 28.6 7 28.4

Arizona ................................... 334 195 58.2 21 6.3 118 35.3

Arkansas ................................. 168 96 57.1 5 3.1 67 39.8

California ............................... 1,113 613 55.1 50 4.5 449 40.4

Colorado ................................. 137 81 59.0 17 12.2 39 28.8

Connecticut ............................ 136 90 65.8 10 7.0 37 27.1

Delaware ................................ 40 26 65.1 1 2.9 13 32.1

District of Columbia .............. 56 14 25.5 4 7.4 38 67.1

Florida .................................... 999 517 51.7 139 13.9 344 34.4

Georgia ................................... 529 347 65.6 18 3.4 164 31.0

Guam ...................................... 9 – – 4 47.6 5 52.4

Hawaii .................................... 57 – – 27 48.1 30 51.9

Idaho ...................................... 54 40 73.9 1 1.4 13 24.7

Illinois .................................... 655 341 52.1 54 8.3 259 39.6

Indiana .................................... 292 164 56.1 9 3.1 119 40.8

Iowa ........................................ 130 87 67.1 12 9.2 31 23.7

Kansas .................................... 97 68 70.2 6 6.5 23 23.3

Kentucky ................................ 310 215 69.3 10 3.1 70 22.6

Louisiana ................................ 294 187 63.6 11 3.7 84 28.7

Maine ..................................... 99 70 70.9 12 12.2 17 16.9

Maryland ................................ 208 102 49.0 25 12.2 81 38.8

Massachusetts ........................ 330 224 67.8 59 17.8 48 14.4

Michigan ................................ 686 407 59.4 59 8.6 219 32.0

Minnesota ............................... 163 65 40.1 18 10.9 48 29.7

Mississippi ............................. 212 117 55.4 3 1.4 65 30.9

Missouri ................................. 350 231 66.2 13 3.8 105 30.0

Montana ................................. 40 24 60.2 4 9.3 12 30.5

Nebraska ................................ 57 39 68.0 4 7.9 14 24.1

Nevada ................................... 91 52 57.1 2 2.1 37 40.8

New Hampshire ..................... 38 28 73.0 7 19.2 3 7.8

New Jersey ............................. 239 134 56.1 17 7.2 87 36.5

New Mexico ........................... 117 76 65.2 6 5.3 35 29.4

New York ............................... 1,205 827 68.6 93 7.7 25 2.0

North Carolina ....................... 502 339 67.6 12 2.3 125 24.9

North Dakota .......................... 24 17 71.1 2 10.5 4 18.3

Ohio ........................................ 622 399 64.2 29 4.7 194 31.1

Oklahoma ............................... 195 133 68.0 12 6.0 51 26.0

Oregon .................................... 301 210 69.9 13 4.2 78 25.9

Pennsylvania .......................... 619 403 65.1 65 10.6 132 21.3

Rhode Island .......................... 51 47 92.8 0 0.8 3 6.4

South Carolina ....................... 295 152 51.6 2 0.7 118 40.0

South Dakota .......................... 31 21 67.1 2 5.5 8 27.4

Tennessee ............................... 482 204 42.3 14 2.9 265 54.8

Texas ...................................... 1,160 672 57.9 124 10.7 304 26.2

Utah ........................................ 72 40 55.9 5 7.5 26 36.5

Vermont ................................. 35 28 78.9 4 11.3 3 9.8

Virgin Islands ......................... 6 – – 0 1.8 6 98.2

Virginia .................................. 287 154 53.7 31 10.7 99 34.3

Washington ............................ 374 277 74.1 64 17.0 33 8.8

West Virginia ......................... 136 97 71.5 7 5.3 31 23.1

Wisconsin ............................... 234 193 82.5 14 6.0 27 11.4

Wyoming ................................ 11 7 65.8 1 5.3 3 28.9

 Source: Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Because this deduction is not used in their benefit determinations, 31,357 MFIP households and 446,540 SSI-CAP households in

States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits are excluded from this category.

b Due to rounding, the sum of individual categories may not match the table total.

– No sample data in this category.

82
Table B-15. Distribution of Participating Categorically Eligible Households by Public Assistance Status and by

State

State 

Total SNAP

Households

(000)

Categorically Eligible Households

Total Households Pure Cash PA Householdsa Other Categorically Eligible

Households

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Totalb ................................. 14,981 9,872 65.9 4,163 27.8 5,709 38.1

Alabama ............................. 275 62 22.4 52 19.0 9 3.4

Alaska ................................ 25 7 28.2 6 24.2 1 4.0

Arizona ............................... 334 334 100.0 57 17.1 277 82.9

Arkansas ............................. 168 30 18.1 26 15.3 5 2.7

California ........................... 1,113 667 60.0 472 42.4 196 17.6

Colorado ............................. 137 38 27.7 31 22.7 7 5.0

Connecticut ........................ 136 74 54.2 48 35.1 26 19.0

Delaware ............................ 40 40 100.0 11 26.9 29 73.1

District of Columbia .......... 56 20 36.5 19 34.4 1 2.1

Florida ................................ 999 259 25.9 251 25.1 8 0.8

Georgia ............................... 529 529 100.0 77 14.6 452 85.4

Guam .................................. 9 8 83.2 2 18.9 6 64.3

Hawaii ................................ 57 25 43.2 22 38.5 3 4.7

Idaho .................................. 54 26 49.0 9 17.5 17 31.5

Illinois ................................ 655 148 22.7 141 21.5 8 1.2

Indiana ................................ 292 70 23.9 63 21.6 7 2.3

Iowa .................................... 130 31 23.6 28 21.8 2 1.7

Kansas ................................ 97 34 34.5 30 31.3 3 3.3

Kentucky ............................ 310 93 30.1 85 27.3 9 2.8

Louisiana ............................ 294 66 22.6 61 20.7 6 1.9

Maine ................................. 99 60 60.5 31 31.8 28 28.7

Maryland ............................ 208 149 71.7 55 26.4 94 45.3

Massachusetts .................... 330 330 100.0 153 46.4 177 53.6

Michigan ............................ 686 686 100.0 152 22.2 534 77.8

Minnesota ........................... 163 163 100.0 83 50.8 80 49.2

Mississippi ......................... 212 50 23.4 49 23.0 1 0.4

Missouri ............................. 350 110 31.4 86 24.6 24 6.8

Montana ............................. 40 29 72.7 9 22.2 20 50.6

Nebraska ............................ 57 20 34.9 17 30.1 3 4.8

Nevada ............................... 91 61 67.6 20 22.3 41 45.3

New Hampshire ................. 38 19 50.1 12 32.6 7 17.5

New Jersey ......................... 239 125 52.2 114 47.5 11 4.7

New Mexico ....................... 117 37 31.6 34 29.1 3 2.5

New York ........................... 1,205 1,205 100.0 498 41.3 707 58.7

North Carolina ................... 502 99 19.8 94 18.7 5 1.1

North Dakota ...................... 24 24 100.0 5 23.3 18 76.7

Ohio .................................... 622 622 100.0 186 29.9 436 70.1

Oklahoma ........................... 195 101 51.6 43 21.8 58 29.8

Oregon ................................ 301 300 99.9 56 18.5 245 81.4

Pennsylvania ...................... 619 619 100.0 233 37.7 386 62.3

Rhode Island ...................... 51 38 74.9 19 37.3 19 37.7

South Carolina ................... 295 295 100.0 53 18.1 242 81.9

South Dakota ...................... 31 9 29.3 6 20.2 3 9.1

Tennessee ........................... 482 115 23.9 105 21.7 10 2.1

Texas .................................. 1,160 1,160 99.9 257 22.1 903 77.8

Utah .................................... 72 21 28.3 14 18.7 7 9.7

Vermont ............................. 35 31 89.3 11 31.2 20 58.2

Virgin Islands ..................... 6 5 81.6 1 17.2 4 64.4

Virginia .............................. 287 82 28.4 75 26.2 7 2.3

Washington ........................ 374 374 100.0 134 35.9 240 64.1

West Virginia ..................... 136 136 100.0 37 27.3 99 72.7

Wisconsin ........................... 234 234 100.0 27 11.5 207 88.5

Wyoming ............................ 11 2 21.3 2 20.1 0 1.2

 Source: Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Pure cash PA households are those in which every member 1) received SSI income, or 2) was covered by a cash TANF benefit,

or 3) received either SSI income, GA income, or was covered by a cash TANF benefit.

b Due to rounding, the sum of individual categories may not match the table total.

83
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APPENDIX C

FISCAL YEAR 2009 SNAP PARAMETERS
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87

Table C.1. 2008 HHS Poverty Income Guidelinesa

Household Size

Contiguous

United States,

Guam, and the

Virgin Islands Alaska Hawaii

1 $10,400 $13,000 $11,960

2 14,000 17,500 16,100

3 17,600 22,000 20,240

4 21,200 26,500 24,380

5 24,800 31,000 28,520

6 28,400 35,500 32,660

7 32,000 40,000 36,800

8 35,600 44,500 40,940

Each Additional Member +3,600 +4,500 +4,140

Source: 73 Federal Register 15, January 23, 2008.

a HHS issued these numbers, which provide the basis for the fiscal year 2009 SNAP 

gross and net monthly income eligibility standards. The Bureau of the Census 

establishes different poverty thresholds that are used primarily for statistical 

purposes.
88

Table C.2. SNAP Maximum Allowable Gross Monthly Income Eligibility 

Standards in Fiscal Year 2009a

Household Size

Contiguous

United States, 

Guam, and the 

Virgin Islands Alaska Hawaii

1 $1,127 $1,409 $1,296

2 1,517 1,896 1,745

3 1,907 2,384 2,193

4 2,297 2,871 2,642

5 2,687 3,359 3,090

6 3,077 3,846 3,539

7 3,467 4,334 3,987

8 3,857 4,821 4,436

Each Additional Member +390 +488 +449

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture.

a The fiscal year 2009 SNAP gross monthly income limits were based on the 

2008 poverty guidelines issued by HHS (see Table C.1). FNS derived the fiscal 

year 2009 gross income limits by multiplying the 2008 poverty guidelines by 

130 percent, dividing the results by 12 and then rounding up to the nearest 

dollar. The 2008 poverty guidelines were developed on the basis of the 2007

Census poverty thresholds; therefore, the gross income limits applied to SNAP 

households in fiscal year 2009 were based on 2007 poverty measures. 
89

Table C.3. SNAP Maximum Allowable Net Monthly Income Eligibility 

Standards in Fiscal Year 2009a

Household Size

Contiguous

United States, 

Guam, and the

Virgin Islands Alaska Hawaii

1 $867 $1,084 $997

2 1,167 1,459 1,342

3 1,467 1,834 1,687

4 1,767 2,209 2,032

5 2,067 2,584 2,377

6 2,367 2,959 2,722

7 2,667 3,334 3,067

8 2,967 3,709 3,412

Each Additional Member +300 +375 +345

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture.

a The fiscal year 2009 SNAP net monthly income limits were based on the 

2008 poverty guidelines issued by HHS (see Table C.1). FNS derived the fiscal 

year 2009 net income limits by dividing the 2008 poverty guidelines by 12 

and rounding up to the nearest dollar. The 2008 poverty guidelines were 

developed on the basis of the 2007 Census poverty thresholds; accordingly, 

the net income limits applied to SNAP households in fiscal year 2009 were 

based on 2007 poverty measures.
90

Table C.4. Value of Standard, Maximum Dependent-Care, and Excess Shelter Expense Deductions in 

the Contiguous United States and Outlying Areas in Fiscal Year 2009

Deduction

Contiguous

United States Alaska Hawaii Guam

Virgin 

Islands

Standard Deduction

1 2 people $144 $246 $203 $289 $127

3 people 144 246 203 289 127

4 people 147 246 203 294 147

5 people 172 246 203 334 172

6 or more people 197 246 226 393 197

Maximum Excess 

Shelter Expense 

Deduction 446 713 601 524 352

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Notes: The Homeless Household Shelter Estimate was $143.

The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (PL 110-246) eliminated the Maximum 

Dependent Care Deduction.

Certain State-specific programs did not apply all federal SNAP deductions in the benefit 

calculation. Only the earnings deduction was used in the benefit calculation for MFIP 

households. No deductions were used for SSI-CAP households with standardized benefits. 

States with non-standardized SSI-CAP benefits used the standard deduction and the excess 

shelter deduction when calculating benefit levels for SSI-CAP households.
91

Table C.5A. Value of Maximum Monthly SNAP Benefit in the Contiguous United States and Outlying 

Areas in Fiscal Year 2009a, b (pre-ARRA)

Household

Size

Contiguous

United 

States

Alaska 

Urban

Alaska 

Rural I

Alaska 

Rural II Hawaii Guam

Virgin 

Islands

1 $176 $210 $268 $326 $276 $260 $226

2 323 385 492 598 506 476 415

3 463 552 704 857 725 682 595

4 588 701 894 1,088 921 867 756

5 698 833 1,062 1,293 1,094 1,029 898

6 838 999 1,275 1,551 1,313 1,235 1,077

7 926 1,105 1,409 1,715 1,451 1,365 1,191

8 1,058 1,263 1,610 1,960 1,658 1,560 1,361

Each Additional 

Member +132 +158 +201 +245 +207 +195 +170

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture.

a The maximum benefit values were effective from October 1, 2008 through March 31, 2009, and were 

based on 100 percent of the cost of the Thrifty Food Plan in the preceding June for a reference family of 

four, rounded to the lowest dollar increment.

b are less 

accessible to food distributors. Therefore, the value of the maximum benefit was adjusted to account for 

differences in the estimated cost of the Thrifty Food Plan in various regions of the State. For this purpose, 

all regions of Alaska were classified as Rural I, Rural II, or Urban. 
92

Table C.5B. Value of Maximum Monthly SNAP Benefit in the Contiguous United States and Outlying 

Areas in Fiscal Year 2009a, b (post-ARRA)

Household

Size

Contiguous

United 

States

Alaska 

Urban

Alaska 

Rural I

Alaska 

Rural II Hawaii Guam

Virgin 

Islands

1 $200 $239 $304 $371 $314 $295 $257

2 367 438 559 680 575 541 472

3 526 627 800 974 824 775 676

4 668 797 1,016 1,237 1,046 985 859

5 793 946 1,207 1,469 1,243 1,169 1,020

6 952 1,135 1,448 1,762 1,491 1,403 1,224

7 1,052 1,255 1,600 1,948 1,648 1,551 1,353

8 1,202 1,434 1,829 2,226 1,884 1,773 1,546

Each Additional 

Member +150 +179 +229 +278 +236 +222 +193

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture.

a The maximum benefit values were effective from April 1, 2009 to September 30, 2009, and were based 

on 113.6 percent of the cost of the Thrifty Food Plan in the preceding June for a reference family of four, 

rounded to the lowest dollar increment.

b Due to 

accessible to food distributors. Therefore, the value of the maximum benefit was adjusted to account for 

differences in the estimated cost of the Thrifty Food Plan in various regions of the State. For this purpose, 

all regions of Alaska were classified as Rural I, Rural II, or Urban. 
93

Table C.6. Value of Minimum Monthly SNAP Benefit in the Contiguous United States and Outlying 

Areas in Fiscal Year 2009a

Time Period

Contiguous

United 

States

Alaska 

Urban

Alaska 

Rural I

Alaska 

Rural II Hawaii Guam

Virgin 

Islands

October-March $14 $17 $21 $26 $22 $21 $18

April-September 16 19 24 30 25 24 21

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture.

a The minimum benefit, applicable to one- and two-person households, is equal to 8 percent of the 

maximum benefit for single-person households.
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APPENDIX D

SOURCE AND RELIABILITY OF ESTIMATES
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97

SOURCE AND RELIABILITY OF ESTIMATES

The estimates in this report are derived from a sample of households selected for review as part 

of the SNAP Quality Control System (SNAP QC), an ongoing review of SNAP household 

circumstances. The system is designed to determine (1) if households are eligible for participation in 

SNAP and are receiving the correct benefit amount or (2) if household participation is correctly 

denied or terminated. It is based on State samples (from the 50 States, the District of Columbia, 

Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) of approximately 59,000 participating SNAP households and a 

somewhat smaller number of denials and terminations. The State samples of participating units are 

stratified by month. Annual required State samples range from a minimum of 300 to 2,400 reviews, 

depending on the size of the State’s caseload. Each month, State agencies select an independent 

sample that is generally proportional to the size of the monthly participating caseload. 

Target Universe

The target universe of this study is all participating households (active cases) subject to quality 

control review in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.1

While most participating SNAP households are included in the target universe, certain types of 

households not amenable to review are excluded. Specifically, the universe includes all households 

receiving SNAP benefits during the review period except those in which participants (1) died or 

moved outside the State; (2) received benefits through a disaster certification authorized by FNS; (3) 

were under investigation for SNAP fraud (including those with pending fraud hearings) and/or were 

appealing a notice of adverse action; or (4) received restored benefits in accordance with the State 

manual but were otherwise ineligible. The sampling unit within the universe each month is the active 

SNAP household as specified in FNS regulations.

Data Editing

The estimates in this report are derived from the fiscal year 2009 SNAP QC datafile, an edited 

version of the raw datafile generated by the Quality Control System. The raw fiscal year 2009 data 

are made up of monthly samples from October 2008 through September 2009. 

Households with an incomplete Quality Control review or found ineligible for SNAP benefits 

were dropped from the edited datafile. Of the 59,369 sample cases in the raw datafile, 2,673 were 

determined not subject to review. The Quality Control System deselected five cases to correct for 

oversampling (see Table D.1). Of those cases subject to review, 4,430 were not completed because 

the household failed to cooperate, could not be located, or all members had died or moved. An 

additional 874 households were found either ineligible for SNAP, or eligible for SNAP but ineligible 

for a positive benefit and therefore were dropped from the datafile because data on their 

characteristics are not collected. An additional 137 households were dropped from the file due to 

internal inconsistencies that could not be resolved, as discussed below. The final unweighted 

number of households in the final fiscal year 2009 SNAP QC file is 51,250. In Table D.2, we show 

the distribution of these unweighted households by State.

 

1 Participating households in Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands have been included in the target universe since 

fiscal year 1993. Before that year, the universe excluded households in those areas.
98

Table D.1. Number of Cases Sampled, Dropped from the Edited File, and 

Included in the Edited File, Fiscal Year 2009

Fiscal Year 2009 

SNAP QC Sample

Number of cases sampled 59,369

Cases not subject to review 2,673

Cases deselected to correct for oversampling 5

Cases subject to review 56,691

Incomplete cases 4,430

Cases completed 52,261

Households not eligible for a positive 

benefit 61

Households not eligible for SNAP 813

Households eligible for a positive benefit 51,387

Households dropped due to 

inconsistencies 137

Households on the final file 51,250

Source: Fiscal Year 2009 SNAP QC sample.

Failure to complete reviews for all cases subject to review may bias the sample results if the 

characteristics of unreviewed households differ significantly from those of reviewed households. In 

the absence of direct measures of such differences, the ratio of completed reviews to total cases 

subject to review provides an indication of the magnitude of any potential bias. For fiscal year 2009, 

the completion rate is 92 percent, similar to the rate for fiscal year 2008. 

Consistent measures of unit size, income, and benefit level are important to any analysis of 

SNAP households. Inconsistencies may occur in the initial case record information, the transcription 

and data entry process, or the extraction of SNAP information for the selected months. 

To obtain the highest degree of consistency between related variables in the data, while 

maintaining the database’s integrity, the reported raw data are edited as described in the Technical 

Documentation for the Fiscal Year 2009 SNAP QC Database and QC Minimodel. For instance, in most 

cases, a household’s net countable income should always equal the household’s gross countable 

income minus the total deductions for which the household is eligible, and the SNAP benefit level 

should always equal the household’s maximum benefit minus 30 percent of the household’s net 

countable income. Exceptions are households participating in MFIP or in SSI-CAP programs in 

States with standardized benefit amounts. The households are subject to different eligibility and 

benefit determination rules and have been edited accordingly.
Table D-2. Unweighted Distribution of

Participating Households by State

State 

SNAP Households

Number Percent

Total ...................................... 51,250 100.0

Alabama ................................. 1,032 2.0

Alaska .................................... 476 0.9

Arizona ................................... 1,178 2.3

Arkansas ................................. 1,277 2.5

California ............................... 1,069 2.1

Colorado ................................. 1,198 2.3

Connecticut ............................ 1,071 2.1

Delaware ................................ 688 1.3

District of Columbia .............. 867 1.7

Florida .................................... 1,251 2.4

Georgia ................................... 973 1.9

Guam ...................................... 347 0.7

Hawaii .................................... 972 1.9

Idaho ...................................... 909 1.8

Illinois .................................... 1,089 2.1

Indiana .................................... 1,145 2.2

Iowa ........................................ 952 1.9

Kansas .................................... 1,055 2.1

Kentucky ................................ 1,178 2.3

Louisiana ................................ 1,133 2.2

Maine ..................................... 1,008 2.0

Maryland ................................ 1,183 2.3

Massachusetts ........................ 1,059 2.1

Michigan ................................ 1,007 2.0

Minnesota ............................... 1,090 2.1

Mississippi ............................. 1,242 2.4

Missouri ................................. 1,095 2.1

Montana ................................. 687 1.3

Nebraska ................................ 890 1.7

Nevada ................................... 1,070 2.1

New Hampshire ..................... 636 1.2

New Jersey ............................. 1,028 2.0

New Mexico ........................... 1,082 2.1

New York ............................... 900 1.8

North Carolina ....................... 1,047 2.0

North Dakota .......................... 489 1.0

Ohio ........................................ 1,505 2.9

Oklahoma ............................... 1,165 2.3

Oregon .................................... 1,003 2.0

Pennsylvania .......................... 955 1.9

Rhode Island .......................... 859 1.7

South Carolina ....................... 1,150 2.2

South Dakota .......................... 582 1.1

Tennessee ............................... 1,044 2.0

Texas ...................................... 1,197 2.3

Utah ........................................ 1,133 2.2

Vermont ................................. 578 1.1

Virgin Islands ......................... 373 0.7

Virginia .................................. 960 1.9

Washington ............................ 1,023 2.0

West Virginia ......................... 965 1.9

Wisconsin ............................... 1,030 2.0

Wyoming ................................ 355 0.7

Source: Fiscal Year 2009 Supplemental Nutrition

Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

99
100

Although most inconsistencies in these basic relationships were resolved in the editing process, 

the measures could not be reconciled for 137 records in the raw datafile. These 137 records were 

therefore dropped from the edited datafile.

Weighting

The estimates for fiscal year 2009 in this report are based on a sample of 51,250 valid 

observations. The sample records have been weighted to match SNAP Program Operations totals 

after adjustment to remove households ineligible for benefits as well as households receiving 

benefits issued through the SNAP disaster assistance program, as these households are not included 

in the SNAP QC datafile.2 The weighting procedure matches to SNAP Program Operation totals for 

(1) the monthly number of participating households by State and stratum, (2) the monthly number 

of participants by State, and (3) the monthly total benefits issued by State. Table D.3 compares the 

Quality Control System sample-based estimates to aggregate program participation data for fiscal 

year 2009.

The fiscal year 2009 weighting methodology is similar to the weighting methodology used for 

the fiscal year 2005 through fiscal year 2008 SNAP QC datafiles. However, it differs from the 

weighting methodology used in the development of the SNAP QC datafiles prior to fiscal year 2005, 

which matched to Program Operation totals for households only and not to individuals or benefits. 

The fiscal year 2003 and fiscal year 2004 SNAP QC datafiles are weighted to match the disaster- and 

error-adjusted monthly numbers of SNAP households by State and stratum.3SNAP QC datafiles 

before fiscal year 2003 are weighted to the monthly number of SNAP households by State and 

stratum, unadjusted for ineligible households or the disaster assistance program.

Table D.3. Comparison of Program Data to Edited SNAP QC Datafile, Fiscal Year 2009

Average Monthly Value

Fiscal Year 2009

Program Data

Adjustments 

for Disaster 

Assistance

Adjustments 

for Ineligible 

Households

Adjusted 

Program Data

Edited SNAP QC 

Datafile

Number of households 15,231,923 10,463 240,544 14,980,916 14,980,916

Number of participants 33,489,771 29,586 570,721 32,889,464 32,889,464

Value of benefits $4,196,678,930 $13,948,675 $110,595,285 $4,072,134,970 $4,072,134,970

Average household size 2.20 2.83 2.37 2.20 2.20

Average benefit per person $125.31 _

a $193.78 $123.81 $123.81

Sources: Fiscal Year 2009 Program Data and SNAP QC datafile.

a We adjust households and individuals for new disaster SNAP households only, and benefits for disaster SNAP benefits 

issued to new households as well as supplemental benefits issued to qualifying on-going SNAP households. As a result, 

the average disaster SNAP benefit per person cannot be calculated from the information in this table.

 

2 The adjusted total number of households and benefits is lower than Program Data figures by about 2 and 3

percent, respectively.

3 For tables presented in this report, we reweighted the 2003 and 2004 datafiles using the current weighting 

methodology.
101

Comparison to Reported Data

Table D.4 compares the reported and calculated values of selected variables for fiscal year 2009.

Reported values and averages reflect those in the SNAP QC datafile before any editing has taken 

place. Calculated values and averages are based on the edited datafile used for this report. 

Table D.4. Comparison of Calculated and Reported Values for Selected Variables of Participating 

Households, Fiscal Year 2009

Variable

Households with:

All Households

Earned 

Income

Elderly

Individuals Children

Disabled 

Nonelderly 

Adults

Average Gross Income (Dollars)

Calculated...........................................

Reported.............................................

711

711

1,115

1,116

790

790

865

866

918

918

Average Net Income (Dollars)a

Calculated...........................................

Reported............................................

329

326

517

514

383

380

423

420

467

464

Average Total Deduction (Dollars)b

Calculated...........................................

Reported.............................................

471

473

642

648

468

466

525

528

483

488

Average SNAP Benefit (Dollars)

Calculated...........................................

Reportedc............................................

272

274

326

330

128

131

398

401

197

199

Percent with Zero Gross Income

Calculated...........................................

Reported.............................................

17.6

17.7

 0.0

 0.0

3.6

3.6

12.6

12.7

0.0

0.0

Percent with Zero Net Income

Calculated...........................................

Reported.............................................

36.0

37.9

20.7

21.2

16.1

19.2

31.7

32.7

12.5

16.1

Percent with Minimum Benefit

Calculated...........................................

Reported.............................................

4.1

3.6

 3.0

 2.4

11.1

10.1

0.7

0.6

7.1

6.2

Source: Fiscal Year 2009 SNAP QC data file.

a Because net income is not used in their benefit determination, 31,357 households participating in MFIP and 446,540

households participating in an SSI-CAP program in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits are excluded from 

this comparison.

b Because deductions are not used in their benefit determination, 446,540 SSI-CAP households in States that use 

standardized SSI-CAP benefits are excluded from this comparison.

c Reported benefit adjusted for reported overissuance errors, underissuance errors, and prorated benefits. 
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APPENDIX E

SAMPLING ERROR OF ESTIMATES
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105

SAMPLING ERROR OF ESTIMATES

The estimates of the characteristics of SNAP households in this report are based on a sample of 

households and, consequently, are subject to statistical sampling error. One indicator of the 

magnitude of the sampling error associated with a given estimate is its standard error. Standard 

errors measure the variation in estimated values that would be observed if multiple replications of 

the sample were drawn. The magnitude of the estimated standard errors depends on: (1) the degree 

of variation in the variable within the population from which the sample is drawn; (2) the design of 

the sample, including such issues as stratification and sampling probabilities; and (3) the size of the 

sample on which the estimate is based. This appendix presents estimates of the standard errors 

associated with key statistics and outlines methods for estimating the standard errors of other 

statistics for which standard errors have not been directly calculated. 

Standard Errors

The standard error of an estimated proportion of households, sp, based on a simple random 

sample is:

where p is the weighted estimate of the proportion, N is the number of households in the 

population, and n is the sample size.1 The standard error of an estimated number of households, sN, 

based on a simple random sample is:

p

N

 (2) N s s

These formulas, which are used to estimate standard errors, are based on a simple random 

sample and do not necessarily apply to estimates derived from more complex samples, such as the 

stratified sample of the SNAP QC. In this appendix, standard errors calculated using equations (1) 

and (2) are referred to as “naive standard errors.” Standard errors can be estimated more accurately 

using a bootstrap method.

 

1 More precisely, n is the sample size corresponding to the population that forms the denominator or “base” of the 

proportion being estimated. When the base is all SNAP households in fiscal year 2009, n = 51,250. Sample sizes for 

selected demographic subgroups for fiscal year 2009 are shown in the sample size column of Table E-1. For subgroups 

not shown in Table E-1, the sample size can be approximated by multiplying the total sample size (51,250) by the ratio 

of the subgroup population size to the total population size (N). For fiscal year 2009, N = 14,981 thousand and there are 

2,480 thousand households with elderly individuals. Hence the approximate sample size for households with elderly 

individuals in fiscal year 2009 would be calculated as (2,480 / 14,981) x (51,250) = 8,484. In this case the approximation 

can be compared to the true elderly sample size of 8,209, as shown in Table E-1.

[ (1 )( )] /[( 1) ] p (1) = p p N n n N s
106

The bootstrap method requires the computation of 500 sets of replicate household weights. 

Each set is calculated using a nonlinear programming method based on a random sample of the 

SNAP QC data file. These replicate weights are then used to calculate standard errors. The following 

discussion presents standard errors of selected estimates that were computed using the bootstrap 

method. It then presents a simple method for approximating standard errors of estimates for which 

individual standard errors have not been computed.

Standard Errors of Estimated Numbers of Households

The standard errors of selected estimates of SNAP households in Fiscal Year 2009 are shown in 

Table E.1. These standard errors can be used to compute confidence intervals for the estimated 

number of households with a particular characteristic.2 For example, the estimated number of SNAP 

households that receive the minimum benefit is 617,147 (Table A.1), and the corresponding 

standard error is 16,201 (Table E.1). Therefore, the 95 percent confidence interval extends from 

584,745 to 649,549.

3

For standard errors not shown in Table E.1, the approximate standard error, SE, of an estimated 

number of households for Fiscal Year 2009 can be calculated using equation (3):

(3) SE = SN x d

where SN is the naive standard error from equation (2) above, and d is the square root of the design 

effect for the population subgroup and characteristic of interest, from Table E.2. The design effect 

reflects the loss of precision due to the different sampling rates in different strata of the SNAP QC 

sample. It is the ratio of the variance computed by the bootstrap method (Table E.1) to the naive 

variance.4 When the population subgroup (for example, households with elderly) is listed in Table 

E.2, but the characteristic of interest is not, use the average square root of the design effect for the 

subgroup, from the rightmost column of Table E.2. When neither the subgroup nor the 

characteristic is listed, use the average square root of the design effect for all SNAP households, 

1.45.

For example, to estimate the standard error of the number of households containing an elderly 

person with zero net income, the first step is to obtain the size of the estimate. As shown in 

appendix Table A.17, 399,621 elderly households have zero net income. The next step is to 

 

2 A confidence interval is a range of values that will contain the true value of an estimated characteristic with a 

known probability. For instance, a 95 percent confidence interval extends approximately 2 standard errors above and 

below the estimated value for a characteristic, and 95 percent of all confidence intervals will contain the true value.

3 Calculated as: (617,147 - (2 x 16,201)) = 584,745 and (617,147 + (2 x 16,201)) = 649,549.

4 The variance and naive variance are the standard error and naive standard error squared, respectively.
107

calculate the naive standard error. Using equations (1) and (2), the value is 10,047.

5 Multiplying 

10,047 by the square root of the design effect (d), 1.67, from Table E.2 yields an estimated standard 

error of 16,809.

Standard Errors of Estimated Percentages

Comparing equations (1) and (2), it is apparent that the standard error of an estimated 

percentage of households, Sp, is equal to the standard error of the corresponding count of 

households, SN, divided by the number of households in the population that forms the base of the 

percentage. That is:

(4) Sp = SN / N

For example, appendix Table A.17 shows that, of the 7,473,513 households with children, 

942,229 (12.6 percent) have no gross income. The standard error (SN) of the number of households 

with children with no gross income is 22,210 (Table E.1). To calculate Sp, the standard error of the 

corresponding percentage estimate, simply divide SN by the number of households in the population 

that forms the base of the percentage—in this case, 7,473,513 households with children. The 

resulting standard error of the percentage estimate is 0.3 percentage points, and the corresponding 

95 percent confidence interval extends from 12.0 to 13.2 percent around the point estimate of 12.6

percent.

Equation (4) can also be applied to standard errors that are not shown in Table E.1. First, 

calculate the adjusted naive standard error of the number of households using equation (3). Then 

divide the resulting standard error by the size of the population that forms the base of the 

percentage. Returning to an earlier example—of the 2,479,665 households with elderly individuals, 

399,621 (16.1 percent) have zero net income. Dividing the adjusted naive standard error (calculated 

above as 16,809) by 2,479,665 yields an adjusted naive standard error of the percentage estimate of 

0.7 percentage points.

Standard Errors of Estimated Means

The standard errors for selected estimated means for Fiscal Year 2009 are provided in Table 

E.3. For example, the standard error of the mean gross income for all SNAP households in Fiscal 

Year 2009 is $2.54 (Table E.3), and the mean itself is $711 (Table A.20). Therefore, a 95 percent 

confidence interval extends from approximately $706 to $716.

 

5 Equation (1):

([(399, 621/ 2, 479, 665) (1 399, 621/ 2, 479, 665 x x x )) (2, 479, 665 8, 209)] /[(8, 209 1) 2, 479, 665]) 0.0004052

Equation (2): 2,479,665 * 0.004052= 10,047

where 2,479,665 is the estimated population of elderly households, 399,621 is the estimated population of elderly 

households with zero net income, 8,209 is the sample size of elderly households (Table E-1), and 10,047 is the standard 

error.
108

Generalized approximation methods such as the one used in equation (3) work well for 

standard errors of estimated numbers and percentages because the standard errors depend only on 

the sample size, the estimated proportion, and the design effects. Generalized methods are less 

appropriate for standard errors of means because the standard error depends on the variance as well 

as the sample size and design effects. Nevertheless, a rough approximation of the magnitude of 

standard errors of means not included in Table E.3 can be obtained from Table E.4. Table E.4 

shows for each variable in Table E.3 the average, minimum, and maximum value of that variable’s 

standard error as a percentage of the variable’s mean value. These 3 values are shown for all SNAP 

households and for selected subgroups. The standard errors in Table E.4 include design effects.
Table E.1. Standard Errors of Estimated Numbers of SNAP Households, Fiscal Year 2009a

Households (000) With:

Sample 

Size

Estimated 

Population 

(000)

Zero 

Gross 

Income

Zero 

Net 

Income

Minimum 

Benefits

Earned 

Income

Elderly 

Individuals Children

School Age 

Children

Disabled 

Nonelderly 

Individuals

All SNAP Households ........ 38.36 57.01 16.20 47.30 32.23 51.92 40.89 35.61 51,250 14,981

With Elderly 

Individuals................ 7.35 16.84 10.85 9.11 32.23 8.90 8.44 5.31 8,209 2,480

Without Elderly 

Individuals ............... 37.65 54.15 11.94 46.69 NA 50.91 39.94 35.68 43,041 12,501

With Children............ 22.21 33.49 5.66 44.31 8.90 51.92 40.89 23.20 25,158 7,474

With School Age 

Children ................... 18.16 29.58 4.88 34.81 8.44 40.89 40.89 21.21 18,651 5,588

Without Children ...... 31.26 46.11 15.30 22.20 31.93 NA NA 28.86 26,092 7,507

With Earnings ........... NA 24.23 8.26 47.30 9.11 44.31 34.81 12.80 15,182 4,412

With Disabled 

Nonelderly 

Individuals................ 0.56 14.74 9.89 12.80 5.31 23.20 21.21 35.61 11,618 3,172

Source: Fiscal Year 2009 SNAP QC sample. 

a Standard errors were estimated using the bootstrap method. 

NA = not applicable. 

109
Table E.2. Square Root of Design Effects (d) for Standard Errors of Estimated Numbers or Percentages of SNAP Households, Fiscal Year 

2009

a

Base of Estimated Number

Households With: Average 

Square 

Root of 

Design 

Effect

Zero Gross 

Income

Zero Net 

Income

Minimum 

Benefits

Earned 

Income

Elderly 

Individuals Children

School Age 

Children

Disabled 

Nonelderly 

Individuals

All SNAP Households ........ 1.52 1.79 1.23 1.57 1.31 1.57 1.28 1.32 1.45

With Elderly 

Individuals.................. 1.44 1.67 1.26 1.50 NA 1.43 1.41 1.33 1.43

Without Elderly 

Individuals.................. 1.55 1.83 1.22 1.63 NA 1.72 1.34 1.37 1.52

With Children ............. 1.42 1.53 1.40 1.89 1.41 NA 2.00 1.42 1.58

With School Age 

Children ..................... 1.43 1.60 1.39 1.71 1.40 NA NA 1.40 1.49

Without Children ........ 1.61 2.02 1.25 1.44 1.48 NA NA 1.38 1.53

With Earnings ............. NA 1.67 1.36 NA 1.51 3.02 1.98 1.42 1.83

With Disabled 

Nonelderly Individuals 1.28 1.52 1.31 1.48 1.40 1.67 1.59 NA 1.46

Source: Fiscal Year 2009 SNAP QC sample. 

a The design effect is the ratio of the variance computed by the bootstrap method to the naive variance for the specific cell of the table. The average square root of 

design effect for each row is a simple arithmetic average of the values for each cell in the row. 

NA = not applicable. 

110
Table E.3. Standard Errors of Estimated Means, Fiscal Year 2009a

Base of Estimated Mean

Households With:

Gross 

Income

Net 

Income Benefits

All 

Deductions

Total 

Resources

Household 

Size

Certification 

Period Earningsb TANFb SSIb

Shelter 

Deductionb

All SNAP Households......... 2.54 1.13 0.26 1.79 4.81 0.00 0.05 6.15 4.21 3.90 1.48

With Elderly Individuals 4.93 5.22 1.64 5.57 19.91 0.01 0.20 38.20 18.88 6.65 5.49

Without Elderly 

Individuals ................. 3.04 1.44 0.59 1.88 4.29 0.00 0.04 6.31 4.33 4.77 1.43

With Children............. 4.04 2.86 1.88 2.38 5.66 0.02 0.03 7.69 4.31 9.34 1.74

With School Age 

Children..................... 5.18 3.96 2.39 2.82 7.27 0.02 0.03 9.04 5.70 10.36 2.08

Without Children........ 3.60 2.42 0.65 2.30 8.08 0.00 0.10 9.65 26.13 4.08 2.43

With Earnings............. 6.05 4.89 1.84 3.05 8.53 0.02 0.05 6.15 9.35 12.11 2.22

With Disabled 

Nonelderly Individuals 5.16 5.38 1.96 4.00 8.61 0.02 0.14 22.11 8.32 4.74 3.87

Source: Fiscal Year 2009 SNAP QC sample. 

a Standard errors were estimated using the bootstrap method. 

b For households with a nonzero amount. 

111
112

Table E.4. Range of Standard Errors of Mean Amounts Expressed as a Percentage of the Mean 

Amount, Fiscal Year 2009a

Number of Households in Base of Mean

(Thousands)

Standard Error as

Percent of Mean Amount

Averageb Lowestc Highestd

14,981 (All SNAP Households) 0.8 0.0 4.7

2,480 (Households With Elderly Individuals) 2.8 0.6 9.5

7,474 (Households With Children)................................................................ 1.2 ...... 0.3 6.1

4,412 (Households With Earnings) ................................................................ 1.5 ..... 0.5 7.0

3,172 (Households With Disabled Nonelderly Individuals)................................ 2.0 ... 0.6 9.2

Source: Fiscal Year 2009 SNAP QC sample.

a Standard errors from Table E.3 and mean amounts from applicable text tables.

b Average standard error across all 11 variables in Table E.3 expressed as a percentage of the mean amount.

c Lowest of the standard errors across all 11 variables in Table E.3 expressed as a percentage of the mean amount.

d Highest of the standard errors across all 11 variables in Table E.3 expressed as a percentage of the mean amount.
APPENDIX F

DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENT
This page has been left blank for double-sided copying.
Quality Control Review Schedule U.S. Department of Agriculture – Food and Nutrition Service 

PRIVACY ACT/PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT. According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are requnless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 0584-0299. estimated to average 1.05 hours per response, including the time to review instructions, search existing data resources, gather information collection. This report is required under provisions of 7 CFR 275.14. This information is needed for the review oeligibility. This information is used to determine State compliance, and failure to report may result in a finding of non-compli

Section 1 – Review Summary 

1. QC Review Number 2. Case Number 3. State 4. Local Agency 5. S

7. Disposition 8. Finding 9. FS Allotment Under Review 10. Error Amou

Section 2– Detailed Error Findings 

12. Element 13. Nature 14. Cause 15. Error Finding 16. Error Amount 17. Discovery 18. 

12345678FNS-380-1 (10-01-2003) Previous editions obsolete. 
Section 3 – Household Characteristics

20. Most Recent Cert. Action 22. Length of Cert. Period 23. Allotm

Month, Day, Year 

21. Type of Action

# of months

25. Number of 

Household Members

26. Receipt of 

Expedited Service

27. Authorized Representative

Used at Application

28. Categorica

Resources:

30. Liquid 31. Property 

(excluding home)

32 a. Vehicle 32 b. Status 

2nd Vehicle

33. CouVehicle 

Income:

35. Gross 36. Net

Deductions:

37. Earned Income 38. Medical 39. Dependent Care 40. Child Support 

43. Rent/Mortgage 44. Use of SUA 45. Utilities (S

a. Usage b. Proration Additional Information on 

Shelter Costs:

FNS-380-1 (10-01-2003) Previous editions obsolete. 
Section 4 – Information on Each Household Memb

46. Person 47. FSP 48. Relation 49. Age 50. Sex 51. Race 52. Citizen 53. Edu. 54. Employment 55. 

Number Participation Head of HH Status Level Status Hours Wo

You may record information on up to 16 individuals using additional pages.FNS-380-1 (10-01-2003) Previous editions obsolete. 
Section 5 – Income Identified by Household Membe

59. Person Source 1 Source 2 Source 3 

Number 60. Income Type 61. Amount 62. Income Type 63. Amount 64. Income Type 65. 

You may record income on up to 10 individuals by using additional pages.

Section 6 – Reserved Coding

68. 69. 70. 71. 72. 73. 74. 

Section 7 – Optional For State Use

1234

FNS-380-1 (10-01-2003) Previous editions obsolete. 
APPENDIX G

PREVIOUS REPORTS IN THIS SERIES
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121

Characteristics of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Households, Fiscal Year 2008. U.S. Department 

of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, Office of Research and Analysis, 2009.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Fiscal Year 2007. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Research and Analysis, 2008.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Fiscal Year 2006. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis, Nutrition and Evaluation, 2007.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Fiscal Year 2005. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis, Nutrition and Evaluation, 2006.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Fiscal Year 2004. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis, Nutrition and Evaluation, 2005.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Fiscal Year 2003. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis, Nutrition and Evaluation, 2004.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Fiscal Year 2002. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis, Nutrition and Evaluation, 2003.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Fiscal Year 2001. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis, Nutrition and Evaluation, 2003.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Fiscal Year 2000. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis, Nutrition and Evaluation, 2001.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Fiscal Year 1999. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis, Nutrition and Evaluation, 2000.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Fiscal Year 1998. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis, Nutrition and Evaluation, 2000.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Fiscal Year 1997. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis and Evaluation, 1999.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Fiscal Year 1996. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis and Evaluation, 1998.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Fiscal Year 1995. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Consumer Service, Office of Analysis and Evaluation, 1997.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Summer 1994. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Consumer Service, Office of Analysis and Evaluation, 1996.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Summer 1993. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis and Evaluation, 1995.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Summer 1992. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis and Evaluation, 1994.
122

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Summer 1991. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis and Evaluation, 1993.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Summer 1990. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis and Evaluation, 1992.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Summer 1989. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis and Evaluation, 1991.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Summer 1988. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis and Evaluation, 1990.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Winter 1988. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis and Evaluation, 1990.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Summer 1987. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis and Evaluation, 1990.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Summer 1986. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis and Evaluation, 1988.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Summer 1985. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis and Evaluation, 1987.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, August 1984. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis and Evaluation.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, February 1983. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis and Evaluation.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, August 1982. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis and Evaluation.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, August 1981. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis and Evaluation, 1984.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, August 1980. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Policy, Planning, and Evaluation, 1981.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, November 1979. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Policy, Planning, and Evaluation, 1981.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, February 1978. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, 1980.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, September 1976. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, 1977.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, September 1975. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, 1976.
INDEX
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125

INDEX

Page(s)

Able-bodied adults ................................................. (see Nonelderly nondisabled childless adults)

Age .................................................................22, 24, 26, 37, 38, 41, 46, 47, 55, 57, 61, 62, 66, 

79, 81, 109, 110, 111

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) .................. 3, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 22, 23, 

26, 29, 91, 92

Assets, Countable .................................................................................................(see Resources) 

Asset limit..................................................................................................... (see Resource limit) 

Asylees..................................................................................................................... 7, 29, 30, 32

Benefits .........................................................8, 9, 20, 24, 37, 38, 41-43, 46, 47, 49, 50, 52, 53, 

55-58, 61, 65, 69, 70, 91-93

Maximum .............................. 8, 9-11, 22, 23, 26, 31, 37, 38, 46, 47, 49, 50, 55, 57, 91, 98

Minimum .......................................... 3, 9, 10, 23, 26, 31, 37, 38, 46, 47, 50, 55, 57, 64, 93, 

101, 106, 109, 110

Pro-rated............................................................................................................ 9, 22, 24, 61

Categorically Eligible Households.................................................................................. 4, 29, 83

Certification period (see also Expedited service, Recertification)........................ 8, 29, 38, 50, 53, 

56, 58, 70, 111

Child support payment deduction ................................................................ 5, 29, 30, 48, 55-58

Child support income................................................................................................... 18, 42, 43

Children .........................................................................................24, 30, 61, 62, 66, 79, 80, 81

Households containing.............................. 16, 18-21, 23, 26, 31, 37-39, 41, 42, 44-50, 52-57,

59, 60, 64, 73, 101, 107, 109-112

Citizenship (see also Noncitizen) ....................................7, 22-24, 26, 37, 38, 60, 61, 64, 80, 81

Contributions ............................................................................................................... 33, 42, 43

Countable resources..............................................................................................(see Resources)

Deductions ...............................5, 6, 15, 25, 29-33, 38, 43, 46-49, 55-58, 65, 70, 98, 101, 111

Child support payment deduction .......................................................... 5, 29, 30, 48, 55-58

Dependent care deduction...................................................... 3, 5, 10, 30, 46-48, 55-58, 90

Earned income deduction ................................................................. 5, 30, 46-49, 55-58, 76

Excess shelter expense deduction ....................................5, 6, 30, 32, 46, 47, 49, 55-58, 90

Medical deduction ..................................................................... 5, 10, 31, 46,-48, 55-58, 64
126

Standard deduction .............................................................................................. 5, 9, 32, 90

Deemed income ..................................................................................................... 30, 33, 42, 43

Dependent care deduction ........................................................... 3, 5, 10, 30, 46-48, 55-58, 90

Deportees............................................................................................................................. 7, 30

Disabled nonelderly individuals..................... 5-8, 15, 16, 19-23, 26, 31, 37-39, 41, 42, 44-50,

52-57, 59, 60, 64, 73, 101, 109-112

Earned income......................9, 18, 19, 22, 26, 30, 37, 38, 42-50, 54-60, 74-76, 101, 109, 110

Earned income deduction....................................................................... 5, 30, 46-49, 55-58, 76

Educational loans ......................................................................................................... 33, 42, 43

Elderly Individuals ............................................................. 3, 7-9, 19-22, 24, 26, 30, 61, 79, 81

Households containing ..............................5, 6, 10, 15, 16, 18, 21, 23, 31, 37-9, 41, 43-50,

52-57, 59, 60, 64, 73, 101 107, 109-112 

Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT)................................................................................... 10, 29, 30

Energy assistance ......................................................................................................... 33, 42, 43

Entrant households ...................................................................................................... 30, 51, 77

Excess shelter expense deduction..........................................5, 6, 30, 32, 46, 47, 49, 55-58, 90

Expedited service households .................................................................................. 8, 30, 51, 77

Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 .........................................................................7

Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill) ....................... 3, 5, 6, 9-11, 30, 31

Gender ................................................................................................. 18-20, 22, 52-54, 61, 66

General assistance (GA)...................4, 21, 26, 29, 32, 33, 37, 38, 42-44, 46, 47, 54-58, 74, 75

Gross income ....................................3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 15-18, 20-23, 25, 26, 31, 37-41, 43, 46, 47, 

53-58, 64, 65, 70, 71, 87, 88, 98, 101, 107, 109-111

Gross income screen .................................................................................................. 3, 5, 31, 88

Homeless household shelter estimate ............................................................................ 6, 30, 31

Household composition..............................15, 19, 20, 23, 26, 37, 38, 41, 46, 47, 52-55, 57, 73

Married head with children households .......................................................18-20, 31, 52-54

Single adult with children households ...................................................18-20, 32, 52-54, 73

Household head ........................................................................................................... 59, 63, 78

Household size................................................15, 18, 20, 21, 38, 40, 41, 43, 45, 53, 55-58, 61, 

62, 65, 70, 87-92, 100, 111

Households, participating ..................15, 19, 37-60, 64, 69, 71-74, 76, 78, 82, 83, 97, 99-101

Income, monthly countable ........................................................... 17, 18, 20, 26, 30-32, 37-51, 

53-60, 70, 71, 74, 75, 98

Earned ............................9, 18, 19, 22, 26, 30, 37, 38, 42-50, 54-60, 74-76, 101, 109, 110

Gross...............................3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 15-18, 20-23, 25, 26, 31, 37-41, 43, 46, 47, 53-58,

64, 65, 70, 71, 87, 88, 98, 101, 107, 109-111
127

Net ............................ 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 15, 20, 22, 25, 26, 32, 37-41, 43, 46, 47, 53, 55, 56,

57, 58, 64, 65, 70, 89, 98, 101, 106, 107, 109-111

Unearned.................................................................................. 26, 33, 37, 38, 42-47, 55-58

Child support ......................................................................................................... 18, 42, 43

General assistance (GA) ..............4, 21, 26, 29, 32, 33, 37, 38, 42-44, 46, 47, 54-58, 74, 75

Social Security ................................19, 21, 22, 26, 33, 37, 38, 42, 43, 45-47, 54-58, 74, 75

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)..........................3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 18, 19, 21, 22, 26, 33, 37, 

38, 42, 43, 45-47, 54-58, 74, 75

Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) ...............4, 6, 8, 10, 18, 19, 22, 26, 29, 37, 

38, 42-44, 46, 47, 50, 54-60, 63, 64, 74, 75

Initial certification households ................................................................................... 31, 51, 111

Lawful permanent resident noncitizens ................................................................................ 7, 31

Married head with children households .............................................................18-20, 31, 52-54

Maximum benefit ........................ 8, 9-11, 22, 23, 26, 31, 37, 38, 46, 47, 49, 50, 55, 57, 91, 98

Medical deduction ........................................................................... 5, 10, 31, 46,-48, 55-58, 64

Medical deduction demonstrations................................................................................. 5, 10, 31

Metropolitan households.............................................................................................. 31, 37, 38

Micropolitan households .............................................................................................. 31, 37, 38

Minimum benefit.................................................3, 9, 10, 23, 26, 31, 37, 38, 46, 47, 50, 55, 57,

64, 93, 101, 106, 109, 110

Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP)..........4, 10, 15, 20, 26, 29, 31, 37-41, 43, 46, 47, 

49, 53, 55-58, 64, 65, 70, 82, 90, 98, 101

Net income................................... 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 15, 20, 22, 25, 26, 32, 37-41, 43, 46, 47, 53,

55, 56, 57, 58, 64, 65, 70, 89, 98, 101, 106, 107, 109-111

Net income screen............................................................................................ 3, 5, 6, 17, 32, 89

Noncitizens .................................................................................................. 7, 11, 24, 61, 80, 87

Households containing .......................................................22, 23, 26, 37, 38, 60, 61, 64, 80

Asylees ............................................................................................................... 7, 29, 30, 32

Deportees....................................................................................................................... 7, 30

Lawful permanent resident noncitizens .......................................................................... 7, 31

Nonimmigrant visitors to the United States .................................................................... 7, 32

Refugees ..............................................................................7, 22, 24, 29, 30, 32, 60, 61, 80

Nonelderly adults ................................................................................22, 24, 32, 61, 63, 79, 81

Households containing ........................................................................................................21

Nonelderly nondisabled childless adults............................................................... 1, 7, 11, 24, 61

Households containing .......................................................21, 26, 37, 38, 52, 53, 54, 73, 79
128

Nonimmigrant visitors to the United States .......................................................................... 7, 32

Nonparticipating household head households.............................................................. 32, 59, 63

Participants ......................................1, 7-12, 15, 22, 24, 37, 52, 61-63, 66, 69, 79-81, 97, 100

Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) .................. 7, 29, 32

Poverty, individuals in ........................................................................................ 4, 12, 13, 15-17

Poverty guidelines ..............................4, 5, 6, 15,-17, 31, 32, 37, 49-41, 56, 58, 65, 71, 87- 89

Preschool-age children .......................................................................................... 24, 32, 61, 79

Households containing ............................................................. 26, 37, 38, 41, 46, 47, 55-57

Pro-rated benefit...................................................................................................... 9, 22, 24, 61

Race/ethnicity .............................................................................................................. 59, 61, 78

Recertification ...................................................................................................................... 8, 51

Refugees ....................................................................................7, 22, 24, 29, 30, 32, 60, 61, 80

Resources, Countable (Countable resources)..........3, 6, 8, 10, 15, 30, 38-41, 53, 55-58, 65, 70

Vehicles...................................................................................................................... 6, 7, 11

Resource limit ........................................................................................................ 3, 4, 6, 10, 32

Rural ............................................................................................................................ 32, 37, 38

School-age children ......................................................................................... 22, 24, 32, 61, 79

Households containing ............................................................. 26, 37, 38, 41, 46, 47, 55-57

Self-employment income ................................................................................................... 42, 43

Sex............................................................................................................................ (see Gender) 

Shelter deduction .............................................................. (see Excess shelter expense deduction)

Single adult with children households ........................................................ 18-20, 32, 52-54, 73

Single-person households........................................................................... 9, 18- 22, 32, 52-54

Social Security ......................................19, 21, 22, 26, 33, 37, 38, 42, 43, 45-47, 54-58, 74, 75

Standard Error .................................................................................................................105-112

Standard deduction .................................................................................................... 5, 9, 32, 90

State diversion payments .................................................................................................. 42, 43

States ............................................................................... 4-6, 8-11, 69-83, 87-93, 97, 99, 100

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) ...............................3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 18, 19, 21, 22, 26, 33, 37,

38, 42, 43, 45-47, 54-58, 74, 75

Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) ...............4, 6, 8, 10, 18, 19, 22, 26, 29, 37, 38, 

42-44, 46, 47, 50, 54-60, 63, 64, 74, 75

Time limits .................................................................7, 8, 10, 26, 19, 37, 38, 52-54, 61, 73, 79

Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) ...........................................................8, 9, 11, 23, 29, 31, 33, 62, 91, 92

Unearned income ........................................................................... 26, 33, 37, 38, 42-47, 55-58

Unemployment compensation ...................................................................................... 33, 42, 43
129

Vehicles............................................................................................................................ 6, 7, 11

.............................................................................................. 3, 31, 33, 42, 43

Wage supplementation ................................................................................................. 33, 42, 43

Wages..................................................................................................................... 30, 33, 42, 43

Work registration........................................................................................................ 7, 8, 33, 63

.......................................................................................... 31, 33, 42, 43