United States Department of Agriculture

Characteristics of Supplemental

Nutrition Assistance Program 

Households: Fiscal Year 2020

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

Nutrition Assistance Program Report Series

Office of Policy Support

 Report No. SNAP-21-CHAR 
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
June 2022

Supplemental Nutrition

Assistance Program

Report No. SNAP-21-CHAR

Characteristics of Supplemental 

Nutrition Assistance Program 

Households: Fiscal Year 2020

Author:

Kathryn Cronquist and Brett Eiffes

Submitted by:

Mathematica

1100 1st Street NE, 12th Floor

Washington, DC 20002-4221

Project Director: Joshua Leftin

Submitted to:

Office of Policy Support

USDA, Food and Nutrition Service

1320 Braddock Place

. Alexandria, VA 22314

Project Officer: Kameron Burt

This study was conducted under Contract Number 12-3198-21-F-0034 with the Food and 

Nutrition Service.

This report is available on the Food and Nutrition Service website: 

http://www.fns.usda.gov/ops/research-and-analysis.

Suggested Citation:

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, Office of Policy Support, 

Characteristics of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Households: Fiscal Year 2020, 

by Kathryn Cronquist and Brett Eiffes. Project Officer, Kameron Burt. Alexandria, VA, 2022.

United States Department of Agriculture

Kathryn Cronquist and Brett Eiffes of Mathematica prepared this report for the U.S. 

Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), Office of Policy Support. Many 

individuals made important contributions to this report. The author thanks Joshua Leftin, Karen 

Cunnyngham, and Jackie Kauff for providing guidance and reviewing the report; Alma Vigil, 

Katherine Bencio, and Joel Smith for providing programming support; Mia Monkovic, Natalie 

Reid, Moriah Schwartz and Hena Matthias for providing research assistance; Bridget Gutierrez 

for editing the report; and Dorothy Bellow and Jessica Coldren for preparing the manuscript. The 

author also thanks Kameron Burt, Barbara Murphy, Melanie Meisenheimer, Kathryn Law, 

Bailey Smith-Helman, Merrit Gillard, Kari Hardgrove, Arthur Hoffman, Bill Jenkins, Clay 

Jones, Tim Kreh, Alexis Lometz, Jessica Luna, Nadine Nichols, John McCleskey, Morris 

Olitsky, Stephanie Proska, Shamon Studmire, Terri Lischka, Lisa Tarrant-Gilbert, and Tom 

Tinnin of FNS for providing guidance and program information.

Author: Kathryn Cronquist and Brett Eiffes

Mathematica Project Director: Joshua Leftin

Mathematica Project Number: 51213.600

FNS Project Officer: Kameron Burt

FNS Contract Number: 12-3198-21-F-0034

June 2022

vii

CONTENTS 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...................................................................................................... xvii

SNAP PARTICIPATION AND COSTS ..............................................................................................xvii

CHARACTERISTICS OF SNAP HOUSEHOLDS AND PARTICIPANTS ...............................................xviii

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................1

CHAPTER 2: 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 .................................................................................................................. 9

SSI Combined Application Project (SSI-CAP) Households................................................... 10

Minnesota Family Investment Program Households (MFIP).................................................. 11

SNAP BENEFIT ISSUANCE ............................................................................................................. 11

PROGRAM CHANGES SINCE THE PREVIOUS FISCAL YEAR............................................................. 11

THE ECONOMY AND SNAP PARTICIPATION AND COSTS............................................................... 11

CHAPTER 3: CHARACTERISTICS OF SNAP HOUSEHOLDS AND 

PARTICIPANTS..........................................................................................................................15

THE POVERTY STATUS OF SNAP HOUSEHOLDS............................................................................ 15

HOUSEHOLDS WITH GREATER NEEDS............................................................................................ 17

Households with Children....................................................................................................... 17

Households with Elderly Individuals ...................................................................................... 19

Households with Non-Elderly Individuals with Disabilities ................................................... 20

OTHER HOUSEHOLDS SERVED BY SNAP....................................................................................... 21

Single-Person Households....................................................................................................... 27 

EMERGENCY ALLOTMENTS IN THE WAIVER PERIOD ...................................................................... 28

CHARACTERISTICS OF SNAP PARTICIPANTS ................................................................................. 31

CHANGES IN SNAP PARTICIPATION AND THE CHARACTERISTICS OF SNAP HOUSEHOLDS 33 .........
viii

ACRONYMS AND DEFINITIONS ...........................................................................................37 

APPENDIX A DETAILED TABLES OF SNAP HOUSEHOLD 

CHARACTERISTICS .................................................................................................................49

APPENDIX A FOOTNOTES ...................................................................................................... 115

APPENDIX B DETAILED TABLES OF SNAP HOUSEHOLDS BY STATE ..................121

APPENDIX B FOOTNOTES ...................................................................................................... 161

APPENDIX C FISCAL YEAR 2020 SNAP PARAMETERS...............................................165

APPENDIX D SOURCE AND RELIABILITY OF ESTIMATES ......................................171

APPENDIX E SAMPLING ERROR OF ESTIMATES .......................................................183

APPENDIX F DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENT ........................................................197

INDEX .........................................................................................................................................203
ix

TABLES

Table 2.1. Major economic indicators, calendar years 2005–2020 ...............................................13

Table 3.1. Distribution of households and their benefits by countable income as a 

percentage of Federal poverty guidelines and fiscal year 2020 time period ......................16

Table 3.2.a. Composition of households with select countable income types, prepandemic period .................................................................................................................22

Table 3.2.b. Composition of households with select countable income types, waiver 

period .................................................................................................................................23

Table 3.3.a. Percentage of households with countable income types by household 

composition, pre-pandemic period.....................................................................................24

Table 3.3.b. Percentage of households with countable income types by household 

composition, waiver period ................................................................................................25

Table 3.4.a. Average values of selected characteristics by household composition, prepandemic period .................................................................................................................26

Table 3.4.b. Average values of selected characteristics by household composition, waiver 

period .................................................................................................................................27

Table 3.5. Distribution of emergency allotment receipt in the waiver period by household 

characteristic ......................................................................................................................29

Table 3.6.a. SNAP benefits of participants by selected demographic characteristics, prepandemic period .................................................................................................................32

Table 3.6.b. SNAP benefits of participants by selected demographic characteristics, 

waiver period .....................................................................................................................33

Table 3.7. Comparison of characteristics of participating individuals and households, 

fiscal years 2016–2020 ......................................................................................................34

Table 3.8. Nominal and real values of selected characteristics, fiscal year 2019 and fiscal 

year 2020, pre-pandemic period ........................................................................................36

Table A.1.a. Distribution of participating households, individuals, and benefits by 

household characteristic, pre-pandemic period ..................................................................53

Table A.1.b. Distribution of participating households, individuals, and benefits by 

household characteristic, waiver period .............................................................................54

Table A.2.a. Average values: income as a percentage of poverty guidelines, gross and net 

countable income, total deduction, SNAP benefit, household size, and 

certification period of participating households by household characteristic, prepandemic period .................................................................................................................55

Table A.2.b. Average values: income as a percentage of poverty guidelines, gross and net 

countable income, total deduction, SNAP benefit, household size, and 

certification period of participating households by household characteristic, 

waiver period .....................................................................................................................56

Table A.3.a. Distribution of participating households with children, elderly individuals, 

and non-elderly individuals with disabilities by household characteristic, prepandemic period .................................................................................................................57
x

Table A.3.b. Distribution of participating households with children, elderly individuals, 

and non-elderly individuals with disabilities by household characteristic, waiver 

period .................................................................................................................................58

Table A.4.a. Distribution of participating households by household size and amount of 

countable gross and net income, and gross and net income as a percentage of 

poverty guidelines, pre-pandemic period ...........................................................................59

Table A.4.b. Distribution of participating households by household size and amount of 

countable gross and net income, and gross and net income as a percentage of 

poverty guidelines, waiver period ......................................................................................60

Table A.5.a. Average values: gross and net countable income, gross and net countable 

income as a percentage of poverty guidelines, countable resources, and benefit of 

participating households by household composition and size, pre-pandemic period........61

Table A.5.b. Average values: gross and net countable income, gross and net countable 

income as a percentage of poverty guidelines, countable resources, and benefit of 

participating households by household composition and size, waiver period ...................62

Table A.6.a. Distribution of participating households with children, elderly individuals, 

and non-elderly individuals with disabilities by type of countable income, prepandemic period .................................................................................................................63

Table A.6.b. Distribution of participating households with children, elderly individuals, 

and non-elderly individuals with disabilities by type of countable income, waiver 

period .................................................................................................................................64

Table A.7.a. Average income, total deduction, SNAP benefit, and household size of 

participating households by type of countable income, pre-pandemic period ...................65

Table A.7.b. Average income, total deduction, SNAP benefit, and household size of 

participating households by type of countable income, waiver period ..............................66

Table A.8.a. Distribution of participating households with children, elderly individuals, 

and non-elderly individuals with disabilities by countable earned and unearned 

income amounts, pre-pandemic period ..............................................................................67

Table A.8.b. Distribution of participating households with children, elderly individuals, 

and non-elderly individuals with disabilities by countable earned and unearned 

income amounts, waiver period .........................................................................................69

Table A.9.a. Distribution of participating households by type of deduction and household 

composition, countable income source, and SNAP benefit amount, pre-pandemic 

period .................................................................................................................................71

Table A.9.b. Distribution of participating households by type of deduction and household 

composition, countable income source, and SNAP benefit amount, waiver period ..........72

Table A.10.a. Average values of deductions of participating households by household 

composition, countable income source, and SNAP benefit amount, pre-pandemic 

period .................................................................................................................................73

Table A.10.b. Average values of deductions of participating households by household 

composition, countable income source, and SNAP benefit amount, waiver period ..........74

Table A.11.a. Distribution of participating households by selected household 

characteristics and amount of deduction, pre-pandemic period.........................................75

Table A.11.b. Distribution of participating households by selected household 

characteristics and amount of deduction, waiver period ....................................................77
xi

Table A.12.a. Distribution of participating households by selected household 

characteristics and SNAP benefit amount, SNAP benefit as a percentage of the 

maximum benefit, and certification period, pre-pandemic period .....................................79

Table A.12.b. Distribution of participating households by selected household 

characteristics and SNAP benefit amount, SNAP benefit as a percentage of the 

maximum benefit, and certification period, waiver period ................................................80

Table A.13.a. Distribution of participating households by type of most recent action and 

expedited service, pre-pandemic period ............................................................................81

Table A.13.b. Distribution of participating households by type of most recent action and 

expedited service, waiver period ........................................................................................82

Table A.14.a. Distribution of participating households, individuals, and benefits by 

household composition, pre-pandemic period ...................................................................83

Table A.14.b. Distribution of participating households, individuals, and benefits by 

household composition, waiver period ..............................................................................84

Table A.15.a. Average values: income as a percentage of poverty guidelines, gross and 

net countable income, total deduction, SNAP benefit, household size, and 

certification period of participating households by household composition, prepandemic period .................................................................................................................85

Table A.15.b. Average values: income as a percentage of poverty guidelines, gross and 

net countable income, total deduction, SNAP benefit, household size, and 

certification period of participating households by household composition, waiver 

period .................................................................................................................................86

Table A.16.a. Distribution of participating households by countable income type and 

household composition, pre-pandemic period ...................................................................87

Table A.16.b. Distribution of participating households by countable income type and 

household composition, waiver period ..............................................................................89

Table A.17.a. Distribution of participating households with children, elderly individuals, 

and non-elderly individuals with disabilities by selected characteristics, prepandemic period .................................................................................................................90

Table A.17.b. Distribution of participating households with children, elderly individuals, 

and non-elderly individuals with disabilities by selected characteristics, waiver 

period .................................................................................................................................92

Table A.18.a. Average values of selected characteristics for participating households with 

children, elderly individuals, and non-elderly individuals with disabilities, prepandemic period .................................................................................................................94

Table A.18.b. Average values of selected characteristics for participating households with 

children, elderly individuals, and non-elderly individuals with disabilities, waiver 

period .................................................................................................................................95

Table A.19.a. Distribution of participating households with countable earned and 

unearned income by selected characteristics, pre-pandemic period ..................................96

Table A.19.b. Distribution of participating households with countable earned and 

unearned income by selected characteristics, waiver period .............................................97

Table A.20.a. Average values of selected characteristics for participating households with 

countable earned and unearned income, pre-pandemic period ..........................................98
xii

Table A.20.b. Average values of selected characteristics for participating households with 

countable earned and unearned income, waiver period .....................................................99

Table A.21.a. Distribution of participating households with selected household 

characteristics by race and Hispanic status of household head, pre-pandemic 

period ...............................................................................................................................100

Table A.21.b. Distribution of participating households with selected household 

characteristics by race and Hispanic status of household head, waiver period ...............101

Table A.22.a. Distribution of participating households by presence of a household 

member with selected characteristics, pre-pandemic period ...........................................102

Table A.22.b. Distribution of participating households by presence of a household 

member with selected characteristics, waiver period ......................................................103

Table A.23.a. SNAP participants by gender and selected demographic characteristics, 

pre-pandemic period ........................................................................................................104

Table A.23.b. SNAP participants by gender and selected demographic characteristics, 

waiver period ...................................................................................................................105

Table A.24.a. Distribution of participants by Thrifty Food Plan gender-age groups and 

household size, pre-pandemic period ...............................................................................106

Table A.24.b. Distribution of participants by Thrifty Food Plan gender-age groups and 

household size, waiver period ..........................................................................................107

Table A.25.a. Distribution of household heads, all participants, and non-elderly adult 

participants by work registration status and employment status, pre-pandemic 

period ...............................................................................................................................108

Table A.25.b. Distribution of household heads, all participants, and non-elderly adult 

participants by work registration status and employment status, waiver period .............109

Table A.26.a. Work status of participants by age and household composition, prepandemic period ...............................................................................................................110

Table A.26.b. Work status of participants by age and household composition, waiver 

period ...............................................................................................................................111

Table A.27. Comparison of participating households with key SNAP household 

characteristics for fiscal years 1993–2020 .......................................................................112

Table A.28. Comparison of average nominal and real values of key SNAP household 

characteristics for fiscal years 1993–2020 .......................................................................113

Table A.29. Comparison of number of SNAP participants by gender and age for fiscal 

years 1993–2020 ..............................................................................................................114

Table B.1.a. Distribution of participating households, individuals, and benefits by State, 

pre-pandemic period ........................................................................................................125

Table B.1.b. Distribution of participating households, individuals, and benefits by State, 

waiver period ...................................................................................................................126

Table B.2.a. Average values of selected characteristics by State, pre-pandemic period .............127

Table B.2.b. Average values of selected characteristics by State, waiver period ........................128

Table B.3.a. Distribution of participating households by poverty status and by State, prepandemic period ...............................................................................................................129
xiii

Table B.3.b. Distribution of participating households by poverty status and by State, 

waiver period ...................................................................................................................130

Table B.4.a. Distribution of participating households by shelter-related characteristics and 

by State, pre-pandemic period .........................................................................................131

Table B.4.b. Distribution of participating households by shelter-related characteristics

and by State, waiver period ..............................................................................................132

Table B.5.a. Distribution of participating households by household composition and by 

State, pre-pandemic period ..............................................................................................133

Table B.5.b. Distribution of participating households by household composition and by 

State, waiver period .........................................................................................................134

Table B.6.a. Distribution of participating households by selected countable income 

sources and by State, pre-pandemic period......................................................................135

Table B.6.b. Distribution of participating households by selected countable income 

sources and by State, waiver period .................................................................................136

Table B.7.a. Average values of selected countable income sources by State, pre-pandemic 

period ...............................................................................................................................137

Table B.7.b. Average values of selected countable income sources by State, waiver 

period ...............................................................................................................................138

Table B.8.a. Distribution of participating households by earnings-related characteristics 

and by State, pre-pandemic period...................................................................................139

Table B.8.b. Distribution of participating households by earnings-related characteristics 

and by State, waiver period ..............................................................................................140

Table B.9.a. Distribution of entrant households with and without expedited service by 

State, pre-pandemic period ..............................................................................................141

Table B.9.b. Distribution of entrant households with and without expedited service by 

State, waiver period .........................................................................................................142

Table B.10.a. Distribution of participating households by race and Hispanic status of 

household head and by State, pre-pandemic period.........................................................143

Table B.10.b. Distribution of participating households by race and Hispanic status of 

household head and by State, waiver period ....................................................................144

Table B.11.a. Distribution of participating households by use of standard utility 

allowance and by State, pre-pandemic period .................................................................145

Table B.11.b. Distribution of participating households by use of standard utility 

allowance and by State, waiver period ............................................................................146

Table B.12.a. Distribution of participating categorically eligible households by public 

assistance status and by State, pre-pandemic period .......................................................147

Table B.12.b. Distribution of participating categorically eligible households by public 

assistance status and by State, waiver period...................................................................148

Table B.13.a. Distribution of participating households by poverty status and by State, and 

effect of SNAP benefits on the poverty status of SNAP households, pre-pandemic 

period ...............................................................................................................................149
xiv

Table B.13.b. Distribution of participating households by poverty status and by State, and 

effect of SNAP benefits on the poverty status of SNAP households, waiver period ......150

Table B.14.a. Distribution of participants by age and by State, pre-pandemic period ................151

Table B.14.b. Distribution of participants by age and by State, waiver period ...........................152

Table B.15.a. Distribution of participants by disability status and by State, pre-pandemic 

period ...............................................................................................................................153

Table B.15.b. Distribution of participants by disability status and by State, waiver period........154

Table B.16.a. Distribution of participants by citizenship status and by State, prepandemic period ...............................................................................................................155

Table B.16.b. Distribution of participants by citizenship status and by State, waiver 

period ...............................................................................................................................157

Table B.17.a. Distribution of noncitizen participants by age and by State, pre-pandemic 

period ...............................................................................................................................159

Table B.17.b. Distribution of noncitizen participants by age and by State, waiver period .........160

Table C.1. 2019 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) poverty income 

guidelines .........................................................................................................................167

Table C.2. SNAP maximum allowable gross monthly income eligibility standards in 

fiscal year 2020 ................................................................................................................167

Table C.3. SNAP maximum allowable net monthly income eligibility standards in fiscal 

year 2020 ..........................................................................................................................168

Table C.4. Value of standard SNAP deductions and maximum excess shelter expense 

deductions in fiscal year 2020..........................................................................................168

Table C.5. Value of maximum monthly SNAP benefit in fiscal year 2020 ................................169

Table C.6. Value of minimum monthly SNAP benefit in fiscal year 2020 .................................169

Table D.1. Number and percentage of cases sampled, dropped from the edited file, and 

included in the edited file .................................................................................................174

Table D.2.a. Unweighted distribution of participating households by State, pre-pandemic 

period ...............................................................................................................................176

Table D.2.b. Unweighted distribution of participating households by State, waiver period.......177

Table D.3.a. Comparison of program data to edited pre-pandemic period SNAP QC data 

file ....................................................................................................................................179

Table D.3.b. Comparison of program data to edited waiver period SNAP QC data file.............179

Table D.4.a. Comparison of calculated and reported values for selected variables of 

participating households, pre-pandemic period ...............................................................180

Table D.4.b. Comparison of calculated and reported values for selected variables of 

participating households, waiver period ..........................................................................181
xv

FIGURES

Figure ES.1.a. Prevalence of income types for SNAP households, pre-pandemic period ........ xviii

Figure ES.1.b. Prevalence of income types for SNAP households, waiver period ..................... xix

Figure ES.2.a. Households by composition and presence of earned income, pre-pandemic 

period .................................................................................................................................xx

Figure ES.2.b. Households by composition and presence of earned income, waiver period ...... xxi

Figure 2.1. SNAP participants, unemployed individuals, individuals in poverty, and 

individuals at or below 130 percent of poverty, calendar years 1985–2020 .....................12

Figure 3.1. Effect of SNAP benefits on the poverty status of SNAP households in the prepandemic period .................................................................................................................17

Figure 3.2. Effect of SNAP benefits on the poverty status of SNAP households in the 

waiver period .....................................................................................................................30

Figure 3.3. SNAP participants by age group, fiscal years 2016–2020 ..........................................35

xvii

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides nutrition assistance to 

eligible, low-income individuals and households in need. SNAP is the largest of the domestic 

nutrition assistance programs administered by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the U.S. 

Department of Agriculture (USDA). This report uses SNAP Quality Control (QC) data to 

describe the characteristics of households and individuals who participated in SNAP in fiscal 

year (FY) 2020 (October 2019 through September 2020). It also presents an overview of SNAP 

eligibility requirements and benefit levels in fiscal year 2020. 

Because the COVID-19 public health emergency affected QC data collection starting in 

March 2020 and because economic and program circumstances changed during the public health 

emergency, this report describes the characteristics of SNAP households and participants in two 

separate periods: (1) the pre-pandemic period of October 2019 through February 2020 and (2) 

the “waiver” period of June 2020 through September 2020. FNS granted States temporary 

waivers on conducting QC reviews starting in March 2020. Very few States collected QC data 

from March 2020 through May 2020, so those months are not described in this report. Most 

States opted to conduct QC reviews from June 2020 through September 2020, although FNS was 

unable to provide its usual level of oversight of the sampling procedures. Furthermore, monthly 

State samples for this time period were often smaller than usual. Although FNS has always had 

the authority to grant waivers, the waiver period in this report refers specifically to the period 

during which FNS granted waivers on conducting QC reviews due to the COVID-19 public 

health emergency.

For the waiver period, data were available for only 47 States and territories—all except for 

California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, and New York. Thus, the 

waiver period totals and characteristics presented in the tables do not reflect all SNAP 

participants nationwide. These totals should not be compared directly with totals from the prepandemic period tables or those for earlier fiscal years, though the distribution of participant 

characteristics is comparable across the two fiscal year 2020 time periods. Additionally, FNS 

issued emergency allotments to SNAP households during the waiver period, which increased 

household benefits but were not reported in the QC data collection. This report notes where these 

allotments are included in the estimates. The appendices provide detailed tabulations, by period, 

of household and participant characteristics at the national and State levels, as well as a review of 

the source and reliability of estimates and the sampling error associated with the estimates 

presented in this report.

SNAP PARTICIPATION AND COSTS

According to FNS administrative records, SNAP provided benefits to approximately 39.9 

million people living in 20.5 million households across the United States during an average 

month in fiscal year 2020.1 The total Federal cost of the program in fiscal year 2020 was $79.3 

billion—$74.2 billion of which went to SNAP benefits, including the cost of emergency 

1

FNS administrative records are available at https://www.fns.usda.gov/pd/supplemental-nutrition-assistanceprogram-snap.
xviii

allotments to supplement SNAP benefits due to the COVID-19 public health emergency.2 The 

average monthly SNAP benefit across all participating households in fiscal year 2020 was $302.

3

CHARACTERISTICS OF SNAP HOUSEHOLDS AND PARTICIPANTS

In the pre-pandemic period, 81 percent of households had gross monthly income was less 

than or equal to the Federal poverty guidelines issued by the U.S. Department of Health and 

Human Services (HHS), compared to 79 percent of households in the waiver period. Thirty-six 

percent of SNAP households in the pre-pandemic period had gross income that was less than or 

equal to half of the poverty guidelines; these households received 54 percent of all benefits. In 

the waiver period, 39 percent of SNAP households had gross income that was less than or equal 

to half of the poverty guidelines; these households received 60 percent of all benefits. 

During the pre-pandemic period, the average SNAP household had gross monthly income of 

$890 and net monthly income of $408. SNAP households received income from a variety of 

sources (Figure ES.1.a). The most common source in the pre-pandemic period was Social 

Security, followed by earnings and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Thirty-two 

percent of SNAP households in the pre-pandemic period received Social Security income, 28 

percent had countable earned income, and 25 percent had SSI benefits. Nineteen percent of 

SNAP households had zero gross income. 

Figure ES.1.a. Prevalence of income types for SNAP households, pre-pandemic period 

100%

90%

sd

80%

loh

70%

esuo

60% 63.1

h fo

50%

 eg

40%

atne

30%

cr

31.8

e

27.7

P

20% 25.0

18.5 10% 3.6 4.1 1.1 7.7 0%

No Countable Countable Social Supplemental Child Temporary General Unemployment 

countable earned unearned Security Security support Assistance Assistance income

income income income Income enforcement for Needy 

payments Families

Type of income

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 data from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

2 The total cost of SNAP in fiscal year 2020 included $5.0 billion in other costs, including the Federal share of State 

administrative costs, nutrition education, employment and training programs, benefit and retailer redemption and 

monitoring, payment accuracy monitoring, Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) systems, and program evaluation and 

modernization efforts, as well as pilot projects that pertain to program access, health, and nutrition.

3 The remainder of this summary presents data derived from the SNAP QC sample. See Appendix D for more 

information on how SNAP QC data totals differ from FNS administrative totals.
xix

During the waiver period, the average SNAP household had gross monthly income of $880 

and net monthly income of $444. Patterns of income receipt for SNAP households in the waiver 

period were similar to those in the pre-pandemic period (Figure ES.1.b). In the waiver period, 32 

percent of SNAP households received Social Security income, 25 percent had countable earned 

income, and 23 percent had SSI benefits. Twenty-two percent of SNAP households had zero 

gross income.

Figure ES.1.b. Prevalence of income types for SNAP households, waiver period 

22.4 24.8

60.3

31.9

22.9

8.4 2.4 1.7 2.9

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

No

countable

income

Countable

earned

income

Countable

unearned

income

Social

Security

Supplemental 

Security 

Income

Child 

support 

enforcement 

payments

Temporary

Assistance 

for Needy 

Families

General 

Assistance

Unemployment 

income

Percentage of households

Type of income

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

In both fiscal year 2020 time periods, most households included a child, an elderly 

individual, or a non-elderly individual with a disability. In the pre-pandemic period, 81 percent 

of households—which contained 90 percent of all participants—included at least one of these 

individuals. Similarly, 79 percent of households in the waiver period—which contained 88 

percent of all participants—included at least one of these individuals. These households received 

85 percent of all SNAP benefits in the pre-pandemic period and 83 percent of all regular SNAP 

benefits, excluding emergency allotments, in the waiver period. More than two-thirds (71 percent 

in each period) of the children in SNAP households were school-age (age 5–17).

Nineteen percent of SNAP households in the fiscal year 2020 pre-pandemic period and 21 

percent of SNAP households in the waiver period consisted exclusively of one or more nonelderly adults without disabilities and without children. These households tended to be singleperson households with a very low average gross monthly income.

In both fiscal year 2020 time periods, the average SNAP household size was 1.9 people. The 

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

households without children. Households with children received a larger average monthly SNAP 

benefit, relative to all households, that reflected their larger average household size: $383 in the 

pre-pandemic period and $381 in the waiver period. (The average monthly SNAP benefit among 

all households was $230 in the pre-pandemic period and $223 in the waiver period.) More than 

half (63 percent and 64 percent in the pre-pandemic and waiver periods, respectively) of SNAP 

households with children were headed by single adults. 
xx

In the fiscal year 2020 pre-pandemic period, SNAP served a monthly average of about 5.3 

million households with elderly individuals. These households represented 29 percent of all 

SNAP households, an increase from 28 percent in fiscal year 2019. The average SNAP benefit 

for households with elderly individuals was $118 in the fiscal year 2020 pre-pandemic period, 

compared to $274 for households without elderly individuals. These households typically had 

higher average gross and net incomes—$957 and $459, respectively—than households without 

elderly individuals ($862 and $389, respectively) and 83 percent of them were single-person 

households.

The characteristics of households with elderly individuals remained relatively similar in the 

waiver period. SNAP households with elderly individuals represented 28 percent of all SNAP 

households. Their average SNAP benefit, excluding the emergency allotment, was $110, 

compared to $266 for households without elderly individuals. These households had higher 

average gross and net incomes ($959 and $480, respectively) than households without elderly 

individuals ($850 and $431, respectively) and 85 percent of them were single-person households.

In the fiscal year 2020 pre-pandemic period, the percentage of SNAP households with 

earned income varied across subgroups. Of the 38 percent of SNAP households that included 

children in the pre-pandemic period, more than half (53 percent) had countable earned income. 

In contrast, of the 29 percent of SNAP households that included elderly individuals, only 6 

percent had countable earned income. Twenty-seven percent of households with adults age 18–

49 without disabilities in childless households had earned income, and 10 percent of households 

that included non-elderly individuals with disabilities had earned income. While single-person 

households made up more than half of all SNAP households, only 12 percent of single-person 

households had earned income (Figure ES.2.a).

Figure ES.2.a. Households by composition and presence of earned income, pre-pandemic period

38.1

28.6

21.8 18.9

13.4

56.5 53.3

6.1 9.7

26.8 27.4

11.8

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

With children With elderly

individuals

With non-elderly

individuals with

disabilities

Other

households

With adults age 

18–49 without 

disabilities in 

childless 

households

Single-person

households

Percentage of households

Total households Households in subgroup with earned income

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 data from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

a

“Other households” refers to households not containing children, elderly individuals, or non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities. This group includes but is not limited to households with adults age 18–49 without disabilities in childless 

households. 
xxi

The presence of earned income for subgroups of SNAP households in the waiver period 

mirrored the trends in the pre-pandemic period. Of the 37 percent of SNAP households with 

children in the waiver period, almost half (48 percent) had countable earned income. Of the 28 

percent of SNAP households with elderly individuals, only 5 percent had countable earned 

income. Twenty-six percent of households with adults age 18–49 without disabilities in childless 

households had earned income, and 9 percent of households that included non-elderly 

individuals with disabilities had earned income. Single-person households continued to make up 

more than half of all SNAP households, but only 11 percent of single-person households had 

earned income (Figure ES.2.b).

Figure ES.2.b. Households by composition and presence of earned income, waiver period

37.0

27.7

21.5 20.9

15.9

57.9

47.7

4.8 8.7

26.0 25.5

11.2

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

With children With elderly

individuals

With non-elderly

individuals with

disabilities

Other

households

With adults age 

18–49 without 

disabilities in 

childless 

households

Single-person

households

Percentage of households

Total households Households in subgroup with earned income

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC 

sample.

a

“Other households” refers to households not containing children, elderly individuals, or non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities. This group includes but is not limited to households with adults age 18–49 without disabilities in childless 

households. 

1

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides nutrition assistance to 

eligible low-income individuals and households in need. SNAP’s stated purpose is to “permit 

low-income households to obtain a more nutritious diet ... by increasing their purchasing power” 

(Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 [FNA]). SNAP is the largest domestic nutrition assistance 

program administered by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the U.S. Department of 

Agriculture (USDA). According to FNS administrative records,4during fiscal year 2020, SNAP 

served an average of 39.9 million people each month, at a total annual cost of $79.3 billion—

$74.2 billion of which went to SNAP benefits.

5

SNAP, which is available to all individuals who meet the Federal eligibility guidelines set 

by Congress, serves a broad demographic spectrum of the needy population. It provides benefits

electronically via an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, which may be redeemed for 

eligible food items at authorized retailers.6 As of September 2020, 245,811 retailers across the 

nation were authorized to accept SNAP benefits.

7

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

authorizes the program and appropriates the necessary funds. USDA establishes SNAP 

regulations under the FNA. FNS administers SNAP nationally, while State or local welfare 

agencies operate the program locally. The Federal government fully funds SNAP benefits. The 

cooperating agencies share administrative costs, with FNS paying approximately 50 percent of 

these expenses.

Using SNAP household data collected for quality control (QC) purposes, FNS publishes 

reports detailing characteristics of the SNAP population and uses the data for additional analyses. 

This report, the latest in an annual series that dates back to 1976, presents a picture of the 

households and individuals who participated in SNAP in fiscal year 2020. Because the COVID19 public health emergency affected QC data collection starting in March 2020 and because 

economic and program circumstances changed during the public health emergency, the report 

describes the characteristics of SNAP households and participants in two separate periods: (1) 

the pre-pandemic period of October 2019 through February 2020 and (2) the “waiver” period of 

June 2020 through September 2020. FNS granted States temporary waivers on conducting QC 

reviews starting in March 2020. Very few States collected QC data from March 2020 through 

May 2020, so those months are not described in this report. Most States opted to conduct QC 

4

FNS administrative records are available at https://www.fns.usda.gov/pd/supplemental-nutrition-assistanceprogram-snap.

5 The total cost that went to SNAP benefits included the cost of emergency allotments to supplement SNAP benefits 

due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. The total cost of SNAP in fiscal year 2020 included $5.0 billion in 

other costs, including the Federal share of State administrative costs, nutrition education, employment and training

programs, benefit and retailer redemption and monitoring, payment accuracy monitoring, Electronic Benefits 

Transfer (EBT) systems, and program evaluation and modernization efforts, as well as pilot projects that pertain to 

program access, health, and nutrition.

6 Households cannot use SNAP benefits to purchase alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, pet food, hot food, and 

any food sold for on-premise consumption.

7

Separate from retailers, 5,109 meal service providers are also authorized to accept SNAP benefits. Meal service 

providers include for-profit restaurants, alcohol or drug treatment programs, meal delivery services, dining facilities, 

providers of meals to the homeless, shelters for women and children, group residential settings, or centers for senior 

citizens (Form FNS-252-2).
2

reviews from June 2020 through September 2020, although FNS was unable to provide its usual 

level of oversight of the sampling procedures.8 Furthermore, monthly State samples for this time 

period were often smaller than usual. Appendix tables usually included in this report series were

omitted if small sample sizes were prevalent. In cases where small sample sizes were present but 

less common, a dagger symbol was included to caution readers about interpretation of the results. 

The report draws on data for participating households eligible for SNAP under normal 

program rules. It does not include information about those who were issued benefits mistakenly 

or those who received disaster assistance.

9 Benefits presented throughout this report do not 

include the emergency allotments authorized as part of the Families First Coronavirus Response 

Act of 2020.

10 The exception is Table 3.6 in Chapter 3, which describes characteristics of 

households eligible to receive an emergency allotment and the average amount they were eligible 

to receive. 

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

eligibility and benefits and how factors such as national economic trends affect program 

participation and costs. In Chapter 3, we describe the characteristics of households and 

individuals participating in SNAP in both periods of fiscal year 2020. We also provide a list of 

acronyms and definitions used in this report. We present detailed national tables of SNAP 

household characteristics separately for the pre-pandemic period and the waiver period in 

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

separately for the pre-pandemic period and the waiver period, in Appendix B. Appendix C 

contains the fiscal year 2020 SNAP eligibility standards and maximum benefit amounts. In 

Appendix D, we provide a detailed explanation and evaluation of the source and reliability of the 

estimates in this report. This is followed by a discussion of estimate sampling error in Appendix 

E. The instrument used to collect the SNAP QC data that formed the basis of this report appears 

in Appendix F.

8

Five States—California, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, and New York—and the District of Columbia did not have 

any data for the waiver period (June 2020 through September 2020). Eight States—Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, 

Massachusetts, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, and Washington—had only one month of data in the waiver period. 

Fourteen States and territories—Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, New Hampshire, New 

Jersey, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Virginia, Wisconsin, Guam, and the Virgin Islands—had only two months of 

data in the waiver period. Four States—Illinois, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas—had three months of data in 

the waiver period.

9

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

earthquakes, floods, fires, or other disasters. See Appendix D for more information on adjustments made to the data 

to remove disaster assistance recipients from the analyses.

10 See Chapter 2 for more information about the emergency allotments.
3

CHAPTER 2: OVERVIEW OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION

ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

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

time in response to economic and demographic trends as well as legislative alterations to SNAP. 

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

computation, and benefit issuance that were in place in fiscal year 2020. The chapter concludes 

with a summary of how program participation and costs were related to the economy in fiscal 

year 2020.

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

The Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 (the 2018 Farm Bill) reauthorized SNAP in 

December 2018. This legislation largely maintains the basic eligibility guidelines as defined 

under the FNA. The FNA, as amended, authorizes FNS to establish uniform national eligibility 

standards for SNAP each year. SNAP was originally developed in the Food Stamp Act of 1977. 

These standards define a SNAP household and categories of households eligible for benefits. 

They also establish gross and net income limits, a resource limit, and various nonfinancial 

criteria for eligibility. The FNA authorizes FNS to provide higher income limits for certain highcost areas, such as Alaska and Hawaii, and for households with members who are elderly or 

disabled.11 It includes exceptions to the eligibility criteria for individuals who are categorically 

eligible (as defined in the sections below). 

The Household

Under SNAP rules, a household is defined as either an individual who lives alone or 

individuals who live together and customarily purchase and prepare food together. Generally, a 

group of individuals who live together in a residential unit but do not purchase and prepare food 

together may apply as separate household units; their incomes and countable resources are 

considered separately in eligibility and benefit determinations. However, spouses living together 

must apply together and parents must apply together with their children younger than age 22 who 

reside with them, even if the children have spouses or children of their own. Individuals who are 

elderly and cannot purchase and prepare food because of a substantial disability may apply as 

separate households from those with whom they reside, as long as the gross monthly income of 

the remainder of their residential unit is less than 165 percent of the Federal poverty guidelines

from the previous year.12 The incomes and countable resources of household members applying 

together for SNAP are aggregated to determine the household’s eligibility and benefit levels.

11 A person is considered to be elderly for SNAP eligibility purposes if he or she is age 60 or older. Generally, a 

person is considered to be disabled for SNAP eligibility 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 (1) eligible for Medicare or (2) 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.

12 The Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) establishes the Federal poverty 

guidelines annually for many assistance programs. The fiscal year 2020 SNAP gross and net monthly income limits 

were based on the 2019 poverty guidelines issued by HHS. See Appendix C for a list of the 2019 poverty guidelines.
4

Categorical Eligibility

Certain households that receive benefits from other programs are considered categorically 

eligible for SNAP. Categorical eligibility policies simplify the process of SNAP application and 

eligibility determination. Eligibility standards for these households are partly based on the 

assistance program that confers categorical eligibility for SNAP. Categorically eligible 

households must still meet SNAP’s nonfinancial criteria, and benefits for these households are 

determined under the same rules that apply to other eligible SNAP households. Accordingly, 

some categorically eligible households may not qualify for a SNAP benefit. 

Households in which all members are authorized to receive Supplemental Security Income 

(SSI), General Assistance (GA), or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash 

assistance, known as pure public assistance (PA) households, are categorically eligible for 

SNAP. In some States, households that participate in narrowly targeted, noncash TANF-funded 

programs, such as work support, child care, diversion assistance, transportation, and other inkind assistance, may also be categorically eligible for SNAP. In general, SNAP confers narrow 

categorical eligibility on only a small number of households.

States may also adopt broad-based categorical eligibility (BBCE) policies that apply to a 

larger group of low-income households. Through this option, States may choose to confer 

categorical eligibility for SNAP on households that receive a noncash TANF-funded benefit or a 

Maintenance of Effort–funded benefit. States have flexibility in choosing the noncash TANF

program(s) that confers SNAP eligibility. These programs often have gross income limits above 

130 percent of the Federal poverty guidelines (but no higher than 200 percent) and no net income

test. In addition, most TANF programs that confer BBCE do not include a resource test. 

However, six States (Idaho, Indiana, Maine, Michigan, Nebraska, and Texas) conferred BBCE

through TANF programs with resource limits between $5,000 and $25,000 in all or part of fiscal

year 2020.13 In fiscal year 2020, 43 States and territories (including the District of Columbia, 

Guam, and the Virgin Islands) had a BBCE policy in effect.14

Income Eligibility Standards

Monthly income is a significant determinant of a household’s SNAP eligibility. Most 

households that are not categorically eligible must meet two income eligibility standards: (1) 

gross income and (2) net income.

15 As defined in the FNA, 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 (such as energy assistance payments and educational 

loans in which payment is deferred). To be eligible for SNAP, a household that is not 

categorically eligible and does not include an elderly member or individual with a disability must 

have a monthly gross income that is at or below 130 percent of the Federal poverty guidelines

13 Maine removed its $5,000 resource limit as of December 1, 2019. 

14 Louisiana implemented a BBCE policy effective April 1, 2020.

15 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

($2,311 per month for a family of three in the contiguous United States in fiscal year 2020).16

Households with elderly members or individuals with disabilities are not subject to the gross 

income standard. All households that are not categorically eligible must have a monthly net 

income at or below 100 percent of the poverty guidelines ($1,778 per month for a family of three 

in the contiguous United States in fiscal year 2020). The gross and net income eligibility 

standards vary by household size and for residents of Alaska and Hawaii (Appendix C).

In addition to being used to determine income eligibility for some households, net income is 

used to determine monthly SNAP benefit amounts for all households under normal program 

rules. Net income is calculated by subtracting deductions permitted under SNAP from monthly 

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

calculate net monthly income:

17

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

household size. In fiscal year 2020, a household with one to three members living in 

the contiguous United States received a $167 deduction; larger households received a 

larger standard deduction. The standard deductions for outlying States and territories 

vary due to differences in the cost of living 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 may receive a deduction for 

out-of-pocket costs associated with the care of a child or other dependents when 

necessary for a household member to work, seek employment, attend training, or 

pursue education. Allowable dependent care costs include the costs of care given by a 

care provider or facility, transportation costs to and from the care facility, and other 

necessary fees. The costs of care provided by a relative may be deducted if the relative 

providing care is not a member of the same SNAP household.

• Medical expense deduction. Households receive a medical expense deduction if they 

have either an elderly member or an individual with a disability who has medical 

expenses. In most States, such households may deduct combined out-of-pocket 

medical costs that exceed $35 per month and are incurred on behalf of the elderly

household members or household members with disabilities. In fiscal year 2020, 

21 States had medical deduction demonstration programs that used standard deduction

amounts for households with medical expenses exceeding $35 but below a specified 

limit.18 Medical expenses reimbursed by insurance or government programs are not 

deductible in any State.

16 The fiscal year 2020 SNAP gross and net monthly income eligibility standards are based on the 2019 poverty 

guidelines issued by HHS. See Appendix C for more information.

17 The amount of deductions to which a household is entitled―the household’s deduction entitlement―is not always 

equal to the amount used to compute SNAP benefits. 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.

18 For detailed information on these demonstrations, see Technical Documentation for the Fiscal Year 2020 SNAP 

QC Database and QC Minimodel (Cronquist et al. 2022). Forthcoming at https://snapqcdata.net/.
6

• Child support payment deduction. Households may deduct legally obligated child

support payments made to or for an individual who is not a member of the household. 

States may choose to exclude child support payments from gross income rather than 

treat them as a deduction. In fiscal year 2020, 9 States excluded legally obligated child

support payments from income, whereas 44 States treated child support payments as 

an income deduction.

• Excess shelter expense deduction. Households are entitled to a deduction equal to 

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

insurance) that exceed 50 percent of the household’s countable income after all other 

potential deductions are subtracted from gross income. Instead of using actual utility 

costs, 48 States in fiscal year 2020 opted for mandatory Standard Utility Allowances 

(SUAs) to calculate a household’s total shelter expense. The maximum excess shelter 

expense deduction in the contiguous United States for households without elderly

members or individuals with disabilities was $569 in fiscal year 2020. The amount is 

annually indexed to inflation. The limits on the excess shelter expense deduction for 

outlying States and territories vary due to differences in the cost of living between 

such areas and the contiguous United States (Appendix C). Households with elderly

members or individuals with disabilities, however, are allowed to subtract the full 

value of shelter costs that exceed 50 percent of their adjusted income. The 2018 Farm 

Bill made mandatory the existing State option to provide a standard shelter deduction

to homeless households that had qualifying shelter expenses but were not claiming the 

excess shelter expense deduction and indexed the homeless shelter deduction to 

inflation. In fiscal year 2020, the value of the mandated homeless shelter deduction 

was $152.06.

Resources

Another determinant of SNAP eligibility is a household’s resources. As stipulated in the 

FNA, as amended, the resource limits are indexed to inflation, rounded down to the nearest $250 

increment. In fiscal year 2020, households not categorically eligible were permitted up to $2,250 

in countable resources or up to $3,500 if at least one household member was elderly or had a 

disability. Countable resources include cash, resources easily converted to cash (such as money 

in checking or savings accounts, savings certificates, stocks and bonds, and lump-sum 

payments), and some nonliquid resources. Some types of resources are not counted, such as 

retirement and educational savings accounts, family homes, tools of a trade, or business property 

used to earn income. 

Countable resources also include vehicles, with some exceptions. Licensed vehicles used as 

homes, to produce earned income, to transport household members with physical disabilities, or 

to transport fuel or water are excluded from the resource test, along with vehicles whose sale 

would net less than $1,500. For one non-excluded licensed vehicle per adult household member 

and any other vehicle used by household members younger than age 18 to drive to work or 

school, the amount of the vehicle’s fair market value over $4,650 is counted toward the resource 

limit. For the remaining licensed vehicles, the greater of the vehicle’s fair market value over 
7

$4,650 or the equity value is counted.19 For non-excluded unlicensed vehicles, the vehicle’s 

equity value is counted. 

To make it easier for low-income workers to maintain reliable transportation while receiving 

SNAP benefits, States may align their SNAP vehicle policy with rules from a TANF- or 

Maintenance of Effort–funded assistance program if these rules are not more restrictive than 

Federal SNAP rules. In fiscal year 2020, more than half of all States and territories had adopted 

rules that exclude all vehicles from the resource test, and most others had adopted rules that 

exclude the value of additional vehicles.

Nonfinancial Eligibility Standards

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

individuals who are institutionalized, fleeing felons, drug felons, individuals convicted of sexual 

assault or related charges who are not in compliance with their sentence or are in violation of 

their parole, individuals with substantial lottery or gambling winnings, undocumented 

noncitizens, noncitizens visiting the United States, certain students, and some lawfully present 

noncitizens. Some examples of lawfully present noncitizens who are eligible for SNAP benefits

include the following:

• Those who have lived in the United States as a noncitizen for five years or more from 

the date of entry

• Noncitizen children younger than age 18

• Blind or disabled individuals who receive government benefits for their condition

• Noncitizens who are active duty members of the United States Armed Forces, 

veterans, or dependents of a service member or veteran

• Lawful permanent residents with 40 qualifying quarters of work history

• Individuals who were age 65 or older and lawfully residing in the United States on 

August 22, 1996

• Individuals admitted as refugees or granted asylum or a stay of deportation

Many SNAP participants age 16 to 59 are subject to the program’s general work 

requirements, which include registering for work, accepting suitable employment if offered, not 

voluntarily quitting a job or reducing work hours, and participating in a SNAP Employment and 

Training program if referred to one by the State agency.20 Working-age participants are subject 

to these requirements unless they are in one of the following exempt groups: 

• Individuals physically or mentally unfit for work

• Individuals complying with work requirements of other assistance programs under 

TANF

19 The equity of a vehicle is defined as its fair market value minus remaining liens.

20 Effective June 14, 2019, a new rule clarified eligibility standards for students enrolled in part-time educational 

programs. Although students enrolled at least half-time are generally prohibited from receiving SNAP, the new rule 

clarifies that students enrolled at least half-time in an institution of higher education through a SNAP Employment 

and Training program can be eligible if the program is part of a career and technical education program. The 

program must provide skill training and directly enhance participants’ employability.
8

• Individuals responsible for the care of a dependent child younger than age 6 or an 

incapacitated person

• Individuals receiving unemployment compensation

• Regular participants in a drug addiction or alcohol treatment program

• Individuals working a minimum of 30 hours per week or earning an amount equal to 

the Federal minimum wage multiplied by 30 hours

• Students enrolled at least half-time in a school, training program, or institution of 

higher education

In addition, SNAP participants who are subject to the general SNAP work requirements and 

are (1) age 18 to 49, (2) residing in a SNAP household without children, and (3) not pregnant are 

generally subject to time-limited benefits unless they fulfill additional work requirements. 

Specifically, these individuals are restricted to 3 months of SNAP benefits in any 36-month 

period, unless they work at least 80 hours per month, participate in a combination of work and 

work program activities for at least 80 hours per month, or comply with a workfare program.21

Participants are exempt from the time limit if they live in a waived area or have been granted a 

discretionary exemption by the State. States may apply for a waiver from the time limit in 

geographic areas, including the entire State if applicable, if (1) the area has an unemployment 

rate that exceeds 10 percent or (2) the State can demonstrate using other economic criteria that 

the proposed waiver area has an insufficient number of jobs to provide employment for 

participants. States are also allowed to provide a limited number of discretionary exemptions to 

participants subject to the time limit, which apply on a month-to-month basis. The Families First 

Coronavirus Response Act temporarily and partially suspended the time limit during the public 

health emergency.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

To apply for SNAP benefits, households must complete an application and, unless waived 

due to special circumstances, participate in an interview required by the State. Depending upon 

the State, households may apply for SNAP by providing the required information over the 

telephone or by completing a paper or online application. In 2020, 46 States and territories made 

online applications available to applicants. All States must allow individuals to apply for SNAP 

benefits when they apply for TANF or SSI benefits. After submitting a SNAP application, all 

households must complete an eligibility interview. In some States, applicants may complete their 

interview by telephone, and in all States an applicant can request to complete the interview in 

person. States are required to interview most SNAP households at least once every 12 months 

after initial certification.

22

The FNA, as amended, requires local offices to process applications for SNAP benefits

within 30 days of receipt. However, applications from households with extremely low income 

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

eligibility verification procedures, which require that these households receive their SNAP 

benefits within seven days of application. Those eligible for expedited service include (1) 

21 Workfare participants can perform unpaid work through a special State-approved program. The amount of time 

workfare participants must work depends upon the amount of benefits they receive each month. 

22 For more detailed information on application procedures, see https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/recipient/eligibility. 
9

migrant or seasonal farm workers with countable resources equal to or less than $100, (2) 

households with monthly gross income less than $150 and countable resources equal to or less 

than $100, and (3) households whose combined monthly gross income and liquid resources are 

less than the household’s monthly rent or mortgage plus utilities.

Once determined eligible, households are assigned a certification period. The length of the 

certification period varies with the likelihood of a change in a SNAP household’s financial 

circumstances. Certification periods can be as short as 3 months, as long as 24 months for 

households where all adult members are elderly or have a disability, or up to 36 months for 

households participating in an Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP).

23 For participants

in the SSI-Combined Application Project (SSI-CAP, described below), the certification period

may be extended up to 48 months. In fiscal year 2020, SNAP households were certified for 

benefits for an average of 15 months in both the pre-pandemic period and the waiver period, 

unchanged from fiscal year 2019.

In addition to the State option for telephonic interviews, as detailed above, States have other 

policy options and can apply for waivers to simplify other administrative processes.24 For 

example, States can set requirements for reporting changes in household circumstances to the 

SNAP State agency within various time frames and determine penalties for failing to comply 

with SNAP work requirements (described earlier in this chapter). These allow States greater 

flexibility to adapt to the needs of their own eligible populations.

BENEFIT COMPUTATION

After a household is certified for SNAP, its regular monthly SNAP benefit is computed on 

the basis of its net monthly income, the benefit reduction rate (as defined below), and the 

maximum SNAP benefit for the household size and location. The maximum benefit to which a 

household is entitled is based on 100 percent of the cost of the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) for a 

family of four in June of the previous fiscal year, adjusted for household size and for geographic 

areas outside of the contiguous United States. The TFP represents a healthful and minimal-cost 

diet.25 Maximum benefits are revised annually to reflect changes in the cost of foods in the plan. 

The maximum monthly benefit for a family of three in the contiguous United States was $509 in 

fiscal year 2020 (Appendix C). 

Participant households are expected to spend about 30 percent of their net cash income on 

food, with SNAP benefits providing the difference between that amount and the maximum 

benefit. Given that assumption, SNAP benefits are calculated by subtracting 30 percent of a 

household’s net income from the maximum benefit amount to which it is entitled. This 30 

23 This demonstration streamlines the application and recertification process for households with elderly members or 

non-elderly adults with disabilities and with no earned income. For more information on ESAP, see the SNAP ESAP 

Guidance at http://fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/snap/ ESAP_Guidance.pdf.

24 For more detailed information on State options, see the State Options Reports available at 

http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/state-options-report.

25 See TFP reports at https://www.fns.usda.gov/cnpp/usda-food-plans-cost-food-reports-monthly-reports for more 

information.
10

percent rate, at which benefits are reduced for every additional dollar of net income, is called the 

benefit reduction rate.

If a household has zero net income (that is, its total deduction amount matches or exceeds its 

gross income), it receives the maximum SNAP benefit. For new participants, benefits are 

adjusted based on the number of days remaining in the initial certification month.

26 All eligible 

one- and two-person households are guaranteed a minimum benefit, except during the initial 

month of participation. The minimum benefit for one- and two-person households is 8 percent of 

the maximum benefit for a one-person household. In fiscal year 2020, the minimum benefit for 

one- and two-person households in the contiguous United States was $16 (Appendix C).

As a part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020, States issued emergency 

allotments to provide additional relief during the COVID-19 pandemic. SNAP households 

receiving less than the maximum benefit were eligible for the allotment, which increased a 

household’s benefit up to the maximum benefit for its household size. Just over half of the States 

began issuing the emergency allotments to supplement SNAP benefits in March 2020, with all 

others following in April. All but two States issued emergency allotments every month from 

April to September. Wisconsin did not issue allotments in June and Nebraska did not issue 

allotments in August or September. 

SSI Combined Application Project (SSI-CAP) Households

Certain households with SSI benefits participate in SNAP through SSI-CAP demonstrations. 

SSI-CAP is a joint project of FNS, the Social Security Administration, and States. It streamlines 

the SNAP application process for certain households eligible for SSI (also making them 

categorically eligible for SNAP). SSI-CAP eligibility rules and the computation of SNAP 

benefits for SSI-CAP households are different from those for other households. Throughout 

fiscal year 2020, 17 States were operating SSI-CAP demonstrations: Arizona, Florida, Kentucky, 

Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North 

Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, and Washington. SSICAP designs vary by State. In most cases, SSI-CAP participation was limited to one-person 

households consisting of an elderly individual or an individual with a disability who receives SSI

and has no earned income.

27 In most SSI-CAP States, these households received a standard 

SNAP benefit based on whether the State categorized them as having high or low shelter 

expenses , as determined by the State. Some States adopted more criteria for additional standard 

benefit levels, such as utility and rent costs in New York and medical expenses in South Dakota. 

Instead of receiving a standard SNAP benefit, SSI-CAP households in Florida, Massachusetts, 

and Washington received a SNAP benefit based on gross income, the standard deduction, a 

26 SNAP households do not receive benefits in the first month if the amount of adjusted benefits is less than $10.

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

once enrolled, a household may have earned income for up to three months to remain eligible. In Kentucky, New 

York, North Carolina, South Dakota, and Texas, a household with earned income may still be eligible for SSI-CAP 

benefits. In Kentucky and South Dakota, married couples may also be eligible for SSI-CAP benefits, but each 

spouse must be approved to receive SSI in order to meet the eligibility requirements and be treated as a member of 

the same household; in Texas, married couples may participate but are treated as separate households.
11

SUA, and a standardized high or low shelter expense deduction. SSI-CAP households do not 

receive any other income deductions.

28

Minnesota Family Investment Program Households

Under the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP), Minnesota calculates a combined 

SNAP and cash assistance benefit for some households that receive both SNAP and TANF. To 

calculate the benefits, total income is subtracted from an income threshold that is based on 

family size and is higher 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 and may receive an additional cash benefit. As a family’s income rises, 

the cash portion of the benefit is reduced before the food portion is reduced. Families with 

income closer to the income threshold may not receive a cash benefit and may receive a smaller 

food benefit as well. MFIP participants are credited with an earnings deduction but are not 

subject to other income deductions. The earnings deduction rate for MFIP participants was the 

first $65 plus 50 percent of the remaining earnings in fiscal year 2020.

SNAP BENEFIT ISSUANCE 

All 50 States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and the Virgin Islands issue benefits through 

EBT cards, which households can use in a similar manner as a debit card, for purchasing food at 

authorized retail stores. A household’s monthly benefit is automatically added to the account 

balance each month (unspent benefits carry over to future months), and purchases are debited at 

the time of the transaction. 

PROGRAM CHANGES SINCE THE PREVIOUS FISCAL YEAR 

In addition to the disbursement of the emergency allotments and the temporary and partial 

suspension of time limits, program changes in fiscal year 2020 included the following:

• Effective December 1, 2019, Maine removed the higher $5,000 asset limit from its 

BBCE policy, and Michigan increased its BBCE asset limit from $5,000 to $15,000.

• Louisiana implemented a BBCE policy, effective April 1, 2020, with no limit on assets 

and a gross income limit of 130 percent of poverty. 

• Kentucky increased the gross income limit of its BBCE policy from 130 percent to 

200 percent of poverty, effective May 4, 2020. 

THE ECONOMY AND SNAP PARTICIPATION AND COSTS

The number of SNAP participants has fluctuated over the past few decades. After a decline 

from 1994 to 2000, SNAP participation rose each fiscal year from 2000 to 2006 and again from 

2007 until 2013. The increase in monthly SNAP participation during the economic recession and 

initial recovery was much greater than in the earlier years, rising from 26.3 million individuals in 

fiscal year 2007 to 47.6 million individuals in fiscal year 2013. SNAP participation then declined 

from 2013 to 2019, decreasing to 35.7 million individuals in fiscal year 2019. In fiscal year 2020, 

when the COVID-19 pandemic began, 39.9 million individuals participated in SNAP, an 

28 For detailed information on SSI-CAP demonstrations, see Technical Documentation for the Fiscal Year 2020 

SNAP QC Database and QC Minimodel (Cronquist et al. 2022). Forthcoming at https://snapqcdata.net/.
12

increase of over 4 million individuals from fiscal year 2019.29 Figure 2.1 illustrates the changes 

in SNAP participation from calendar year 1985 to calendar year 2020 in comparison with 

individuals in poverty and unemployed individuals. Table 2.1 shows how changes in SNAP 

participation over the past 16 calendar years compare to changes in major economic indicators. 

A similar trend occurred in total SNAP costs, which peaked in fiscal year 2013 at $79.9 

billion, then fell steadily each year through fiscal year 2019. However, due to the increase in 

participation during the COVID-19 pandemic and the dispersal of emergency allotments

beginning in April 2020, costs increased from $60.4 billion in fiscal year 2019 to $79.3 billion in 

fiscal year 2020.

Figure 2.1. SNAP participants, unemployed individuals, individuals in poverty, and individuals at or below 

130 percent of poverty, calendar years 1985–2020

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

'85 '87 '89 '91 '93 '95 '97 '99 '01 '03 '05 '07 '09 '11 '13 '15 '17 '19

Millions

Year

Unemployed individuals SNAP participants

Individuals in poverty Individuals at or below 130 percent of poverty

a

b

b

a

c 

Sources: SNAP participants: Food and Nutrition Service SNAP Monthly State Participation and Benefit Summary. 

Unemployed individuals: Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Individuals in poverty and individuals at 

or below 130 percent of poverty: Special tabulations of the Current Population Survey Annual Social and 

Economic Supplement by Decision Demographics, Arlington, VA. (2019 and 2020 poverty estimates use entropy 

balance weights.)

a Annual values.

b Average monthly values.

c Our imputations suggest that the fiscal year 2019 value of SNAP participants in the FNS administrative records 

underestimate the count of SNAP participants by 6.7 percent.

29 These data are based on FNS administrative records, which are available at 

https://www.fns.usda.gov/pd/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap.
13

Table 2.1. Major economic indicators, calendar years 2005–2020

Calendar year

Economic 

indicator 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Inflation rate a 3.1 3.1 2.7 1.9 0.7 1.2 2.1 1.9 1.8 1.9 1.0 1.0 1.9 2.4 1.8 1.3

Interest rate b 5.2 5.6 5.6 5.6 5.3 4.9 4.6 3.7 4.2 4.2 3.9 3.7 3.7 3.9 3.4 2.5

Productivity 

increase c 2.2 1.0 1.5 1.2 3.6 3.4 -0.0 0.9 0.9 0.5 1.1 0.4 1.1 1.6 2.0 2.5

Real GDP 

increase d,e 3.5 2.8 2.0 0.1 -2.6 2.7 1.5 2.3 1.8 2.3 2.7 1.7 2.3 2.9 2.3 -3.4

SNAP 

participants f,g

(000) 26,261 26,074 26,566 29,202 35,285 41,639 45,388 46,942 47,539 46,427 45,516 43,705 42,305 39,747 35,286 40,924

Unemployed 

individuals f(000) 7,579 6,991 7,073 8,948 14,295 14,808 13,739 12,499 11,457 9,602 8,294 7,751 6,983 6,315 6,000 12,949

Unemployment 

rateh 5.1 4.6 4.6 5.8 9.3 9.6 8.9 8.1 7.4 6.2 5.3 4.9 4.4 3.9 3.7 8.1

Individuals below 

poverty level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Number (000) 37,415 37,206 38,205 40,614 43,970 46,677 46,464 47,085 46,203 47,348 43,765 41,592 40,735 38,761 35,325 37,996

Percentage of 

total population 12.7 12.5 12.8 13.5 14.5 15.2 15.0 15.1 14.7 15.0 13.7 13.0 12.6 12.0 10.9 11.6

Individuals at or 

below 130 percent

of poverty level

Number (000) 53,553 52,878 54,264 57,329 60,574 63,984 64,549 65,828 63,938 64,915 60,906 57,895 57,389 54,729 50,796 53,257

Percentage of 

total population 18.2 17.8 18.1 19.0 19.9 20.9 20.9 21.2 20.4 20.5 19.1 18.1 17.8 16.9 15.6 16.3

Sources: Inflation rate: Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis, National Income and Product Accounts. Interest rate: Federal Reserve Economic Data. 

Productivity increase: Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Major Sector Productivity and Costs Index.” Real gross domestic product increase: Department 

of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis, National Income and Product Accounts. SNAP participants: Food and Nutrition Service SNAP Monthly State Participation 

and Benefit Summary. Unemployed individuals and unemployment rate: Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Individuals below poverty level and individuals 

at or below 130 percent of poverty level: Tabulations of the Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement by Decision Demographics, Arlington, 

VA.

a Percentage change from preceding year in the implicit price deflator for gross domestic product. 

b Corporate AAA bond yield. 

c Percentage change from preceding year in output per hour, nonfarm business sector.

d Percentage change from preceding year. 

e The Bureau of Economic Analysis periodically revises gross domestic product estimates. Thus, historical numbers in this table may differ from previous reports.

f Average monthly value.

g These data are based on FNS administrative records, which are available at https://www.fns.usda.gov/pd/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap. See Appendix D for more 

information.

h Unemployment rate for all civilian workers.

15

CHAPTER 3: CHARACTERISTICS OF SNAP 

HOUSEHOLDS AND PARTICIPANTS

SNAP serves the nutritional needs of a broad spectrum of low-income Americans.30 During 

the pre-pandemic period of fiscal year 2020 (October 2019 through February 2020), SNAP 

provided benefits each month to an average of 36.4 million people living in 18.7 million 

households.31 Data are available for the fiscal year 2020 waiver period (June 2020 through 

September 2020) for 47 States and territories. In these areas, SNAP provided benefits each 

month to an average of 32.2 million people living in 16.7 million households.32 Most SNAP 

households (81 percent in the pre-pandemic period and 79 percent in the waiver period) included 

either a child (younger than age 18), an elderly individual (age 60 or older), or a non-elderly 

individual with a disability. During the pre-pandemic period, the average SNAP household 

received a monthly benefit of $230, had gross monthly income of $890, and had net monthly 

income of $408. During the waiver period, the average SNAP household received a monthly 

benefit of $223 (excluding emergency allotments), had gross monthly income of $880, and had 

net monthly income of $444.33 The average SNAP household size was 1.9 individuals during 

both fiscal year 2020 time periods. 

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

characteristics of SNAP participants, and changes in the economic conditions of SNAP 

households from fiscal year 2019 to the two fiscal year 2020 time periods. 

THE POVERTY STATUS OF SNAP HOUSEHOLDS

In both periods of fiscal year 2020, the average SNAP household had gross monthly income

that was slightly less than 65 percent of the poverty guidelines (Appendix Tables A.2.a and 

A.2.b).34 In the pre-pandemic period, 81 percent of households had gross monthly income less 

than or equal to the Federal poverty guidelines, 54 percent had 75 percent or lower , and 36 

percent had 50 percent or lower than the guidelines (Table 3.1). In the waiver period, 79 percent 

30 The information in this chapter and the estimates in Appendices A and B are based on a sample of 18,319

households from the pre-pandemic period and 8,793 households from the waiver period of the fiscal year 2020 

SNAP QC data file (see Appendix Tables D.2.a and D.2.b). 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, American Samoa, 

and the Northern Mariana Islands were not included in the sample because these territories receive block grants in 

lieu of SNAP.

31 These estimates of participants and households differ from the number of SNAP participants and households in 

FNS administrative records for fiscal year 2020 (39.9 million and 20.5 million, respectively) because the sample 

estimates were adjusted to exclude receipt of benefits by ineligible households and those receiving disaster 

assistance (including COVID-19 emergency allotments) as well as to account for incomplete program data. These 

adjustments also affect household average monthly benefits, which were $230 and $223 in the pre-pandemic period 

and waiver period SNAP QC data, respectively, compared with $302 for fiscal year 2020 in FNS administrative 

records (Appendix D provides details).

32 Five States—California, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, and New York—and the District of Columbia do not have 

any data for the waiver period. Thus, the average numbers of participants and benefits do not reflect the national 

caseload and so should not be compared to pre-pandemic estimates.

33 Because net income is not used in the benefit determinations of MFIP households or SSI-CAP households in 

States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits, the average monthly net income estimate excludes these households.

34 For more detailed information on the economic status of SNAP households, see Appendix Tables A.3.a and A.3.b 

through A.8.a and A.8.b. See Appendix Table C.1 for the poverty guidelines.
16

of households had gross monthly income that was less than or equal to the Federal poverty 

guidelines, 56 percent had 75 percent or lower, and 39 percent had 50 percent or lower than the 

guidelines (Table 3.1).

SNAP effectively targets benefits to the neediest households—that is, poorer households 

receive greater SNAP benefits than those with more income. This held true for both the prepandemic period and the waiver period of fiscal year 2020. In the pre-pandemic period, SNAP 

households with gross monthly income less than or equal to 50 percent of the Federal poverty 

guidelines (36 percent or all SNAP households) received 54 percent of all benefits. In the waiver 

period, these numbers changed to 39 percent of all SNAP households and 60 percent, 

respectively. In contrast, the 19 percent of households in the pre-pandemic period and the 21 

percent of households in the waiver period with a gross monthly income above the poverty 

guidelines received only 8 percent of all benefits in both periods (Table 3.1).

Table 3.1. Distribution of households and their benefits by countable income as a percentage of Federal poverty 

guidelines and fiscal year 2020 time period

All households in poverty

category

Benefits to households in 

poverty category

Gross income as a percentage 

of Federal poverty guidelinesa Percentage

Cumulative 

percentage Percentage

Cumulative 

percentage

Pre-pandemic period

25 percent or less 25.8 25.8 35.6 35.6

26 to 50 percent 9.9 35.7 18.0 53.6

51 to 75 percent 18.2 53.9 19.5 73.1

76 to 100 percent 27.2 81.1 19.2 92.4

101 to 130 percent 12.3 93.4 6.1 98.5

131 percent or more 6.6 100.0 1.5 100.0

Waiver period

25 percent or less 30.0 30.0 43.2 43.2

26 to 50 percent 8.6 38.5 16.7 59.9

51 to 75 percent 17.7 56.2 17.6 77.5

76 to 100 percent 22.7 78.9 14.5 92.0

101 to 130 percent 13.0 91.8 6.5 98.5

131 percent or more 8.2 100.0 1.5 100.0

Source: Pre-pandemic period: October 2019 through February 2020 data from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample;

waiver period: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020

SNAP QC sample.

Note: Estimates may not sum to 100 percent due to rounding.

a Defined as the fiscal year 2020 SNAP net income screen (Appendix Table C.3).

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

dollar value of the benefits to a household’s income and then examining the distribution of 

households by poverty status.35 During the pre-pandemic period, as shown in Figure 3.1, 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, 

35 This comparison assumes that program participants value their SNAP benefits at face value.
17

the resulting increase in the income of SNAP households was sufficient to move more than 9 

percent of participating households above the poverty guidelines. SNAP benefits affected the 

incomes of the poorest SNAP households as well, moving 10 percent of participating households

above 50 percent of the poverty guidelines.

Figure 3.1. Effect of SNAP benefits on the poverty status of SNAP households in the pre-pandemic period

35.7%

26.1%

45.4%

45.8%

18.9%

28.0%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Cash gross

income only

Cash gross

income and SNAP

benefits

Percentage of Federal poverty guidelinesa

50 percent

or less

51 percent to

 100 percent

101 percent

or more

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 data from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

a Defined as the fiscal year 2020 SNAP net income screen (Appendix Table C.3).

The effect of SNAP benefits on the poverty status of SNAP households in the waiver period

is discussed later in this chapter (see Figure 3.2). 

HOUSEHOLDS WITH GREATER NEEDS

In both fiscal year 2020 time periods, most households included a child, an elderly 

individual, or a non-elderly individual with a disability. In the pre-pandemic period, 81 percent 

of households—which contained 90 percent of all participants—included at least one of these 

individuals. Similarly, 79 percent of households in the waiver period—which contained 88 

percent of all participants—included at least one of these individuals. These households received 

85 percent of all SNAP benefits in the pre-pandemic period and 83 percent of all SNAP benefits 

in the waiver period (Appendix Tables A.14.a and A.14.b).36

Households with Children

In the fiscal year 2020 pre-pandemic period, SNAP served an average of 7.1 million 

households with children each month, representing 38 percent of all SNAP households. Seventythree percent of SNAP households with earned income included children, whereas 53 percent of 

households with children had earned income (Tables 3.2.a and 3.3.a). Nine percent of households 

36 See Appendix Tables A.3, A.6, A.8, A.11, A.12, A.14–A.19, and A.21–A.23 for more details on these households. 
18

with children received TANF cash benefits, and 3 percent received a combination of TANF and 

earnings. Among all households with children in the pre-pandemic period, 1.4 million (19 

percent) received child support (Appendix Table A.6.a). Compared with other SNAP 

households, those with children received a relatively high average SNAP benefit ($383 per 

month)—mainly, because the average household size among SNAP households with children

(3.3 people) was larger than the average household size among all SNAP households (1.9 

people) (Table 3.4.a).

More than half (63 percent) of SNAP households with children were headed by single adults

in the pre-pandemic period, accounting for 24 percent of SNAP households. Fifteen percent of 

SNAP households with children had a married head of household, accounting for 6 percent of all 

SNAP households. The remaining SNAP households with children contained multiple 

nonmarried adults (11 percent) or children only (11 percent) (Table 3.3.a).

The receipt of earned income for SNAP households with children that were headed by a 

married couple varied considerably from those of households with children that were headed by 

a single adult. Of the 4.5 million SNAP households with children that were headed by a single 

adult in the pre-pandemic period, 45 percent had earned income. In contrast, of the 1.1 million 

SNAP households with children that were headed by a married couple, 74 percent had earned 

income in that period. The receipt of TANF was relatively similar across the two groups (Table 

3.3.a). 

In the pre-pandemic period, the percentage of SNAP households with children that were 

headed by a single adult that had zero gross income was higher (19 percent) than the percentage 

of SNAP households with children that were headed by a married couple that had zero gross 

income (6 percent). In terms of receipt of SSI and Social Security income, the characteristics of 

these households were more similar. About 13 percent of both SNAP households with children

that were headed by a single adult and those headed by a married couple received SSI. Among 

SNAP households with children that were headed by a single adult, 10 percent received Social 

Security income. Among SNAP households that were headed by a married couple, 12 percent 

received Social Security income (Table 3.3.a).

In the pre-pandemic period, the average monthly SNAP benefit for single-adult households

with children was lower than that of married-head households with children ($369 versus $440), 

because of the smaller size of single-adult households. However, the benefit per person was 

higher for people in single-adult households with children than for people in married-head

households with children ($122 versus $97) because single-adult households were poorer. 

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

married-head households with children ($997 versus $1,753) (Table 3.4.a).

Similar patterns of characteristics continued into the waiver period for households with 

children. In this period, SNAP households with children represented 37 percent of all SNAP 

households. Seventy-one percent of SNAP households with earned income included children, 

whereas 48 percent of households with children had earned income (Tables 3.2.b and 3.3.b). Six 

percent of households with children received TANF cash benefits , and only 1 percent received a 

combination of TANF and earnings. Among all households with children in the waiver period, 

21 percent received child support (Appendix Table A.6.b). 
19

The characteristics of SNAP households headed by single adults in the waiver period were 

very similar to those in the pre-pandemic period. Sixty-four percent of SNAP households with 

children were headed by single adults, accounting for 24 percent of SNAP households. Fifteen 

percent of SNAP households with children had a married head of household, accounting for 6 

percent of all SNAP households. The remaining SNAP households with children contained 

multiple nonmarried adults (11 percent) or children only (10 percent) (Table 3.3.b).

Income patterns among SNAP households with children in the waiver period were generally

similar to patterns in the pre-pandemic period. In the waiver period, 40 percent of SNAP

households with children that were headed by a single adult had earned income, while 67 percent 

of SNAP households with children that were headed by a married couple had earned income. 

The receipt of TANF differed slightly more, though. Seven percent of SNAP households with 

children headed by a single adult in the waiver period received TANF compared to only 4 

percent of SNAP households with children headed by a married couple. Again, similar to the 

pre-pandemic period, the percentage of SNAP households with children that were headed by a 

single adult that had zero gross income in the waiver period was higher (24 percent) than the 

percentage of SNAP households with children that were headed by a married couple that had 

zero gross income (11 percent). In the waiver period, about 11 percent of SNAP households with 

children that were headed by a single adult received SSI, compared to about 16 percent of SNAP 

households with children that were headed by a married couple. Among SNAP households with 

children that were headed by a single adult, 11 percent received Social Security income in the 

waiver period. Among SNAP households that were headed by a married couple, 13 percent 

received Social Security income (Table 3.3.b).

The average monthly SNAP benefit, excluding the emergency allotment, for single-adult 

households with children was again lower than that of married-head households with children in 

the waiver period ($367 versus $426). Single-adult households with children had a substantially 

lower gross monthly income than married-head households with children in the waiver period 

($941 versus $1,812) (Table 3.4.b).

Households with Elderly Individuals

In the fiscal year 2020 pre-pandemic period, SNAP served a monthly average of about 5.3 

million households with elderly individuals, unchanged from the average in fiscal year 2019 

(Table 3.2.a). These households represented 29 percent of all SNAP households, an increase 

from 28 percent in fiscal year 2019 (Appendix Table A.27). Households with elderly individuals

had an average household size of 1.2 people (Table 3.4.a).

The average SNAP benefit for households with elderly individuals was $118 in the fiscal 

year 2020 pre-pandemic period, compared to $274 for households without elderly individuals. 

SNAP households with elderly individuals tended to receive relatively small benefit amounts for 

two reasons. First, these households typically had higher average gross and net incomes—at 

$957 and $459, respectively—than households without elderly individuals ($862 and $389, 

respectively). Second, elderly SNAP recipients often lived alone and thus were eligible for 

smaller maximum benefit amounts than other households were (Appendix Table A.2.a).37

37 In this report, “living alone” refers to individuals who reside in single-person SNAP households, although others 

may live in the same residential unit.
20

The majority of SNAP households with elderly individuals were single-person households 

(Table 3.2.a). In the fiscal year 2020 pre-pandemic period, elderly SNAP recipients who lived 

alone received an average SNAP benefit of $105 per month, compared to $152 for multi-person 

households composed of only elderly individuals and $220 for multi-person households with 

both elderly and non-elderly individuals (Appendix Table A.15.a). The average size of 

households with elderly individuals not living alone was 2.3 people (Table 3.4.a). 

A majority of SNAP households with elderly individuals received either SSI or Social 

Security income. In the fiscal year 2020 pre-pandemic period, 39 percent of all SNAP 

households with elderly individuals received SSI, 70 percent received Social Security income, 

and 88 percent received income from at least one of those two sources. Twenty percent of 

households with elderly individuals in that period received both SSI and Social Security income

(Appendix Table A.6.a). SNAP households with elderly individuals represented 44 percent of all 

SNAP households with SSI and 63 percent of all SNAP households with Social Security income 

(Table 3.2.a). Seven percent of households with elderly individuals in the pre-pandemic period

had no income (Table 3.3.a).

The characteristics of households with elderly individuals remained relatively the same from 

the fiscal year 2020 pre-pandemic period to the waiver period. In the waiver period, SNAP 

households with elderly individuals represented 28 percent of all SNAP households (Table 

3.2.b). The average SNAP benefit for households with elderly individuals, excluding emergency 

allotments, was $110 in the fiscal year 2020 waiver period, compared to $266 for households 

without elderly individuals (Appendix Table A.2.b).

Elderly SNAP recipients who lived alone during the waiver period received an average 

SNAP benefit of $94 per month, compared to $154 for multi-person households composed of 

only elderly individuals and $243 for multi-person households with both elderly and non-elderly 

individuals (Appendix Table A.15.b). The average size of households with elderly individuals

not living alone was 2.3 people, unchanged from the pre-pandemic period (Table 3.4.b).

In the fiscal year 2020 waiver period, 33 percent of all SNAP households with elderly 

individuals received SSI, 72 percent received Social Security income, and 87 percent received 

income from at least one of those two sources. Seventeen percent of households with elderly 

individuals received both SSI and Social Security income (Appendix Table A.6.b). SNAP 

households with elderly individuals represented 39 percent of all SNAP households with SSI in 

the waiver period. SNAP households with elderly individuals represented 62 percent of all SNAP 

households with Social Security income in the waiver period (Table 3.2.b). Eight percent of 

households with elderly individuals had no income (Table 3.3.b).

Households with Non-Elderly Individuals with Disabilities

In fiscal year 2020, 22 percent of all SNAP households in both the pre-pandemic and waiver 

periods included non-elderly individuals with disabilities.

38 In the pre-pandemic period, these 

households received an average monthly SNAP benefit of $178. Sixty-five percent of SNAP 

households with non-elderly individuals with disabilities in the pre-pandemic period were singleperson households with an average benefit of $110. Non-elderly individuals with disabilities who 

did not live alone resided in households with an average of 3.3 individuals in the pre-pandemic 

38 See “individuals with disabilities” in the Definitions section of this report.
21

period, with a per-person benefit of $94. SNAP households with non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities represented 57 percent of all SNAP households with SSI and 35 percent of all SNAP 

households with Social Security income in the pre-pandemic period (Tables 3.2.a, 3.3.a, and 

3.4.a). 

Households with non-elderly individuals with disabilities had similar characteristics in the 

waiver period. As in the pre-pandemic period, 65 percent of these SNAP households in the 

waiver period were single-person households. However, the average benefit of these singleperson households decreased to $95 in the waiver period. Non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities who did not live alone resided in households with an average of 3.4 individuals in the 

waiver period, but the per-person benefit for those not living alone remained the same at $94. 

SNAP households with non-elderly individuals with disabilities represented 62 percent of all 

SNAP households with SSI and 35 percent of all SNAP households with Social Security income 

in the waiver period (Tables 3.2.b, 3.3.b, and 3.4.b).

OTHER HOUSEHOLDS SERVED BY SNAP

Nineteen percent of SNAP households in the fiscal year 2020 pre-pandemic period and 21 

percent of SNAP households in the waiver period consisted exclusively of one or more nonelderly adults without disabilities and without children (Tables 3.2.a and 3.2.b). These 

households tended to be single-person households (93 percent in the pre-pandemic period and 94 

percent in the waiver period) with a relatively low average gross monthly income ($291 and 

$347, respectively). Fifty-nine percent of these households had zero gross income in the prepandemic period, 63 percent in the waiver period. Households consisting exclusively of one or 

more non-elderly adults without disabilities received an average SNAP benefit of $182 per 

month in the pre-pandemic period and $180 per month in the waiver period (Tables 3.3.a, 3.3.b, 

3.4.a, and 3.4.b).

Within this group, 2.5 million SNAP households (13 percent of all households) in the prepandemic period and 2.6 million SNAP households (16 percent of all households) in the waiver 

period contained one or more adults age 18–49 without disabilities and without children. With 

some exceptions, these participants are subject to time-limited SNAP benefits, unless they fulfill 

additional work requirements beyond the SNAP general work requirements. These households 

tended to be single-person households (84 percent in the pre-pandemic period and 85 percent in 

the waiver period). Fifty-five percent of these households had zero gross income in the prepandemic period, 57 percent in the waiver period. Twenty-seven percent had earned income in 

the pre-pandemic period and 26 percent had earned income in the waiver period (Tables 3.3.a 

and 3.3.b).
22

Table 3.2.a. Composition of households with select countable income types, pre-pandemic period

Households with:

 

All 

households

Countable 

earned incomea

Social 

Security SSI

Zero gross 

income TANF GA

Household composition

Number 

(000)

Column 

percent

Number 

(000)

Column 

percent

Number 

(000)

Column 

percent

Number 

(000)

Column 

percent

Number 

(000)

Column 

percent

Number 

(000)

Column 

percent

Number 

(000)

Column 

percent

Totalb 18,657 100.0 5,174 100.0 5,933 100.0 4,667 100.0 3,458 100.0 674 100.0 768 100.0

Children 7,108 38.1 3,791 73.3 712 12.0 938 20.1 1,023 29.6 657 97.6 262 34.1

Single-adult household 4,458 23.9 2,003 38.7 468 7.9 583 12.5 825 23.9 400 59.4 179 23.3

Multiple-adult household 1,833 9.8 1,223 23.6 226 3.8 315 6.8 149 4.3 153 22.7 54 7.0

Married-head 1,085 5.8 798 15.4 133 2.2 140 3.0 65 1.9 108 16.1 32 4.2

Other multiple-adult 748 4.0 425 8.2 93 1.6 176 3.8 84 2.4 45 6.6 22 2.9

Children only 817 4.4 565 10.9 17 0.3 40 0.9 48 1.4 105 15.6 29 3.8

Elderly individuals 5,330 28.6 325 6.3 3,735 63.0 2,054 44.0 364 10.5 58 8.6 160 20.9

Living alone 4,407 23.6 179 3.5 3,060 51.6 1,671 35.8 348 10.1 0 0.1 135 17.6

Not living alone 923 4.9 146 2.8 675 11.4 383 8.2 16 0.5 57 8.5 25 3.3

Non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 4,071 21.8 396 7.7 2,079 35.0 2,670 57.2 3 0.1 139 20.6 154 20.0

Living alone 2,657 14.2 120 2.3 1,478 24.9 1,590 34.1 3 0.1 1 0.2 76 9.9

Not living alone 1,414 7.6 276 5.3 602 10.1 1,079 23.1 - - 138 20.4 77 10.1

Other householdsc 3,518 18.9 944 18.2 8 0.1 0 0.0 2,069 59.8 9 1.4 254 33.1

Single-person 3,278 17.6 804 15.5 3 0.1 0 0.0 1,989 57.5 9 1.3 254 33.0

Multi-person 240 1.3 140 2.7 4 0.1 - - 80 2.3 0 0.1 1 0.1

Adults age 18–49 without 

disabilities in childless 

householdsd 2,492 13.4 683 13.2 130 2.2 114 2.4 1,363 39.4 10 1.5 185 24.1

Living alone 2,084 11.2 511 9.9 - - 0 0.0 1,289 37.3 5 0.7 168 21.8

Not living alone 408 2.2 172 3.3 130 2.2 113 2.4 73 2.1 6 0.8 18 2.3

Single-person households 10,544 56.5 1,242 24.0 4,541 76.5 3,266 70.0 2,359 68.2 45 6.7 482 62.8

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 data from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

a The sum of individual income sources does not add to the total because households may have zero or multiple types of income.

b The sums of the household types do not match the numbers in the Total row because a household may have more than one characteristic.

c Households not containing children, elderly individuals, or non-elderly individuals with disabilities.

d With some exceptions, these participants are subject to work requirements and time limits.

– No sample households are in this category.
23

Table 3.2.b. Composition of households with select countable income types, waiver period

Households with:

 

All 

households

Countable 

earned incomea

Social 

Security SSI

Zero gross 

income TANF GA

Household composition

Number 

(000)

Column 

percent

Number 

(000)

Column 

percent

Number 

(000)

Column 

percent

Number 

(000)

Column 

percent

Number 

(000)

Column 

percent

Number 

(000)

Column 

percent

Number 

(000)

Column 

percent

Totalb 16,686 100.0 4,140 100.0 5,318 100.0 3,824 100.0 3,744 100.0 405 100.0 286 100.0

Children 6,178 37.0 2,949 71.2 682 12.8 796 20.8 1,206 32.2 390 96.3 34 11.8

Single-adult household 3,938 23.6 1,582 38.2 430 8.1 447 11.7 949 25.3 269 66.4 18 6.3

Multiple-adult household 1,656 9.9 1,004 24.2 250 4.7 324 8.5 185 4.9 94 23.2 15 5.3

Married-head 950 5.7 639 15.4 124 2.3 149 3.9 102 2.7 35 8.6 5 1.7

Other multiple-adult 706 4.2 365 8.8 126 2.4 176 4.6 83 2.2 59 14.6 10 3.6

Children only 588 3.5 363 8.8 1 0.0 24 0.6 72 1.9 30 7.4 1 0.2

Elderly individuals 4,619 27.7 222 5.4 3,316 62.4 1,509 39.5 359 9.6 51 12.7 113 39.6

Living alone 3,922 23.5 137 3.3 2,802 52.7 1,283 33.5 327 8.7 - - 100 34.8

Not living alone 697 4.2 85 2.1 514 9.7 226 5.9 32 0.9 51 12.7 14 4.8

Non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 3,589 21.5 313 7.6 1,854 34.9 2,365 61.9 1 0.0 118 29.1 87 30.3

Living alone 2,327 13.9 74 1.8 1,296 24.4 1,411 36.9 1 0.0 - - 59 20.6

Not living alone 1,262 7.6 239 5.8 558 10.5 954 25.0 - - 118 29.1 28 9.7

Other householdsc 3,484 20.9 904 21.8 5 0.1 - - 2,189 58.5 0 0.1 79 27.5

Single-person 3,274 19.6 786 19.0 1 0.0 - - 2,129 56.9 0 0.1 78 27.4

Multi-person 210 1.3 118 2.9 4 0.1 - - 60 1.6 - - 0 0.1

Adults age 18–49 without 

disabilities in childless 

householdsd 2,647 15.9 675 16.3 129 2.4 142 3.7 1,507 40.3 12 3.0 67 23.4

Living alone 2,245 13.5 544 13.1 - - - - 1,451 38.8 0 0.1 61 21.3

Not living alone 403 2.4 131 3.2 129 2.4 142 3.7 56 1.5 12 3.0 6 2.1

Single-person households 9,660 57.9 1,086 26.2 4,099 77.1 2,695 70.5 2,472 66.0 9 2.3 237 82.8

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

a The sum of individual income sources does not add to the total because households may have zero or multiple types of income.

b The sums of the household types do not match the numbers in the Total row because a household may have more than one characteristic.

c Households not containing children, elderly individuals, or non-elderly individuals with disabilities.

d With some exceptions, these participants are subject to work requirements and time limits.

– No sample households are in this category.
24

Table 3.3.a. Percentage of households with countable income types by household composition, pre-pandemic period

Households with:

 

All 

households

Countable earned 

incomea

Social 

Security SSI

Zero gross 

income TANF GA

Household 

composition

Number 

(000)

Column 

percent

Number 

(000)

Row 

percent

Number 

(000)

Row 

percent

Number 

(000)

Row 

percent

Number 

(000)

Row 

percent

Number 

(000)

Row 

percent

Number 

(000)

Row 

percent

Totalb 18,657 100.0 5,174 27.7 5,933 31.8 4,667 25.0 3,458 18.5 674 3.6 768 4.1

Children 7,108 38.1 3,791 53.3 712 10.0 938 13.2 1,023 14.4 657 9.2 262 3.7

Single-adult 

household 4,458 23.9 2,003 44.9 468 10.5 583 13.1 825 18.5 400 9.0 179 4.0

Multiple-adult 

household 1,833 9.8 1,223 66.7 226 12.4 315 17.2 149 8.2 153 8.3 54 3.0

Married-head 1,085 5.8 798 73.5 133 12.3 140 12.9 65 6.0 108 10.0 32 3.0

Other multipleadult 748 4.0 425 56.9 93 12.5 176 23.5 84 11.3 45 6.0 22 2.9

Children only 817 4.4 565 69.2 17 2.1 40 4.9 48 5.9 105 12.8 29 3.6

Elderly individuals 5,330 28.6 325 6.1 3,735 70.1 2,054 38.5 364 6.8 58 1.1 160 3.0

Living alone 4,407 23.6 179 4.1 3,060 69.4 1,671 37.9 348 7.9 0 0.0 135 3.1

Not living alone 923 4.9 146 15.8 675 73.1 383 41.5 16 1.7 57 6.2 25 2.7

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities 4,071 21.8 396 9.7 2,079 51.1 2,670 65.6 3 0.1 139 3.4 154 3.8

Living alone 2,657 14.2 120 4.5 1,478 55.6 1,590 59.9 3 0.1 1 0.0 76 2.9

Not living alone 1,414 7.6 276 19.5 602 42.5 1,079 76.3 - - 138 9.7 77 5.5

Other householdsc 3,518 18.9 944 26.8 8 0.2 0 0.0 2,069 58.8 9 0.3 254 7.2

Single-person 3,278 17.6 804 24.5 3 0.1 0 0.0 1,989 60.7 9 0.3 254 7.7

Multi-person 240 1.3 140 58.4 4 1.8 - - 80 33.2 0 0.1 1 0.2

Adults age 18–49

without disabilities in 

childless 

householdsd 2,492 13.4 683 27.4 130 5.2 114 4.6 1,363 54.7 10 0.4 185 7.4

Living alone 2,084 11.2 511 24.5 - - 0 0.0 1,289 61.9 5 0.2 168 8.0

Not living alone 408 2.2 172 42.2 130 31.9 113 27.8 73 18.0 6 1.4 18 4.4

Single-person 

households 10,544 56.5 1,242 11.8 4,541 43.1 3,266 31.0 2,359 22.4 45 0.4 482 4.6

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 data from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

a The sum of individual income sources does not add to the total because households may have zero or multiple types of income.

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

c Households not containing children, elderly individuals, or non-elderly individuals with disabilities.

d With some exceptions, these participants are subject to work requirements and time limits.

– No sample households are in this category.
25

Table 3.3.b. Percentage of households with countable income types by household composition, waiver period

Households with:

 

All 

households

Countable earned 

incomea

Social 

Security SSI

Zero gross 

income TANF GA

Household 

composition

Number 

(000)

Column 

percent

Number 

(000)

Row 

percent

Number 

(000)

Row 

percent

Number 

(000)

Row 

percent

Number 

(000)

Row 

percent

Number 

(000)

Row 

percent

Number 

(000)

Row 

percent

Totalb 16,686 100.0 4,140 24.8 5,318 31.9 3,824 22.9 3,744 22.4 405 2.4 286 1.7

Children 6,178 37.0 2,949 47.7 682 11.0 796 12.9 1,206 19.5 390 6.3 34 0.5

Single-adult 

household 3,938 23.6 1,582 40.2 430 10.9 447 11.4 949 24.1 269 6.8 18 0.5

Multiple-adult 

household 1,656 9.9 1,004 60.6 250 15.1 324 19.6 185 11.2 94 5.7 15 0.9

Married-head 950 5.7 639 67.3 124 13.1 149 15.7 102 10.8 35 3.7 5 0.5

Other multipleadult 706 4.2 365 51.7 126 17.9 176 24.9 83 11.7 59 8.4 10 1.4

Children only 588 3.5 363 61.9 1 0.2 24 4.2 72 12.2 30 5.1 1 0.1

Elderly individuals 4,619 27.7 222 4.8 3,316 71.8 1,509 32.7 359 7.8 51 1.1 113 2.5

Living alone 3,922 23.5 137 3.5 2,802 71.4 1,283 32.7 327 8.3 - - 100 2.5

Not living alone 697 4.2 85 12.2 514 73.8 226 32.5 32 4.6 51 7.3 14 2.0

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities 3,589 21.5 313 8.7 1,854 51.7 2,365 65.9 1 0.0 118 3.3 87 2.4

Living alone 2,327 13.9 74 3.2 1,296 55.7 1,411 60.6 1 0.0 - - 59 2.5

Not living alone 1,262 7.6 239 18.9 558 44.2 954 75.6 - - 118 9.3 28 2.2

Other householdsc 3,484 20.9 904 26.0 5 0.2 - - 2,189 62.8 0 0.0 79 2.3

Single-person 3,274 19.6 786 24.0 1 0.0 - - 2,129 65.0 0 0.0 78 2.4

Multi-person 210 1.3 118 56.3 4 2.1 - - 60 28.7 - - 0 0.2

Adults age 18–49

without disabilities in 

childless 

householdsd 2,647 15.9 675 25.5 129 4.9 142 5.3 1,507 56.9 12 0.5 67 2.5

Living alone 2,245 13.5 544 24.2 - - - - 1,451 64.6 0 0.0 61 2.7

Not living alone 403 2.4 131 32.5 129 32.0 142 35.1 56 14.0 12 3.0 6 1.5

Single-person 

households 9,660 57.9 1,086 11.2 4,099 42.4 2,695 27.9 2,472 25.6 9 0.1 237 2.5

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

a The sum of individual income sources does not add to the total because households may have zero or multiple types of income.

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

c Households not containing children, elderly individuals, or non-elderly individuals with disabilities.

d With some exceptions, these participants are subject to work requirements and time limits.

– No sample households are in this category.
26

Table 3.4.a. Average values of selected characteristics by household composition, pre-pandemic period

Average values

Household composition

Gross monthly 

countable 

income

(dollars)

Net monthly 

countable 

income

(dollars)a

Monthly 

SNAP benefit

(dollars)

Monthly SNAP 

benefit per 

person 

(dollars)b

Household 

size 

(individuals)

Total 890 408 230 118 1.9

Children 1,136 553 383 116 3.3

Single-adult household 997 480 369 122 3.0

Male adult 959 440 327 123 2.7

Female adult 1,000 484 373 121 3.1

Multiple-adult household 1,571 846 445 102 4.4

Married-head 1,753 941 440 97 4.5

Other multiple-adult 1,306 708 453 109 4.1

Children only 916 294 324 135 2.4

Elderly individuals 957 459 118 97 1.2

Living alone 868 378 105 105 1.0

Not living alone 1,382 809 181 79 2.3

Non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 1,066 502 178 100 1.8

Living alone 899 337 110 110 1.0

Not living alone 1,379 796 306 94 3.3

Other householdsc 291 106 182 169 1.1

Single-person 249 84 175 175 1.0

Multi-person 860 412 270 130 2.1

Single-person households 678 266 129 129 1.0

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 data from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

a Because net income is not used in their benefit determinations, 22,410 MFIP households and 547,829 SSI-CAP 

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

b This column is calculated by dividing the rounded, average monthly SNAP benefit by the rounded, average SNAP 

household size.

c Households not containing children, elderly individuals, or non-elderly individuals with disabilities.
27

Table 3.4.b. Average values of selected characteristics by household composition, waiver period

Average values

Household composition

Gross monthly 

countable 

income

(dollars)

Net monthly 

countable 

income

(dollars)a

Monthly 

SNAP benefit

(dollars)

Monthly SNAP 

benefit per 

person 

(dollars)b

Household 

size 

(individuals)

Total 880 444 223 116 1.9

Children 1,109 584 381 115 3.3

Single-adult household 941 483 367 123 3.0

Male adult 819 408 330 128 2.6

Female adult 952 490 370 123 3.0

Multiple-adult household 1,603 919 436 97 4.5

Married-head 1,812 1,044 426 91 4.7

Other multiple-adult 1,322 750 448 106 4.2

Children only 844 313 324 136 2.4

Elderly individuals 959 480 110 92 1.2

Living alone 889 414 94 94 1.0

Not living alone 1,355 834 198 86 2.3

Non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 1,083 561 173 94 1.8

Living alone 917 416 95 95 1.0

Not living alone 1,389 822 316 94 3.4

Other householdsc 347 176 180 168 1.1

Single-person 307 157 173 173 1.0

Multi-person 969 474 286 130 2.2

Single-person households 695 324 122 122 1.0

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

a Because net income is not used in their benefit determinations, 29,056 MFIP households and 193,091 SSI-CAP 

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

b This column is calculated by dividing the rounded, average monthly SNAP benefit by the rounded, average SNAP 

household size.

c Households not containing children, elderly individuals, or non-elderly individuals with disabilities.

Single-Person Households

More than half of SNAP households in both the fiscal year 2020 pre-pandemic and waiver 

periods consisted of just one person. Approximately 57 percent of SNAP households in the prepandemic period and 58 percent of households in the waiver period were composed of a single 

person (Tables 3.2.a and 3.2.b).39

In the pre-pandemic period, single-person households received an average monthly SNAP 

benefit of $129 (Table 3.4.a). A slight majority of these individuals (56 percent) were female

(Appendix Table A.24.a), 42 percent were elderly, and 25 percent were non-elderly individuals 

with disabilities (Appendix Table A.17.a). Compared with all SNAP households, a relatively 

small proportion of single-person SNAP households had earned income (12 percent versus 28 

percent) and a relatively high proportion had zero gross income (22 percent versus 19 percent). 

Not surprisingly, given how many single-person households include elderly individuals and 

individuals with disabilities, 43 percent of single-person households in the pre-pandemic period 

39 These individuals apply for SNAP benefits for themselves only. Other people may live in the household.
28

received Social Security income, compared with 32 percent of all SNAP households. In addition, 

31 percent of single-person households received SSI income, as compared to 25 percent of all 

SNAP households in the pre-pandemic period (Table 3.3.a).

The characteristics of single-person households in the waiver period were very similar to 

those in the pre-pandemic period. In the waiver period, single-person households received an 

average monthly SNAP benefit of $122 (Table 3.4.b). Also, similar to the pre-pandemic period, a 

slight majority of these individuals (53 percent) were female (Appendix Table A.24.b), 41 

percent were elderly, and 24 percent were non-elderly individuals with disabilities (Appendix 

Table A.17.b). Eleven percent of single-person households had earned income, compared to 25 

percent of all SNAP households, and 26 percent of single-person households had zero gross 

income, compared to 22 percent of all SNAP households. Forty-two percent of single-person 

households in the waiver period received Social Security income, compared with 32 percent of 

all SNAP households. In addition, 28 percent of single-person households in the waiver period 

received SSI, as compared to 23 percent of all SNAP households in that period (Table 3.3.b).

EMERGENCY ALLOTMENTS IN THE WAIVER PERIOD

During the FY 2020 waiver period, USDA granted waivers allowing States to issue 

emergency allotments to SNAP households that received less than the maximum benefit, which 

increased the household’s benefit to the maximum for its size. Most States issued the emergency 

allotments for all months from April 2020 through September 2020. The exceptions were 

Wisconsin, which did not issue emergency allotments in June, and Nebraska, which did not issue 

them in August or September. 40

More than half (62 percent) of SNAP households in the waiver period were eligible for the 

emergency allotment (Table 3.5). The average emergency allotment was $180 among households 

that received it and $114 across all households. Sixty-two percent of households with children, 

81 percent of households with elderly individuals, and 87 percent of households with non-elderly 

individuals with disabilities received the emergency allotment. Of those households that received 

an emergency allotment, households with children received an average of $267 while households 

with elderly individuals received an average of $143—a lower value that reflects the smaller 

average household size. The average emergency allotment among households with non-elderly 

individuals with disabilities that received it was $166. 

All households that received the minimum benefit were eligible for the emergency 

allotment. The average emergency allotment among these households was $207. Sixty-two

percent of households with TANF received the emergency allotment, with an average amount of 

$201. Ninety percent of households with Social Security received the emergency allotment, with

an average amount of $163. Eighty-five percent of households with SSI received the emergency 

allotment, with an average amount of $146.

40 Beyond FY 2020, States could continue to issue emergency allotments as long as a national public health 

emergency was in place. As of April 1, 2021, States could provide a one-month emergency allotment phase-out at 

the end of a State’s emergency declaration. Also as of April 1, 2021, USDA issued guidance that expanded the 

emergency allotments to those receiving the maximum benefit.
29

Table 3.5. Distribution of emergency allotment receipt in the waiver period by household characteristic

 SNAP 

households

SNAP households 

eligible for 

emergency 

allotment

Average amount of 

emergency allotment only 

(dollars)

Household characteristic

Number

(000)

Column 

Percent

Number

(000)

Row 

Percent

Across all 

households

Across all 

households 

with 

allotment

Total 16,686 100.0 10,393 62.3 114 180

Household composition

Children 6,178 37.0 3,810 61.7 167 267

School-age 5,036 30.2 3,301 65.5 185 278

Preschool-age 2,924 17.5 1,680 57.4 155 267

No children 10,508 63.0 6,583 62.6 83 130

Elderly individuals 4,619 27.7 3,750 81.2 118 143

No elderly individuals 12,067 72.3 6,643 55.0 112 201

Non-elderly individuals with disabilities 3,589 21.5 3,113 86.7 147 166

No non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 13,097 78.5 7,280 55.6 105 187

Adults age 18–49 without disabilities in 

childless householdsa 2,647 15.9 748 28.3 39 137

No adults age 18–49 without disabilities 

in childless households 14,039 84.1 9,644 68.7 128 184

Noncitizens 606 3.6 372 61.4 141 229

No noncitizens 16,080 96.4 10,020 62.3 113 179

Locality

Metropolitan 13,324 79.9 8,252 61.9 114 182

Micropolitanb 1,812 10.9 1,167 64.4 116 178

Rural 1,129 6.8 719 63.7 112 174

Unknown locality 421 2.5 255 60.6 95 144

Countable Income Source

Gross income 12,942 77.6 10,308 79.6 146 181

No gross income 3,744 22.4 85 2.3 3 121†

Net income 10,311 61.8 10,170 98.6 182 182

No net income 6,153 36.9 - - 0 -

Not applicablec 222 1.3 222 100.0 115 115

Earned income 4,140 24.8 3,246 78.4 209 263

No earned income 12,546 75.2 7,146 57.0 82 143

Unearned income 10,061 60.3 8,196 81.5 137 165

No unearned income 6,625 39.7 2,196 33.1 79 236

TANF 405 2.4 275 68.0 138 201

No TANF 16,281 97.6 10,117 62.1 113 180

GA 286 1.7 192 67.0 91 134

No GA 16,400 98.3 10,201 62.2 114 181

SSI 3,824 22.9 3,253 85.1 126 146

No SSI 12,862 77.1 7,140 55.5 110 196

Social Security 5,318 31.9 4,776 89.8 149 163

No Social Security 11,368 68.1 5,617 49.4 98 195

Gross countable income as a 

percentage of poverty guidelines

No gross income 3,744 22.4 85 2.3 3 121†

25 percent or lessd 1,257 7.5 267 21.3 7 30

26 to 50 percent 1,427 8.6 810 56.8 52 90

51 to 75 percent 2,957 17.7 2,457 83.1 110 132

76 to 100 percent 3,780 22.7 3,397 89.9 149 164

101 to 130 percent 2,161 13.0 2,050 94.9 264 275

131 percent or greater 1,360 8.2 1,327 97.5 255 256

SNAP benefit

Minimum benefit 2,318 13.9 2,272 98.0 207 207

Maximum benefit 6,153 36.9 - - 0 -

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

† Use caution when interpreting this estimate as it is based on a small sample size. 
30

The effect of SNAP benefits on a household’s purchasing power increased with the addition 

of the emergency allotment in the waiver period.

41 During the waiver period, as shown in Figure 

3.2, the combination of cash and SNAP benefits including emergency allotments changed the 

distribution of SNAP households by poverty status. Specifically, when regular SNAP benefits

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

sufficient to move 6 percent of participating households above the poverty guidelines. When 

emergency allotments are included, the resulting increase in the income of SNAP households 

was sufficient to move an additional 9 percent of participating households above the poverty 

guidelines. The emergency allotment only slightly affected the incomes of the poorest SNAP 

households, as these households were more likely to already receive the maximum benefit and 

therefore not eligible for an emergency allotment in FY 2020. When regular SNAP benefits

alone are included in gross income, the resulting increase in the income of the poorest SNAP 

households was sufficient to move over 8 percent of participating households above 50 percent 

of the poverty guidelines. Including emergency allotments moves less than an additional 1 

percent of these poorest households above 50 percent of the poverty guidelines. 

Figure 3.2. Effect of SNAP benefits on the poverty status of SNAP households in the waiver period

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC 

sample.

a Defined as the fiscal year 2020 SNAP net income screen (Appendix Table C.3).

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

38.5%

30.1%

29.9%

40.4%

43.1%

34.6%

21.1%

26.8%

35.5%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Cash gross income

only

Cash gross income

and regular SNAP

benefits

Cash gross income

and regular SNAP

benefits plus

emergency allotment

Percentage of Federal poverty guidelinesa

50 percent

or less

51 percent to

 100 percent

101 percent

or more
31

CHARACTERISTICS OF SNAP PARTICIPANTS

In the fiscal year 2020 pre-pandemic period, 42 percent of SNAP participants were children. 

These participants received 42 percent of prorated SNAP benefits.

42 More than two-thirds (71 

percent) of children served by SNAP were school-age (age 5–17). Forty-two percent of 

participants were non-elderly adults (age 18–59) and 16 percent were elderly individuals (age 60

or older) (Table 3.6.a). 

In the pre-pandemic period, 64 percent of non-elderly adults and 62 percent of elderly 

individuals were female. Less than 9 percent of SNAP participants were foreign-born—5 percent 

were naturalized citizens, less than 1 percent were refugees, and 3 percent were other noncitizens

(lawful permanent residents and other eligible noncitizens). Seven percent of all SNAP 

participants in the pre-pandemic period were citizen children living with noncitizen adults 

(Appendix Table A.23.a).43

In the fiscal year 2020 waiver period, 41 percent of SNAP participants were children. These 

participants received 41 percent of prorated SNAP benefits. Similar to the pre-pandemic period, 

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

participants in the waiver period were non-elderly adults (age 18–59) and 16 percent were 

elderly individuals (age 60 or older) (Table 3.6.b).

In the waiver period, 63 percent of non-elderly adults and 60 percent of elderly individuals

were female. Six percent of SNAP participants were foreign-born, slightly less than the prepandemic period. Six percent of all SNAP participants in the waiver period were citizen children

living with noncitizen adults (Appendix Table A.23.b).

42 Prorated benefits equal the benefits paid to households multiplied by the ratio of participants with the selected 

characteristic to total household size.

43 Some of the noncitizen household members were legal residents of the United States and participated in SNAP 

with citizen children; others were ineligible because of their immigration status and did not participate.
32

Table 3.6.a. SNAP benefits of participants by selected demographic characteristics, pre-pandemic period

 Total participants Prorated benefitsa

Participant characteristic

Number

(000) Percent

Number

(000) Percent

Total 36,363 100.0 4,283,434 100.0

Age . . .

Children 15,290 42.0 1,788,344 41.8

Preschool-age children 4,469 12.3 556,899 13.0

0–1 year 1,707 4.7 215,803 5.0

2–4 years 2,761 7.6 341,096 8.0

School-age children 10,821 29.8 1,231,445 28.7

5–7 years 2,788 7.7 322,815 7.5

8–11 years 3,510 9.7 406,745 9.5

12–15 years 3,292 9.1 364,683 8.5

16–17 years 1,231 3.4 137,203 3.2

Non-elderly adults (age 18–59) 15,184 41.8 1,916,656 44.7

Elderly adults (60 or older) 5,888 16.2 578,117 13.5

Citizenship . . . .

U.S.-born citizen 33,180 91.2 3,913,334 91.4

Naturalized citizen 1,852 5.1 211,755 4.9

Refugee 292 0.8 29,128 0.7

Other noncitizen 1,039 2.9 129,217 3.0

Citizen children living with noncitizen adultsb 2,519 6.9 307,961 7.2

Non-elderly individuals with disabilities 4,300 11.8 436,271 10.2

Children with disabilities 567 1.6 49,734 1.2

Non-elderly adults with disabilities 3,733 10.3 386,536 9.0

Adults age 18–49 without disabilities in childless 

householdsc 2,659 7.3 432,417 10.1

Race and Hispanic status

White, not Hispanic 13,791 37.9 1,570,601 36.7

African American, not Hispanic 9,260 25.5 1,125,869 26.3

Hispanic, any race 5,505 15.1 681,616 15.9

Asian, not Hispanic 1,180 3.2 148,410 3.5

Native American, not Hispanic 466 1.3 61,063 1.4

Multiple races reported, not Hispanic 280 0.8 33,107 0.8

Race unknown 5,881 16.2 662,768 15.5

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 data from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

a Prorated 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 household.

c With some exceptions, these participants are subject to work requirements and time limits.
33

Table 3.6.b. SNAP benefits of participants by selected demographic characteristics, waiver period

 Total participants Prorated benefitsa

Participant characteristic

Number

(000) Percent

Number

(000) Percent

Total 32,170 100.0 3,719,663 100.0

Age . . .

Children 13,155 40.9 1,519,463 40.8

Preschool-age children 3,848 12.0 483,339 13.0

0–1 year 1,396 4.3 181,124 4.9

2–4 years 2,452 7.6 302,215 8.1

School-age children 9,307 28.9 1,036,124 27.9

5–7 years 2,450 7.6 283,473 7.6

8–11 years 2,970 9.2 334,885 9.0

12–15 years 2,804 8.7 303,662 8.2

16–17 years 1,082 3.4 114,104 3.1

Non-elderly adults (age 18–59) 14,011 43.6 1,742,618 46.8

Elderly adults (60 or older) 4,998 15.5 456,349 12.3

Citizenship . . . .

U.S.-born citizen 30,094 93.5 3,484,404 93.7

Naturalized citizen 1,201 3.7 139,087 3.7

Refugee 202 0.6 15,910 0.4

Other noncitizen 672 2.1 80,262 2.2

Citizen children living with noncitizen adultsb 1,839 5.7 229,163 6.2

Non-elderly individuals with disabilities 3,794 11.8 347,009 9.3

Children with disabilities 548 1.7 49,534 1.3

Non-elderly adults with disabilities 3,246 10.1 297,474 8.0

Adults age 18–49 without disabilities in childless 

householdsc 2,846 8.8 458,561 12.3

Race and Hispanic status

White, not Hispanic 12,346 38.4 1,403,295 37.7

African American, not Hispanic 9,138 28.4 1,066,267 28.7

Hispanic, any race 3,801 11.8 452,732 12.2

Asian, not Hispanic 762 2.4 103,086 2.8

Native American, not Hispanic 495 1.5 65,888 1.8

Multiple races reported, not Hispanic 386 1.2 45,560 1.2

Race unknown 5,241 16.3 582,835 15.7

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

a Prorated 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 household.

c With some exceptions, these participants are subject to work requirements and time limits.

CHANGES IN SNAP PARTICIPATION AND THE CHARACTERISTICS OF SNAP HOUSEHOLDS

SNAP participation steadily declined in recent years until the beginning of the pandemic, 

from 43.5 million participants in fiscal year 2016 to about 36.4 million participants in the fiscal 

year 2020 pre-pandemic period (Table 3.7). Over the same period, the number of SNAP 

households decreased from 21.5 million to 18.7 million. Due to data limitations, estimates 

presented in this report for the waiver period only include 47 States and territories. However, 
34

FNS administrative records indicate that the total number of SNAP participants across all States

and territories increased substantially in the months following the start of the pandemic.44

Table 3.7. Comparison of characteristics of participating individuals and households, fiscal years 2016–2020

 

Fiscal year 

Characteristic 2016 2017 2018 2019

Prepandemic 

period of 

2020

Waiver 

period of 

2020a

Participants

Total (000) 43,539 41,491 39,519 37,202 36,363 32,170

Characteristic (percent)

Children 44.1 43.5 43.7 42.7 42.0 40.9

Elderly individuals 11.8 13.1 14.1 15.6 16.2 15.5

Non-elderly individuals 

with disabilities 10.7 10.9 10.9 11.2 11.8 11.8

Adults age 18–49

without disabilities in 

childless households 8.8 7.8 7.2 7.0 7.3 8.8

Households

Total (000) 21,511 20,597 19,727 18,802 18,657 16,686

Characteristic (percent)

Zero gross income 20.4 19.0 19.0 18.5 18.5 22.4

Zero net income 37.2 35.7 35.3 35.1 34.9 36.9

Earned income 31.9 31.4 30.2 28.6 27.7 24.8

TANF income 5.1 4.9 4.5 4.2 3.6 2.4

Minimum benefit 8.1 8.8 9.5 10.3 11.1 13.9

Maximum benefit 38.5 37.2 36.5 36.4 36.3 36.9

Average gross income

as a percentage of 

poverty guidelines 60.8 62.6 63.2 64.7 64.5 64.5

Average household size 2.02 2.01 2.00 1.98 1.95 1.93

Sources: Fiscal years 2016 to 2020 SNAP QC samples.

a For the waiver period, data are available for only 47 States and territories (all except for California, Delaware, the District of 

Columbia, Maine, Maryland, and New York). Thus, the total number of households should not be compared directly with 

totals from the pre-pandemic period or those for earlier fiscal years.

The composition of the SNAP caseload changed between fiscal year 2016 and fiscal year 

2020. The percentage of participants who were elderly increased continuously through the prepandemic period, from 11.8 percent to 16.2 percent, with corresponding decreases in the 

percentage of participants who were non-elderly adults (from 44.1 percent to 41.8 percent) and 

the percentage who were children (from 44.1 percent to 42.0 percent). During the waiver period, 

the percentage of participants who were non-elderly adults increased to 43.6 percent while the 

percentage who were elderly decreased to 15.5 percent. The percentage of participants who were 

children continued to decrease to 40.9 percent (Figure 3.3). The average household size

decreased slowly but steadily from fiscal year 2016 to the waiver period (Table 3.7).

44 FNS administrative records are available at https://www.fns.usda.gov/pd/supplemental-nutrition-assistanceprogram-snap.
35

Figure 3.3. SNAP participants by age group, fiscal years 2016–2020

44.1 43.5 43.7 42.7 42.0 40.9

44.1 43.4 42.2 41.7 41.8 43.6

11.8 13.1 14.1 15.6 16.2 15.5

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

2016

(43.5 million

participants)

2017

(41.5 million

participants)

2018

(39.5 million

participants)

2019

(37.4 million

 participants)

Pre-pandemic

period of 2020

(36.4 million

participants)

Waiver

period of 2020

(32.2 million

participants)

Percentage of caseload

Children Non-elderly adults Elderly adults

Sources: Fiscal years 2016 - 2020 SNAP QC samples.

The economic circumstances of the SNAP population changed gradually in recent years as 

the population itself changed. Average gross income as a percentage of Federal poverty 

guidelines increased consistently from 60.8 percent in fiscal year 2016 to 64.7 percent in fiscal 

year 2019, then decreased to 64.5 percent in both periods of fiscal year 2020 (Table 3.7). The 

percentage of households receiving the minimum benefit increased from fiscal year 2016 through 

both periods of fiscal year 2020. The percentage of households receiving the maximum benefit

decreased from fiscal year 2016 to the pre-pandemic period of fiscal year 2020, then increased in 

the waiver period. The percentage of households with TANF income decreased each year from 

fiscal year 2016 through both periods of fiscal year 2020.

As the average gross income per household increased from fiscal year 2019 to the fiscal year 

2020 pre-pandemic period, the average household benefit decreased. The average gross income

per person increased in nominal value and real value from fiscal year 2019 to the fiscal year 

2020 pre-pandemic period (Table 3.8). The average net income per person increased in nominal 

value but remained the same in real value from fiscal year 2019 to the pre-pandemic period. The 

average household benefit decreased in real dollars, from $236 in fiscal year 2019 to $230 in the 

fiscal year 2020 pre-pandemic period.
36

Table 3.8. Nominal and real values of selected characteristics, fiscal year 2019 and fiscal year 2020, pre-pandemic 

period

 

Fiscal year 

2019

Fiscal year 

2020, prepandemic 

period

 

 

Characteristic

Nominal

value

Real value

(in fiscal year 

2020 dollars)

Nominal

value

Percentage 

change in 

nominal values

Percentage 

change in real 

values

Average gross income a . . . . .

Per household $872 $885 $890 +2.0 +0.5

Per person 540 548 554 +2.5 +1.0

Average net income a . . . . .

Per household 398 404 408 +2.5 +0.9

Per person 227 231 233 +2.5 +1.0

Average total deduction a 578 586 584 +1.1 -0.4

Average household benefit b 234 236 230 -1.7 -2.4

Maximum household benefit

for a family of four b,c 642 646 646 +0.6 -0.1

Consumer price index (CPI) . . . . .

All items 254.4 258.2 +1.5 .

Food at home 241.2 . 242.8 +0.7 .

Sources: Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) average values: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of 

Labor Statistics. Nominal values: Fiscal year 2019 and fiscal year 2020 pre-pandemic SNAP QC samples.

a Real values are in constant fiscal year 2020 pre-pandemic period dollars. Fiscal year 2019 values were inflated by the 

change in the CPI-U for all items between fiscal year 2019 and fiscal year 2020, pre-pandemic period (+1.5 percent).

b Real values are in constant fiscal year 2020 pre-pandemic period dollars. Fiscal year 2019 values were inflated by the 

change in the CPI-U for food at home between fiscal year 2019 and fiscal year 2020, pre-pandemic period (+0.7 percent).

c The maximum benefit values were based on 100 percent of the cost of the Thrifty Food Plan in June 2019 for a family of 

four living in the 48 contiguous States or the District of Columbia.
ACRONYMS AND DEFINITIONS

39

ACRONYMS

ARRA American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

BBCE Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility

CPI-U Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers

EBT Electronic Benefits Transfer

ESAP Elderly Simplified Application Project

FNA Food and Nutrition Act of 2008

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

PA Public Assistance

QC Quality Control 

SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

SNAP QC Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control

SSI Supplemental Security Income

SSI-CAP SSI-Combined Application Project

SUA Standard Utility Allowance

TANF Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

TFP Thrifty Food Plan

USDA U.S. Department of Agriculture

41

DEFINITIONS

Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 

(2018 Farm Bill). Legislation, signed on 

December 20, 2018, that reauthorized SNAP 

through fiscal year 2023. It maintains the 

program’s basic eligibility guidelines and 

work requirements while providing 

additional funding for enhanced employment 

and training activities. The bill also provides 

additional funding to promote healthy eating 

and expanded antifraud efforts, particularly 

across States. 

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act 

of 2009 (ARRA). Legislation, which took 

effect on April 1, 2009, that temporarily 

increased the maximum SNAP benefit to 

113.6 percent of the cost of the June 2008 

Thrifty Food Plan. As specified in subsequent 

legislation, this provision expired on October 

31, 2013, and the maximum benefit returned 

to its original calculation, which is based on 

100 percent of the cost of the Thrifty Food 

Plan from the preceding June. 

Broad-based categorical eligibility 

(BBCE). Policy under which households 

receive a TANF- or Maintenance of Effort–

funded noncash service that makes them 

categorically eligible for SNAP. The noncash 

service is usually in the form of a brochure or 

handout that provides information on Stateprovided 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 and therefore are deemed financially 

eligible for SNAP. Includes households 

receiving cash or noncash benefits or services 

that are at least 50 percent funded by TANF

or Maintenance of Effort funds. Some States

also confer categorical eligibility based on 

benefits or services that are less than 50 

percent funded by TANF or Maintenance of 

Effort funds, and on households in which at 

least one member receives a benefit or 

service and 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 the Federal poverty guidelines. 

However, if the purpose of the program is to 

further workforce participation or support the 

care for children in their families’ homes, 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 from gross income in the SNAP 

eligibility and benefit calculation for 

households with legally obligated child

support payments made to or for a 

nonmember of the household. States may 

choose to exclude child support payments 

from gross income rather than use the 

deduction. See also Deductions.

Children. Individuals younger than age 18.

Countable income. All earned or unearned 

income that is counted toward gross income. 

This includes most cash income (with the 

exception of specific types of income, such 

as loans) and excludes most noncash income 

or in-kind benefits. See also Gross income

limit.

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 lump-sum 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.
42

Deductions. Allowable deductions from a 

household’s gross monthly income used to 

calculate SNAP net monthly income. The 

deduction amounts to which households are 

entitled are shown in the appendix tables. 

(MFIP and SSI-CAP participants are subject 

to different rules.) Total deductions to which 

a household is entitled do not always equal 

the difference between gross and net income

amounts because net income may not be less 

than zero. See also Child support payment 

deduction, Dependent care deduction,

Earned income deduction, Excess shelter 

expense deduction, Medical expense 

deduction, MFIP, SSI-CAP, Standard 

deduction, and Total deduction.

Deemed income. Individual sponsors of 

certain noncitizens may be subject to 

sponsor-to-noncitizen deeming, which counts 

the sponsor’s income and resources as part of 

the noncitizen’s 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 Deductions.

Earned income. Includes wages, salaries, 

self-employment income, and other reported 

earned income.

Earned income deduction. Deduction

received by households with earnings, equal 

to 20 percent of the combined earnings of 

household members. (MFIP participants were 

entitled to a 50 percent earned income

deduction in fiscal year 2020.) See also 

Deductions and Minnesota Family 

Investment Program.

Elderly individuals. Adults age 60 or older.

Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT). Means 

of benefit delivery via Electronic Benefits

Transfer card, similar to a debit card, used to 

purchase food at authorized retailers.

Emergency allotment. Authorized under the 

Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 

2020 to supplement SNAP benefits. States 

issued emergency allotments to SNAP 

households receiving less than the maximum 

benefit, which increased the household’s 

benefit to the maximum for its size.

Entrant households. Households newly 

certified during fiscal year 2020 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 members or 

individuals with disabilities. See also 

Deductions, Homeless household shelter 

deduction, and Appendix C.

Expedited service households. Households 

with gross income less than $150 and 

countable resources equal to or less than 

$100 and households 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 

must receive SNAP benefits within this time 

frame.

Families First Coronavirus Response Act 

of 2020. Legislation, signed on March 18, 

2020, that authorized emergency 

supplemental appropriations in response to 

the COVID-19 public health emergency. The 

legislation authorized States to provide 

emergency allotments to supplement SNAP 

benefits. 

General Assistance (GA). State-run welfare 

programs that provide assistance to lowincome individuals without children.

Gross income. Total monthly countable 

income of a household in dollars, before 

applying deductions.
43

Gross income limit. SNAP monthly gross 

income eligibility standards, determined by 

household size and geography; equal to 130 

percent of Federal poverty guidelines. See 

also Appendix C and Countable income.

Homeless household shelter deduction. A 

standard shelter deduction for homeless 

households that have qualifying shelter 

expenses and do not claim the excess shelter 

expense deduction. The homeless household 

shelter deduction is indexed to inflation; in 

fiscal year 2020, the value of the deduction

was $152.06. 

Household. Individuals who live in a

residential unit and purchase and prepare 

food together. Spouses living together, and 

children younger than age 22 living with their 

parents must be considered a household, 

regardless of whether or not they purchase 

and prepare food together.

Individuals living alone. Individuals who 

reside in one-person SNAP households

(although other nonparticipating individuals 

may live in the same residence).

Individuals with disabilities. SNAP rules 

define an individual with a disability as 

someone who receives Federal or State

payments for the disabled or blind, receives a 

disability retirement benefit from a 

governmental agency, or receives an annuity 

under the Railroad Retirement Act and is 

either eligible for Medicare or is considered 

to be disabled based on SSI rules. A disabled 

veteran or a permanently disabled spouse or 

child of a veteran receiving veterans’ benefits

is also considered to be disabled for SNAP 

purposes. For this report, individuals with 

disabilities are defined as people younger 

than age 60 who met one of the following 

four criteria: (1) received SSI; (2) worked 

fewer than 30 hours per week, were 

exempted from work registration due to 

disability, and received Social Security

income, veterans’ benefits, or workers’ 

compensation; (3) were in a SNAP household 

without a participating elderly individual or 

nonparticipating elderly member who was 

disqualified for program violation, ineligible 

due to disqualification or failure to meet 

work requirements, a fleeing felon or parole 

and probation violator, or convicted drug 

felon, but with a medical expense deduction 

and some indication of disability such as 

work registration status, hours worked, or 

type of income received; or (4) were in a 

single-person household and received Social 

Security income.

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 to the United States for 

permanent resident status.

Married-head households. Households that 

include the head of household’s spouse, 

either as a SNAP participant or an ineligible 

nonparticipant.

Maximum benefit. Maximum SNAP 

benefits vary by household size and are 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. Maximum benefits are uniform 

throughout the contiguous United States but 

are different for Alaska, Guam, Hawaii, and 

the U.S. Virgin Islands. A household’s SNAP 

benefit is calculated by subtracting 30 

percent of its net income from the maximum 

benefit amount it is entitled to based on its 

size and geographic region. See also 

Appendix C.

Medical expense deduction. Deduction 

available to households with elderly members

or individuals with disabilities, equal to all 

unreimbursed medical expenses incurred by 

the elderly individuals or individuals with a 

disability that exceed $35. See also 

Deductions.

Metropolitan households. Households 

whose SNAP application was processed at an 

agency in a Census Bureau-defined 
44

Metropolitan Statistical Area. A Metropolitan 

Statistical Area 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 in 

population and includes adjacent territory 

with a high degree of social and economic 

integration with the core, as measured by 

commuting ties.

Minimum benefit. Amount guaranteed to all 

eligible one- and two-person households 

except during the initial month of 

participation. In fiscal year 2020, the 

minimum benefit for all one- and two-person 

households was equal to 8 percent of the 

maximum benefit for a one-person 

household. Because it is derived from the 

maximum benefit, the minimum benefit also 

varies by geographic region. See also 

Appendix C.

Minnesota Family Investment Program 

(MFIP). Minnesota’s cash and food 

assistance program, which jointly calculates 

SNAP benefits and cash assistance for 

participating households.

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, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, 

Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, 

Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North 

Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, 

South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, and 

Washington.

Net income limit. SNAP monthly net income 

eligibility standard, determined by household 

size and geography, equal to 100 percent of 

the Federal 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 lawful permanent 

residents, refugees, asylees, those granted a 

stay of deportation, and unauthorized aliens. 

Lawfully present noncitizens are subject to 

additional nonfinancial eligibility criteria (see 

Chapter 2). Undocumented individuals are 

not eligible to receive SNAP benefits, but 

may be nonparticipating members of SNAP 

households.

Non-elderly adults. Adults age 18–59.

Nonimmigrant visitors to the United 

States. Noncitizens who have been admitted 

to the United States 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.

Other multiple-adult households. 

Households with an unmarried household 

head and more than one adult.

Other noncitizen. In this report, other 

noncitizen refers to eligible noncitizens who 

are not refugees, asylees or those granted a 

stay of deportation. See Noncitizen.

Poverty guidelines. HHS issues the poverty 

guidelines used by FNS and many other 

Federal programs to determine income

eligibility. The guidelines are based on the 

poverty thresholds issued by the Census 

Bureau. Monthly net income limits for SNAP 

are calculated by dividing the guidelines by 

12 and rounding up to the nearest dollar. See 

also Appendix C.

Pre-pandemic period. Covers October 2019 

through February 2020, prior to the COVID19 public health emergency. This report 

describes the characteristics of SNAP 

households and participants in two separate 
45

periods of fiscal year 2020, referred to as the 

pre-pandemic period and the waiver period. 

FNS granted States temporary waivers on 

conducting QC reviews starting in March 

2020. Very few States collected QC data 

from March 2020 through May 2020, so 

those months are not described in this report. 

See Waiver period.

Preschool-age children. Children younger 

than age 5.

Pure public assistance (PA). A household is 

considered to be pure PA if each member of 

the household receives SSI, a cash TANF

benefit, or GA income.

Refugees. Noncitizens accorded refugee

status. In this report, the term refugee

includes refugees, asylees, and those granted 

a stay of deportation.

Resource limit. For all non-categorically 

eligible households without an elderly 

member or individual with a disability, the 

resource limit was $2,250 in fiscal year 2020. 

Non-categorically eligible households with 

an elderly individual or individual with a 

disability were allowed up to $3,500 in 

countable resources. See also Countable 

resources.

Rural. Households whose SNAP application 

was processed at an agency not located in a 

Metropolitan Statistical Area or a 

Micropolitan Statistical Area.

School-age children. Children age 5–17.

Shelter deduction. See Excess shelter 

expense deduction.

Single adult with children households. 

Households with exactly one participating 

person age 18 or older, no spouse, and at 

least one person younger than age 18.

Single-person households. Households with 

exactly one participating person.

SSI-Combined Application Project (SSICAP). Joint project of FNS, the Social 

Security Administration, and States, with a 

goal of streamlining the procedures for 

providing SNAP benefits to certain 

households eligible for SSI.

Standard deduction. Deduction received by 

all households, which varies by household 

size and for areas outside of the 48 

contiguous States and the District of 

Columbia to reflect price differences among 

geographic areas. See also Appendix C and 

Deductions.

Standard medical deduction

demonstrations. State programs that use a 

standard deduction amount for households 

containing elderly members or individuals 

with disabilities who have medical expenses 

below a specified limit.

Standard Utility Allowance (SUA). 

Specified dollar amounts set by State

agencies that States may use in place of 

actual utility costs to calculate a household’s 

total shelter expenses.

Student. Participant age 18 or older enrolled 

at least half time in a recognized school, 

training program, or institution of higher 

education.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance 

Program (SNAP). Provides nutrition 

assistance by providing a monthly dollar 

benefit to use at authorized retailers via an 

EBT card to eligible, low-income individuals 

and households in need.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI). 

Federal income supplement program that 

provides cash assistance to low-income 

elderly individuals and non-elderly 

individuals with disabilities.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families 

(TANF). Federally funded, State-run 

program that provides temporary cash or 

other assistance to low-income families with 

children in order to assist needy families and 

for other purposes.

Thrifty Food Plan (TFP). Market basket of 

goods based on an economical and nutritious 

diet, adjusted for household size and 

composition. USDA initially developed the 
46

plan, and the FNS Center for Nutrition and 

Policy Promotion updates the costs. The 

value of the preceding June’s Thrifty Food 

Plan is used to determine maximum SNAP 

benefit amounts.

Time limits and additional work 

requirements for adults age 18–49 without 

disabilities in childless households. SNAP 

participants without disabilities age 18–49

who do not live with a household member 

younger than age 18 are generally subject to 

time limits on their participation unless they 

fulfill additional work requirements beyond 

the SNAP general work requirements. (See 

Work requirements.) To receive SNAP 

benefits for more than 3 months in a 36-

month period, these individuals are required 

to work at least 80 hours a month, participate 

in a combination of work and work program 

activities for at least 80 hours a month, or 

comply with a workfare program. States can 

apply to waive this requirement in certain 

areas where there are insufficient jobs or an 

unemployment rate above 10 percent. States

are also issued a limited number of 

exemptions from the requirement each year, 

which they can assign to individuals to let 

them receive benefits for a longer period. The 

Families First Coronavirus Response Act

temporarily and partially suspended time 

limits beginning April 1, 2020. In this report, 

all adults meeting this definition, regardless 

of exemption status, are identified as Adults 

Age 18–49 Without Disabilities in Childless 

Households.

Total deduction. Includes standard, earned 

income, dependent care, medical expense, 

child support payment, and excess shelter 

expense deductions that SNAP households 

are entitled to. If a household’s total 

deductions are higher than its gross income, 

only an amount equal to gross income is 

applied. See also Deductions.

Unearned income. Includes TANF, GA, 

SSI, Social Security, unemployment benefits, 

veterans’ benefits, workers’ compensation, 

other government benefits, contributions, 

deemed income, education loans, child 

support, foster care payments, wage 

supplementations, energy assistance, State 

diversion payments, and other unearned 

income.

Waiver period. Covers May 2020 through 

September 2020. This report describes the 

characteristics of SNAP households and 

participants nationwide in two separate 

periods of fiscal year 2020, referred to as the 

pre-pandemic period and the waiver period. 

FNS granted States temporary waivers on 

conducting QC reviews starting in March 

2020. Very few States collected QC data 

from March 2020 through May 2020, so 

those months are not described in this report. 

See Pre-pandemic period.

Work requirements. Many SNAP 

participants without disabilities are required 

to register for work or be registered by the 

State agency, must participate in a State

employment and training or workfare 

program if assigned by the State agency, and 

must agree to accept any suitable job offered 

to them. Individuals exempt from SNAP 

work registration include the following: 

• All individuals younger than age 16 or age

60 and older, and some individuals age 16 

and 17

• Individuals physically or mentally unfit for 

work

• Individuals complying with work 

requirements of other assistance programs 

under TANF

• Individuals responsible for the care of a 

dependent child younger than age 6 or the 

care of an incapacitated person

• Individuals receiving unemployment 

compensation

• Regular participants in a drug addiction or 

alcohol treatment program 

• Individuals working a minimum of 30 

hours a week or earning an amount equal to 

the Federal minimum wage multiplied by 

30 hours
47

• Students enrolled at least half time in a 

school, training program, or institution of 

higher education

APPENDIX A 

DETAILED TABLES OF SNAP HOUSEHOLD CHARACTERISTICS

Note: All Appendix A table footnotes appear at the conclusion of this appendix.

51

The Appendix A tables in this report differ from the tables in previous reports in this series due to 

(1) QC data limitations resulting from the COVID-19 public health emergency and (2) changes in 

economic and program circumstances after the start of the pandemic. The differences are described 

below.

Two sets of tables for fiscal year 2020. The Appendix A tables in this report describe the average 

monthly characteristics of SNAP households and participants at the national level in two separate 

periods: (1) the pre-pandemic period of October 2019 through February 2020 and (2) the waiver period 

of June 2020 through September 2020. For the waiver period, data are available for only 47 States and 

territories—all except for California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, and New 

York. Thus, the waiver period totals and characteristics presented in the tables do not reflect all SNAP 

participants nationwide. These totals should not be compared directly with totals from the pre-pandemic 

period tables or those for earlier fiscal years, though the distribution of participant characteristics is 

comparable across the two fiscal year 2020 time periods. 

The pre-pandemic period tables are denoted by the “.a” suffix and the waiver period tables are 

denoted by the “.b” suffix that appears in the table’s title line.

Use caution when interpreting fiscal year 2020 waiver period results. FNS granted States 

temporary waivers on conducting QC reviews, starting in March 2020. Very few States collected QC 

data from March 2020 through May 2020, so those months are not described in this report and are not 

reflected in the Appendix A tables. Most States opted to conduct QC reviews from June 2020 through 

September 2020, although FNS was unable to provide its usual level of oversight of the sampling 

procedures.45 Furthermore, monthly State samples for this time period were often smaller than usual. 

Tables excluded due to small sample sizes. In cases where small sample sizes frequently occurred 

throughout an appendix table usually included in this report series, the table was omitted from this 

report. In its place, a note to the reader explains that the table was omitted due to small sample sizes.

Dagger indicates estimate based on small sample sizes. For tables with some estimates based on 

small sample sizes but not enough to warrant excluding the table from the report, a dagger symbol was 

added to note the small sample size and caution readers about interpretation of the result. 

45 Five States—California, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, and New York—and the District of Columbia did not have any 

data for the waiver period (June 2020 through September 2020). Eight States—Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Massachusetts, Ohio, 

Oregon, South Dakota, and Washington—had only one month of data in the waiver period. Fourteen States and territories—

Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Dakota, Rhode Island, 

Virginia, Wisconsin, Guam, and the Virgin Islands—had only two months of data in the waiver period. Four States—Illinois, 

New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas—had three months of data in the waiver period.
52
53

Table A.1.a. Distribution of participating households, individuals, and benefits by household characteristic, pre-pandemic 

period

SNAP 

households

Participants in 

households with 

household characteristic

Monthly SNAP

benefits

Household characteristic

Number

(000) Percent

Number

(000) Percent

Number

(000) Percent

Total 18,657 100.0 36,363 100.0 4,283,434 100.0

Household composition

Children 7,108 38.1 23,512 64.7 2,725,295 63.6

School-age 5,786 31.0 20,185 55.5 2,283,003 53.3

Preschool-age 3,396 18.2 12,184 33.5 1,446,577 33.8

No children 11,549 61.9 12,852 35.3 1,558,139 36.4

Elderly individuals 5,330 28.6 6,521 17.9 630,432 14.7

No elderly individuals 13,327 71.4 29,843 82.1 3,653,002 85.3

Non-elderly individuals with disabilities 4,071 21.8 7,258 20.0 724,010 16.9

No non-elderly individuals with disabilities 14,586 78.2 29,106 80.0 3,559,425 83.1

Adults age 18–49 without disabilities in 

childless householdsa 2,492 13.4 2,987 8.2 465,988 10.9

No adults age 18–49 without disabilities in 

childless households 16,164 86.6 33,377 91.8 3,817,447 89.1

Noncitizens 945 5.1 2,050 5.6 235,612 5.5

No noncitizens 17,711 94.9 34,313 94.4 4,047,822 94.5

Locality

Metropolitan 15,332 82.2 29,756 81.8 3,529,218 82.4

Micropolitanb 1,841 9.9 3,687 10.1 422,433 9.9

Rural 1,091 5.8 2,202 6.1 246,149 5.7

Unknown locality 393 2.1 718 2.0 85,634 2.0

Countable Income Source

Gross income 15,199 81.5 30,823 84.8 3,301,231 77.1

No gross income 3,458 18.5 5,541 15.2 982,204 22.9

Net income 11,580 62.1 24,478 67.3 2,199,518 51.3

No net income 6,506 34.9 11,285 31.0 2,001,228 46.7

Not applicablec 570 3.1 600 1.6 82,689 1.9

Earned income 5,174 27.7 14,730 40.5 1,470,672 34.3

No earned income 13,483 72.3 21,634 59.5 2,812,763 65.7

Unearned income 11,768 63.1 21,437 59.0 2,298,372 53.7

No unearned income 6,889 36.9 14,926 41.0 1,985,063 46.3

TANF 674 3.6 2,158 5.9 252,276 5.9

No TANF 17,983 96.4 34,205 94.1 4,031,158 94.1

GA 768 4.1 1,432 3.9 179,855 4.2

No GA 17,888 95.9 34,931 96.1 4,103,579 95.8

SSI 4,667 25.0 7,637 21.0 806,237 18.8

No SSI 13,990 75.0 28,726 79.0 3,477,197 81.2

Social Security 5,933 31.8 8,388 23.1 750,871 17.5

No Social Security 12,724 68.2 27,975 76.9 3,532,564 82.5

Gross countable income as a percentage 

of poverty guidelines

No gross income 3,458 18.5 5,541 15.2 982,204 22.9

25 percent or lessd 1,349 7.2 3,253 8.9 544,283 12.7

26 to 50 percent 1,850 9.9 5,119 14.1 769,358 18.0

51 to 75 percent 3,391 18.2 6,903 19.0 836,956 19.5

76 to 100 percent 5,084 27.2 8,687 23.9 824,364 19.2

101 to 130 percent 2,291 12.3 4,745 13.0 262,742 6.1

131 percent or greater 1,235 6.6 2,116 5.8 63,527 1.5

SNAP benefit

Minimum benefit 2,065 11.1 2,488 6.8 33,075 0.8

Maximum benefit 6,780 36.3 11,559 31.8 2,054,398 48.0

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 data from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
54

Table A.1.b. Distribution of participating households, individuals, and benefits by household characteristic, waiver period

SNAP 

households

Participants in 

households with 

household characteristic

Monthly SNAP

benefits

Household characteristic

Number

(000) Percent

Number

(000) Percent

Number

(000) Percent

Total 16,686 100.0 32,170 100.0 3,719,663 100.0

Household composition

Children 6,178 37.0 20,528 63.8 2,355,044 63.3

School-age 5,036 30.2 17,682 55.0 1,964,305 52.8

Preschool-age 2,924 17.5 10,544 32.8 1,262,858 34.0

No children 10,508 63.0 11,641 36.2 1,364,619 36.7

Elderly individuals 4,619 27.7 5,534 17.2 506,913 13.6

No elderly individuals 12,067 72.3 26,635 82.8 3,212,750 86.4

Non-elderly individuals with disabilities 3,589 21.5 6,565 20.4 619,746 16.7

No non-elderly individuals with disabilities 13,097 78.5 25,605 79.6 3,099,918 83.3

Adults age 18–49 without disabilities in 

childless householdsa 2,647 15.9 3,192 9.9 498,839 13.4

No adults age 18–49 without disabilities in 

childless households 14,039 84.1 28,978 90.1 3,220,824 86.6

Noncitizens 606 3.6 1,410 4.4 151,682 4.1

No noncitizens 16,080 96.4 30,760 95.6 3,567,981 95.9

Locality

Metropolitan 13,324 79.9 25,731 80.0 2,969,651 79.8

Micropolitanb 1,812 10.9 3,488 10.8 398,836 10.7

Rural 1,129 6.8 2,190 6.8 255,191 6.9

Unknown locality 421 2.5 761 2.4 95,984 2.6

Countable Income Source

Gross income 12,942 77.6 26,039 80.9 2,627,262 70.6

No gross income 3,744 22.4 6,130 19.1 1,092,402 29.4

Net income 10,311 61.8 20,970 65.2 1,753,402 47.1

No net income 6,153 36.9 10,929 34.0 1,941,172 52.2

Not applicablec 222 1.3 271 0.8 25,089 0.7

Earned income 4,140 24.8 11,928 37.1 1,118,037 30.1

No earned income 12,546 75.2 20,242 62.9 2,601,626 69.9

Unearned income 10,061 60.3 18,277 56.8 1,837,327 49.4

No unearned income 6,625 39.7 13,893 43.2 1,882,336 50.6

TANF 405 2.4 1,268 3.9 154,964 4.2

No TANF 16,281 97.6 30,902 96.1 3,564,699 95.8

GA 286 1.7 425 1.3 51,479 1.4

No GA 16,400 98.3 31,745 98.7 3,668,184 98.6

SSI 3,824 22.9 6,514 20.2 668,174 18.0

No SSI 12,862 77.1 25,656 79.8 3,051,489 82.0

Social Security 5,318 31.9 7,495 23.3 583,443 15.7

No Social Security 11,368 68.1 24,675 76.7 3,136,220 84.3

Gross countable income as a percentage 

of poverty guidelines

No gross income 3,744 22.4 6,130 19.1 1,092,402 29.4

25 percent or lessd 1,257 7.5 3,064 9.5 514,010 13.8

26 to 50 percent 1,427 8.6 4,177 13.0 621,920 16.7

51 to 75 percent 2,957 17.7 5,611 17.4 653,009 17.6

76 to 100 percent 3,780 22.7 6,193 19.3 540,280 14.5

101 to 130 percent 2,161 13.0 4,744 14.7 241,257 6.5

131 percent or greater 1,360 8.2 2,250 7.0 56,786 1.5

SNAP benefit

Minimum benefit 2,318 13.9 2,742 8.5 37,117 1.0

Maximum benefit 6,153 36.9 10,929 34.0 1,941,172 52.2

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
55

Table A.2.a. Average values: income as a percentage of poverty guidelines, gross and net countable income, total 

deduction, SNAP benefit, household size, and certification period of participating households by household characteristic, 

pre-pandemic period

Average values

Household characteristic

Gross countable 

income as a 

percentage of 

poverty 

guidelines

(percent)

Gross 

countable 

income 

(dollars)

Net 

countable 

income 

(dollars)e

Total 

deduction 

(dollars)f

SNAP 

benefit 

(dollars)

Household 

size 

(individuals)

Certification 

period 

(months)

Total 64.5 890 408 584 230 1.9 15.1

Household composition

Children 59.8 1,136 553 682 383 3.3 10.0

School-age 61.9 1,208 599 704 395 3.5 10.1

Preschool-age 55.6 1,123 539 689 426 3.6 9.8

No children 67.4 738 314 520 135 1.1 18.2

Elderly individuals 84.8 957 459 574 118 1.2 22.0

No elderly individuals 56.4 862 389 587 274 2.2 12.3

Non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 82.6 1,066 502 600 178 1.8 17.6

No non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 59.4 840 382 579 244 2.0 14.4

Adults age 18–49 without 

disabilities in childless 

householdsa 31.9 384 161 407 187 1.2 10.5

No adults age 18–49 without 

disabilities in childless 

households 69.5 967 447 612 236 2.1 15.8

Noncitizens 66.0 1,016 450 676 249 2.2 15.5

No noncitizens 64.4 883 405 579 229 1.9 15.1

Locality

Metropolitan 64.9 895 400 601 230 1.9 15.2

Micropolitanb 63.5 877 453 517 229 2.0 14.2

Rural 60.8 843 443 477 226 2.0 14.2

Unknown locality 63.9 844 396 538 218 1.8 18.2

Countable income source

Gross income 79.2 1,092 500 648 217 2.0 15.9

No gross income 0.0 0 0 298 284 1.6 11.6

Net income 88.6 1,251 637 614 190 2.1 15.7

No net income 21.6 267 0 532 308 1.7 12.3

Not applicablec 63.2 663 n.a. 121 145 1.1 35.1

Earned income 84.4 1,437 677 811 284 2.8 10.3

No earned income 56.8 679 301 493 209 1.6 16.9

Unearned income 78.9 1,018 473 597 195 1.8 17.6

No unearned income 39.9 669 299 561 288 2.2 10.8

TANF 56.4 1,051 538 567 375 3.2 11.1

No TANF 64.8 883 403 584 224 1.9 15.2

GA 55.2 778 323 553 234 1.9 14.7

No GA 64.9 894 412 585 229 2.0 15.1

SSI 77.0 971 434 576 173 1.6 21.2

No SSI 60.3 862 400 586 249 2.1 13.0

Social Security 93.3 1,091 528 595 127 1.4 19.8

No Social Security 51.0 795 351 578 278 2.2 12.9

SNAP benefit

Minimum benefit 125.7 1,422 1,016 406 16 1.2 17.8

Maximum benefit 24.1 290 0 532 303 1.7 13.3

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 data from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
56

Table A.2.b. Average values: income as a percentage of poverty guidelines, gross and net countable income, total 

deduction, SNAP benefit, household size, and certification period of participating households by household characteristic, 

waiver period

Average values

Household characteristic

Gross countable 

income as a 

percentage of 

poverty 

guidelines

(percent)

Gross 

countable 

income 

(dollars)

Net 

countable 

income 

(dollars)e

Total 

deduction 

(dollars)f

SNAP 

benefit 

(dollars)

Household 

size 

(individuals)

Certification 

period 

(months)

Total 64.5 880 444 552 223 1.9 14.6

Household composition

Children 57.8 1,109 584 658 381 3.3 10.8

School-age 60.8 1,202 641 687 390 3.5 10.9

Preschool-age 50.8 1,050 536 659 432 3.6 10.7

No children 68.4 746 361 489 130 1.1 16.8

Elderly individuals 86.1 959 480 551 110 1.2 19.7

No elderly individuals 56.2 850 431 553 266 2.2 12.6

Non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 83.6 1,083 561 553 173 1.8 17.5

No non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 59.2 825 412 552 237 2.0 13.7

Adults age 18–49 without 

disabilities in childless 

householdsa 38.3 450 231 409 188 1.2 10.5

No adults age 18–49 without 

disabilities in childless 

households 69.4 961 485 580 229 2.1 15.3

Noncitizens 59.4 982 510 652 250 2.3 13.1

No noncitizens 64.7 876 442 549 222 1.9 14.6

Locality

Metropolitan 65.7 901 449 571 223 1.9 14.4

Micropolitanb 61.3 829 440 498 220 1.9 14.3

Rural 56.2 757 418 437 226 1.9 14.9

Unknown locality 61.9 786 379 513 228 1.8 18.5

Countable income source

Gross income 83.1 1,135 571 616 203 2.0 15.5

No gross income 0.0 0 0 330 292 1.6 11.5

Net income 93.5 1,291 710 581 170 2.0 15.6

No net income 16.7 210 0 507 315 1.8 12.2

Not applicablec 37.8 397 n.a. 24 113 1.2 33.4

Earned income 90.3 1,528 791 794 270 2.9 10.7

No earned income 55.9 667 328 471 207 1.6 15.8

Unearned income 83.6 1,072 551 567 183 1.8 16.9

No unearned income 35.5 589 283 530 284 2.1 11.0

TANF 51.1 953 498 556 383 3.1 11.5

No TANF 64.8 878 443 552 219 1.9 14.6

GA 58.3 716 326 465 180 1.5 18.1

No GA 64.6 883 447 554 224 1.9 14.5

SSI 75.4 960 440 548 175 1.7 19.7

No SSI 61.2 857 446 554 237 2.0 13.0

Social Security 96.6 1,137 604 557 110 1.4 18.5

No Social Security 49.5 760 369 550 276 2.2 12.7

SNAP benefit

Minimum benefit 137.5 1,543 1,156 387 16 1.2 16.8

Maximum benefit 16.7 210 0 507 315 1.8 12.2

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
57

Table A.3.a. Distribution of participating households with children, elderly individuals, and non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities by household characteristic, pre-pandemic period

Households with:

Total 

households Children

Elderly 

individuals

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities

Household characteristic

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Total 18,657 100.0 7,108 100.0 5,330 100.0 4,071 100.0

Gross countable income 

$0 3,458 18.5 1,023 14.4 364 6.8 3 0.1

1 to 200 696 3.7 336 4.7 48 0.9 4 0.1

201 to 400 813 4.4 377 5.3 101 1.9 13 0.3

401 to 600 882 4.7 468 6.6 148 2.8 138 3.4

601 to 800 3,006 16.1 674 9.5 1,145 21.5 1,320 32.4

801 to 1,000 3,283 17.6 587 8.3 1,631 30.6 1,120 27.5

1,001 to 1,250 2,010 10.8 690 9.7 783 14.7 568 14.0

1,251 to 1,500 1,370 7.3 596 8.4 544 10.2 284 7.0

1,501 to 2,000 1,706 9.1 1,109 15.6 433 8.1 389 9.6

2,001 or greater 1,433 7.7 1,248 17.6 132 2.5 232 5.7

Net countable incomec

$0 6,506 34.9 2,330 32.8 944 17.7 603 14.8

1 to 200 2,210 11.8 710 10.0 724 13.6 647 15.9

201 to 400 2,487 13.3 715 10.1 943 17.7 825 20.3

401 to 600 1,914 10.3 571 8.0 850 16.0 550 13.5

601 to 800 1,471 7.9 561 7.9 521 9.8 466 11.5

801 to 1,000 1,066 5.7 528 7.4 378 7.1 263 6.5

1,001 to 1,250 1,016 5.4 574 8.1 341 6.4 207 5.1

1,251 or greater 1,416 7.6 1,095 15.4 251 4.7 360 8.8

Gross countable income as a 

percentage of poverty guidelines

No gross income 3,458 18.5 1,023 14.4 364 6.8 3 0.1

25 percent or lessd 1,349 7.2 799 11.2 69 1.3 20 0.5

26 to 50 percent 1,850 9.9 1,314 18.5 210 3.9 375 9.2

51 to 75 percent 3,391 18.2 1,384 19.5 957 17.9 1,269 31.2

76 to 100 percent 5,084 27.2 1,284 18.1 2,356 44.2 1,652 40.6

101 to 130 percent 2,291 12.3 907 12.8 859 16.1 513 12.6

131 percent or greater 1,235 6.6 396 5.6 515 9.7 238 5.9

Net countable income as a 

percentage of poverty guidelinesc

No net income 6,506 34.9 2,330 32.8 944 17.7 603 14.8

25 percent or lessd 3,799 20.4 1,636 23.0 1,077 20.2 1,101 27.0

26 to 50 percent 3,603 19.3 1,372 19.3 1,355 25.4 1,075 26.4

51 to 75 percent 2,454 13.2 1,148 16.2 824 15.5 705 17.3

76 to 100 percent 1,176 6.3 489 6.9 450 8.4 315 7.7

101 to 130 percent 364 2.0 58 0.8 208 3.9 73 1.8

131 percent or greater 185 1.0 52 0.7 93 1.7 48 1.2

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 data from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
58

Table A.3.b. Distribution of participating households with children, elderly individuals, and non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities by household characteristic, waiver period

Households with:

Total 

households Children

Elderly 

individuals

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities

Household characteristic

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Total 16,686 100.0 6,178 100.0 4,619 100.0 3,589 100.0

Gross countable income 

$0 3,744 22.4 1,206 19.5 359 7.8 1 0.0

1 to 200 679 4.1 340 5.5 33 0.7 9 0.3

201 to 400 651 3.9 404 6.5 53 1.1 4 0.1

401 to 600 667 4.0 335 5.4 146 3.2 104 2.9

601 to 800 2,376 14.2 479 7.8 785 17.0 1,133 31.6

801 to 1,000 2,860 17.1 410 6.6 1,520 32.9 973 27.1

1,001 to 1,250 1,792 10.7 566 9.2 817 17.7 509 14.2

1,251 to 1,500 1,089 6.5 444 7.2 383 8.3 333 9.3

1,501 to 2,000 1,275 7.6 735 11.9 359 7.8 264 7.4

2,001 or greater 1,553 9.3 1,259 20.4 166 3.6 259 7.2

Net countable incomec

$0 6,153 36.9 2,320 37.6 831 18.0 414 11.5

1 to 200 1,773 10.6 518 8.4 543 11.8 546 15.2

201 to 400 2,001 12.0 461 7.5 830 18.0 695 19.4

401 to 600 1,856 11.1 476 7.7 805 17.4 615 17.1

601 to 800 1,341 8.0 437 7.1 576 12.5 408 11.4

801 to 1,000 981 5.9 391 6.3 374 8.1 271 7.5

1,001 to 1,250 783 4.7 437 7.1 240 5.2 226 6.3

1,251 or greater 1,577 9.4 1,108 17.9 274 5.9 374 10.4

Gross countable income as a 

percentage of poverty guidelines

No gross income 3,744 22.4 1,206 19.5 359 7.8 1 0.0

25 percent or lessd 1,257 7.5 826 13.4 48 1.0 16 0.5

26 to 50 percent 1,427 8.6 997 16.1 154 3.3 358 10.0

51 to 75 percent 2,957 17.7 985 15.9 882 19.1 1,295 36.1

76 to 100 percent 3,780 22.7 840 13.6 1,820 39.4 1,228 34.2

101 to 130 percent 2,161 13.0 910 14.7 818 17.7 437 12.2

131 percent or greater 1,360 8.2 415 6.7 538 11.6 254 7.1

Net countable income as a 

percentage of poverty guidelinesc

No net income 6,153 36.9 2,320 37.6 831 18.0 414 11.5

25 percent or lessd 2,834 17.0 1,117 18.1 811 17.6 874 24.4

26 to 50 percent 3,254 19.5 1,096 17.7 1,249 27.0 1,067 29.7

51 to 75 percent 2,218 13.3 886 14.3 806 17.5 683 19.0

76 to 100 percent 1,263 7.6 569 9.2 482 10.4 307 8.5

101 to 130 percent 371 2.2 79 1.3 158 3.4 143 4.0

131 percent or greater 370 2.2 82 1.3 134 2.9 61 1.7

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
59

Table A.4.a. Distribution of participating households by household size and amount of countable gross and net income, and gross and net income as a percentage of 

poverty guidelines, pre-pandemic period

Household size (individuals)

1 2 3 4 5 6 or more

Household characteristic

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Total 10,544 100.0 3,173 100.0 2,250 100.0 1,482 100.0 715 100.0 493 100.0

Gross countable income 

 

 

 

$0 2,359 22.4 492 15.5 360 16.0 156 10.5 61 8.5 29 5.9

1 to 200 362 3.4 148 4.7 98 4.3 57 3.8 20 2.7 12 2.4

201 to 400 437 4.1 187 5.9 84 3.7 59 4.0 30 4.2 15 3.1

401 to 600 438 4.2 182 5.7 131 5.8 77 5.2 36 5.1 18 3.6

601 to 800 2,266 21.5 329 10.4 225 10.0 114 7.7 41 5.8 32 6.4

801 to 1,000 2,605 24.7 281 8.9 218 9.7 104 7.0 50 7.0 25 5.0

1,001 to 1,250 1,069 10.1 498 15.7 247 11.0 111 7.5 53 7.5 33 6.6

1,251 to 1,500 590 5.6 353 11.1 229 10.2 118 8.0 50 7.0 30 6.1

1,501 to 2,000 360 3.4 401 12.6 427 19.0 303 20.4 140 19.6 75 15.3

2,001 or greater 58 0.6 301 9.5 232 10.3 384 25.9 234 32.8 224 45.4

Net countable incomec

$0 4,078 38.7 1,110 35.0 689 30.6 370 25.0 170 23.8 90 18.2

1 to 200 1,447 13.7 290 9.1 294 13.1 91 6.1 49 6.9 38 7.7

201 to 400 1,646 15.6 362 11.4 271 12.0 137 9.2 50 7.0 22 4.5

401 to 600 1,196 11.3 314 9.9 193 8.6 149 10.0 37 5.2 25 5.0

601 to 800 778 7.4 298 9.4 184 8.2 115 7.7 59 8.3 37 7.5

801 to 1,000 421 4.0 243 7.7 214 9.5 99 6.7 54 7.5 35 7.2

1,001 to 1,250 289 2.7 228 7.2 219 9.7 161 10.9 69 9.7 50 10.2

1,251 or greater 136 1.3 318 10.0 181 8.1 359 24.2 227 31.7 195 39.6

Gross countable income as a 

percentage of poverty guidelines

No gross income 2,359 22.4 492 15.5 360 16.0 156 10.5 61 8.5 29 5.9

25 percent or lessd 542 5.1 286 9.0 207 9.2 162 10.9 87 12.2 64 13.0

26 to 50 percent 519 4.9 358 11.3 430 19.1 285 19.2 145 20.2 114 23.1

51 to 75 percent 1,820 17.3 588 18.5 457 20.3 262 17.7 151 21.1 113 22.9

76 to 100 percent 3,462 32.8 637 20.1 405 18.0 306 20.6 185 25.9 90 18.3

101 to 130 percent 1,172 11.1 432 13.6 305 13.6 234 15.8 76 10.7 71 14.4

131 percent or greater 671 6.4 379 12.0 85 3.8 77 5.2 10 1.4 12 2.4

Net countable income as a 

percentage of poverty guidelinesc

No net income 4,078 38.7 1,110 35.0 689 30.6 370 25.0 170 23.8 90 18.2

25 percent or lessd 2,002 19.0 586 18.5 611 27.2 331 22.3 147 20.6 122 24.7

26 to 50 percent 1,970 18.7 566 17.8 426 18.9 325 21.9 176 24.6 140 28.5

51 to 75 percent 1,078 10.2 430 13.5 398 17.7 292 19.7 163 22.7 93 18.9

76 to 100 percent 524 5.0 264 8.3 121 5.4 162 10.9 58 8.2 46 9.4

101 to 130 percent 251 2.4 111 3.5 0 0.0 0 0.0 1 0.1 1 0.2

131 percent or greater 89 0.8 96 3.0 - - - - 0 0.0 - -

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 data from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
60

Table A.4.b. Distribution of participating households by household size and amount of countable gross and net income, and gross and net income as a percentage of 

poverty guidelines, waiver period

Household size (individuals)

1 2 3 4 5 6 or more

Household characteristic

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Total 9,660 100.0 2,723 100.0 2,021 100.0 1,262 100.0 546 100.0 473 100.0

Gross countable income 

 

 

 

$0 2,472 25.6 586 21.5 404 20.0 186 14.7 56 10.3 38 8.1

1 to 200 336 3.5 141 5.2 116 5.7 58 4.6 19 3.4 10 2.0

201 to 400 255 2.6 161 5.9 134 6.6 72 5.7 20 3.6 9 1.8

401 to 600 303 3.1 150 5.5 140 6.9 50 4.0 14 2.5 10 2.1

601 to 800 1,839 19.0 197 7.3 182 9.0 108 8.5 40 7.3 10 2.1

801 to 1,000 2,312 23.9 258 9.5 177 8.7 63 5.0 25 4.5 25 5.3

1,001 to 1,250 1,091 11.3 306 11.2 203 10.0 117 9.3 37 6.7 39 8.2

1,251 to 1,500 527 5.5 242 8.9 138 6.8 126 10.0 33 6.1 23 4.8

1,501 to 2,000 355 3.7 373 13.7 280 13.9 160 12.7 71 13.0 36 7.6

2,001 or greater 170 1.8 309 11.3 248 12.3 321 25.4 232 42.5 274 57.9

Net countable incomec

$0 3,690 38.2 1,046 38.4 823 40.7 411 32.6 107 19.5 78 16.4

1 to 200 1,217 12.6 199 7.3 204 10.1 91 7.2 41 7.5 21 4.4

201 to 400 1,472 15.2 200 7.3 159 7.9 111 8.8 47 8.6 13 2.8

401 to 600 1,246 12.9 284 10.4 177 8.8 85 6.7 43 7.9 21 4.4

601 to 800 806 8.3 205 7.5 172 8.5 110 8.7 22 4.1 25 5.3

801 to 1,000 494 5.1 214 7.8 125 6.2 98 7.7 30 5.4 22 4.6

1,001 to 1,250 220 2.3 207 7.6 183 9.1 92 7.3 29 5.2 52 11.1

1,251 or greater 319 3.3 357 13.1 172 8.5 261 20.7 226 41.4 241 51.0

Gross countable income as a 

percentage of poverty guidelines

No gross income 2,472 25.6 586 21.5 404 20.0 186 14.7 56 10.3 38 8.1

25 percent or lessd 427 4.4 275 10.1 293 14.5 167 13.2 54 9.8 41 8.7

26 to 50 percent 337 3.5 273 10.0 356 17.6 265 21.0 100 18.3 96 20.4

51 to 75 percent 1,807 18.7 406 14.9 349 17.3 205 16.2 94 17.2 96 20.2

76 to 100 percent 2,706 28.0 437 16.1 287 14.2 164 13.0 95 17.3 92 19.4

101 to 130 percent 1,112 11.5 350 12.8 264 13.1 202 16.0 133 24.3 100 21.1

131 percent or greater 798 8.3 396 14.5 68 3.4 73 5.8 15 2.7 10 2.1

Net countable income as a 

percentage of poverty guidelinesc

No net income 3,690 38.2 1,046 38.4 823 40.7 411 32.6 107 19.5 78 16.4

25 percent or lessd 1,609 16.7 360 13.2 398 19.7 263 20.8 134 24.5 70 14.8

26 to 50 percent 1,947 20.2 457 16.8 368 18.2 280 22.2 87 16.0 114 24.2

51 to 75 percent 1,148 11.9 360 13.2 291 14.4 157 12.4 140 25.7 121 25.7

76 to 100 percent 588 6.1 230 8.5 135 6.7 146 11.6 76 13.9 89 18.7

101 to 130 percent 248 2.6 122 4.5 - - 1 0.0 - - 1 0.2

131 percent or greater 234 2.4 136 5.0 - - - - - - - -

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
61

Table A.5.a. Average values: gross and net countable income, gross and net countable income as a percentage of poverty guidelines, countable resources, and benefit 

of participating households by household composition and size, pre-pandemic period

Total households Average values

Household characteristic

Number

(000) Percent

Gross 

countable 

income 

(dollars)

Net 

countable 

income 

(dollars)e

Gross countable 

income as a 

percentage of 

poverty 

guidelines 

(percent)

Net countable 

income as a 

percentage of 

poverty 

guidelines 

(percent)e

Countable 

resources among 

households with 

countable 

resources 

(dollars)

SNAP 

benefit 

(dollars)

Total 18,657 100.0 890 408 64.5 28.2 384 230

Household composition 

 

Children 7,108 38.1 1,136 553 59.8 28.2 360 383

School-age 5,786 31.0 1,208 599 61.9 29.8 367 395

Preschool-age 3,396 18.2 1,123 539 55.6 25.6 331 426

No children 11,549 61.9 738 314 67.4 28.2 407 135

Elderly individuals 5,330 28.6 957 459 84.8 39.5 504 118

No elderly individuals 13,327 71.4 862 389 56.4 23.9 342 274

Non-elderly individuals with disabilities 4,071 21.8 1,066 502 82.6 36.1 399 178

No non-elderly individuals with disabilities 14,586 78.2 840 382 59.4 26.0 379 244

Household size

1 person 10,544 56.5 678 266 65.0 25.5 405 129

2 people 3,173 17.0 981 477 69.5 33.8 336 231

3 people 2,250 12.1 1,035 459 58.2 25.8 350 373

4 people 1,482 7.9 1,359 714 63.3 33.2 382 435

5 people 715 3.8 1,496 829 59.4 32.9 407 522

6 people 331 1.8 1,720 935 59.5 32.4 429 650

7 people 94 0.5 2,071 1,240 63.4 37.9 477 657

8 or more people 68 0.4 2,367 1,515 62.4 40.0 1,143 798

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 data from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
62

Table A.5.b. Average values: gross and net countable income, gross and net countable income as a percentage of poverty guidelines, countable resources, and benefit 

of participating households by household composition and size, waiver period

Total households Average values

Household characteristic

Number

(000) Percent

Gross 

countable 

income 

(dollars)

Net 

countable 

income 

(dollars)e

Gross countable 

income as a 

percentage of 

poverty 

guidelines 

(percent)

Net countable 

income as a 

percentage of 

poverty 

guidelines 

(percent)e

Countable 

resources among 

households with 

countable 

resources 

(dollars)

SNAP 

benefit 

(dollars)

Total 16,686 100.0 880 444 64.5 31.7 738 223

Household composition 

 

Children 6,178 37.0 1,109 584 57.8 29.7 646 381

School-age 5,036 30.2 1,202 641 60.8 31.7 586 390

Preschool-age 2,924 17.5 1,050 536 50.8 25.0 576 432

No children 10,508 63.0 746 361 68.4 32.9 799 130

Elderly individuals 4,619 27.7 959 480 86.1 42.2 999 110

No elderly individuals 12,067 72.3 850 431 56.2 27.8 618 266

Non-elderly individuals with disabilities 3,589 21.5 1,083 561 83.6 41.6 640 173

No non-elderly individuals with disabilities 13,097 78.5 825 412 59.2 29.0 770 237

Household size

1 person 9,660 57.9 695 324 66.7 31.1 794 122

2 people 2,723 16.3 969 537 68.6 38.0 873 229

3 people 2,021 12.1 923 422 51.9 23.7 580 384

4 people 1,262 7.6 1,249 625 58.1 29.1 368 462

5 people 546 3.3 1,633 934 64.7 37.0 846 500

6 people 242 1.4 1,703 1,031 59.1 35.7 785 616

7 people 153 0.9 2,552 1,738 78.5 53.4 245 500

8 or more people 78 0.5 2,563 1,752 64.6 43.8 694 780

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
63

Table A.6.a. Distribution of participating households with children, elderly individuals, and non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities by type of countable income, pre-pandemic period

Households with:

Total 

households Children

Elderly 

individuals

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities

Type of income

Number 

(000)g Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Total 18,657 100.0 7,108 100.0 5,330 100.0 4,071 100.0

Countable earned income 5,174 27.7 3,791 53.3 325 6.1 396 9.7

Wages and salaries 4,380 23.5 3,283 46.2 240 4.5 344 8.4

Self-employment 832 4.5 557 7.8 83 1.6 45 1.1

Other earned income 83 0.4 32 0.4 8 0.1 13 0.3

Countable unearned income 11,768 63.1 3,593 50.6 4,851 91.0 4,067 99.9

TANF 674 3.6 657 9.2 58 1.1 139 3.4

GA 768 4.1 262 3.7 160 3.0 154 3.8

SSI 4,667 25.0 938 13.2 2,054 38.5 2,670 65.6

Social Security 5,933 31.8 712 10.0 3,735 70.1 2,079 51.1

Unemployment income 203 1.1 113 1.6 12 0.2 16 0.4

Veterans’ benefits 124 0.7 19 0.3 76 1.4 26 0.6

Workers’ compensation 26 0.1 8

† 0.1 4† 0.1 12† 0.3

Other government benefitsh 69 0.4 18 0.2 37 0.7 3 0.1

Household contributions 530 2.8 286 4.0 91 1.7 38 0.9

Household deemed income 6 0.0 5

† 0.1 1† 0.0 1† 0.0

Educational loans 0 0.0 0

† 0.0 - - - -

Child support enforcement 

payments 1,442 7.7 1,364 19.2 17 0.3 273 6.7

Foster care payments 3 0.0 3

† 0.0 - - 1† 0.0

Energy assistance income 3 0.0 1

† 0.0 2† 0.0 1† 0.0

Wage supplementation 0 0.0 0

† 0.0 - - - -

Other unearned incomei 681 3.6 227 3.2 358 6.7 65 1.6

TANF or GA 1,425 7.6 904 12.7 216 4.1 289 7.1

TANF and earned income 180 1.0 179 2.5 9 0.2 15 0.4

TANF and SSI 151 0.8 146 2.1 25 0.5 126 3.1

TANF or SSI or GA 5,723 30.7 1,645 23.1 2,156 40.4 2,702 66.4

(TANF or SSI or GA) and earned 

income 618 3.3 453 6.4 63 1.2 305 7.5

TANF and child support 54 0.3 54 0.8 1 0.0 18 0.5

SSI and Social Security 1,742 9.3 214 3.0 1,088 20.4 704 17.3

SSI or Social Security 8,858 47.5 1,436 20.2 4,701 88.2 4,045 99.4

SSI and earned income 357 1.9 215 3.0 57 1.1 302 7.4

GA and earned income 115 0.6 87 1.2 3 0.1 11 0.3

Earned income and child support 659 3.5 635 8.9 5 0.1 51 1.3

No countable income 3,458 18.5 1,023 14.4 364 6.8 3 0.1

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 data from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

† Point estimates are not precise because of small sample sizes, so use caution when calculating and interpreting row percentages for 

this subgroup. 
64

Table A.6.b. Distribution of participating households with children, elderly individuals, and non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities by type of countable income, waiver period

Households with:

Total 

households Children

Elderly 

individuals

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities

Type of income

Number 

(000)g Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Total 16,686 100.0 6,178 100.0 4,619 100.0 3,589 100.0

Countable earned income 4,140 24.8 2,949 47.7 222 4.8 313 8.7

Wages and salaries 3,514 21.1 2,582 41.8 166 3.6 289 8.1

Self-employment 637 3.8 386 6.2 53 1.1 21 0.6

Other earned income 53 0.3 25 0.4 6 0.1 4 0.1

Countable unearned income 10,061 60.3 2,991 48.4 4,158 90.0 3,588 100.0

TANF 405 2.4 390 6.3 51 1.1 118 3.3

GA 286 1.7 34 0.5 113 2.5 87 2.4

SSI 3,824 22.9 796 12.9 1,509 32.7 2,365 65.9

Social Security 5,318 31.9 682 11.0 3,316 71.8 1,854 51.7

Unemployment income 481 2.9 266 4.3 34 0.7 45 1.3

Veterans’ benefits 177 1.1 27 0.4 91 2.0 38 1.1

Workers’ compensation 19 0.1 9

† 0.1 7† 0.2 8† 0.2

Other government benefitsh 73 0.4 14 0.2 54 1.2 2 0.1

Household contributions 488 2.9 263 4.3 75 1.6 65 1.8

Household deemed income 0 0.0 - - 0

† 0.0 - -

Educational loans 5 0.0 - - 5

† 0.1 - -

Child support enforcement 

payments 1,397 8.4 1,322 21.4 27 0.6 271 7.5

Foster care payments 4 0.0 4

† 0.1 - - 2† 0.1

Energy assistance income 9 0.1 9

† 0.1 - - - -

Wage supplementation - - - - - - - -

Other unearned incomei 517 3.1 151 2.4 317 6.9 21 0.6

TANF or GA 690 4.1 422 6.8 165 3.6 203 5.7

TANF and earned income 74 0.4 74 1.2 2 0.0 12 0.3

TANF and SSI 117 0.7 105 1.7 35 0.8 87 2.4

TANF or SSI or GA 4,244 25.4 1,092 17.7 1,563 33.8 2,403 66.9

(TANF or SSI or GA) and earned 

income 333 2.0 267 4.3 27 0.6 248 6.9

TANF and child support 49 0.3 45 0.7 1 0.0 9 0.3

SSI and Social Security 1,413 8.5 220 3.6 794 17.2 655 18.2

SSI or Social Security 7,729 46.3 1,258 20.4 4,032 87.3 3,565 99.3

SSI and earned income 266 1.6 202 3.3 23 0.5 247 6.9

GA and earned income 6 0.0 4

† 0.1 2† 0.1 2† 0.0

Earned income and child support 580 3.5 574 9.3 6 0.1 59 1.7

No countable income 3,744 22.4 1,206 19.5 359 7.8 1 0.0

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

† Point estimates are not precise because of small sample sizes, so use caution when calculating and interpreting row percentages for 

this subgroup. 
65

Table A.7.a. Average income, total deduction, SNAP benefit, and household size of participating households by type of 

countable income, pre-pandemic period

Total households Average values

Type of income

Number 

(000)g Percent

Gross 

countable 

income 

(dollars)

Net 

countable 

income 

(dollars)e

Income 

source 

(dollars)j

Total 

deduction 

(dollars)f

SNAP 

benefit 

(dollars)

Household 

size 

(individuals)

Total 18,657 100.0 890 408 n.a. 584 230 1.9

Countable earned income 5,174 27.7 1,437 677 1,242 811 284 2.8

Wages and salaries 4,380 23.5 1,556 754 1,344 839 275 2.9

Self-employment 832 4.5 926 345 613 696 333 2.6

Other earned income 83 0.4 900 351 331 630 246 1.9

Countable unearned 

income 11,768 63.1 1,018 473 864 597 195 1.8

TANF 674 3.6 1,051 538 506 567 375 3.2

GA 768 4.1 778 323 342 553 234 1.9

SSI 4,667 25.0 971 434 631 576 173 1.6

Social Security 5,933 31.8 1,091 528 907 595 127 1.4

Unemployment income 203 1.1 1,379 798 1,093 607 196 2.4

Veterans’ benefits 124 0.7 1,210 675 576 584 126 1.5

Workers’ compensation 26 0.1 1,018† 443† 718† 601† 219† 1.9†

Other government benefitsh 69 0.4 1,359 783 364 622 143 2.0

Household contributions 530 2.8 699 238 280 562 323 2.3

Household deemed income 6 0.0 934† 397† 563† 590† 247† 2.1†

Educational loans 0 0.0 637† 99† 148† 617† 254† 1.6†

Child support enforcement 

payments 1,442 7.7 1,219 630 350 663 369 3.4

Foster care payments 3 0.0 1,843† 1,349† 793† 493† 219† 3.9†

Energy assistance income 3 0.0 1,552† 640† 172† 912† 163† 1.7†

Wage supplementation 0 0.0 1,120† 119† 1,120† 1,001† 473† 3.0†

Other unearned incomei 681 3.6 1,195 624 348 631 188 1.9

TANF or GA 1,425 7.6 900 416 423 560 301 2.5

TANF and earned income 180 1.0 1,480 767 1,377 736 359 3.6

TANF and SSI 151 0.8 1,522 1,011 1,250 520 260 3.4

TANF or SSI or GA 5,723 30.7 937 410 620 575 202 1.8

(TANF or SSI or GA) and 

earned income 618 3.3 1,633 893 1,525 757 278 3.3

TANF and child support 54 0.3 1,093 627 626 516 389 3.5

SSI and Social Security 1,742 9.3 971 441 917 564 146 1.5

SSI or Social Security 8,858 47.5 1,052 497 939 591 147 1.5

SSI and earned income 357 1.9 1,813 1,055 1,614 768 227 3.2

GA and earned income 115 0.6 1,394 692 1,276 741 308 3.1

Earned income and child 

support 659 3.5 1,774 966 1,641 826 293 3.5

No countable income 3,458 18.5 0 0 n.a. 298 284 1.6

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 data from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

† Use caution when interpreting this estimate as it is based on a small sample size. 
66

Table A.7.b. Average income, total deduction, SNAP benefit, and household size of participating households by type of 

countable income, waiver period

Total households Average values

Type of income

Number 

(000)g Percent

Gross 

countable 

income 

(dollars)

Net 

countable 

income 

(dollars)e

Income 

source 

(dollars)j

Total 

deduction 

(dollars)f

SNAP 

benefit 

(dollars)

Household 

size 

(individuals)

Total 16,686 100.0 880 444 n.a. 552 223 1.9

Countable earned income 4,140 24.8 1,528 791 1,320 794 270 2.9

Wages and salaries 3,514 21.1 1,663 881 1,438 824 257 2.9

Self-employment 637 3.8 866 340 631 666 345 2.6

Other earned income 53 0.3 881 403 231 588 261 2.2

Countable unearned 

income 10,061 60.3 1,072 551 917 567 183 1.8

TANF 405 2.4 953 498 317 556 383 3.1

GA 286 1.7 716 326 196 465 180 1.5

SSI 3,824 22.9 960 440 615 548 175 1.7

Social Security 5,318 31.9 1,137 604 943 557 110 1.4

Unemployment income 481 2.9 1,967 1,411 1,392 593 209 2.5

Veterans’ benefits 177 1.1 1,459 973 707 503 136 1.6

Workers’ compensation 19 0.1 1,557† 1,085† 974† 483† 200† 2.7†

Other government benefitsh 73 0.4 1,524 825 438 710 153 2.2

Household contributions 488 2.9 640 240 261 510 309 2.2

Household deemed income 0 0.0 635† 62† 635† 573† 175† 1.0†

Educational loans 5 0.0 998† 656† 126† 342† 16† 1.0†

Child support enforcement 

payments 1,397 8.4 1,251 664 369 659 362 3.4

Foster care payments 4 0.0 1,388† 991† 787† 396† 163† 2.7†

Energy assistance income 9 0.1 2,670† 2,430† 2,000† 240† 192† 6.0†

Wage supplementation - - - - - - - -

Other unearned incomei 517 3.1 1,176 624 305 614 174 1.8

TANF or GA 690 4.1 853 422 267 519 299 2.4

TANF and earned income 74 0.4 1,915 1,103 1,733 870 348 4.1

TANF and SSI 117 0.7 1,238 713 896 525 303 3.1

TANF or SSI or GA 4,244 25.4 936 428 598 546 192 1.8

(TANF or SSI or GA) and 

earned income 333 2.0 1,912 1,130 1,709 802 311 3.9

TANF and child support 49 0.3 849 378 556 609 417 3.2

SSI and Social Security 1,413 8.5 997 497 927 519 137 1.5

SSI or Social Security 7,729 46.3 1,075 543 953 559 137 1.5

SSI and earned income 266 1.6 1,943 1,168 1,689 779 302 4.0

GA and earned income 6 0.0 1,288† 679† 1,094† 890† 324† 3.2†

Earned income and child 

support 580 3.5 1,945 1,091 1,756 866 300 3.8

No countable income 3,744 22.4 0 0 n.a. 330 292 1.6

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

† Use caution when interpreting this estimate as it is based on a small sample size. 
67

Table A.8.a. Distribution of participating households with children, elderly individuals, and non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities by countable earned and unearned income amounts, pre-pandemic period

Households with:

Total households Children Elderly individuals

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities

Household characteristic

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Total 18,657 100.0 7,108 100.0 5,330 100.0 4,071 100.0

Countable earned income . . . . . . . . 

. . . . . . . . 

. . . . . . . . 

. . . . . . . . 

. . . . . . . . 

. . . . . . . . 

$0 13,483 72.3 3,317 46.7 5,005 93.9 3,675 90.3

1 to 200 485 2.6 187 2.6 59 1.1 101 2.5

201 to 400 413 2.2 214 3.0 49 0.9 42 1.0

401 to 600 386 2.1 244 3.4 42 0.8 38 0.9

601 to 800 430 2.3 277 3.9 47 0.9 37 0.9

801 to 1000 471 2.5 355 5.0 12 0.2 38 0.9

1,001 to 1,250 656 3.5 476 6.7 48 0.9 33 0.8

1,251 to 1,500 539 2.9 420 5.9 17 0.3 25 0.6

1,501 to 2,000 860 4.6 744 10.5 38 0.7 58 1.4

2,001 or greater 933 5.0 873 12.3 14 0.3 24 0.6

Countable unearned 

income

$0 6,889 36.9 3,515 49.4 479 9.0 4 0.1

1 to 200 807 4.3 553 7.8 44 0.8 9 0.2

201 to 400 867 4.6 532 7.5 93 1.7 19 0.5

401 to 600 841 4.5 484 6.8 157 3.0 173 4.2

601 to 800 2,977 16.0 679 9.6 1,163 21.8 1,454 35.7

801 to 1000 3,021 16.2 376 5.3 1,653 31.0 1,166 28.6

1,001 to 1,250 1,517 8.1 356 5.0 786 14.7 561 13.8

1,251 to 1,500 823 4.4 202 2.8 507 9.5 253 6.2

1,501 or greater 916 4.9 410 5.8 448 8.4 432 10.6

Countable TANF income

$0 17,983 96.4 6,451 90.8 5,272 98.9 3,932 96.6

1 to 200 81 0.4 75 1.1 10 0.2 29 0.7

201 to 400 186 1.0 178 2.5 17 0.3 47 1.2

401 to 600 167 0.9 165 2.3 15 0.3 29 0.7

601 or greater 239 1.3 239 3.4 16 0.3 34 0.8

Countable GA income

$0 17,888 95.9 6,846 96.3 5,169 97.0 3,918 96.2

1 to 200 268 1.4 35 0.5 97 1.8 111 2.7

201 or greater 500 2.7 227 3.2 63 1.2 42 1.0

Countable TANF or GA 

income

$0 17,232 92.4 6,204 87.3 5,113 95.9 3,782 92.9

1 to 200 340 1.8 103 1.4 105 2.0 138 3.4

201 to 400 435 2.3 204 2.9 48 0.9 69 1.7

401 to 600 262 1.4 234 3.3 28 0.5 37 0.9

601 or greater 389 2.1 363 5.1 34 0.6 46 1.1

Countable SSI

$0 13,990 75.0 6,170 86.8 3,276 61.5 1,402 34.4

1 to 200 647 3.5 44 0.6 394 7.4 259 6.4

201 to 400 588 3.1 58 0.8 358 6.7 233 5.7

401 to 600 551 3.0 102 1.4 287 5.4 264 6.5

601 to 800 2,010 10.8 512 7.2 620 11.6 1,402 34.4

801 to 1000 617 3.3 108 1.5 286 5.4 348 8.6

1,001 or greater 254 1.4 114 1.6 109 2.0 163 4.0
Table A.8a (continued)

68

Household characteristic

Total households

Households with:

Children Elderly individuals

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Countable SSI . . . . . . . . 

. . . . . . . . 

. . . . . . . . 

Maximum for a one-person 

householdk 1,264 6.8 299 4.2 362 6.8 907 22.3

Maximum for a two-person 

householdl 9 0.0 - - 8

† 0.2 1† 0.0

Countable Social Security

$0 12,724 68.2 6,396 90.0 1,595 29.9 1,992 48.9

1 to 200 112 0.6 35 0.5 57 1.1 40 1.0

201 to 400 411 2.2 77 1.1 267 5.0 121 3.0

401 to 600 676 3.6 83 1.2 421 7.9 223 5.5

601 to 800 1,188 6.4 127 1.8 744 14.0 408 10.0

801 to 1000 1,477 7.9 99 1.4 906 17.0 564 13.9

1,001 or greater 2,069 11.1 291 4.1 1,338 25.1 724 17.8

Other countable unearned 

income

$0 15,671 84.0 5,151 72.5 4,743 89.0 3,652 89.7

1 to 200 1,190 6.4 702 9.9 285 5.4 162 4.0

201 to 400 713 3.8 511 7.2 130 2.4 113 2.8

401 to 600 427 2.3 294 4.1 59 1.1 61 1.5

601 to 800 248 1.3 180 2.5 42 0.8 30 0.7

801 to 1000 121 0.7 75 1.1 22 0.4 17 0.4

1,001 or greater 284 1.5 194 2.7 47 0.9 34 0.8

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 data from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

† Point estimates are not precise because of small sample sizes, so use caution when calculating and interpreting row percentages for 

this subgroup.
69

Table A.8.b. Distribution of participating households with children, elderly individuals, and non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities by countable earned and unearned income amounts, waiver period

Households with:

Total households Children Elderly individuals

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities

Household characteristic

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Total 16,686 100.0 6,178 100.0 4,619 100.0 3,589 100.0

Countable earned income . . . . . . . . 

. . . . . . . . 

. . . . . . . . 

. . . . . . . . 

. . . . . . . . 

. . . . . . . . 

$0 12,546 75.2 3,229 52.3 4,397 95.2 3,276 91.3

1 to 200 340 2.0 122 2.0 34 0.7 22 0.6

201 to 400 363 2.2 181 2.9 48 1.0 23 0.6

401 to 600 296 1.8 186 3.0 37 0.8 46 1.3

601 to 800 344 2.1 216 3.5 17 0.4 28 0.8

801 to 1000 388 2.3 270 4.4 27 0.6 76 2.1

1,001 to 1,250 459 2.7 301 4.9 13 0.3 35 1.0

1,251 to 1,500 382 2.3 305 4.9 5 0.1 34 1.0

1,501 to 2,000 608 3.6 489 7.9 18 0.4 9 0.3

2,001 or greater 962 5.8 879 14.2 21 0.5 39 1.1

Countable unearned income

$0 6,625 39.7 3,187 51.6 461 10.0 1 0.0

1 to 200 682 4.1 473 7.7 36 0.8 18 0.5

201 to 400 625 3.7 484 7.8 39 0.9 9 0.3

401 to 600 622 3.7 376 6.1 129 2.8 124 3.5

601 to 800 2,313 13.9 447 7.2 801 17.3 1,259 35.1

801 to 1000 2,681 16.1 275 4.4 1,525 33.0 1,005 28.0

1,001 to 1,250 1,421 8.5 321 5.2 808 17.5 527 14.7

1,251 to 1,500 740 4.4 203 3.3 362 7.8 288 8.0

1,501 or greater 976 5.9 412 6.7 458 9.9 357 9.9

Countable TANF income

$0 16,281 97.6 5,789 93.7 4,568 98.9 3,471 96.7

1 to 200 105 0.6 101 1.6 23 0.5 20 0.5

201 to 400 156 0.9 148 2.4 25 0.5 62 1.7

401 to 600 126 0.8 126 2.0 0 0.0 35 1.0

601 or greater 18 0.1 15 0.2 3 0.1 1 0.0

Countable GA income

$0 16,400 98.3 6,145 99.5 4,506 97.5 3,502 97.6

1 to 200 183 1.1 12 0.2 93 2.0 57 1.6

201 or greater 103 0.6 22 0.3 20 0.4 30 0.8

Countable TANF or GA 

income

$0 15,996 95.9 5,756 93.2 4,454 96.4 3,386 94.3

1 to 200 288 1.7 113 1.8 116 2.5 77 2.1

201 to 400 238 1.4 157 2.5 33 0.7 86 2.4

401 to 600 132 0.8 129 2.1 4 0.1 36 1.0

601 or greater 31 0.2 24 0.4 11 0.2 4 0.1

Countable SSI

$0 12,862 77.1 5,382 87.1 3,110 67.3 1,224 34.1

1 to 200 623 3.7 61 1.0 372 8.1 268 7.5

201 to 400 409 2.4 20 0.3 235 5.1 175 4.9

401 to 600 409 2.4 85 1.4 171 3.7 239 6.7

601 to 800 1,896 11.4 477 7.7 539 11.7 1,373 38.3

801 to 1000 320 1.9 65 1.1 127 2.8 194 5.4

1,001 or greater 167 1.0 88 1.4 63 1.4 117 3.3
Table A.8b (continued)

70

Household characteristic

Total households

Households with:

Children Elderly individuals

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Countable SSI . . . . . . . . 

. . . . . . . . 

. . . . . . . . 

Maximum for a one-person 

householdk 1,361 8.2 314 5.1 418 9.0 960 26.7

l 15 0.1 - - 14† 0.3 2

† 0.1

Countable Social Security

$0 11,368 68.1 5,497 89.0 1,303 28.2 1,735 48.3

1 to 200 62 0.4 37 0.6 16 0.3 25 0.7

201 to 400 281 1.7 39 0.6 186 4.0 86 2.4

401 to 600 512 3.1 65 1.1 283 6.1 197 5.5

601 to 800 1,116 6.7 159 2.6 685 14.8 403 11.2

801 to 1000 1,287 7.7 92 1.5 812 17.6 451 12.6

1,001 or greater 2,060 12.3 290 4.7 1,336 28.9 694 19.3

Other countable unearned 

income

$0 13,716 82.2 4,281 69.3 4,032 87.3 3,162 88.1

1 to 200 962 5.8 527 8.5 273 5.9 122 3.4

201 to 400 754 4.5 533 8.6 124 2.7 149 4.2

401 to 600 432 2.6 306 5.0 77 1.7 81 2.2

601 to 800 281 1.7 180 2.9 51 1.1 21 0.6

801 to 1000 148 0.9 108 1.8 12 0.3 20 0.6

1,001 or greater 391 2.3 242 3.9 50 1.1 33 0.9

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

† Point estimates are not precise because of small sample sizes, so use caution when calculating and interpreting row percentages for 

this subgroup.
71

Table A.9.a. Distribution of participating households by type of deduction and household composition, countable income source, and SNAP benefit amount, prepandemic period

Type of deduction

Total 

households Earned income Dependent care Excess shelter expense Medical expense

Child support 

payment

Household characteristic

Number 

(000)

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Percent 

with 

maximumm

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Total 18,657 5,151 27.6 577 3.1 12,982 69.6 18.7 1,029 5.5 291 1.6

Household composition . . . . . . . . . . . . 

. . . . . . . . . . . . 

. . . . . . . . . . . . 

Children 7,108 3,785 53.3 577 8.1 5,335 75.1 34.8 75 1.1 133 1.9

School-age 5,786 3,147 54.4 433 7.5 4,493 77.7 34.3 74 1.3 126 2.2

Preschool-age 3,396 1,817 53.5 389 11.5 2,422 71.3 37.4 16 0.5 50 1.5

No children 11,549 1,366 11.8 - - 7,647 66.2 7.5 954 8.3 158 1.4

Elderly individuals 5,330 320 6.0 - - 4,023 75.5 n.a. 734 13.8 47 0.9

No elderly individuals 13,327 4,830 36.2 577 4.3 8,960 67.2 27.1 295 2.2 244 1.8

Non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 4,071 387 9.5 25 0.6 3,327 81.7 0.0 315 7.7 97 2.4

No non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 14,586 4,763 32.7 552 3.8 9,655 66.2 25.2 714 4.9 194 1.3

Countable income source

Gross income 15,199 5,151 33.9 571 3.8 12,124 79.8 16.3 1,024 6.7 278 1.8

No gross income 3,458 - - 6 0.2 859 24.8 52.4 5 0.2 13 0.4

Net income 11,580 4,090 35.3 473 4.1 9,310 80.4 12.7 879 7.6 204 1.8

No net income 6,506 1,056 16.2 104 1.6 3,672 56.4 34.1 150 2.3 87 1.3

Not applicablec 570 5 0.8 - - - - - - - - -

Earned income 5,174 5,151 99.6 557 10.8 4,138 80.0 35.1 68 1.3 128 2.5

No earned income 13,483 - - 20 0.1 8,845 65.6 11.1 961 7.1 163 1.2

Unearned income 11,768 1,725 14.7 233 2.0 9,383 79.7 9.4 1,022 8.7 214 1.8

No unearned income 6,889 3,426 49.7 343 5.0 3,599 52.3 43.1 7 0.1 77 1.1

TANF 674 178 26.4 9 1.3 538 79.9 33.2 11 1.6 2 0.3

No TANF 17,983 4,973 27.7 568 3.2 12,444 69.2 18.1 1,018 5.7 289 1.6

GA 768 114 14.8 1 0.2 611 79.5 25.5 2 0.3 3 0.4

No GA 17,888 5,037 28.2 576 3.2 12,371 69.2 18.4 1,027 5.7 288 1.6

SSI 4,667 345 7.4 24 0.5 3,687 79.0 0.1 100 2.1 53 1.1

No SSI 13,990 4,805 34.3 553 3.9 9,295 66.4 26.1 930 6.6 238 1.7

Social Security 5,933 374 6.3 25 0.4 4,851 81.8 1.1 984 16.6 127 2.1

No Social Security 12,724 4,777 37.5 552 4.3 8,131 63.9 29.3 45 0.4 164 1.3

SNAP benefit

Minimum benefit 2,065 473 22.9 20 1.0 1,126 54.5 2.6 373 18.0 9 0.5

Maximum benefit 6,780 1,056 15.6 104 1.5 3,672 54.2 34.1 150 2.2 87 1.3

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 data from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
72

Table A.9.b. Distribution of participating households by type of deduction and household composition, countable income source, and SNAP benefit amount, waiver 

period

Type of deduction

Total 

households Earned income Dependent care Excess shelter expense Medical expense

Child support 

payment

Household characteristic

Number 

(000)

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Percent 

with 

maximumm

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Total 16,686 4,131 24.8 456 2.7 11,316 67.8 17.2 892 5.3 306 1.8

Household composition . . . . . . . . . . . . 

. . . . . . . . . . . . 

. . . . . . . . . . . . 

Children 6,178 2,945 47.7 455 7.4 4,516 73.1 31.3 86 1.4 148 2.4

School-age 5,036 2,477 49.2 360 7.1 3,838 76.2 30.3 82 1.6 115 2.3

Preschool-age 2,924 1,452 49.6 321 11.0 2,066 70.7 32.9 7 0.3 82 2.8

No children 10,508 1,185 11.3 1 0.0 6,800 64.7 7.9 806 7.7 158 1.5

Elderly individuals 4,619 221 4.8 1 0.0 3,562 77.1 n.a. 674 14.6 37 0.8

No elderly individuals 12,067 3,910 32.4 455 3.8 7,754 64.3 25.1 218 1.8 268 2.2

Non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 3,589 312 8.7 55 1.5 2,923 81.5 0.0 233 6.5 91 2.5

No non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 13,097 3,818 29.2 401 3.1 8,393 64.1 23.2 659 5.0 214 1.6

Countable income source

Gross income 12,942 4,131 31.9 446 3.4 10,188 78.7 13.8 891 6.9 253 2.0

No gross income 3,744 - - 10 0.3 1,128 30.1 47.8 1 0.0 53 1.4

Net income 10,311 3,286 31.9 371 3.6 7,946 77.1 9.2 795 7.7 203 2.0

No net income 6,153 842 13.7 85 1.4 3,370 54.8 36.2 97 1.6 102 1.7

Not applicablec 222 3 1.1 - - - - - - - - -

Earned income 4,140 4,131 99.8 403 9.7 3,133 75.7 29.8 44 1.1 145 3.5

No earned income 12,546 - - 53 0.4 8,183 65.2 12.4 848 6.8 161 1.3

Unearned income 10,061 1,255 12.5 220 2.2 8,009 79.6 8.5 890 8.8 172 1.7

No unearned income 6,625 2,876 43.4 236 3.6 3,307 49.9 38.4 2 0.0 133 2.0

TANF 405 72 17.8 14 3.5 295 72.9 34.2 6 1.4 12 2.9

No TANF 16,281 4,058 24.9 442 2.7 11,021 67.7 16.8 886 5.4 294 1.8

GA 286 5 1.7 - - 207 72.3 3.0 2 0.7 3 1.0

No GA 16,400 4,126 25.2 456 2.8 11,109 67.7 17.5 890 5.4 303 1.8

SSI 3,824 265 6.9 36 0.9 3,197 83.6 0.0 62 1.6 60 1.6

No SSI 12,862 3,866 30.1 420 3.3 8,119 63.1 24.0 830 6.5 246 1.9

Social Security 5,318 296 5.6 41 0.8 4,288 80.6 0.9 840 15.8 121 2.3

No Social Security 11,368 3,835 33.7 415 3.7 7,028 61.8 27.2 52 0.5 185 1.6

SNAP benefit

Minimum benefit 2,318 489 21.1 - - 1,145 49.4 2.3 357 15.4 33 1.4

Maximum benefit 6,153 842 13.7 85 1.4 3,370 54.8 36.2 97 1.6 102 1.7

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
73

Table A.10.a. Average values of deductions of participating households by household composition, countable income source, and SNAP benefit amount, pre-pandemic 

period

Average amount of deduction (dollars)

Earned incomen Dependent careo Excess shelter expensep Medical expenseo Child support paymentp

Household characteristic

All 

households

With 

deduction

All 

households

With 

deduction

All 

households

With 

deduction

All 

households

With 

deduction

All 

households

With 

deduction

Total 71 249 11 328 316 441 10 180 4 239

Household composition 

 

 

Children 150 282 27 328 321 427 2 147 6 295

School-age 157 289 26 342 333 427 2 147 6 295

Preschool-age 159 297 41 353 302 422 1 158† 6 405

No children 20 157 0 - 313 451 16 182 3 192

Elderly individuals 11 162 0 - 366 451 28 183 2 179

No elderly individuals 94 255 14 328 297 436 4 171 5 251

Non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 17 167 3 411 390 460 14 172 5 182

No non-elderly individuals 

with disabilities 86 256 13 324 296 434 9 183 4 268

Countable income source

Gross income 88 249 13 328 360 437 13 180 4 234

No gross income 0 - 1 332† 125 488 0 128† 1 350†

Net income 103 289 13 311 309 385 13 167 4 215

No net income 15 91 7 406 329 583 6 252 4 296

Not applicablec 121 603†- - - - - - - -

Earned income 248 249 36 331 340 424 3 196 7 268

No earned income 0 - 0 257 307 448 13 179 3 216

Unearned income 32 209 7 323 367 443 16 180 4 218

No unearned income 136 269 17 331 231 436 0 138† 3 297

TANF 49 184 2 172† 350 424 2 148† 1 191†

No TANF 72 251 11 330 315 441 11 180 4 239

GA 25 164 1 323† 350 440 0 124† 1 349†

No GA 73 251 11 328 315 441 11 180 4 238

SSI 16 190 2 405 382 438 4 158 2 128

No SSI 88 253 13 325 296 442 12 182 5 264

Social Security 9 138 2 440† 380 450 31 182 4 185

No Social Security 100 258 15 323 287 435 1 139 4 281

SNAP benefit

Minimum benefit 71 309 3 256† 134 245 31 171 1 252†

Maximum benefit 15 91 7 406 329 583 6 252 4 296

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 data from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

† Use caution when interpreting this estimate as it is based on a small sample size. 
74

Table A.10.b. Average values of deductions of participating households by household composition, countable income source, and SNAP benefit amount, waiver period

Average amount of deduction (dollars)

Earned incomen Dependent careo Excess shelter expensep Medical expenseo Child support paymentp

Household characteristic

All 

households

With 

deduction

All 

households

With 

deduction

All 

households

With 

deduction

All 

households

With 

deduction

All 

households

With 

deduction

Total 67 264 8 303 292 425 9 169 5 259

Household composition 

 

 

Children 143 300 22 303 308 420 2 118 6 252

School-age 154 313 22 302 326 425 2 118 6 265

Preschool-age 147 296 34 307 290 409 0 128† 6 218

No children 21 177 0 4

† 283 429 14 175 4 266

Elderly individuals 8 159 0 4

† 347 436 28 181 1 154†

No elderly individuals 88 270 12 303 272 420 2 134 6 274

Non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 18 199 4 249† 346 420 9 137 5 182

No non-elderly individuals 

with disabilities 80 270 10 310 277 427 9 181 5 292

Countable income source

Gross income 86 264 11 304 332 417 12 169 5 258

No gross income 0 - 1 263† 154 499 0 170† 4 266†

Net income 100 311 10 286 282 365 12 158 5 256

No net income 12 84 5 378 310 566 4 263 4 266

Not applicablec 24 270†- - - - - - - -

Earned income 264 264 31 316 309 408 3 251† 11 306

No earned income 0 - 1 207† 287 432 12 165 3 217

Unearned income 32 250 7 318 339 420 15 169 4 236

No unearned income 119 271 10 289 222 438 0 168† 6 289

TANF 54 300 7 197† 330 420 2 151† 25 815†

No TANF 67 264 8 306 291 425 9 170 4 237

GA 4 197† 0 - 277 383 0 62† 1 92†

No GA 68 265 9 303 293 426 9 170 5 261

SSI 15 208 3 341† 354 411 3 162 2 105

No SSI 81 268 10 300 274 431 11 170 6 297

Social Security 11 202 3 420† 342 421 26 163 4 194

No Social Security 93 269 11 292 269 428 1 267 5 302

SNAP benefit

Minimum benefit 72 340 0 - 119 240 26 169 4 262†

Maximum benefit 12 84 5 378 310 566 4 263 4 266

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

† Use caution when interpreting this estimate as it is based on a small sample size. 
75

Table A.11.a. Distribution of participating households by selected household characteristics and amount of deduction, pre-pandemic period

Households with:

Total 

households Children

Elderly

individuals

Non-elderly individuals 

with disabilities

Countable earned 

income

Household characteristic

Number 

(000) Percentw

Number 

(000) Percentw

Number 

(000) Percentw

Number 

(000) Percentw

Number 

(000) Percentw

Total 18,657 100.0 7,108 100.0 5,330 100.0 4,071 100.0 5,174 100.0

Total deductionq 

 

 

 

$0 to 166r 227 1.2 63 0.9 38 0.7 14 0.4 4 0.1

167s 3,272 17.5 696 9.8 672 12.6 346 8.5 1 0.0

167 to 200 482 2.6 257 3.6 98 1.8 85 2.1 131 2.5

201 to 300 1,072 5.7 400 5.6 375 7.0 305 7.5 214 4.1

301 to 400 1,345 7.2 351 4.9 551 10.3 429 10.5 234 4.5

401 to 500 1,516 8.1 493 6.9 581 10.9 407 10.0 391 7.5

501 to 600 1,682 9.0 624 8.8 525 9.9 490 12.0 436 8.4

601 to 700 1,691 9.1 637 9.0 566 10.6 474 11.6 541 10.5

701 to 800 2,375 12.7 1,184 16.7 440 8.3 451 11.1 579 11.2

801 to 900 1,283 6.9 596 8.4 321 6.0 301 7.4 667 12.9

901 to 1,000 1,144 6.1 575 8.1 268 5.0 234 5.8 691 13.4

1,001 or greater 2,021 10.8 1,231 17.3 516 9.7 384 9.4 1,273 24.6

Earned income deductiont

$0 12,830 68.8 3,323 46.7 4,558 85.5 3,478 85.4 12 0.2

1 to 50 580 3.1 235 3.3 68 1.3 109 2.7 580 11.2

51 to 100 472 2.5 251 3.5 67 1.2 40 1.0 472 9.1

101 to 150 523 2.8 361 5.1 36 0.7 52 1.3 523 10.1

151 to 200 597 3.2 427 6.0 34 0.6 50 1.2 597 11.5

201 to 250 654 3.5 475 6.7 47 0.9 32 0.8 654 12.6

251 to 300 544 2.9 426 6.0 17 0.3 25 0.6 544 10.5

301 to 350 462 2.5 388 5.5 22 0.4 35 0.9 462 8.9

351 to 400 398 2.1 355 5.0 16 0.3 23 0.6 398 7.7

401 or greater 921 4.9 866 12.2 14 0.3 21 0.5 921 17.8

Dependent care deductionu

$0 17,381 93.2 6,509 91.6 4,878 91.5 3,840 94.3 4,600 88.9

1 to 100 99 0.5 99 1.4 - - 5 0.1 94 1.8

101 to 200 124 0.7 124 1.7 - - 8 0.2 120 2.3

201 to 300 86 0.5 86 1.2 - - 0 0.0 80 1.5

301 or greater 268 1.4 268 3.8 - - 13 0.3 263 5.1

Medical expense deductionu

$0 16,929 90.7 7,010 98.6 4,144 77.7 3,550 87.2 5,088 98.4

1 to 100 110 0.6 11 0.2 78 1.5 32 0.8 9 0.2
Table A.11.a (continued)

76

Household characteristic

Total 

households

Households with:

Children

Elderly

individuals

Non-elderly individuals 

with disabilities

Countable earned 

income

Number 

(000) Percentw

Number 

(000) Percentw

Number 

(000) Percentw

Number 

(000) Percentw

Number 

(000) Percentw

Medical expense deductionu 

 

 

101 to 200 723 3.9 53 0.7 501 9.4 235 5.8 44 0.8

201 to 300 73 0.4 5 0.1 62 1.2 16 0.4 5 0.1

301 or greater 124 0.7 6 0.1 94 1.8 33 0.8 11 0.2

Child support payment deductionv

$0 17,667 94.7 6,953 97.8 4,831 90.6 3,769 92.6 5,029 97.2

1 to 100 99 0.5 34 0.5 25 0.5 38 0.9 25 0.5

101 to 200 60 0.3 16 0.2 10 0.2 26 0.6 24 0.5

201 or greater 132 0.7 82 1.2 12 0.2 33 0.8 79 1.5

Excess shelter expense deductionv

$0 5,104 27.4 1,751 24.6 929 17.4 593 14.6 1,019 19.7

1 to 50 487 2.6 235 3.3 138 2.6 99 2.4 173 3.3

51 to 100 473 2.5 201 2.8 147 2.8 147 3.6 156 3.0

101 to 150 580 3.1 214 3.0 212 4.0 157 3.9 171 3.3

151 to 200 708 3.8 234 3.3 301 5.7 189 4.6 190 3.7

201 to 250 785 4.2 294 4.1 294 5.5 236 5.8 242 4.7

251 to 300 803 4.3 307 4.3 277 5.2 212 5.2 234 4.5

301 to 350 892 4.8 320 4.5 344 6.4 207 5.1 260 5.0

351 to 400 854 4.6 341 4.8 257 4.8 258 6.3 248 4.8

401 to 450 816 4.4 282 4.0 253 4.7 223 5.5 208 4.0

451 to 500 855 4.6 347 4.9 268 5.0 228 5.6 286 5.5

501 to 550 885 4.7 332 4.7 281 5.3 263 6.5 251 4.9

551 to 600x 2,863 15.3 1,955 27.5 179 3.4 188 4.6 1,549 29.9

601 or greater 1,985 10.6 273 3.8 1,071 20.1 921 22.6 169 3.3

No deduction 5,104 27.4 1,751 24.6 929 17.4 593 14.6 1,019 19.7

Deduction less than capy 8,368 44.9 3,188 44.9 2,843 53.3 2,308 56.7 2,499 48.3

Deduction equal to cap 2,432 13.0 1,855 26.1 0 0.0 1 0.0 1,454 28.1

Benefit less than maximum benefit 1,181 6.3 1,043 14.7 0 0.0 1 0.0 977 18.9

Benefit equal to maximum benefit 1,251 6.7 812 11.4 - - 0 0.0 477 9.2

Deduction greater than cap 2,183 11.7 291 4.1 1,179 22.1 1,018 25.0 185 3.6

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 data from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
77

Table A.11.b. Distribution of participating households by selected household characteristics and amount of deduction, waiver period

Households with:

Total 

households Children

Elderly

individuals

Non-elderly individuals 

with disabilities

Countable earned 

income

Household characteristic

Number 

(000) Percentw

Number 

(000) Percentw

Number 

(000) Percentw

Number 

(000) Percentw

Number 

(000) Percentw

Total 16,686 100.0 6,178 100.0 4,619 100.0 3,589 100.0 4,140 100.0

Total deductionq 

 

 

 

$0 to 166r 278 1.7 57 0.9 48 1.0 32 0.9 2 0.1

167s 3,258 19.5 685 11.1 662 14.3 376 10.5 1 0.0

168 to 200 470 2.8 235 3.8 63 1.4 104 2.9 96 2.3

201 to 300 1,225 7.3 445 7.2 416 9.0 364 10.2 213 5.1

301 to 400 1,231 7.4 275 4.5 504 10.9 401 11.2 203 4.9

401 to 500 1,320 7.9 387 6.3 509 11.0 409 11.4 292 7.1

501 to 600 1,590 9.5 521 8.4 585 12.7 451 12.6 353 8.5

601 to 700 1,465 8.8 528 8.5 393 8.5 402 11.2 500 12.1

701 to 800 2,268 13.6 1,157 18.7 404 8.7 362 10.1 466 11.2

801 to 900 992 5.9 499 8.1 271 5.9 209 5.8 539 13.0

901 to 1,000 802 4.8 418 6.8 203 4.4 178 4.9 473 11.4

1,001 or greater 1,593 9.5 972 15.7 413 8.9 262 7.3 1,003 24.2

Earned income deductiont

$0 12,218 73.2 3,233 52.3 4,177 90.4 3,167 88.3 10 0.2

1 to 50 432 2.6 173 2.8 39 0.8 31 0.9 432 10.4

51 to 100 417 2.5 226 3.7 54 1.2 33 0.9 417 10.1

101 to 150 393 2.4 244 4.0 41 0.9 51 1.4 393 9.5

151 to 200 486 2.9 337 5.4 28 0.6 79 2.2 486 11.7

201 to 250 456 2.7 295 4.8 16 0.3 35 1.0 456 11.0

251 to 300 377 2.3 302 4.9 3 0.1 34 1.0 377 9.1

301 to 350 342 2.1 276 4.5 5 0.1 4 0.1 342 8.3

351 to 400 266 1.6 213 3.4 14 0.3 7 0.2 266 6.4

401 or greater 961 5.8 879 14.2 21 0.5 38 1.1 961 23.2

Dependent care deductionu

$0 15,864 95.1 5,694 92.2 4,397 95.2 3,424 95.4 3,733 90.2

1 to 100 70 0.4 69 1.1 1 0.0 9 0.2 57 1.4

101 to 200 130 0.8 130 2.1 - - 17 0.5 106 2.6

201 to 300 105 0.6 105 1.7 - - 2 0.1 96 2.3

301 or greater 151 0.9 151 2.5 - - 27 0.8 144 3.5

Medical expense deductionu

$0 15,428 92.5 6,064 98.1 3,724 80.6 3,246 90.4 4,093 98.8

1 to 100 101 0.6 15 0.2 73 1.6 29 0.8 2 0.0
Table A.11.b (continued)

78

Household characteristic

Total 

households

Households with:

Children

Elderly

individuals

Non-elderly individuals 

with disabilities

Countable earned 

income

Number 

(000) Percentw

Number 

(000) Percentw

Number 

(000) Percentw

Number 

(000) Percentw

Number 

(000) Percentw

Medical expense deductionu 

 

 

101 to 200 628 3.8 70 1.1 454 9.8 183 5.1 31 0.7

201 to 300 55 0.3 0 0.0 47 1.0 12 0.3 5 0.1

301 or greater 109 0.7 1 0.0 100 2.2 9 0.2 6 0.1

Child support payment deductionv

$0 16,014 96.0 6,002 97.1 4,360 94.4 3,388 94.4 3,992 96.4

1 to 100 93 0.6 40 0.7 13 0.3 36 1.0 29 0.7

101 to 200 79 0.5 55 0.9 15 0.3 32 0.9 47 1.1

201 or greater 134 0.8 53 0.9 9 0.2 24 0.7 69 1.7

Excess shelter expense deductionv

$0 5,148 30.9 1,634 26.4 910 19.7 626 17.4 1,003 24.2

1 to 50 482 2.9 186 3.0 117 2.5 141 3.9 99 2.4

51 to 100 517 3.1 208 3.4 183 4.0 171 4.8 121 2.9

101 to 150 562 3.4 239 3.9 188 4.1 190 5.3 152 3.7

151 to 200 634 3.8 179 2.9 275 6.0 179 5.0 178 4.3

201 to 250 704 4.2 259 4.2 236 5.1 204 5.7 231 5.6

251 to 300 649 3.9 295 4.8 235 5.1 178 5.0 208 5.0

301 to 350 895 5.4 295 4.8 336 7.3 277 7.7 206 5.0

351 to 400 732 4.4 250 4.0 269 5.8 184 5.1 165 4.0

401 to 450 726 4.3 234 3.8 209 4.5 217 6.1 228 5.5

451 to 500 764 4.6 258 4.2 252 5.5 198 5.5 220 5.3

501 to 550 779 4.7 350 5.7 218 4.7 179 5.0 190 4.6

551 to 600x 2,376 14.2 1,493 24.2 201 4.3 164 4.6 1,004 24.3

601 or greater 1,495 9.0 268 4.3 843 18.2 642 17.9 130 3.2

No deduction 5,148 30.9 1,634 26.4 910 19.7 626 17.4 1,003 24.2

Deduction less than capy 7,613 45.6 2,819 45.6 2,582 55.9 2,144 59.8 2,066 49.9

Deduction equal to cap 1,950 11.7 1,412 22.9 0 0.0 1 0.0 933 22.5

Benefit less than maximum benefit 729 4.4 600 9.7 - - 1 0.0 559 13.5

Benefit equal to maximum benefit 1,221 7.3 811 13.1 0 0.0 - - 375 9.0

Deduction greater than cap 1,753 10.5 285 4.6 979 21.2 778 21.7 134 3.2

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
79

Table A.12.a. Distribution of participating households by selected household characteristics and SNAP benefit amount, SNAP benefit as a percentage of the maximum 

benefit, and certification period, pre-pandemic period

Households with:

 

Total 

households Children Elderly individuals

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities

Countable earned 

income

Countable TANF 

income

Household characteristic

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Total 18,657 100.0 7,108 100.0 5,330 100.0 4,071 100.0 5,174 100.0 674 100.0

SNAP benefit (dollars) 

 

 

Minimum benefit or lessz 2,096 11.2 211 3.0 1,153 21.6 617 15.2 485 9.4 26 3.9

Greater than the minimum to 50 823 4.4 104 1.5 458 8.6 245 6.0 133 2.6 4 0.5

51 to 100 1,755 9.4 255 3.6 905 17.0 551 13.5 291 5.6 24 3.6

101 to 193 3,355 18.0 733 10.3 1,381 25.9 1,154 28.4 855 16.5 77 11.5

194aa 4,339 23.3 144 2.0 1,022 19.2 552 13.6 515 9.9 19 2.8

195 to 300 1,265 6.8 987 13.9 199 3.7 317 7.8 747 14.4 90 13.3

301 to 400 2,039 10.9 1,714 24.1 166 3.1 259 6.4 857 16.6 149 22.1

401 to 500 832 4.5 819 11.5 24 0.5 134 3.3 503 9.7 121 18.0

501 to 600 1,073 5.8 1,063 14.9 17 0.3 105 2.6 387 7.5 64 9.5

601 or greater 1,080 5.8 1,079 15.2 5 0.1 137 3.4 401 7.8 100 14.9

Benefit as a percentage of the 

maximum

Minimum 2,065 11.1 199 2.8 1,144 21.5 604 14.8 474 9.2 26 3.9

Less than 25 percentbb 1,294 6.9 520 7.3 518 9.7 358 8.8 470 9.1 37 5.4

25 to 50 percent 2,798 15.0 1,198 16.9 1,023 19.2 808 19.9 1,044 20.2 85 12.6

51 to 75 percent 2,922 15.7 1,345 18.9 910 17.1 877 21.5 1,122 21.7 170 25.3

76 to 99 percent 2,797 15.0 1,515 21.3 603 11.3 736 18.1 993 19.2 220 32.7

Maximum 6,780 36.3 2,330 32.8 1,132 21.2 690 16.9 1,072 20.7 136 20.1

Months in certification period

Average 15 n.a. 10 n.a. 22 n.a. 18 n.a. 10 n.a. 11 n.a

Median 12 n.a. 12 n.a. 24 n.a. 12 n.a. 12 n.a. 12 n.a

1 to 5 months 254 1.4 79 1.1 8 0.2 22 0.5 77 1.5 4 0.7

6 months 3,825 20.5 2,549 35.9 191 3.6 549 13.5 1,742 33.7 120 17.8

7 to 11 months 172 0.9 95 1.3 22 0.4 48 1.2 38 0.7 18 2.7

12 months 9,631 51.6 4,176 58.8 2,084 39.1 1,873 46.0 3,139 60.7 509 75.6

13 to 23 months 188 1.0 44 0.6 65 1.2 66 1.6 35 0.7 2 0.4

24 months 2,516 13.5 136 1.9 1,546 29.0 917 22.5 95 1.8 18 2.6

25 to 35 months 186 1.0 2 0.0 120 2.2 56 1.4 5 0.1 - -

36 months 1,589 8.5 24 0.3 1,098 20.6 444 10.9 41 0.8 - -

37 or more months 285 1.5 - - 189 3.5 96 2.4 - - - -

Unknown 11 0.1 3

† 0.0 7† 0.1 1† 0.0 2† 0.0 1† 0.2

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 data from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

† Point estimates are not precise because of small sample sizes, so use caution when calculating and interpreting row percentages for this subgroup.
80

Table A.12.b. Distribution of participating households by selected household characteristics and SNAP benefit amount, SNAP benefit as a percentage of the maximum 

benefit, and certification period, waiver period

Households with:

 

Total 

households Children Elderly individuals

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities

Countable earned 

income

Countable TANF 

income

Household characteristic

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Total 16,686 100.0 6,178 100.0 4,619 100.0 3,589 100.0 4,140 100.0 405 100.0

SNAP benefit (dollars) 

 

 

Minimum benefit or lessz 2,349 14.1 278 4.5 1,239 26.8 692 19.3 506 12.2 4 0.9

Greater than the minimum to 50 801 4.8 119 1.9 396 8.6 270 7.5 153 3.7 4 1.0

51 to 100 1,630 9.8 232 3.8 829 17.9 514 14.3 298 7.2 8 1.9

101 to 193 2,823 16.9 620 10.0 1,110 24.0 970 27.0 650 15.7 35 8.5

194aa 3,673 22.0 88 1.4 719 15.6 289 8.1 387 9.3 10 2.5

195 to 300 897 5.4 691 11.2 92 2.0 234 6.5 514 12.4 69 17.1

301 to 400 1,849 11.1 1,549 25.1 175 3.8 207 5.8 660 15.9 101 25.0

401 to 500 598 3.6 584 9.4 20 0.4 143 4.0 331 8.0 49 12.1

501 to 600 1,102 6.6 1,078 17.4 23 0.5 121 3.4 315 7.6 84 20.9

601 or greater 965 5.8 940 15.2 15 0.3 149 4.1 326 7.9 41 10.2

Benefit as a percentage of the 

maximum

Minimum 2,318 13.9 259 4.2 1,231 26.7 685 19.1 489 11.8 4 0.9

Less than 25 percentbb 1,227 7.4 551 8.9 405 8.8 345 9.6 494 11.9 13 3.3

25 to 50 percent 2,423 14.5 935 15.1 905 19.6 759 21.1 830 20.1 73 18.1

51 to 75 percent 2,443 14.6 1,037 16.8 776 16.8 823 22.9 809 19.5 74 18.4

76 to 99 percent 2,122 12.7 1,076 17.4 470 10.2 563 15.7 668 16.1 114 28.1

Maximum 6,153 36.9 2,320 37.6 831 18.0 414 11.5 850 20.5 126 31.2

Months in certification period

Average 15 n.a. 11 n.a. 20 n.a. 18 n.a. 11 n.a. 11 n.a

Median 12 n.a. 12 n.a. 18 n.a. 12 n.a. 12 n.a. 12 n.a

1 to 5 months 376 2.3 70 1.1 18 0.4 15 0.4 104 2.5 12 2.9

6 months 2,694 16.1 1,719 27.8 190 4.1 385 10.7 1,081 26.1 96 23.7

7 to 11 months 278 1.7 114 1.8 61 1.3 14 0.4 93 2.3 22 5.6

12 months 9,006 54.0 3,839 62.1 1,926 41.7 1,700 47.4 2,615 63.1 240 59.4

13 to 23 months 921 5.5 304 4.9 304 6.6 261 7.3 167 4.0 8 2.1

24 months 2,056 12.3 88 1.4 1,305 28.3 700 19.5 60 1.4 6 1.5

25 to 35 months 146 0.9 13 0.2 88 1.9 52 1.4 0 0.0 13 3.1

36 months 1,099 6.6 30 0.5 659 14.3 419 11.7 21 0.5 7 1.7

37 or more months 107 0.6 - - 65 1.4 42 1.2 - - - -

Unknown 5 0.0 1

† 0.0 2† 0.1 1† 0.0 - - - -

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

† Point estimates are not precise because of small sample sizes, so use caution when calculating and interpreting row percentages for this subgroup.
81

Table A.13.a. Distribution of participating households by type of most recent action and expedited service, pre-pandemic 

period

Total households Entrants Other households

Most recent action and expedited service

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Total 18,657 100.0 602 100.0 18,055 100.0

Initial certification 6,458 34.6 602 100.0 5,856 32.4

Eligible for and receiving expedited service 1,963 10.5 291 48.3 1,672 9.3

Eligible for but did not receive expedited service 219 1.2 16 2.6 203 1.1

Not eligible for expedited service 4,272 22.9 295 49.0 3,977 22.0

Recertification 12,199 65.4 n.a. n.a. 12,199 67.6

Eligible for and receiving expedited service 321 1.7 n.a. n.a. 321 1.8

Eligible for but did not receive expedited service 38 0.2 n.a. n.a. 38 0.2

Not eligible for expedited service 11,837 63.4 n.a. n.a. 11,837 65.6

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 data from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
Table A.13.b. Distribution of participating households by type of most recent action and expedited service, waiver period

82

Total households Entrants Other households

Most recent action and expedited service

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Total 16,686 100.0 438 100.0 16,248 100.0

Initial certification 6,717 40.3 438 100.0 6,280 38.6

Eligible for and receiving expedited service 2,237 13.4 207 47.3 2,030 12.5

Eligible for but did not receive expedited service 374 2.2 26 6.0 348 2.1

Not eligible for expedited service 4,107 24.6 205 46.8 3,902 24.0

Recertification 9,969 59.7 n.a. n.a. 9,969 61.4

Eligible for and receiving expedited service 302 1.8 n.a. n.a. 302 1.9

Eligible for but did not receive expedited service 67 0.4 n.a. n.a. 67 0.4

Not eligible for expedited service 9,600 57.5 n.a. n.a. 9,600 59.1

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
83

Table A.14.a. Distribution of participating households, individuals, and benefits by household composition, pre-pandemic 

period

SNAP 

households

Participants in 

households with 

household 

characteristic

Monthly SNAP 

benefits

Household composition

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Dollars 

(000) Percent

Totalcc 18,657 100.0 36,363 100.0 4,283,434 100.0

Children, elderly individuals, or individuals 

with disabilities 15,139 81.1 32,586 89.6 3,644,126 85.1

Children 7,108 38.1 23,512 64.7 2,725,295 63.6

Single-adult household 4,458 23.9 13,524 37.2 1,643,945 38.4

Male adult 381 2.0 1,015 2.8 124,710 2.9

Female adult 4,076 21.8 12,509 34.4 1,519,235 35.5

Multiple-adult household 1,833 9.8 8,031 22.1 816,310 19.1

Married-head 1,085 5.8 4,927 13.6 477,211 11.1

Other multiple-adult 748 4.0 3,103 8.5 339,099 7.9

Children only 817 4.4 1,957 5.4 265,040 6.2

Elderly individuals 5,330 28.6 6,521 17.9 630,432 14.7

Living alone 4,407 23.6 4,407 12.1 462,989 10.8

Living with only elderly individuals 524 2.8 1,050 2.9 79,573 1.9

Living with at least one non-elderly individual 399 2.1 1,064 2.9 87,870 2.1

Non-elderly individuals with disabilities 4,071 21.8 7,258 20.0 724,010 16.9

Living alone 2,657 14.2 2,657 7.3 291,435 6.8

Not living alone 1,414 7.6 4,601 12.7 432,575 10.1

Other householdsdd 3,518 18.9 3,777 10.4 639,309 14.9

Single-person 3,278 17.6 3,278 9.0 574,638 13.4

Multi-person 240 1.3 499 1.4 64,670 1.5

Adults age 18–49 without disabilities in 

childless householdsa 2,492 13.4 2,987 8.2 465,988 10.9

Living alone 2,084 11.2 2,084 5.7 364,704 8.5

Not living alone 408 2.2 902 2.5 101,284 2.4

Single-person households 10,544 56.5 10,544 29.0 1,363,358 31.8

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 data from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
84

Table A.14.b. Distribution of participating households, individuals, and benefits by household composition, waiver period

SNAP 

households

Participants in 

households with 

household 

characteristic

Monthly SNAP 

benefits

Household composition

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Dollars 

(000) Percent

Totalcc 16,686 100.0 32,170 100.0 3,719,663 100.0

Children, elderly individuals, or individuals 

with disabilities 13,202 79.1 28,435 88.4 3,092,134 83.1

Children 6,178 37.0 20,528 63.8 2,355,044 63.3

Single-adult household 3,938 23.6 11,700 36.4 1,444,550 38.8

Male adult 333 2.0 858 2.7 110,015 3.0

Female adult 3,605 21.6 10,842 33.7 1,334,535 35.9

Multiple-adult household 1,656 9.9 7,430 23.1 721,290 19.4

Married-head 950 5.7 4,444 13.8 404,970 10.9

Other multiple-adult 706 4.2 2,986 9.3 316,320 8.5

Children only 588 3.5 1,404 4.4 190,635 5.1

Elderly individuals 4,619 27.7 5,534 17.2 506,913 13.6

Living alone 3,922 23.5 3,922 12.2 368,938 9.9

Living with only elderly individuals 352 2.1 704 2.2 54,079 1.5

Living with at least one non-elderly individual 345 2.1 908 2.8 83,896 2.3

Non-elderly individuals with disabilities 3,589 21.5 6,565 20.4 619,746 16.7

Living alone 2,327 13.9 2,327 7.2 220,904 5.9

Not living alone 1,262 7.6 4,238 13.2 398,842 10.7

Other householdsdd 3,484 20.9 3,735 11.6 627,529 16.9

Single-person 3,274 19.6 3,274 10.2 567,446 15.3

Multi-person 210 1.3 461 1.4 60,083 1.6

Adults age 18–49 without disabilities in 

childless householdsa 2,647 15.9 3,192 9.9 498,839 13.4

Living alone 2,245 13.5 2,245 7.0 384,633 10.3

Not living alone 403 2.4 947 2.9 114,206 3.1

Single-person households 9,660 57.9 9,660 30.0 1,177,445 31.7

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
85

Table A.15.a. Average values: income as a percentage of poverty guidelines, gross and net countable income, total 

deduction, SNAP benefit, household size, and certification period of participating households by household composition, 

pre-pandemic period

Average values

Household composition

Gross 

countable 

income as a 

percentage of 

poverty 

guidelines 

(percent)

Gross 

countable 

income 

(dollars)

Net 

countable 

income 

(dollars)e

Total 

deduction 

(dollars)f

SNAP 

benefit 

(dollars)

Household 

size 

(individuals)

Certification 

period 

(months)

Totalcc 64.5 890 408 584 230 1.9 15.1

Children, elderly individuals, 

or individuals with disabilities 73.4 1,029 480 632 241 2.2 16.1

Children 59.8 1,136 553 682 383 3.3 10.0

Single-adult household 56.3 997 480 626 369 3.0 10.0

Male adult 57.4 959 440 651 327 2.7 10.3

Female adult 56.2 1,000 484 624 373 3.1 10.0

Multiple-adult household 68.7 1,571 846 798 445 4.4 10.3

Married-head 75.3 1,753 941 876 440 4.5 10.4

Other multiple-adult 59.0 1,306 708 683 453 4.1 10.1

Children only 58.7 916 294 731 324 2.4 9.6

Elderly individuals 84.8 957 459 574 118 1.2 22.0

Living alone 83.3 868 378 566 105 1.0 22.9

Living with only elderly 

individuals 97.7 1,379 769 638 152 2.0 21.0

Living with at least one nonelderly individual 85.1 1,387 861 563 220 2.7 12.8

Non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 82.6 1,066 502 600 178 1.8 17.6

Living alone 86.3 899 337 597 110 1.0 20.6

Not living alone 75.8 1,379 796 604 306 3.3 12.0

Other householdsdd 26.3 291 106 384 182 1.1 10.6

Single-person 23.9 249 84 367 175 1.0 10.6

Multi-person 59.3 860 412 613 270 2.1 10.4

Adults age 18–49 without 

disabilities in childless 

householdsa 31.9 384 161 407 187 1.2 10.5

Living alone 24.5 255 90 367 175 1.0 10.4

Not living alone 69.4 1,042 527 607 248 2.2 10.8

Single-person households 65.0 678 266 511 129 1.0 18.3

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 data from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
86

Table A.15.b. Average values: income as a percentage of poverty guidelines, gross and net countable income, total 

deduction, SNAP benefit, household size, and certification period of participating households by household composition, 

waiver period

Average values

Household composition

Gross 

countable 

income as a 

percentage of 

poverty 

guidelines 

(percent)

Gross 

countable 

income 

(dollars)

Net 

countable 

income 

(dollars)e

Total 

deduction 

(dollars)f

SNAP 

benefit 

(dollars)

Household 

size 

(individuals)

Certification 

period 

(months)

Totalcc 64.5 880 444 552 223 1.9 14.6

Children, elderly individuals, 

or individuals with disabilities 73.1 1,021 516 598 234 2.2 15.6

Children 57.8 1,109 584 658 381 3.3 10.8

Single-adult household 54.0 941 483 606 367 3.0 11.2

Male adult 50.8 819 408 542 330 2.6 11.6

Female adult 54.4 952 490 611 370 3.0 11.1

Multiple-adult household 67.3 1,603 919 781 436 4.5 10.3

Married-head 74.0 1,812 1,044 865 426 4.7 10.3

Other multiple-adult 58.4 1,322 750 668 448 4.2 10.3

Children only 56.0 844 313 658 324 2.4 9.7

Elderly individuals 86.1 959 480 551 110 1.2 19.7

Living alone 85.2 889 414 544 94 1.0 20.4

Living with only elderly 

individuals 100.9 1,431 890 613 154 2.0 17.8

Living with at least one nonelderly individual 80.6 1,278 777 569 243 2.6 13.7

Non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 83.6 1,083 561 553 173 1.8 17.5

Living alone 87.9 917 416 532 95 1.0 20.3

Not living alone 75.5 1,389 822 593 316 3.4 12.3

Other householdsdd 31.6 347 176 380 180 1.1 10.6

Single-person 29.4 307 157 363 173 1.0 10.6

Multi-person 65.8 969 474 648 286 2.2 9.2

Adults age 18–49 without 

disabilities in childless 

householdsa 38.3 450 231 409 188 1.2 10.5

Living alone 32.6 339 180 368 171 1.0 10.4

Not living alone 70.3 1,068 517 639 284 2.4 10.6

Single-person households 66.7 695 324 479 122 1.0 16.9

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
87

Table A.16.a. Distribution of participating households by countable income type and household composition, pre-pandemic period

Countable income type

 

Earned 

income Zero gross income TANF GA SSI

Social 

Security 

Household composition

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Totalcc 5,174 100.0 3,458 100.0 674 100.0 768 100.0 4,667 100.0 5,933 100.0

Children, elderly individuals, or 

individuals with disabilities 4,229 81.8 1,389 40.2 664 98.6 514 66.9 4,667 100.0 5,925 99.9

Children 3,791 73.3 1,023 29.6 657 97.6 262 34.1 938 20.1 712 12.0

Single-adult household 2,003 38.7 825 23.9 400 59.4 179 23.3 583 12.5 468 7.9

Male adult 157 3.0 88 2.6 48 7.1 14 1.9 48 1.0 57 1.0

Female adult 1,846 35.7 737 21.3 352 52.2 164 21.4 535 11.5 411 6.9

Multiple-adult household 1,223 23.6 149 4.3 153 22.7 54 7.0 315 6.8 226 3.8

Married-head 798 15.4 65 1.9 108 16.1 32 4.2 140 3.0 133 2.2

Other multiple-adult 425 8.2 84 2.4 45 6.6 22 2.9 176 3.8 93 1.6

Children only 565 10.9 48 1.4 105 15.6 29 3.8 40 0.9 17 0.3

Elderly individuals 325 6.3 364 10.5 58 8.6 160 20.9 2,054 44.0 3,735 63.0

Living alone 179 3.5 348 10.1 0 0.1 135 17.6 1,671 35.8 3,060 51.6

Living with only elderly individuals 53 1.0 9 0.3 - - 11 1.4 237 5.1 380 6.4

Living with at least one non-elderly 

individual 93 1.8 7 0.2 57 8.5 14 1.8 146 3.1 295 5.0

Non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 396 7.7 3 0.1 139 20.6 154 20.0 2,670 57.2 2,079 35.0

Living alone 120 2.3 3 0.1 1 0.2 76 9.9 1,590 34.1 1,478 24.9

Not living alone 276 5.3 - - 138 20.4 77 10.1 1,079 23.1 602 10.1

Other householdsdd 944 18.2 2,069 59.8 9 1.4 254 33.1 0 0.0 8 0.1

Single-person 804 15.5 1,989 57.5 9 1.3 254 33.0 0 0.0 3 0.1

Multi-person 140 2.7 80 2.3 0 0.1 1 0.1 - - 4 0.1

Adults age 18–49 without 

disabilities in childless 

householdsa 683 13.2 1,363 39.4 10 1.5 185 24.1 114 2.4 130 2.2

Living alone 511 9.9 1,289 37.3 5 0.7 168 21.8 0 0.0 - -

Not living alone 172 3.3 73 2.1 6 0.8 18 2.3 113 2.4 130 2.2

Single-person households 1,242 24.0 2,359 68.2 45 6.7 482 62.8 3,266 70.0 4,541 76.5

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 data from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

89

Table A.16.b. Distribution of participating households by countable income type and household composition, waiver period

Countable income type

 

Earned 

income Zero gross income TANF GA SSI

Social 

Security 

Household composition

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Totalcc 4,140 100.0 3,744 100.0 405 100.0 286 100.0 3,824 100.0 5,318 100.0

Children, elderly individuals, or 

individuals with disabilities 3,236 78.2 1,554 41.5 404 99.9 207 72.5 3,824 100.0 5,313 99.9

Children 2,949 71.2 1,206 32.2 390 96.3 34 11.8 796 20.8 682 12.8

Single-adult household 1,582 38.2 949 25.3 269 66.4 18 6.3 447 11.7 430 8.1

Male adult 100 2.4 59 1.6 34 8.4 2 0.7 43 1.1 104 2.0

Female adult 1,481 35.8 890 23.8 235 58.1 16 5.6 404 10.6 326 6.1

Multiple-adult household 1,004 24.2 185 4.9 94 23.2 15 5.3 324 8.5 250 4.7

Married-head 639 15.4 102 2.7 35 8.6 5 1.7 149 3.9 124 2.3

Other multiple-adult 365 8.8 83 2.2 59 14.6 10 3.6 176 4.6 126 2.4

Children only 363 8.8 72 1.9 30 7.4 1 0.2 24 0.6 1 0.0

Elderly individuals 222 5.4 359 9.6 51 12.7 113 39.6 1,509 39.5 3,316 62.4

Living alone 137 3.3 327 8.7 - - 100 34.8 1,283 33.5 2,802 52.7

Living with only elderly individuals 21 0.5 10 0.3 - - 2 0.7 84 2.2 273 5.1

Living with at least one non-elderly 

individual 64 1.5 22 0.6 51 12.7 12 4.1 142 3.7 241 4.5

Non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 313 7.6 1 0.0 118 29.1 87 30.3 2,365 61.9 1,854 34.9

Living alone 74 1.8 1 0.0 - - 59 20.6 1,411 36.9 1,296 24.4

Not living alone 239 5.8 - - 118 29.1 28 9.7 954 25.0 558 10.5

Other householdsdd 904 21.8 2,189 58.5 0 0.1 79 27.5 - - 5 0.1

Single-person 786 19.0 2,129 56.9 0 0.1 78 27.4 - - 1 0.0

Multi-person 118 2.9 60 1.6 - - 0 0.1 - - 4 0.1

Adults age 18–49 without 

disabilities in childless 

householdsa 675 16.3 1,507 40.3 12 3.0 67 23.4 142 3.7 129 2.4

Living alone 544 13.1 1,451 38.8 0 0.1 61 21.3 - - - -

Not living alone 131 3.2 56 1.5 12 3.0 6 2.1 142 3.7 129 2.4

Single-person households 1,086 26.2 2,472 66.0 9 2.3 237 82.8 2,695 70.5 4,099 77.1

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
90

Table A.17.a. Distribution of participating households with children, elderly individuals, and non-elderly individuals with disabilities by selected characteristics, prepandemic period

Households with:

 

Total 

households Children

School-age 

children

Preschool-age 

children

Elderly 

individuals

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities

Household characteristic

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Total 18,657 100.0 7,108 100.0 5,786 100.0 3,396 100.0 5,330 100.0 4,071 100.0

Household composition 

 

 

 

Children 7,108 38.1 7,108 100.0 5,786 100.0 3,396 100.0 178 3.3 1,116 27.4

School-age 5,786 31.0 5,786 81.4 5,786 100.0 2,073 61.1 171 3.2 1,002 24.6

Preschool-age 3,396 18.2 3,396 47.8 2,073 35.8 3,396 100.0 23 0.4 384 9.4

Elderly individuals 5,330 28.6 178 2.5 171 2.9 23 0.7 5,330 100.0 94 2.3

Non-elderly individuals with disabilities 4,071 21.8 1,116 15.7 1,002 17.3 384 11.3 94 1.8 4,071 100.0

Countable income source

Gross income 15,199 81.5 6,085 85.6 5,117 88.4 2,802 82.5 4,965 93.2 4,068 99.9

No gross income 3,458 18.5 1,023 14.4 669 11.6 594 17.5 364 6.8 3 0.1

Net income 11,580 62.1 4,755 66.9 4,074 70.4 2,139 63.0 4,008 75.2 3,317 81.5

No net income 6,506 34.9 2,330 32.8 1,695 29.3 1,247 36.7 944 17.7 603 14.8

Not applicablec 570 3.1 22 0.3 17 0.3 10 0.3 378 7.1 151 3.7

Earned income 5,174 27.7 3,791 53.3 3,151 54.5 1,818 53.6 325 6.1 396 9.7

Unearned income 11,768 63.1 3,593 50.6 3,105 53.7 1,567 46.2 4,851 91.0 4,067 99.9

TANF 674 3.6 657 9.2 530 9.2 350 10.3 58 1.1 139 3.4

GA 768 4.1 262 3.7 217 3.8 126 3.7 160 3.0 154 3.8

SSI 4,667 25.0 938 13.2 833 14.4 344 10.1 2,054 38.5 2,670 65.6

Social Security 5,933 31.8 712 10.0 664 11.5 198 5.8 3,735 70.1 2,079 51.1

Countable resources 903 4.8 439 6.2 377 6.5 197 5.8 235 4.4 223 5.5

Deductions

Total deduction 18,091 97.0 7,090 99.7 5,772 99.8 3,389 99.8 4,952 92.9 3,920 96.3

Standard deduction 18,087 96.9 7,086 99.7 5,769 99.7 3,386 99.7 4,952 92.9 3,920 96.3

Earned income deduction 5,151 27.6 3,785 53.3 3,147 54.4 1,817 53.5 320 6.0 387 9.5

Dependent care deduction 577 3.1 577 8.1 433 7.5 389 11.5 - - 25 0.6

Medical expense deduction 1,029 5.5 75 1.1 74 1.3 16 0.5 734 13.8 315 7.7

Child support payment deduction 291 1.6 133 1.9 126 2.2 50 1.5 47 0.9 97 2.4

Excess shelter expense deduction 12,982 69.6 5,335 75.1 4,493 77.7 2,422 71.3 4,023 75.5 3,327 81.7

SNAP benefit (dollars)

Minimum benefit or lessz 2,096 11.2 211 3.0 152 2.6 64 1.9 1,153 21.6 617 15.2

Greater than the minimum to 100 2,578 13.8 359 5.0 300 5.2 121 3.6 1,364 25.6 796 19.6

101 to 200 7,759 41.6 921 13.0 737 12.7 349 10.3 2,420 45.4 1,717 42.2

201 to 300 1,201 6.4 943 13.3 796 13.8 350 10.3 181 3.4 307 7.5

Greater than 300 5,023 26.9 4,675 65.8 3,801 65.7 2,511 73.9 212 4.0 635 15.6

Minimum benefit 2,065 11.1 199 2.8 140 2.4 62 1.8 1,144 21.5 604 14.8

Maximum benefit 6,780 36.3 2,330 32.8 1,695 29.3 1,247 36.7 1,132 21.2 690 16.9
Table A.17.a (Continued)

91

Households with:

Total 

households Children

School-age 

children

Preschool-age 

children

Elderly 

individuals

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities

Household characteristic

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Household size 

1 person 10,544 56.5 208 2.9 132 2.3 76 2.3 4,407 82.7 2,657 65.3

2 people 3,173 17.0 2,025 28.5 1,346 23.3 751 22.1 774 14.5 581 14.3

3 people 2,250 12.1 2,210 31.1 1,803 31.2 997 29.4 71 1.3 312 7.7

4 people 1,482 7.9 1,457 20.5 1,325 22.9 801 23.6 52 1.0 247 6.1

5 people 715 3.8 714 10.1 691 11.9 427 12.6 16 0.3 175 4.3

6 or more people 493 2.6 493 6.9 489 8.4 344 10.1 10 0.2 99 2.4

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 data from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
92

Table A.17.b. Distribution of participating households with children, elderly individuals, and non-elderly individuals with disabilities by selected characteristics, waiver 

period

Households with:

 

Total 

households Children

School-age 

children

Preschool-age 

children

Elderly 

individuals

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities

Household characteristic

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Total 16,686 100.0 6,178 100.0 5,036 100.0 2,924 100.0 4,619 100.0 3,589 100.0

Household composition 

 

 

 

Children 6,178 37.0 6,178 100.0 5,036 100.0 2,924 100.0 184 4.0 960 26.7

School-age 5,036 30.2 5,036 81.5 5,036 100.0 1,782 60.9 169 3.7 893 24.9

Preschool-age 2,924 17.5 2,924 47.3 1,782 35.4 2,924 100.0 23 0.5 293 8.2

Elderly individuals 4,619 27.7 184 3.0 169 3.3 23 0.8 4,619 100.0 64 1.8

Non-elderly individuals with disabilities 3,589 21.5 960 15.5 893 17.7 293 10.0 64 1.4 3,589 100.0

Countable income source

Gross income 12,942 77.6 4,973 80.5 4,224 83.9 2,244 76.7 4,260 92.2 3,588 100.0

No gross income 3,744 22.4 1,206 19.5 812 16.1 680 23.3 359 7.8 1 0.0

Net income 10,311 61.8 3,829 62.0 3,319 65.9 1,686 57.7 3,641 78.8 3,134 87.3

No net income 6,153 36.9 2,320 37.6 1,693 33.6 1,225 41.9 831 18.0 414 11.5

Not applicablec 222 1.3 29 0.5 24 0.5 13 0.4 147 3.2 40 1.1

Earned income 4,140 24.8 2,949 47.7 2,480 49.2 1,454 49.7 222 4.8 313 8.7

Unearned income 10,061 60.3 2,991 48.4 2,643 52.5 1,232 42.1 4,158 90.0 3,588 100.0

TANF 405 2.4 390 6.3 333 6.6 172 5.9 51 1.1 118 3.3

GA 286 1.7 34 0.5 31 0.6 8 0.3 113 2.5 87 2.4

SSI 3,824 22.9 796 12.9 754 15.0 232 7.9 1,509 32.7 2,365 65.9

Social Security 5,318 31.9 682 11.0 636 12.6 180 6.1 3,316 71.8 1,854 51.7

Countable resources 864 5.2 343 5.5 279 5.5 178 6.1 272 5.9 212 5.9

Deductions

Total deduction 16,466 98.7 6,152 99.6 5,014 99.6 2,913 99.6 4,472 96.8 3,549 98.9

Standard deduction 16,464 98.7 6,149 99.5 5,012 99.5 2,911 99.6 4,472 96.8 3,549 98.9

Earned income deduction 4,131 24.8 2,945 47.7 2,477 49.2 1,452 49.6 221 4.8 312 8.7

Dependent care deduction 456 2.7 455 7.4 360 7.1 321 11.0 1 0.0 55 1.5

Medical expense deduction 892 5.3 86 1.4 82 1.6 7 0.3 674 14.6 233 6.5

Child support payment deduction 306 1.8 148 2.4 115 2.3 82 2.8 37 0.8 91 2.5

Excess shelter expense deduction 11,316 67.8 4,516 73.1 3,838 76.2 2,066 70.7 3,562 77.1 2,923 81.5

SNAP benefit (dollars)

Minimum benefit or lessz 2,349 14.1 278 4.5 227 4.5 56 1.9 1,239 26.8 692 19.3

Greater than the minimum to 100 2,431 14.6 352 5.7 267 5.3 143 4.9 1,225 26.5 784 21.8

101 to 200 6,548 39.2 752 12.2 624 12.4 256 8.8 1,832 39.7 1,271 35.4

201 to 300 844 5.1 646 10.5 567 11.3 253 8.6 90 1.9 222 6.2

Greater than 300 4,514 27.1 4,150 67.2 3,352 66.6 2,215 75.8 234 5.1 619 17.3

Minimum benefit 2,318 13.9 259 4.2 216 4.3 43 1.5 1,231 26.7 685 19.1

Maximum benefit 6,153 36.9 2,320 37.6 1,693 33.6 1,225 41.9 831 18.0 414 11.5
Table A.17.b (continued) 

93

Household characteristic

Total 

households

Households with:

Children

School-age 

children

Preschool-age 

children

Elderly 

individuals

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Household size 

1 person 9,660 57.9 139 2.3 58 1.1 82 2.8 3,922 84.9 2,327 64.8

2 people 2,723 16.3 1,851 30.0 1,295 25.7 616 21.1 567 12.3 490 13.7

3 people 2,021 12.1 1,938 31.4 1,550 30.8 951 32.5 85 1.8 300 8.4

4 people 1,262 7.6 1,231 19.9 1,135 22.5 603 20.6 32 0.7 228 6.4

5 people 546 3.3 546 8.8 530 10.5 334 11.4 2 0.1 113 3.1

6 or more people 473 2.8 473 7.7 469 9.3 337 11.5 10 0.2 131 3.6

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
94

Table A.18.a. Average values of selected characteristics for participating households with children, elderly individuals, and 

non-elderly individuals with disabilities, pre-pandemic period

Average values for households with:

Household characteristic

Average 

values Children

School-age 

children

Preschool-age 

children

Elderly 

individuals

Non-elderly 

individuals 

with 

disabilities

Countable income (dollars) . . . . . . 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross income 890 1,136 1,208 1,123 957 1,066

Net incomee 408 553 599 539 459 502

Earned income 344 751 786 794 49 83

Unearned income 545 385 422 330 908 984

TANF 18 47 48 56 5 14

GA 14 21 22 22 7 7

SSI 158 103 113 82 216 453

Social Security 288 93 108 48 640 469

Countable income as a percentage 

of poverty guidelines (percent)

Gross income 64.5 59.8 61.9 55.6 84.8 82.6

Net incomee 27.3 28.1 29.7 25.5 36.7 34.7

Deductions (dollars)

Total deductionf 584 682 704 689 574 600

Earned income deduction

All householdsn 71 150 157 159 11 17

Households with deduction 249 282 289 297 162 167

Dependent care deduction

All householdso 11 27 26 41 - 3

Households with deduction 328 328 342 353 - 411

Medical expense deduction

All householdso 10 2 2 1 28 14

Households with deduction 180 147 147 158† 183 172

Child support payment deduction

All householdsp 4 6 6 6 2 5

Households with deduction 239 295 295 405 179 182

Excess shelter expense deduction

All householdsp 316 321 333 302 366 390

Households with deduction 441 427 427 422 451 460

SNAP benefit (dollars) 230 383 395 426 118 178

Household size (individuals) 1.9 3.3 3.5 3.6 1.2 1.8

Certification period (months) 15.1 10.0 10.1 9.8 22.0 17.6

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 data from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

† Use caution when interpreting this estimate as it is based on a small sample size. 
95

Table A.18.b. Average values of selected characteristics for participating households with children, elderly individuals, and

non-elderly individuals with disabilities, waiver period

Average values for households with:

Household characteristic

Average 

values Children

School-age 

children

Preschool-age 

children

Elderly 

individuals

Non-elderly 

individuals 

with 

disabilities

Countable income (dollars) . . . . . . 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross income 880 1,109 1,202 1,050 959 1,083

Net incomee 444 584 641 536 480 561

Earned income 328 715 769 736 38 87

Unearned income 553 395 433 314 921 996

TANF 8 20 21 22 3

† 10

GA 3 3 3 0

† 5 4

SSI 141 99 116 66 172 443

Social Security 301 105 120 52 692 480

Countable income as a percentage 

of poverty guidelines (percent)

Gross income 64.5 57.8 60.8 50.8 86.1 83.6

Net incomee 31.3 29.6 31.5 24.9 40.9 41.2

Deductions (dollars)

Total deductionf 552 658 687 659 551 553

Earned income deduction

All householdsn 67 143 154 147 8 18

Households with deduction 264 300 313 296 159 199

Dependent care deduction

All householdso 8 22 22 34 0 4

Households with deduction 303 303 302 307 4

† 249†

Medical expense deduction

All householdso 9 2 2 0 28 9

Households with deduction 169 118 118 128† 181 137

Child support payment deduction

All householdsp 5 6 6 6 1 5

Households with deduction 259 252 265 218 154† 182

Excess shelter expense deduction

All householdsp 292 308 326 290 347 346

Households with deduction 425 420 425 409 436 420

SNAP benefit (dollars) 223 381 390 432 110 173

Household size (individuals) 1.9 3.3 3.5 3.6 1.2 1.8

Certification period (months) 14.6 10.8 10.9 10.7 19.7 17.5

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

† Use caution when interpreting this estimate as it is based on a small sample size. 
96

Table A.19.a. Distribution of participating households with countable earned and unearned income by selected 

characteristics, pre-pandemic period

Countable income type

 

Total households Earned income Unearned income TANF GA

Household 

characteristic

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Total 18,657 100.0 5,174 100.0 11,768 100.0 674 100.0 768 100.0

Household 

composition . . . . . . . . . . 

. . . . . . . . . . 

. . . . . . . . . . 

. . . . . . . . . . 

. . . . . . . . . . 

Children 7,108 38.1 3,791 73.3 3,593 30.5 657 97.6 262 34.1

School-age 5,786 31.0 3,151 60.9 3,105 26.4 530 78.6 217 28.2

Preschool-age 3,396 18.2 1,818 35.1 1,567 13.3 350 51.9 126 16.4

Elderly individuals 5,330 28.6 325 6.3 4,851 41.2 58 8.6 160 20.9

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities 4,071 21.8 396 7.7 4,067 34.6 139 20.6 154 20.0

Countable income 

source

Gross income 15,199 81.5 5,174 100.0 11,768 100.0 674 100.0 768 100.0

No gross incomeee 3,458 18.5 - - - - - - - -

Net income 11,580 62.1 4,092 79.1 9,043 76.8 516 76.6 501 65.2

No net income 6,506 34.9 1,065 20.6 2,265 19.2 136 20.1 267 34.8

Not applicablec 570 3.1 17 0.3 460 3.9 22 3.2 0 0.0

Earned income 5,174 27.7 5,174 100.0 1,743 14.8 180 26.7 115 14.9

Unearned income 11,768 63.1 1,743 33.7 11,768 100.0 674 100.0 768 100.0

TANF 674 3.6 180 3.5 674 5.7 674 100.0 17 2.2

GA 768 4.1 115 2.2 768 6.5 17 2.5 768 100.0

SSI 4,667 25.0 357 6.9 4,667 39.7 151 22.4 224 29.1

Social Security 5,933 31.8 375 7.2 5,933 50.4 81 12.0 116 15.1

Deductions

Total deduction 18,091 97.0 5,161 99.8 11,312 96.1 656 97.3 768 100.0

Standard deduction 18,087 96.9 5,157 99.7 11,308 96.1 652 96.8 768 100.0

Earned income 

deduction 5,151 27.6 5,151 99.6 1,725 14.7 178 26.4 114 14.8

Dependent care 

deduction 577 3.1 557 10.8 233 2.0 9 1.3 1 0.2

Medical expense 

deduction 1,029 5.5 68 1.3 1,022 8.7 11 1.6 2 0.3

Child support payment 

deduction 291 1.6 128 2.5 214 1.8 2 0.3 3 0.4

Excess shelter 

expense deduction 12,982 69.6 4,138 80.0 9,383 79.7 538 79.9 611 79.5

SNAP benefit (dollars)

Minimum benefit or 

lessz 2,096 11.2 485 9.4 1,823 15.5 26 3.9 35 4.6

Greater than the 

minimum to 100 2,578 13.8 424 8.2 2,204 18.7 28 4.1 106 13.8

101 to 200 7,759 41.6 1,409 27.2 4,544 38.6 99 14.7 397 51.6

201 to 300 1,201 6.4 707 13.7 781 6.6 87 12.9 51 6.6

Greater than 300 5,023 26.9 2,148 41.5 2,416 20.5 434 64.5 180 23.4

Minimum benefit 2,065 11.1 474 9.2 1,795 15.3 26 3.9 35 4.6

Maximum benefit 6,780 36.3 1,072 20.7 2,539 21.6 136 20.1 267 34.8

Household size

1 person 10,544 56.5 1,242 24.0 7,291 62.0 45 6.7 482 62.8

2 people 3,173 17.0 1,171 22.6 1,902 16.2 190 28.2 99 12.9

3 people 2,250 12.1 1,146 22.1 1,092 9.3 216 32.1 82 10.7

4 people 1,482 7.9 901 17.4 782 6.6 109 16.1 68 8.9

5 people 715 3.8 379 7.3 418 3.6 56 8.4 18 2.3

6 or more people 493 2.6 335 6.5 282 2.4 57 8.5 19 2.4

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 data from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
97

Table A.19.b. Distribution of participating households with countable earned and unearned income by selected 

characteristics, waiver period

Countable income type

 

Total households Earned income Unearned income TANF GA

Household 

characteristic

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Total 16,686 100.0 4,140 100.0 10,061 100.0 405 100.0 286 100.0

Household 

composition . . . . . . . . . . 

. . . . . . . . . . 

. . . . . . . . . . 

. . . . . . . . . . 

. . . . . . . . . . 

Children 6,178 37.0 2,949 71.2 2,991 29.7 390 96.3 34 11.8

School-age 5,036 30.2 2,480 59.9 2,643 26.3 333 82.4 31 10.9

Preschool-age 2,924 17.5 1,454 35.1 1,232 12.2 172 42.5 8 2.8

Elderly individuals 4,619 27.7 222 5.4 4,158 41.3 51 12.7 113 39.6

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities 3,589 21.5 313 7.6 3,588 35.7 118 29.1 87 30.3

Countable income 

source

Gross income 12,942 77.6 4,140 100.0 10,061 100.0 405 100.0 286 100.0

No gross incomeee 3,744 22.4 - - - - - - - -

Net income 10,311 61.8 3,287 79.4 8,177 81.3 250 61.7 194 67.8

No net income 6,153 36.9 850 20.5 1,747 17.4 126 31.2 92 32.2

Not applicablec 222 1.3 4 0.1 137 1.4 29 7.2 - -

Earned income 4,140 24.8 4,140 100.0 1,259 12.5 74 18.2 6 2.0

Unearned income 10,061 60.3 1,259 30.4 10,061 100.0 405 100.0 286 100.0

TANF 405 2.4 74 1.8 405 4.0 405 100.0 1 0.4

GA 286 1.7 6 0.1 286 2.8 1 0.3 286 100.0

SSI 3,824 22.9 266 6.4 3,824 38.0 117 28.9 155 54.0

Social Security 5,318 31.9 296 7.1 5,318 52.9 81 20.1 81 28.4

Deductions

Total deduction 16,466 98.7 4,139 100.0 9,926 98.7 378 93.4 286 100.0

Standard deduction 16,464 98.7 4,136 99.9 9,923 98.6 376 92.8 286 100.0

Earned income 

deduction 4,131 24.8 4,131 99.8 1,255 12.5 72 17.8 5 1.7

Dependent care 

deduction 456 2.7 403 9.7 220 2.2 14 3.5 - -

Medical expense 

deduction 892 5.3 44 1.1 890 8.8 6 1.4 2 0.7

Child support payment 

deduction 306 1.8 145 3.5 172 1.7 12 2.9 3 1.0

Excess shelter 

expense deduction 11,316 67.8 3,133 75.7 8,009 79.6 295 72.9 207 72.3

SNAP benefit (dollars)

Minimum benefit or 

lessz 2,349 14.1 506 12.2 2,076 20.6 4 0.9 37 12.9

Greater than the 

minimum to 100 2,431 14.6 452 10.9 2,033 20.2 12 3.0 66 23.1

101 to 200 6,548 39.2 1,076 26.0 3,316 33.0 45 11.1 139 48.6

201 to 300 844 5.1 475 11.5 541 5.4 69 17.1 14 5.0

Greater than 300 4,514 27.1 1,632 39.4 2,095 20.8 275 68.0 30 10.4

Minimum benefit 2,318 13.9 489 11.8 2,056 20.4 4 0.9 37 12.9

Maximum benefit 6,153 36.9 850 20.5 1,747 17.4 126 31.2 92 32.2

Household size

1 person 9,660 57.9 1,086 26.2 6,327 62.9 9 2.3 237 82.8

2 people 2,723 16.3 864 20.9 1,518 15.1 120 29.7 26 9.0

3 people 2,021 12.1 899 21.7 993 9.9 164 40.5 7 2.4

4 people 1,262 7.6 644 15.6 644 6.4 71 17.6 4 1.4

5 people 546 3.3 338 8.2 302 3.0 18 4.3 2 0.8

6 or more people 473 2.8 310 7.5 276 2.7 23 5.6 10 3.5

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
98

Table A.20.a. Average values of selected characteristics for participating households with countable earned and unearned 

income, pre-pandemic period

Average values for households with countable:

Household characteristic

Average 

values

Earned 

income

Unearned 

income TANF GA 

Countable income (dollars) . . . . . 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross income 890 1,437 1,018 1,051 778

Net incomee 408 677 473 538 323

Earned income 344 1,242 154 234 121

Unearned income 545 195 864 817 657

TANF 18 17 29 506 11†

GA 14 10 22 5

† 342

SSI 158 45 250 182 183

Social Security 288 60 457 97 101

Countable income as a percentage of poverty 

guidelines (percent)

Gross income 64.5 84.4 78.9 56.4 55.2

Net incomee 27.3 37.8 33.5 26.9 20.6

Deductions (dollars)

Total deductionf 584 811 597 567 553

Earned income deduction

All householdsn 71 248 32 49 25

Households with deduction 249 249 209 184 164

Dependent care deduction

All householdso 11 36 7 2 1

Households with deduction 328 331 323 172† 323†

Medical expense deduction

All householdso 10 3 16 2 0

Households with deduction 180 196 180 148† 124†

Child support payment deduction

All householdsp 4 7 4 1 1

Households with deduction 239 268 218 191† 349†

Excess shelter expense deduction

All householdsp 316 340 367 350 350

Households with deduction 441 424 443 424 440

SNAP benefit (dollars) 230 284 195 375 234

Household size (individuals) 1.9 2.8 1.8 3.2 1.9

Certification period (months) 15.1 10.3 17.6 11.1 14.7

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 data from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

† Use caution when interpreting this estimate as it is based on a small sample size. 
99

Table A.20.b. Average values of selected characteristics for participating households with countable earned and unearned 

income, waiver period

Average values for households with countable:

Household characteristic

Average 

values

Earned 

income

Unearned 

income TANF GA 

Countable income (dollars) . . . . . 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross income 880 1,528 1,072 953 716

Net incomee 444 791 551 498 326

Earned income 328 1,320 156 263 17†

Unearned income 553 207 917 690 699

TANF 8 5 13 317 2

†

GA 3 0

† 6 1† 196

SSI 141 42 234 172 300

Social Security 301 57 499 143† 187

Countable income as a percentage of poverty 

guidelines (percent)

Gross income 64.5 90.3 83.6 51.1 58.3

Net incomee 31.3 45.6 41.3 23.9 24.6

Deductions (dollars)

Total deductionf 552 794 567 556 465

Earned income deduction

All householdsn 67 264 32 54 4

Households with deduction 264 264 250 300 197†

Dependent care deduction

All householdso 8 31 7 7 -

Households with deduction 303 316 318 197†-

Medical expense deduction

All householdso 9 3 15 2 0

Households with deduction 169 251† 169 151† 62†

Child support payment deduction

All householdsp 5 11 4 25 1

Households with deduction 259 306 236 815† 92†

Excess shelter expense deduction

All householdsp 292 309 339 330 277

Households with deduction 425 408 420 420 383

SNAP benefit (dollars) 223 270 183 383 180

Household size (individuals) 1.9 2.9 1.8 3.1 1.5

Certification period (months) 14.6 10.7 16.9 11.5 18.1

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

† Use caution when interpreting this estimate as it is based on a small sample size. 
100

Table A.21.a. Distribution of participating households with selected household characteristics by race and Hispanic status of household head, pre-pandemic period

 Race and Hispanic status of household headff

Total

White,

not Hispanic

African 

American, 

not Hispanic

Hispanic, 

any race

Asian,

not Hispanic

Native 

American, 

not Hispanic

Multiple races 

reported,

not Hispanic

Race 

unknown

Nonparticipating 

household 

headgg

Total Households 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number (000) 18,657 7,472 4,660 2,108 631 210 120 2,511 945

Row percent 100.0 40.1 25.0 11.3 3.4 1.1 0.6 13.5 5.1

Households with:

Children

Number (000) 7,108 2,408 1,784 782 150 85 55 920 924

Row percent 100.0 33.9 25.1 11.0 2.1 1.2 0.8 12.9 13.0

Elderly individuals

Number (000) 5,330 2,267 1,155 685 387 36 35 758 5

Row percent 100.0 42.5 21.7 12.9 7.3 0.7 0.7 14.2 0.1

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities

Number (000) 4,071 1,894 1,111 342 66 31 26 562 39

Row percent 100.0 46.5 27.3 8.4 1.6 0.8 0.6 13.8 1.0

Countable earned 

income

Number (000) 5,174 1,893 1,146 571 133 57 33 686 656

Row percent 100.0 36.6 22.1 11.0 2.6 1.1 0.6 13.3 12.7

Countable TANF 

income

Number (000) 674 165 221 55 33 19 5 65 110

Row percent 100.0 24.5 32.9 8.1 4.9 2.8 0.7 9.7 16.3

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 data from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
101

Table A.21.b. Distribution of participating households with selected household characteristics by race and Hispanic status of household head, waiver period

. 

Race and Hispanic status of household headff

 

Total

White,

not Hispanic

African 

American, 

not Hispanic

Hispanic, 

any race

Asian,

not Hispanic

Native 

American, 

not Hispanic

Multiple races 

reported,

not Hispanic

Race 

unknown

Nonparticipating 

household 

headgg

Total Households 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number (000) 16,686 6,951 4,619 1,505 346 216 152 2,227 671

Row percent 100.0 41.7 27.7 9.0 2.1 1.3 0.9 13.3 4.0

Households with:

Children

Number (000) 6,178 2,117 1,757 590 103 87 88 777 660

Row percent 100.0 34.3 28.4 9.6 1.7 1.4 1.4 12.6 10.7

Elderly individuals

Number (000) 4,619 2,088 1,138 432 163 51 54 684 8

Row percent 100.0 45.2 24.6 9.4 3.5 1.1 1.2 14.8 0.2

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities

Number (000) 3,589 1,735 954 256 64 17 29 493 42

Row percent 100.0 48.3 26.6 7.1 1.8 0.5 0.8 13.7 1.2

Countable earned 

income

Number (000) 4,140 1,423 1,221 368 93 51 54 512 419

Row percent 100.0 34.4 29.5 8.9 2.2 1.2 1.3 12.4 10.1

Countable TANF 

income

Number (000) 405 129 123 36 14 11 6 63 22

Row percent 100.0 32.0 30.5 9.0 3.5 2.6 1.5 15.5 5.6

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
102

Table A.22.a. Distribution of participating households by presence of a household member with selected characteristics, pre-pandemic period

 Citizenship

Total

U.S.-born

citizen

Naturalized

citizen Refugee

Other

noncitizen

Citizen children 

living with 

participating 

noncitizen adults

Citizen children 

living with 

nonparticipating 

noncitizen adults

Total Households 

 

 

 

 

 

Number (000) 18,657 16,952 1,471 104 843 253 859

Percent 100.0 90.9 7.9 0.6 4.5 1.4 4.6

Average SNAP benefit 

(dollars) 230 236 210 339 238 393 330

Households with:

Children

Number (000) 7,108 7,014 363 52 280 253 859

Row percent 100.0 98.7 5.1 0.7 3.9 3.6 12.1

Elderly individuals

Number (000) 5,330 4,021 997 30 438 32 4

Row percent 100.0 75.4 18.7 0.6 8.2 0.6 0.1

Non-elderly individuals 

with disabilities

Number (000) 4,071 3,953 119 8 70 23 45

Row percent 100.0 97.1 2.9 0.2 1.7 0.6 1.1

Countable earned 

income

Number (000) 5,174 4,963 316 53 291 192 646

Row percent 100.0 95.9 6.1 1.0 5.6 3.7 12.5

Countable TANF 

income

Number (000) 674 650 65 24 29 29 107

Row percent 100.0 96.5 9.6 3.6 4.2 4.4 15.9

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 data from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
103

Table A.22.b. Distribution of participating households by presence of a household member with selected characteristics, waiver period

 Citizenship

Total

U.S.-born

citizen

Naturalized

citizen Refugee

Other

noncitizen

Citizen children 

living with 

participating 

noncitizen adults

Citizen children 

living with 

nonparticipating 

noncitizen adults

Total Households 

 

 

 

 

 

Number (000) 16,686 15,671 952 79 534 174 582

Percent 100.0 93.9 5.7 0.5 3.2 1.0 3.5

Average SNAP benefit 

(dollars) 223 227 227 307 246 426 376

Households with:

Children

Number (000) 6,178 6,120 273 46 196 174 582

Row percent 100.0 99.1 4.4 0.7 3.2 2.8 9.4

Elderly individuals

Number (000) 4,619 3,940 537 30 198 10 -

Row percent 100.0 85.3 11.6 0.7 4.3 0.2 -

Non-elderly individuals 

with disabilities

Number (000) 3,589 3,475 142 1 42 11 33

Row percent 100.0 96.8 4.0 0.0 1.2 0.3 0.9

Countable earned 

income

Number (000) 4,140 4,002 236 36 166 117 421

Row percent 100.0 96.7 5.7 0.9 4.0 2.8 10.2

Countable TANF 

income

Number (000) 405 404 7 1 16 17 22

Row percent 100.0 99.8 1.8 0.3 4.0 4.1 5.6

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
104

Table A.23.a. SNAP participants by gender and selected demographic characteristics, pre-pandemic period

Total participants Female participants Male participants

Participant characteristic

Number 

(000) Percenthh

Number 

(000) Percenthh

Number 

(000) Percenthh

Total 36,363 100.0 20,823 57.3 15,541 42.7

Age 

 

 

Child 15,290 42.0 7,472 20.5 7,818 21.5

Preschool-age 4,469 12.3 2,163 5.9 2,305 6.3

School-age 10,821 29.8 5,308 14.6 5,513 15.2

Non-elderly adult 15,184 41.8 9,681 26.6 5,503 15.1

18–35 years 6,861 18.9 4,707 12.9 2,154 5.9

36–59 years 8,323 22.9 4,974 13.7 3,349 9.2

Elderly individual 5,888 16.2 3,668 10.1 2,220 6.1

Citizenship

U.S.-born citizen 33,180 91.2 18,907 52.0 14,273 39.3

Naturalized citizen 1,852 5.1 1,161 3.2 692 1.9

Refugee 292 0.8 132 0.4 160 0.4

Other noncitizen 1,039 2.9 623 1.7 416 1.1

Citizen children living with 

noncitizen adultsii 2,519 6.9 1,267 3.5 1,252 3.4

Non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 4,300 11.8 2,245 6.2 2,056 5.7

Children with disabilities 567 1.6 200 0.5 368 1.0

Non-elderly adults with 

disabilities 3,733 10.3 2,045 5.6 1,688 4.6

Adults age 18–49 without 

disabilities in childless 

householdsa 2,659 7.3 1,296 3.6 1,363 3.7

Race and Hispanic statusff

White, not Hispanic 13,791 37.9 7,954 21.9 5,837 16.1

African American, not Hispanic 9,260 25.5 5,378 14.8 3,882 10.7

Hispanic, any race 5,505 15.1 3,010 8.3 2,495 6.9

Asian, not Hispanic 1,180 3.2 664 1.8 517 1.4

Native American, not Hispanic 466 1.3 260 0.7 207 0.6

Multiple races reported, not 

Hispanic 280 0.8 180 0.5 100 0.3

Race unknown 5,881 16.2 3,377 9.3 2,504 6.9

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 data from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
105

Table A.23.b. SNAP participants by gender and selected demographic characteristics, waiver period

Total participants Female participants Male participants

Participant characteristic

Number 

(000) Percenthh

Number 

(000) Percenthh

Number 

(000) Percenthh

Total 32,170 100.0 18,370 57.1 13,800 42.9

Age 

 

 

Child 13,155 40.9 6,576 20.4 6,578 20.4

Preschool-age 3,848 12.0 2,005 6.2 1,843 5.7

School-age 9,307 28.9 4,571 14.2 4,735 14.7

Non-elderly adult 14,011 43.6 8,792 27.3 5,219 16.2

18–35 years 6,482 20.1 4,414 13.7 2,068 6.4

36–59 years 7,529 23.4 4,378 13.6 3,151 9.8

Elderly individual 4,998 15.5 3,002 9.3 1,997 6.2

Citizenship

U.S.-born citizen 30,094 93.5 17,157 53.3 12,937 40.2

Naturalized citizen 1,201 3.7 730 2.3 471 1.5

Refugee 202 0.6 91 0.3 112 0.3

Other noncitizen 672 2.1 392 1.2 280 0.9

Citizen children living with 

noncitizen adultsii 1,839 5.7 973 3.0 866 2.7

Non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 3,794 11.8 1,957 6.1 1,837 5.7

Children with disabilities 548 1.7 230 0.7 318 1.0

Non-elderly adults with 

disabilities 3,246 10.1 1,727 5.4 1,519 4.7

Adults age 18–49 without 

disabilities in childless 

householdsa 2,846 8.8 1,254 3.9 1,592 4.9

Race and Hispanic statusff

White, not Hispanic 12,346 38.4 7,144 22.2 5,202 16.2

African American, not Hispanic 9,138 28.4 5,124 15.9 4,013 12.5

Hispanic, any race 3,801 11.8 2,050 6.4 1,751 5.4

Asian, not Hispanic 762 2.4 427 1.3 336 1.0

Native American, not Hispanic 495 1.5 261 0.8 234 0.7

Multiple races reported, not 

Hispanic 386 1.2 273 0.8 113 0.4

Race unknown 5,241 16.3 3,090 9.6 2,150 6.7

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
106

Table A.24.a. Distribution of participants by Thrifty Food Plan gender-age groups and household size, pre-pandemic period

Household size (individuals)

Participant characteristic

Total 

(000) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 or 

more

Total 36,363 10,544 6,346 6,750 5,928 3,574 1,985 657 578

Children younger than 

age 12 

1 or younger 1,707 29 307 476 433 243 126 57 37

2–3 years 1,809 39 308 512 468 241 139 55 47

4–5 years 1,917 11 289 563 472 325 164 44 49

6–8 years 2,649 34 347 741 713 421 242 77 74

9–11 years 2,684 35 312 685 714 473 267 95 103

Females 20,823 5,875 3,873 4,083 3,332 2,002 1,025 327 306

1 or younger 787 9 142 230 193 110 57 27 19

2–3 years 892 26 132 244 221 133 75 31 31

4–5 years 985 7 151 314 234 161 82 18 18

6–8 years 1,295 19 177 342 328 220 132 43 34

9–11 years 1,251 15 140 317 333 242 105 43 56

12–13 years 870 13 104 242 208 163 86 27 27

14–18 years 1,599 36 271 444 367 249 139 45 48

19–50 years 7,672 1,593 1,731 1,770 1,379 692 345 90 72

51–70 years 3,824 2,789 760 167 66 32 5 3 3

71 or older 1,647 1,366 265 12 3 - - - -

Males 15,541 4,670 2,473 2,667 2,596 1,572 960 331 272

1 or younger 920 20 164 246 240 133 69 30 18

2–3 years 918 13 176 268 248 108 65 24 16

4–5 years 932 4 138 249 238 164 81 27 31

6–8 years 1,355 15 169 399 385 201 110 35 40

9–11 years 1,434 21 172 368 381 231 162 52 47

12–13 years 866 15 110 209 217 158 94 41 21

14–18 years 1,601 21 340 380 368 222 175 53 42

19–50 years 3,795 1,902 392 427 440 327 193 60 54

51–70 years 2,951 2,206 507 110 80 27 11 9 1

71 or older 769 454 304 11 - - - 0 -

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 data from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
107

Table A.24.b. Distribution of participants by Thrifty Food Plan gender-age groups and household size, waiver period

Household size (individuals)

Participant characteristic

Total 

(000) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 or 

more

Total 32,170 9,660 5,446 6,064 5,049 2,732 1,451 1,074 693

Children younger than 

age 12 

1 or younger 1,396 43 279 434 272 177 96 54 41

2–3 years 1,629 37 210 475 408 213 146 105 34

4–5 years 1,644 4 269 555 373 204 129 44 66

6–8 years 2,435 8 306 709 640 304 258 130 81

9–11 years 2,164 13 372 494 551 309 190 129 105

Females 18,370 5,157 3,313 3,766 2,821 1,528 796 612 376

1 or younger 726 23 129 223 133 103 59 30 26

2–3 years 855 20 112 241 203 113 89 58 21

4–5 years 843 1 142 287 186 121 60 22 24

6–8 years 1,116 4 123 379 248 151 100 62 50

9–11 years 1,074 9 187 265 263 127 118 58 47

12–13 years 774 9 64 187 243 152 44 63 13

14–18 years 1,404 28 212 330 315 209 93 128 89

19–50 years 6,935 1,430 1,578 1,722 1,166 536 224 188 92

51–70 years 3,410 2,623 564 124 62 17 9 3 9

71 or older 1,232 1,010 204 9 4 - 1 - 5

Males 13,800 4,503 2,133 2,298 2,228 1,204 655 462 317

1 or younger 670 20 150 211 139 75 37 25 15

2–3 years 774 17 99 234 206 101 57 46 14

4–5 years 801 2 127 268 187 82 70 23 42

6–8 years 1,319 4 183 330 392 153 158 68 30

9–11 years 1,090 4 186 229 289 182 72 70 58

12–13 years 743 10 130 146 214 104 45 42 52

14–18 years 1,365 20 257 308 353 239 78 75 34

19–50 years 3,754 1,957 381 477 403 243 130 104 59

51–70 years 2,657 2,096 377 94 41 21 8 9 13

71 or older 621 372 242 1 6 - - - -

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
108

Table A.25.a. Distribution of household heads, all participants, and non-elderly adult participants by work registration status 

and employment status, pre-pandemic period

Household 

heads

All 

participants

Non-elderly adult 

participants

Employment/work registration status

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Total 18,657 100.0 36,363 100.0 15,184 100.0

Work registration status 

 

Work registrant 3,214 17.2 4,219 11.6 3,940 25.9

Mandatory employment and training program 

participant 825 4.4 999 2.7 994 6.5

Voluntary employment and training program 

participant 156 0.8 223 0.6 207 1.4

Not employment and training program 

participant 2,233 12.0 2,997 8.2 2,739 18.0

Exempt 14,402 77.2 31,990 88.0 11,119 73.2

For disability 5,549 29.7 6,390 17.6 3,930 25.9

For reason other than disability 8,853 47.5 25,601 70.4 7,188 47.3

Nonregistrant, should have registered 78 0.4 108 0.3 107 0.7

Nonparticipating household headgg 945 5.1 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.

Unknown 18 0.1 45 0.1 19 0.1

Employment and training program status

Total participating in employment and training 

programjj 882 4.7 1,791 4.9 930 6.1

Not participating in employment and training 

program 16,818 90.1 34,518 94.9 14,243 93.8

Nonparticipating household headgg 945 5.1 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.

Unknown 12 0.1 54 0.1 12 0.1

Employment status

Total employed 3,962 21.2 4,866 13.4 4,558 30.0

Self-employed, farming 3 0.0 5 0.0 3 0.0

Self-employed, nonfarming 534 2.9 674 1.9 597 3.9

Migrant farm labor - - - - - -

Non-migrant farm labor 3 0.0 3 0.0 3 0.0

Active-duty military service - - - - - -

Employed by other 3,423 18.3 4,184 11.5 3,955 26.0

Unemployed and looking for work 2,142 11.5 2,793 7.7 2,664 17.5

Not in labor force and not looking for work 11,591 62.1 28,676 78.9 7,946 52.3

Nonparticipating household headgg 945 5.1 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.

Unknown 16 0.1 28 0.1 16 0.1

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 data from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
109

Table A.25.b. Distribution of household heads, all participants, and non-elderly adult participants by work registration status 

and employment status, waiver period

Household 

heads

All 

participants

Non-elderly adult 

participants

Employment/work registration status

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Total 16,686 100.0 32,170 100.0 14,011 100.0

Work registration status 

 

Work registrant 2,903 17.4 3,765 11.7 3,650 26.0

Mandatory employment and training program 

participant 884 5.3 1,209 3.8 1,126 8.0

Voluntary employment and training program 

participant 161 1.0 195 0.6 195 1.4

Not employment and training program 

participant 1,858 11.1 2,361 7.3 2,328 16.6

Exempt 13,062 78.3 28,325 88.0 10,287 73.4

For disability 4,748 28.5 5,481 17.0 3,432 24.5

For reason other than disability 8,314 49.8 22,844 71.0 6,856 48.9

Nonregistrant, should have registered 46 0.3 69 0.2 69 0.5

Nonparticipating household headgg 671 4.0 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.

Unknown 4 0.0 11 0.0 5 0.0

Employment and training program status

Total participating in employment and training 

programjj 594 3.6 774 2.4 718 5.1

Not participating in employment and training 

program 15,420 92.4 31,389 97.6 13,291 94.9

Nonparticipating household headgg 671 4.0 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.

Unknown 1 0.0 7 0.0 2 0.0

Employment status

Total employed 3,394 20.3 3,983 12.4 3,775 26.9

Self-employed, farming 3 0.0 4 0.0 4 0.0

Self-employed, nonfarming 427 2.6 489 1.5 453 3.2

Migrant farm labor - - - - - -

Non-migrant farm labor - - - - - -

Active-duty military service - - 1 0.0 1 0.0

Employed by other 2,964 17.8 3,489 10.8 3,318 23.7

Unemployed and looking for work 2,478 14.9 3,381 10.5 3,224 23.0

Not in labor force and not looking for work 10,130 60.7 24,781 77.0 6,998 49.9

Nonparticipating household headgg 671 4.0 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.

Unknown 12 0.1 25 0.1 13 0.1

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
110

Table A.26.a. Work status of participants by age and household composition, pre-pandemic period

 Working adults

 

Total adults All

20 or more 

hours per 

week of 

employment 

(row percent)

30 or more 

hours per week 

of employment 

(row percent)

Full-time 

employment 

(row percent)

Average monthly 

earnings among 

those with 

earnings 

(dollars)

Number 

(000)

Column 

percent

Number

(000)

Row 

percent

 

Total 21,072 100.0 4,732 22.5 16.5 11.1 3.8 1,206

Age and household 

composition 

Non-elderly adults without 

disabilities (age 18–59) 11,451 54.3 4,299 37.5 28.9 19.7 6.8 1,263

Living with children 7,302 34.7 3,259 44.6 37.0 26.5 9.3 1,405

Living with preschool-age 

children 3,702 17.6 1,601 43.2 36.1 25.6 9.6 1,468

Living in childless 

households 4,150 19.7 1,040 25.1 14.5 7.7 2.4 820

Age 18–49 living in 

childless households 2,659 12.6 675 25.4 15.5 8.1 2.6 869

Non-elderly adults with 

disabilities 3,733 17.7 156 4.2 0.7 0.3 0.1 425

Elderly adults (60 or older) 5,888 27.9 278 4.7 2.4 1.2 0.3 763

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 data from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
111

Table A.26.b. Work status of participants by age and household composition, waiver period

Working adults

 

Total adults All

20 or more 

hours per 

week of 

employment 

(row percent)

30 or more 

hours per week 

of employment 

(row percent)

Full-time 

employment 

(row percent)

Average monthly 

earnings among 

those with 

earnings 

(dollars)

Number 

(000)

Column 

percent

Number

(000)

Row 

percent

 

Total 19,009 100.0 3,844 20.2 14.9 10.6 4.4 1,304

Age and household 

composition 

Non-elderly adults without 

disabilities (age 18–59) 10,764 56.6 3,564 33.1 25.1 18.2 7.7 1,349

Living with children 6,607 34.8 2,589 39.2 32.5 24.6 10.6 1,520

Living with preschool-age 

children 3,253 17.1 1,257 38.7 31.5 24.6 10.2 1,534

Living in childless 

households 4,157 21.9 975 23.4 13.4 8.1 3.0 898

Age 18–49 living in 

childless households 2,846 15.0 654 23.0 13.6 8.5 3.6 964

Non-elderly adults with 

disabilities 3,246 17.1 85 2.6 0.8 0.2 0.0 611

Elderly adults (60 or older) 4,998 26.3 195 3.9 2.0 1.0 0.2 778

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
112

Table A.27. Comparison of participating households with key SNAP household characteristics for fiscal years 1993–2020 

Percentage of households with:

Time period

Total 

households 

(000)

Zero 

gross 

income

Zero 

net 

incomekk

Minimum 

benefit

Elderly 

individuals Children

Non-elderly 

individuals 

with 

disabilitiesll

AFDCmm/

TANF

Earned 

income SSI

Any 

noncitizen

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 7,252 8.9 21.5 10.1 20.4 54.6 26.7 26.0 26.1 30.7 6.0

Fiscal year 2001 7,276 10.0 23.9 10.2 19.7 54.2 26.6 23.4 26.0 30.7 5.3

Fiscal year 2002 8,010 11.2 26.3 9.8 17.9 55.1 25.7 21.4 27.3 28.2 4.9

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

Fiscal year 2010 18,369 19.7 38.3 3.8 15.5 48.7 19.8 8.0 29.9 20.9 5.9

Fiscal year 2011 20,803 20.0 39.4 4.2 16.5 47.1 20.2 7.6 30.5 20.2 5.8

Fiscal year 2012 22,046 20.5 38.4 4.8 17.2 45.3 20.0 7.1 31.3 20.2 5.7

Fiscal year 2013 22,802 21.5 39.4 5.2 17.4 44.8 20.3 6.5 31.2 19.9 5.8

Fiscal year 2014 22,445 21.9 40.6 6.4 19.0 43.6 20.4 6.1 31.3 20.4 6.1

Fiscal year 2015 22,293 22.2 39.6 7.2 19.6 42.7 20.2 5.8 31.8 20.5 6.0

Fiscal year 2016 21,511 20.4 37.2 8.1 21.8 42.9 20.3 5.1 31.9 21.3 6.2

Fiscal year 2017 20,597 19.0 35.7 8.8 24.1 41.7 20.8 4.9 31.4 21.9 6.1

Fiscal year 2018 19,727 19.0 35.3 9.5 26.0 41.2 20.7 4.5 30.2 22.9 5.9

Fiscal year 2019 18,802 18.5 35.1 10.3 28.1 39.5 21.1 4.2 28.6 23.7 5.4

Fiscal year 2020, 

Pre-pandemic period 18,657 18.5 35.7 11.1 28.6 38.1 21.8 3.6 27.7 25.0 5.1

Fiscal year 2020,

Waiver period 16,686 22.4 36.9 13.9 27.7 37.0 21.5 2.4 24.8 22.9 3.6

Source: Fiscal years 1993 to 2020 SNAP QC samples.

Note: Estimates for fiscal year 2000 and later differ methodologically from estimates for earlier years. Under the current methodology, 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. In addition, the weighted SNAP QC data 

match adjusted Program Operations counts of households, individuals, and benefit amounts. For the waiver period, data are available for only 47 States and territories (all 

except for California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, and New York). Thus, the total number of households should not be compared directly with 

totals from the pre-pandemic period or those for earlier fiscal years.
113

Table A.28. Comparison of average nominal and real values of key SNAP household characteristics for fiscal years 1993–2020 

Time period

Gross income 

(dollars)

Net income 

(dollars)kk

Total deduction 

(dollars)nn

SNAP benefit 

(dollars) Gross income as 

a percentage of 

poverty guidelines 

(percent)

Household size 

(individuals)

Nominal 

value

Real 

valueoo

Nominal 

value

Real 

valueoo

Nominal 

value

Real 

valueoo

Nominal 

value

Real 

valuepp

 

Fiscal year 1993 490 876 258 461 262 468 170 295 56 2.6

Fiscal year 1994 507 883 268 467 272 474 168 283 57 2.5

Fiscal year 1995 514 871 265 449 283 479 172 281 56 2.5

Fiscal year 1996 528 869 275 453 287 472 174 274 57 2.5

Fiscal year 1997 558 898 299 481 291 468 169 260 58 2.4

Fiscal year 1998 584 925 321 508 294 466 165 249 60 2.4

Fiscal year 1999 603 935 338 524 299 463 162 240 62 2.4

Fiscal year 2000 595 892 331 496 300 450 165 239 61 2.3

Fiscal year 2001 596 869 325 474 314 458 171 239 60 2.3

Fiscal year 2002 602 869 324 468 327 472 182 252 59 2.3

Fiscal year 2003 608 853 317 445 346 486 192 260 57 2.3

Fiscal year 2004 634 867 312 426 382 522 197 257 58 2.3

Fiscal year 2005 644 851 316 418 390 516 209 267 58 2.3

Fiscal year 2006 668 856 323 414 410 525 208 262 59 2.3

Fiscal year 2007 684 852 325 405 430 535 212 256 59 2.2

Fiscal year 2008 693 831 329 395 441 529 222 252 58 2.2

Fiscal year 2009 711 856 329 396 471 567 272 307 58 2.2

Fiscal year 2010 731 866 336 398 491 581 287 323 57 2.2

Fiscal year 2011 744 861 338 391 508 588 281 306 59 2.1

Fiscal year 2012 755 853 343 388 512 578 274 288 60 2.1

Fiscal year 2013 758 843 344 382 522 580 271 282 59 2.1

Fiscal year 2014 759 831 335 367 538 588 253 259 58 2.0

Fiscal year 2015 786 857 354 386 529 577 254 255 59 2.0

Fiscal year 2016 814 880 374 404 539 582 249 252 61 2.0

Fiscal year 2017 837 886 384 407 550 582 245 250 63 2.0

Fiscal year 2018 852 881 389 402 563 582 239 242 63 2.0

Fiscal year 2019 872 885 398 404 578 587 234 236 65 2.0

Fiscal year 2020, 

Pre-pandemic period 889 889 404 404 588 588 230 230 65 1.9

Sources: CPI-U values: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nominal values: Fiscal years 1993 to 2020 pre-pandemic SNAP QC samples.

Note: Estimates for fiscal year 2000 and later differ methodologically from estimates for earlier years. Under the current methodology, 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. In addition, the weighted SNAP QC data 

match adjusted Program Operations counts of households, individuals, and benefit amounts. Estimates from the fiscal year 2020 waiver period are omitted from this table 

so that there is only a single fiscal year 2020 reference period for inflation adjustments. 
114

Table A.29. Comparison of number of SNAP participants by gender and age for fiscal years 1993–2020

Time period

Total 

participants 

(000)

Female 

participants 

(000)

Male 

participants 

(000)

Children 

(age 0–17) 

(000)

Non-elderly 

adults 

(age 18–59) 

(000)

Elderly 

individuals 

(age 60 or 

older) 

(000)

Fiscal year 1993 27,595 16,276 11,316 14,213 11,499 1,870

Fiscal year 1994 28,009 16,453 11,552 14,410 11,615 1,955

Fiscal year 1995 26,955 16,025 10,926 13,883 11,118 1,923

Fiscal year 1996 25,926 15,373 10,549 13,214 10,783 1,895

Fiscal year 1997 23,117 13,880 9,233 11,871 9,385 1,834

Fiscal year 1998 19,969 11,967 7,926 10,546 7,772 1,637

Fiscal year 1999 18,149 10,878 7,226 9,354 7,090 1,699

Fiscal year 2000 16,916 10,115 6,798 8,726 6,559 1,629

Fiscal year 2001 16,850 10,107 6,740 8,650 6,629 1,564

Fiscal year 2002 18,608 11,033 7,574 9,563 7,463 1,577

Fiscal year 2003 20,764 12,211 8,552 10,554 8,516 1,691

Fiscal year 2004 23,279 13,697 9,573 11,635 9,720 1,920

Fiscal year 2005 24,794 14,656 10,132 12,363 10,383 2,046

Fiscal year 2006 25,472 14,957 10,515 12,514 10,732 2,227

Fiscal year 2007 25,775 15,120 10,655 12,605 10,909 2,261

Fiscal year 2008 27,607 16,151 11,456 13,359 11,732 2,515

Fiscal year 2009 32,889 18,854 14,035 15,617 14,543 2,728

Fiscal year 2010 39,759 22,405 17,354 18,516 18,121 3,122

Fiscal year 2011 44,148 24,936 19,212 19,926 20,452 3,770

Fiscal year 2012 46,022 25,945 20,076 20,500 21,367 4,154

Fiscal year 2013 47,098 26,447 20,651 20,889 21,845 4,365

Fiscal year 2014 45,874 25,762 20,112 20,271 20,952 4,651

Fiscal year 2015 45,184 25,637 19,547 19,891 20,494 4,799

Fiscal year 2016 43,539 24,666 18,873 19,212 19,209 5,118

Fiscal year 2017 41,491 23,714 17,777 18,033 18,011 5,447

Fiscal year 2018 39,519 22,690 16,829 17,268 16,673 5,579

Fiscal year 2019 37,202 21,389 15,813 15,871 15,532 5,800

Fiscal year 2020, 

Pre-pandemic 

period

36,363 20,820 15,543 15,290 15,185 5,887

Fiscal year 2020, 

Waiver period 32,170 18,370 13,800 13,155 14,011 4,998

Source: Fiscal years 1993 to 2020 SNAP QC samples.

Notes: Estimates for fiscal year 2000 and later differ methodologically from estimates for earlier years. Under the current 

methodology, 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. In addition, the weighted SNAP QC data match adjusted

Program Operations counts of households, individuals, and benefit amounts. For the waiver period, data are available for 

only 47 States and territories (all except for California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, and New York). 

Thus, the total number of households should not be compared directly with totals from the pre-pandemic period or those for 

earlier fiscal years.

The number of participants by gender and age do not sum to the total number of SNAP participants in certain years 

because some individuals have missing or unknown gender or age and are excluded from those columns. 
APPENDIX A FOOTNOTES

117

APPENDIX A FOOTNOTES

a With some exceptions, adult SNAP participants age 18–49 without disabilities in childless 

households are subject to work requirements and a time limit. 

b 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.

c Net income is not used in the benefit determinations of Minnesota Family Investment 

Program (MFIP) households or SSI-Combined Application Project (SSI-CAP) households 

in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits, so 22,410 MFIP households and 547,829

SSI-CAP households are excluded from this distribution in the pre-pandemic period and 

29,056 MFIP households and 193,091 SSI-CAP households are excluded from this 

distribution in the waiver period.

d The number of households with gross or net countable income that was less than 25 percent 

of the poverty guidelines does not include households with no gross or no net income.

e Because net income is not used in their benefit determinations, 22,410 MFIP households 

and 547,829 SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits are 

excluded from this category in the pre-pandemic period and 29,056 MFIP households and 

193,091 SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits are excluded 

from this category in the waiver period. Thus, the average values are based on fewer 

households than the number of total SNAP households shown in Appendix Tables A.1.a and 

A.1.b.

f Because deductions are not used in their benefit determinations, 547,829 SSI-CAP 

households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits are excluded from this category 

in the pre-pandemic period and 193,091 SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized 

SSI-CAP benefits are excluded from this category in the waiver period. Thus, the average 

values are based on fewer households than the number of total SNAP households shown in 

Appendix Tables A.1.a and A.1.b.

g

In tables sorted by income type, the sum of households receiving income from individual 

sources does not equal the total number of households because households may receive 

income from more than one source.

h Examples of other Government benefits that are considered as income include Black Lung 

benefits, Railroad Retirement payments, and USDA payments to farmers.

i Examples of other unearned income include alimony and dividends and interest payments.

j Income source (dollars) is the average value of the specified source calculated across 

households with income from that source.

k The fiscal year 2020 maximum monthly SSI benefit for one person was $771 from October 

through December 2019 and $783 from January through September 2020. This row 

tabulates the number of households in which at least one person received the applicable 

maximum SSI benefit.

l The fiscal year 2020 maximum monthly SSI benefit for two individuals was $1,157 from 

October through December 2019 and $1,175 from January through September 2020. This 

row tabulates the number of households in which the two individuals receive a combined 

SSI benefit equal to the applicable amount.
118

m Percent with the maximum excess shelter expense refers to the percentage of households 

with deduction that receive the maximum. There is no maximum for elderly individuals.

n Because this deduction is not used in their benefit determinations, 676,468 SSI-CAP 

households are excluded from this category in the pre-pandemic period and 325,502 SSICAP households are excluded from this category in the waiver period. Thus, the average 

values are based on fewer households than the number of total SNAP households shown in 

Appendix Tables A.1.a and A.1.b.

o Because this deduction is not used in their benefit determinations, 22,410 MFIP households 

and 676,468 SSI-CAP households are excluded from this category in the pre-pandemic 

period and 29,056 MFIP households and 325,502 SSI-CAP households are excluded from 

this category in the pre-pandemic period. Thus, the average values are based on fewer 

households than the number of total SNAP households shown in Appendix Tables A.1.a and 

A.1.b.

p Because this deduction is not used in their benefit determinations, 22,410 MFIP households 

and 547,829 SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits are 

excluded from this category in the pre-pandemic period and 29,056 MFIP households and 

193,091 SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits are excluded 

from this category in the waiver period. Thus, the average values are based on fewer 

households than the number of total SNAP households shown in Appendix Tables A.1.a and 

A.1.b.

q Deductions are not used in the benefit determinations of SSI-CAP households in States that 

use standardized SSI-CAP benefits. 

r The “Total deduction ($0 to 166)” row contains MFIP households, which do not receive a 

standard deduction, and households in the Virgin Islands, which receive a standard 

deduction of $147 for one- to two-person households and $148 for three-person households.

s

In 2020, the standard deduction was $167 for one- to three-person households in the 

contiguous United States.

t Earned income deduction is not used in the benefit determinations of SSI-CAP households.

u Dependent care deduction and medical expense deduction are not used in the benefit 

determinations of MFIP households or SSI-CAP households.

v Child support payment deduction and excess shelter expense deduction are not used in the 

benefit determinations of MFIP households or SSI-CAP households in States that use 

standardized SSI-CAP benefits.

w Some households are excluded from the distributions of deduction amounts because the 

deductions are not used in the households’ benefit determination. As a result, the 

distribution percentages do not sum to 100 percent.

x

In 2020, the excess shelter expense deduction cap for households without elderly or disabled 

members was $569.

y Households without elderly or disabled members are subject to a cap on their excess shelter 

expense deduction.

z The minimum SNAP benefit, applicable to one- and two-person households, is equal to 8 

percent of the maximum benefit for single-person households. Households with three or 

more people do not have a minimum benefit, so they may receive a benefit amount less than 
119

the one- and two-person household minimum. See Appendix Table C.6 for the fiscal year 

2020 minimum benefit values.

aa In 2020, the maximum monthly SNAP benefit was $194 for single-person households in the 

contiguous United States.

bb The number of households receiving less than 25 percent of the maximum benefit does not 

include households receiving the minimum benefit.

cc The sum of individual household composition categories does not match the table total 

because a household may have more than one of the characteristics in the table.

dd “Other households” refers to households not containing children, elderly individuals, or 

non-elderly individuals with disabilities.

ee

 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.

ff Codes to allow reporting of multiple races were implemented beginning in April 2007. We 

have grouped the codes to form general race/ethnicity categories. “White, not Hispanic” 

includes “white, not Hispanic or Latino”; “African American, not Hispanic” includes “black 

or African American, not Hispanic or Latino” and “(black or African American) and white”; 

“Hispanic, any race” includes “Hispanic” and “(Hispanic or Latino) with any race or race 

combination”; “Asian, not Hispanic” includes “Asian,” “Native Hawaiian or other Pacific 

Islander,” and “Asian and white”; “Native American, not Hispanic” includes “American 

Indian or Alaska Native,” “(American Indian or Alaska Native) and white,” and “(American 

Indian or Alaska Native) and (black or African American)”; “Multiple races reported, not 

Hispanic” includes individuals who reported more than one race and who do not fit into any 

previously mentioned value; and “Race unknown” includes “Racial/ethnic data not 

available” and “Racial/ethnic data not recorded.” Reporting of race/ethnicity is voluntary 

and was missing for 16 percent of participants in the fiscal year 2020 pre-pandemic period 

and 16 percent of participants in the waiver period. 

gg Some household heads who are not participating with the household are ineligible for 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. 

hh Percentage of total participants.

ii Noncitizens may be inside or outside the SNAP unit.

jj Employment and training may be provided through SNAP or other programs.

kk Beginning in 2004, net income is not calculated for MFIP households or SSI-CAP 

households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits.

ll The substantial changes in 1995 and 2003, and the smaller changes in 2016 and 2017 in the 

percentage of households with a non-elderly individual with disabilities are in part a result 

of changes to the definition of a household with an individual with a disability. Prior to 

1995, these households were defined as those with SSI and no members older than age 59. 

In 1995, that definition changed to households with at least one member younger than age 

65 who received SSI, or at least one member age 18–61 who received Social Security 

income, veterans’ benefits, or other Government benefits as a result of a disability. Due to 

changes in the SNAP QC data in 2003, the definition changed again, to households with 

individuals younger than age 60 with SSI income, a medical expense deduction and without 
120

an elderly person, or with a non-elderly adult who worked fewer than 30 hours a week and 

received Social Security income, veterans’ benefits, or workers’ compensation. In 2015, the 

definition of individuals with disabilities was expanded to also include non-elderly adults in 

single-person SNAP households who received Social Security income. In 2016, the 

definition was further modified to identify nonparticipating elderly members with SNAP 

case affiliation codes, or FSAFILi, of 8, 9, 11, or 13 as disabled when the unit receives a 

medical deduction and has no participating elderly members (see “Individuals with 

disabilities” in the Definitions section of this report).

mm AFDC refers to Aid to Families with Dependent Children.

nn Some of the changes in average total deductions and average net income between 2003 and 

2004 may be attributable to two items in the SNAP QC data file 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, SSICAP participants in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits are excluded from the 

average total deduction calculation beginning in 2004.

oo Real values are in constant fiscal year 2020 dollars adjusted by changes in the Consumer 

Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for all items.

pp Real values are in constant fiscal year 2020 dollars adjusted by changes in the CPI-U for 

food at home.

– No sample data in this category.

† Please use caution when interpreting results due to small sample sizes. See footnotes of 

individual tables for more details. 

n.a. Not applicable.
APPENDIX B 

DETAILED TABLES OF SNAP HOUSEHOLDS BY STATE

Note: All Appendix B table footnotes appear at the conclusion of this appendix.

123

The Appendix B tables in this report differ from the tables in previous reports in this series due to 

(1) QC data limitations resulting from the COVID-19 public health emergency and (2) changes in 

economic and program circumstances after the start of the pandemic. The differences are described 

below.

Two sets of tables for fiscal year 2020. The Appendix B tables in this report describe the statelevel, average monthly characteristics of SNAP households and participants in two separate periods: (1) 

the pre-pandemic period of October 2019 through February 2020 and (2) the waiver period of June 2020 

through September 2020. For the waiver period, data are available for only 47 States and territories—all 

except for California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, and New York. Thus, table 

rows for these States do not include any data and the waiver period totals do not reflect all SNAP 

participants nationwide. These totals should not be compared directly with totals from the pre-pandemic 

period tables or those for earlier fiscal years. 

The pre-pandemic period tables are denoted by the “.a” suffix and the waiver period tables are 

denoted by the “.b” suffix that appears in the table’s title line.

Use caution when interpreting fiscal year 2020 waiver period results. FNS granted States 

temporary waivers on conducting QC reviews, starting in March 2020. Very few States collected QC 

data from March 2020 through May 2020, so those months are not described in this report and are not 

reflected in the Appendix B tables. Most States opted to conduct QC reviews from June 2020 through 

September 2020, although FNS was unable to provide its usual level of oversight of the sampling 

procedures.46 Furthermore, monthly State samples for this time period were often smaller than usual. 

Tables excluded due to small sample sizes. In cases where small sample sizes frequently occurred 

throughout an appendix table usually included in this report series, the table was omitted from this 

report. In its place, a note to the reader explains that the table was omitted due to small sample sizes.47

Dagger indicates estimate based on small sample sizes. For tables with some estimates based on 

small sample sizes but not enough to warrant excluding the table from the report, a dagger symbol was 

added to note the small sample size and caution readers about interpretation of the result.

46 Five States—California, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, and New York—and the District of Columbia did not have any 

data for the waiver period (June 2020 through September 2020). Eight States—Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Massachusetts, Ohio, 

Oregon, South Dakota, and Washington—had only one month of data in the waiver period. Fourteen States and territories—

Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Dakota, Rhode Island, 

Virginia, Wisconsin, Guam, and the Virgin Islands—had only two months of data in the waiver period. Four States—Illinois, 

New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas—had three months of data in the waiver period.

47 Tables B.7.a, B.7.b, B.9.a, B.9.b, B.17.a, and B.17.b were omitted due to small sample sizes.

125

Table B.1.a. Distribution of participating households, individuals, and benefits by State, pre-pandemic period

State

SNAP 

households

Participants in 

households

Monthly 

SNAP benefits

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Dollars 

(000) Percent

Totala 18,657 100.0 36,363 100.0 4,283,434 100.0

Alabama 331 1.8 693 1.9 79,750 1.9

Alaska 33 0.2 73 0.2 12,048 0.3

Arizona 355 1.9 743 2.0 89,788 2.1

Arkansas 150 0.8 321 0.9 34,963 0.8

California 2,138 11.5 3,985 11.0 470,973 11.0

Colorado 217 1.2 423 1.2 50,680 1.2

Connecticut 204 1.1 342 0.9 43,558 1.0

Delaware 56 0.3 113 0.3 12,702 0.3

District of Columbia 65 0.3 108 0.3 13,426 0.3

Florida 1,473 7.9 2,688 7.4 309,263 7.2

Georgia 600 3.2 1,273 3.5 154,518 3.6

Guam 15 0.1 42 0.1 7,397 0.2

Hawaii 78 0.4 149 0.4 35,447 0.8

Idaho 66 0.4 144 0.4 15,535 0.4

Illinois 877 4.7 1,710 4.7 198,599 4.6

Indiana 251 1.3 551 1.5 64,035 1.5

Iowa 142 0.8 288 0.8 31,442 0.7

Kansas 90 0.5 189 0.5 20,460 0.5

Kentucky 218 1.2 482 1.3 53,872 1.3

Louisiana 361 1.9 777 2.1 96,559 2.3

Maine 82 0.4 146 0.4 15,176 0.4

Maryland 328 1.8 604 1.7 67,785 1.6

Massachusetts 450 2.4 733 2.0 88,432 2.1

Michigan 595 3.2 1,118 3.1 128,469 3.0

Minnesota 200 1.1 384 1.1 38,752 0.9

Mississippi 198 1.1 418 1.1 45,729 1.1

Missouri 305 1.6 644 1.8 77,412 1.8

Montana 52 0.3 103 0.3 11,401 0.3

Nebraska 69 0.4 151 0.4 16,818 0.4

Nevada 215 1.2 396 1.1 44,810 1.0

New Hampshire 38 0.2 70 0.2 7,182 0.2

New Jersey 341 1.8 675 1.9 77,598 1.8

New Mexico 218 1.2 436 1.2 50,678 1.2

New York 1,451 7.8 2,500 6.9 338,501 7.9

North Carolina 586 3.1 1,196 3.3 135,521 3.2

North Dakota 23 0.1 46 0.1 5,329 0.1

Ohio 673 3.6 1,339 3.7 158,641 3.7

Oklahoma 266 1.4 557 1.5 65,095 1.5

Oregon 343 1.8 579 1.6 66,965 1.6

Pennsylvania 938 5.0 1,730 4.8 198,028 4.6

Rhode Island 85 0.5 137 0.4 16,584 0.4

South Carolina 264 1.4 570 1.6 66,243 1.5

South Dakota 36 0.2 77 0.2 9,844 0.2

Tennessee 395 2.1 819 2.3 98,350 2.3

Texas 1,397 7.5 3,239 8.9 370,302 8.6

Utah 69 0.4 160 0.4 18,330 0.4

Vermont 38 0.2 66 0.2 7,721 0.2

Virgin Islands 10 0.1 21 0.1 3,299 0.1

Virginia 326 1.7 660 1.8 74,262 1.7

Washington 470 2.5 786 2.2 90,769 2.1

West Virginia 158 0.8 296 0.8 30,729 0.7

Wisconsin 304 1.6 585 1.6 60,788 1.4

Wyoming 11 0.1 25 0.1 2,875 0.1

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
126

Table B.1.b. Distribution of participating households, individuals, and benefits by State, waiver period

State

SNAP 

households

Participants in 

households

Monthly 

SNAP benefits

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Dollars 

(000) Percent

Totala 16,686 100.0 32,170 100.0 3,719,663 100.0

Alabama 361 2.2 745 2.3 84,557 2.3

Alaska 38 0.2 84 0.3 13,776 0.4

Arizona 398 2.4 803 2.5 93,016 2.5

Arkansas 177 1.1 362 1.1 42,304 1.1

California - - - - - -

Colorado 266 1.6 515 1.6 61,022 1.6

Connecticut 209 1.3 354 1.1 45,060 1.2

Delaware - - - - - -

District of Columbia - - - - - -

Florida 2,054 12.3 3,802 11.8 440,100 11.8

Georgia 771 4.6 1,379 4.3 149,108 4.0

Guam 16 0.1 44 0.1 8,381 0.2

Hawaii 92 0.6 180 0.6 43,293 1.2

Idaho 70 0.4 153 0.5 17,345 0.5

Illinois 1,045 6.3 1,958 6.1 242,783 6.5

Indiana 298 1.8 549 1.7 53,901 1.4

Iowa 149 0.9 287 0.9 31,531 0.8

Kansas 95 0.6 197 0.6 21,923 0.6

Kentucky 272 1.6 598 1.9 66,469 1.8

Louisiana 357 2.1 713 2.2 88,350 2.4

Maine - - - - - -

Maryland - - - - - -

Massachusetts 497 3.0 768 2.4 87,421 2.4

Michigan 652 3.9 1,156 3.6 139,481 3.7

Minnesota 213 1.3 409 1.3 40,663 1.1

Mississippi 198 1.2 410 1.3 43,239 1.2

Missouri 354 2.1 727 2.3 86,640 2.3

Montana 50 0.3 98 0.3 11,357 0.3

Nebraska 69 0.4 146 0.5 15,880 0.4

Nevada 243 1.5 452 1.4 56,650 1.5

New Hampshire 37 0.2 68 0.2 6,899 0.2

New Jersey 371 2.2 726 2.3 91,948 2.5

New Mexico 236 1.4 469 1.5 54,729 1.5

New York - - - - - -

North Carolina 692 4.1 1,538 4.8 176,467 4.7

North Dakota 22 0.1 46 0.1 5,174 0.1

Ohio 708 4.2 1,366 4.2 151,708 4.1

Oklahoma 293 1.8 528 1.6 64,323 1.7

Oregon 412 2.5 693 2.2 85,384 2.3

Pennsylvania 995 6.0 1,797 5.6 206,513 5.6

Rhode Island 78 0.5 125 0.4 15,232 0.4

South Carolina 290 1.7 612 1.9 69,736 1.9

South Dakota 36 0.2 76 0.2 9,716 0.3

Tennessee 396 2.4 829 2.6 92,620 2.5

Texas 1,643 9.8 3,704 11.5 403,132 10.8

Utah 68 0.4 153 0.5 17,757 0.5

Vermont 39 0.2 67 0.2 7,790 0.2

Virgin Islands 12 0.1 25 0.1 4,274 0.1

Virginia 371 2.2 691 2.1 81,643 2.2

Washington 519 3.1 797 2.5 84,673 2.3

West Virginia 157 0.9 288 0.9 30,336 0.8

Wisconsin 355 2.1 661 2.1 72,436 1.9

Wyoming 12 0.1 26 0.1 2,923 0.1

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

Note: California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, and New York did not have any data for the waiver period. 
127

Table B.2.a. Average values of selected characteristics by State, pre-pandemic period

State

Average values

Gross 

countable 

income as a 

percentage of 

poverty 

guidelines 

(percent)

Gross 

countable 

income 

(dollars)

Net 

countable 

income 

(dollars)b

Total 

deductions 

(dollars)c

SNAP 

benefit 

(dollars)

Household 

size 

(individuals)

Certification 

period 

(months)

Total 64.5 890 408 584 230 1.9 15.1

Alabama 58.6 820 417 465 241 2.1 16.2

Alaska 54.5 1,017 591 592 363 2.2 7.6

Arizona 49.5 755 387 472 253 2.1 14.9

Arkansas 53.0 787 460 396 233 2.1 18.2

California 61.9 871 384 595 220 1.9 18.7

Colorado 61.2 842 370 573 234 2.0 12.1

Connecticut 70.9 932 305 775 213 1.7 17.5

Delaware 65.6 911 481 514 226 2.0 15.3

District of Columbia 50.5 645 349 450 207 1.7 16.1

Florida 69.8 919 410 570 210 1.8 9.1

Georgia 55.7 795 381 492 258 2.1 8.3

Guam 63.1 1,160 646 626 501 2.9 13.7

Hawaii 59.8 950 521 482 454 1.9 11.7

Idaho 65.2 961 469 583 235 2.2 12.4

Illinois 63.3 883 413 561 226 1.9 12.1

Indiana 59.9 859 421 515 255 2.2 11.9

Iowa 68.0 948 497 541 222 2.0 8.0

Kansas 63.7 916 460 533 226 2.1 17.1

Kentucky 50.2 757 446 415 247 2.2 10.0

Louisiana 53.2 763 351 492 268 2.2 16.7

Maine 83.9 1,101 478 687 184 1.8 12.0

Maryland 65.6 911 432 573 207 1.8 12.3

Massachusetts 81.4 1,037 353 786 196 1.6 25.4

Michigan 69.2 917 411 617 216 1.9 16.8

Minnesota 68.6 953 537 505 193 1.9 14.9

Mississippi 56.9 810 446 424 231 2.1 15.3

Missouri 59.1 858 368 584 254 2.1 17.5

Montana 66.9 948 465 576 221 2.0 15.7

Nebraska 63.4 914 446 572 243 2.2 8.5

Nevada 61.1 837 463 463 208 1.8 7.9

New Hampshire 80.2 1,092 488 679 190 1.9 6.9

New Jersey 76.2 1,065 420 711 227 2.0 17.2

New Mexico 54.2 786 395 492 233 2.0 15.1

New York 78.4 1,006 326 865 233 1.7 20.8

North Carolina 67.1 924 458 563 231 2.0 9.4

North Dakota 71.3 999 403 686 237 2.1 8.3

Ohio 63.6 869 404 551 236 2.0 16.7

Oklahoma 53.8 759 393 461 245 2.1 15.9

Oregon 69.3 905 395 608 195 1.7 12.4

Pennsylvania 74.8 1,003 430 694 211 1.8 22.2

Rhode Island 72.3 921 340 764 195 1.6 17.5

South Carolina 58.0 818 411 478 251 2.2 8.8

South Dakota 54.3 806 322 636 270 2.1 14.0

Tennessee 53.7 752 377 457 249 2.1 12.6

Texas 55.3 842 449 553 265 2.3 12.9

Utah 52.0 832 443 488 264 2.3 7.6

Vermont 88.1 1,139 385 899 201 1.7 18.1

Virgin Islands 60.0 855 487 413 325 2.1 12.0

Virginia 57.2 791 426 450 228 2.0 16.3

Washington 61.9 834 379 568 193 1.7 16.4

West Virginia 63.0 828 500 410 194 1.9 17.9

Wisconsin 73.4 982 520 555 200 1.9 11.8

Wyoming 62.5 890 435 525 258 2.2 7.7

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
128

Table B.2.b. Average values of selected characteristics by State, waiver period

State

Average values

Gross 

countable 

income as a 

percentage of 

poverty 

guidelines 

(percent)

Gross 

countable 

income 

(dollars)

Net 

countable 

income 

(dollars)b

Total 

deductions 

(dollars)c

SNAP 

benefit 

(dollars)

Household 

size 

(individuals)

Certification 

period 

(months)

Total 64.5 880 444 552 223 1.9 14.6

Alabama 63.8 865 482 480 234 2.1 15.1

Alaska 51.5 996 552 625 363 2.2 8.2

Arizona 60.9 840 436 486 233 2.0 17.3

Arkansas 52.0 704 399 376 239 2.0 20.4

California - - - - - - -

Colorado 62.2 851 387 582 230 1.9 12.8

Connecticut 72.8 950 318 785 215 1.7 19.0

Delaware - - - - - - -

District of Columbia - - - - - - -

Florida 64.6 891 412 592 214 1.9 10.1

Georgia 83.7 1,053 680 459 193 1.8 10.0

Guam 51.9 930 513 597 539 2.9 14.0

Hawaii 55.5 911 507 491 469 1.9 11.8

Idaho 57.2 844 428 590 246 2.2 12.5

Illinois 57.4 795 347 566 232 1.9 12.8

Indiana 67.2 908 492 472 181 1.8 13.1

Iowa 67.9 936 494 538 212 1.9 10.2

Kansas 59.7 846 434 512 231 2.1 17.3

Kentucky 52.4 760 484 408 244 2.2 9.6

Louisiana 49.5 702 323 474 247 2.0 17.7

Maine - - - - - - -

Maryland - - - - - - -

Massachusetts 81.8 1,017 428 691 176 1.5 23.2

Michigan 60.8 794 361 571 214 1.8 16.9

Minnesota 70.1 955 634 460 191 1.9 14.5

Mississippi 56.0 776 469 354 218 2.1 15.0

Missouri 55.1 763 371 513 244 2.0 17.6

Montana 63.9 823 428 480 226 1.9 17.0

Nebraska 64.1 922 462 571 231 2.1 9.2

Nevada 54.6 730 369 487 233 1.9 8.9

New Hampshire 71.3 945 481 575 186 1.8 8.1

New Jersey 65.3 848 384 711 248 2.0 16.0

New Mexico 49.9 729 396 445 232 2.0 14.9

New York - - - - - - -

North Carolina 68.7 969 506 578 255 2.2 12.3

North Dakota 59.6 836 409 577 234 2.1 8.2

Ohio 61.3 843 434 525 214 1.9 17.9

Oklahoma 47.8 630 347 394 220 1.8 16.5

Oregon 78.0 1,013 472 704 207 1.7 12.3

Pennsylvania 78.4 1,026 470 683 208 1.8 21.5

Rhode Island 78.9 992 356 808 195 1.6 17.7

South Carolina 58.9 806 437 452 241 2.1 10.4

South Dakota 54.3 789 297 660 273 2.1 13.5

Tennessee 52.8 767 433 406 234 2.1 15.1

Texas 62.0 948 501 590 245 2.3 14.3

Utah 51.6 787 410 487 260 2.2 8.0

Vermont 83.8 1,098 362 925 201 1.7 17.5

Virgin Islands 47.2 653 343 390 351 2.0 13.2

Virginia 53.9 723 370 458 220 1.9 16.8

Washington 69.9 870 445 525 163 1.5 17.3

West Virginia 60.0 800 488 399 193 1.8 17.8

Wisconsin 76.8 994 565 533 204 1.9 12.8

Wyoming 58.3 861 442 522 244 2.2 8.3

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

Note: California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, and New York did not have any data for the waiver period. 
129

Table B.3.a. Distribution of participating households by poverty status and by State, pre-pandemic period

Gross countable income as a percentage of the poverty guidelines

 

Total 

households

Zero gross 

income

1 percent to 

50 percent

51 percent to 

100 percent

101 percent or 

more

State

Number 

(000)

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Totala 18,657 3,458 18.5 3,199 17.1 8,475 45.4 3,525 18.9

Alabama 331 60 18.0 62 18.7 164 49.4 46 13.9

Alaska 33 9 27.8 5 15.9 13 40.5 5 15.7

Arizona 355 122 34.3 65 18.3 112 31.7 56 15.8

Arkansas 150 31 20.7 34 22.5 72 48.2 13 8.7

California 2,138 436 20.4 458 21.4 869 40.6 374 17.5

Colorado 217 41 18.9 44 20.4 89 40.9 43 19.7

Connecticut 204 38 18.5 30 14.5 87 42.8 49 24.2

Delaware 56 10 18.1 11 19.8 24 41.9 11 20.3

District of Columbia 65 21 32.5 14 20.9 21 33.1 9 13.4

Florida 1,473 235 16.0 212 14.4 709 48.2 316 21.5

Georgia 600 150 24.9 98 16.3 261 43.5 92 15.3

Guam 15 3 18.5 3 21.5 5 34.7 4 25.3

Hawaii 78 8 10.7 21 26.6 38 48.1 11 14.7

Idaho 66 9 13.2 12 18.5 32 48.8 13 19.5

Illinois 877 204 23.3 127 14.4 365 41.6 181 20.6

Indiana 251 39 15.3 47 18.8 139 55.5 26 10.4

Iowa 142 23 16.3 27 18.7 58 41.1 34 23.9

Kansas 90 13 14.3 17 18.5 46 51.2 14 16.0

Kentucky 218 57 26.3 36 16.7 103 47.1 22 9.9

Louisiana 361 72 19.8 82 22.7 174 48.2 33 9.3

Maine 82 7 8.3 7 8.5 42 50.8 27 32.4

Maryland 328 59 18.1 64 19.4 130 39.7 75 22.8

Massachusetts 450 62 13.8 39 8.6 222 49.4 127 28.3

Michigan 595 111 18.7 62 10.4 305 51.3 117 19.7

Minnesota 200 16 8.1 50 24.8 92 46.0 42 21.1

Mississippi 198 32 16.4 44 22.3 99 50.2 22 11.2

Missouri 305 69 22.6 43 14.1 142 46.7 50 16.5

Montana 52 9 16.7 10 20.0 20 38.6 13 24.6

Nebraska 69 11 15.2 13 18.8 33 48.1 12 17.9

Nevada 215 57 26.4 37 17.0 77 35.8 45 20.8

New Hampshire 38 5 11.9 3 7.5 18 48.5 12 32.0

New Jersey 341 28 8.2 46 13.4 188 55.1 79 23.3

New Mexico 218 53 24.5 41 18.9 93 42.7 30 14.0

New York 1,451 111 7.7 233 16.0 771 53.1 337 23.2

North Carolina 586 117 20.0 90 15.3 240 41.0 139 23.7

North Dakota 23 3 14.7 4 17.8 9 41.1 6 26.4

Ohio 673 118 17.5 120 17.8 312 46.3 123 18.3

Oklahoma 266 55 20.6 55 20.7 130 48.7 26 10.0

Oregon 343 57 16.6 61 17.7 136 39.6 90 26.1

Pennsylvania 938 151 16.1 96 10.2 456 48.6 235 25.0

Rhode Island 85 16 19.3 9 10.7 36 42.8 23 27.3

South Carolina 264 50 18.8 46 17.5 135 51.1 33 12.7

South Dakota 36 9 25.6 7 19.3 15 40.6 5 14.4

Tennessee 395 90 22.8 79 20.0 183 46.5 42 10.7

Texas 1,397 305 21.8 307 22.0 581 41.6 205 14.7

Utah 69 18 25.5 13 19.3 31 44.9 7 10.3

Vermont 38 3 8.3 4 10.0 17 44.3 14 37.3

Virgin Islands 10 2 15.6 3 30.2 3 32.5 2 21.7

Virginia 326 53 16.2 79 24.3 156 47.7 39 11.9

Washington 470 106 22.7 74 15.8 204 43.5 85 18.0

West Virginia 158 31 19.7 21 13.2 81 51.1 25 16.0

Wisconsin 304 62 20.2 33 11.0 128 42.0 82 26.8

Wyoming 11 1 12.0 3 26.4 5 47.6 2 13.9

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
130

Table B.3.b. Distribution of participating households by poverty status and by State, waiver period

Gross countable income as a percentage of the poverty guidelines

 

Total 

households

Zero gross 

income

1 percent to 

50 percent

51 percent to 

100 percent

101 percent or 

more

State

Number 

(000)

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Totala 16,686 3,744 22.4 2,684 16.1 6,737 40.4 3,521 21.1

Alabama 361 73 20.2 63 17.5 160 44.4 65 17.9

Alaska 38 12 31.6 6 17.1 15 40.8 4 10.6

Arizona 398 84 21.2 63 15.9 182 45.8 68 17.1

Arkansas 177 42 23.9 36 20.2 81 45.7 18 10.2

California - - - - - - - - -

Colorado 266 66 24.8 38 14.5 104 39.1 57 21.6

Connecticut 209 34 16.1 34 16.2 87 41.4 55 26.2

Delaware - - - - - - - - -

District of Columbia - - - - - - - - -

Florida 2,054 442 21.5 311 15.2 819 39.9 482 23.5

Georgia 771 172 22.4 131 17.1 254 32.9 213 27.7

Guam 16 3 21.6 4 25.6 5 35.0 3 17.7

Hawaii 92 16 17.1 26 28.6 34 37.1 16 17.1

Idaho 70 14 20.4 14 19.3 32 46.0 10 14.3

Illinois 1,045 274 26.2 188 18.0 386 37.0 196 18.8

Indiana 298 38 12.7 47 15.9 152 50.8 62 20.6

Iowa 149 27 18.0 31 20.9 54 36.0 37 25.1

Kansas 95 17 17.5 18 19.0 43 45.8 17 17.7

Kentucky 272 75 27.5 55 20.3 104 38.1 38 14.1

Louisiana 357 89 24.8 69 19.3 170 47.6 30 8.3

Maine - - - - - - - - -

Maryland - - - - - - - - -

Massachusetts 497 101 20.3 63 12.7 151 30.4 183 36.7

Michigan 652 164 25.1 93 14.3 285 43.7 110 16.9

Minnesota 213 17 7.9 63 29.6 84 39.6 49 23.0

Mississippi 198 34 17.4 38 19.4 110 55.4 15 7.8

Missouri 354 77 21.9 80 22.5 163 46.0 34 9.7

Montana 50 10 20.8 10 19.1 20 40.4 10 19.7

Nebraska 69 10 14.7 13 19.2 33 48.6 12 17.5

Nevada 243 79 32.7 47 19.5 72 29.8 44 18.1

New Hampshire 37 6 15.5 3 9.0 18 49.2 10 26.4

New Jersey 371 108 29.2 23 6.1 146 39.5 93 25.2

New Mexico 236 65 27.4 53 22.3 90 38.0 29 12.3

New York - - - - - - - - -

North Carolina 692 116 16.7 161 23.2 256 36.9 161 23.2

North Dakota 22 5 23.7 4 18.3 9 42.8 3 15.2

Ohio 708 195 27.6 65 9.2 309 43.7 138 19.5

Oklahoma 293 85 29.1 55 18.8 116 39.6 36 12.5

Oregon 412 106 25.8 56 13.7 139 33.8 110 26.6

Pennsylvania 995 159 16.0 120 12.1 432 43.5 283 28.5

Rhode Island 78 12 15.3 7 9.0 38 48.8 21 26.9

South Carolina 290 53 18.4 60 20.6 134 46.3 43 14.8

South Dakota 36 10 27.4 5 12.9 15 41.9 6 17.9

Tennessee 396 92 23.3 80 20.2 175 44.1 49 12.3

Texas 1,643 417 25.4 213 13.0 635 38.6 379 23.0

Utah 68 18 26.8 14 19.8 28 41.4 8 12.0

Vermont 39 5 11.7 4 9.9 17 42.9 14 35.5

Virgin Islands 12 3 27.2 3 27.1 4 31.7 2 14.0

Virginia 371 88 23.6 74 20.0 148 40.0 61 16.4

Washington 519 116 22.4 63 12.1 215 41.4 125 24.1

West Virginia 157 35 22.4 23 14.5 73 46.2 27 16.9

Wisconsin 355 76 21.3 53 14.9 132 37.1 95 26.7

Wyoming 12 2 20.8 2 18.1 6 47.0 2 14.1

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

Note: California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, and New York did not have any data for the waiver period. 
131

Table B.4.a. Distribution of participating households by shelter-related characteristics and by State, pre-pandemic period

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 

deduction 

(dollars)d State

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

 

Totala 12,982 69.6 2,432 13.0 671 836 441

Alabama 218 65.7 15 4.5 479 617 310

Alaska 20 60.9 1 4.4 552 688 376

Arizona 189 53.3 38 10.6 477 723 368

Arkansas 83 55.5 5 3.6 396 537 266

California 1,566 73.3 424 19.8 727 923 472

Colorado 148 68.1 33 15.2 670 851 471

Connecticut 168 82.2 50 24.3 939 1,103 629

Delaware 32 56.1 7 11.9 545 780 428

District of Columbia 50 77.5 3 4.6 473 530 313

Florida 1,099 74.6 163 11.1 681 836 427

Georgia 375 62.6 41 6.9 515 735 373

Guam 5 35.1 0 1.6 273 406 179

Hawaii 39 49.9 2 3.1 396 578 294

Idaho 52 78.4 7 10.5 635 731 361

Illinois 603 68.8 144 16.5 646 837 423

Indiana 175 69.8 19 7.4 588 725 382

Iowa 94 66.4 17 11.9 618 756 398

Kansas 67 73.5 9 9.9 561 648 328

Kentucky 119 54.7 6 2.9 399 577 297

Louisiana 242 67.1 27 7.4 511 661 357

Maine 67 81.6 8 10.0 871 982 531

Maryland 201 61.3 39 12.0 645 853 462

Massachusetts 376 83.5 71 15.8 939 1,106 590

Michigan 430 72.3 64 10.7 686 855 480

Minnesota 124 61.9 12 5.9 559 764 392

Mississippi 84 42.5 5 2.4 389 534 297

Missouri 219 72.0 22 7.2 579 732 386

Montana 35 67.5 6 12.5 627 818 435

Nebraska 52 75.0 10 15.0 665 765 404

Nevada 122 56.8 20 9.2 491 709 340

New Hampshire 28 74.4 6 16.9 852 958 532

New Jersey 281 82.4 48 14.2 889 990 521

New Mexico 133 61.2 27 12.4 503 682 361

New York 1,049 72.3 363 25.0 1,106 1,159 620

North Carolina 401 68.4 74 12.7 617 772 394

North Dakota 17 75.3 4 19.0 716 850 468

Ohio 449 66.8 61 9.1 629 807 455

Oklahoma 179 67.2 25 9.2 502 651 327

Oregon 262 76.2 47 13.8 694 858 435

Pennsylvania 790 84.2 165 17.6 853 943 505

Rhode Island 78 91.5 27 31.9 920 965 557

South Carolina 135 51.0 15 5.6 456 617 342

South Dakota 22 60.2 6 16.0 650 889 525

Tennessee 231 58.5 22 5.7 433 629 337

Texas 917 65.6 134 9.6 529 682 356

Utah 42 61.0 8 11.1 546 753 363

Vermont 37 97.3 9 22.8 1,153 1,153 647

Virgin Islands 4 41.7 0 0.9 313 434 251

Virginia 212 64.9 25 7.5 469 571 306

Washington 345 73.5 59 12.6 648 813 421

West Virginia 102 64.6 6 3.8 484 588 289

Wisconsin 204 67.0 29 9.6 657 816 420

Wyoming 8 75.2 1 7.9 537 633 315

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
132

Table B.4.b. Distribution of participating households by shelter-related characteristics and by State, waiver period

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 

deduction 

(dollars)d State

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

 

 

Totala 11,316 67.8 1,950 11.7 630 808 425

Alabama 227 62.9 25 7.0 497 621 347

Alaska 24 63.1 2 4.8 613 784 417

Arizona 235 58.9 24 5.9 489 660 353

Arkansas 94 53.1 7 4.2 374 529 280

California - - - - - - -

Colorado 194 73.1 47 17.6 730 891 452

Connecticut 175 83.8 47 22.3 990 1,159 647

Delaware - - - - - - -

District of Columbia - - - - - - -

Florida 1,485 72.3 375 18.2 734 911 464

Georgia 431 55.9 76 9.8 522 742 354

Guam 4 25.7 - - 249 422† 270

Hawaii 40 42.9 3 2.9 394 656† 381

Idaho 51 72.1 12 17.7 608 702 411

Illinois 733 70.2 96 9.2 638 848 463

Indiana 199 66.7 14 4.8 557 688 342

Iowa 95 63.5 20 13.4 591 780 408

Kansas 70 73.9 10 10.9 581 676 345

Kentucky 154 56.5 14 5.1 405 586 291

Louisiana 239 66.9 27 7.6 470 609 326

Maine - - - - - - -

Maryland - - - - - - -

Massachusetts 378 75.9 69 13.9 875 1,097 541

Michigan 457 70.1 70 10.7 639 814 451

Minnesota 124 58.2 15 7.1 554 770 384

Mississippi 77 38.8 3 1.4 358 500 268

Missouri 236 66.4 42 11.9 502 659 364

Montana 33 66.1 5 9.3 562 746 384

Nebraska 52 76.4 9 13.7 662 731 399

Nevada 135 55.4 34 14.0 526 807 425

New Hampshire 28 76.4 5 13.4 761 858 450

New Jersey 345 93.1 20 5.5 851 914 525

New Mexico 127 54.0 20 8.4 430 629 353

New York - - - - - - -

North Carolina 483 69.8 114 16.5 661 799 411

North Dakota 16 70.8 4 19.4 703 808 445

Ohio 464 65.5 73 10.3 618 815 434

Oklahoma 146 50.0 11 3.9 389 618 361

Oregon 281 68.3 66 16.0 766 989 571

Pennsylvania 831 83.5 188 18.9 875 969 514

Rhode Island 75 95.6 25 31.4 993 1,004 578

South Carolina 153 52.9 23 7.9 453 608 338

South Dakota 23 63.6 5 14.9 716 987 538

Tennessee 218 55.0 28 7.0 416 632 302

Texas 1,145 69.7 179 10.9 621 801 372

Utah 41 59.4 7 10.7 522 722 385

Vermont 38 97.7 10 26.5 1,176 1,176 670

Virgin Islands 5 40.7 2 12.7 267 416† 243

Virginia 233 62.7 34 9.1 473 635 322

Washington 385 74.1 54 10.3 671 810 414

West Virginia 100 63.6 3 2.0 453 559 288

Wisconsin 232 65.3 32 9.0 626 786 401

Wyoming 8 70.2 1 9.6 554 672 336

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

Note: California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, and New York did not have any data for the waiver period. 

† Use caution when interpreting this estimate as it is based on a small sample size. 
133

Table B.5.a. Distribution of participating households by household composition and by State, pre-pandemic period

Households with:

 Children

Elderly 

individuals

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities

Single adults with 

children

Adults age 18–49 

without 

disabilities in 

childless 

householdse

State

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Totala 7,108 38.1 5,330 28.6 4,071 21.8 4,458 23.9 2,492 13.4

Alabama 150 45.3 77 23.4 93 28.0 118 35.6 34 10.3

Alaska 12 35.7 9 27.0 6 18.0 6 17.6 6 19.1

Arizona 144 40.5 82 23.1 50 14.2 85 24.0 77 21.7

Arkansas 66 43.6 31 20.4 42 28.1 42 28.1 20 13.6

California 769 36.0 563 26.3 244 11.4 307 14.3 498 23.3

Colorado 77 35.7 61 28.2 41 19.0 47 21.8 38 17.7

Connecticut 54 26.6 63 30.9 49 24.1 37 18.1 35 17.2

Delaware 24 43.5 11 19.8 11 18.9 19 33.6 8 14.4

District of Columbia 20 31.2 17 25.7 11 17.3 16 24.1 13 19.5

Florida 524 35.6 547 37.1 328 22.3 309 21.0 92 6.2

Georgia 283 47.1 145 24.2 134 22.3 204 34.1 72 12.0

Guam 9 63.1 2 13.8 1 9.8 4 24.8 2 14.3

Hawaii 27 34.2 27 35.1 14 17.5 15 19.1 6 8.3

Idaho 27 41.4 17 26.1 19 29.0 14 21.3 5 7.5

Illinois 360 41.0 212 24.2 161 18.4 250 28.5 116 13.2

Indiana 115 45.8 51 20.3 96 38.0 87 34.6 16 6.4

Iowa 53 37.1 32 22.5 33 23.4 34 24.2 23 16.3

Kansas 36 39.3 19 20.8 28 31.0 21 22.8 10 10.8

Kentucky 101 46.5 57 26.3 54 24.8 60 27.6 21 9.6

Louisiana 162 44.9 95 26.4 85 23.4 126 35.0 53 14.6

Maine 26 31.0 27 32.4 30 36.6 15 18.4 5 6.4

Maryland 112 34.0 105 32.0 56 17.0 83 25.3 44 13.5

Massachusetts 118 26.2 168 37.3 122 27.2 79 17.4 51 11.3

Michigan 201 33.7 163 27.4 165 27.7 132 22.2 69 11.7

Minnesota 72 35.9 56 28.2 47 23.3 44 21.7 24 11.9

Mississippi 91 46.0 51 25.9 42 21.3 60 30.4 17 8.5

Missouri 128 42.0 66 21.8 93 30.5 86 28.2 32 10.6

Montana 20 38.6 12 23.3 13 24.4 12 23.9 8 15.2

Nebraska 32 45.7 16 23.8 17 25.0 21 30.0 9 12.8

Nevada 78 36.4 52 24.3 32 15.0 53 24.6 54 25.3

New Hampshire 14 37.6 9 23.9 13 34.8 10 26.0 4 9.8

New Jersey 128 37.4 151 44.3 62 18.2 72 21.2 13 3.9

New Mexico 87 40.2 39 18.0 40 18.4 55 25.2 54 24.7

New York 418 28.8 611 42.1 310 21.4 239 16.5 165 11.4

North Carolina 240 40.9 142 24.2 147 25.1 150 25.5 58 9.8

North Dakota 9 40.0 6 26.4 5 21.9 7 31.4 3 14.1

Ohio 253 37.6 153 22.8 217 32.3 186 27.7 82 12.2

Oklahoma 108 40.8 50 18.9 77 28.8 68 25.6 44 16.6

Oregon 102 29.6 94 27.3 64 18.6 64 18.7 81 23.7

Pennsylvania 310 33.1 328 35.0 241 25.6 201 21.5 118 12.6

Rhode Island 24 27.8 24 27.7 25 29.1 17 19.8 15 17.5

South Carolina 119 44.9 74 28.1 59 22.4 84 31.7 13 4.8

South Dakota 15 42.4 9 26.0 7 18.0 9 24.6 6 16.6

Tennessee 176 44.7 82 20.9 105 26.5 130 32.9 45 11.3

Texas 758 54.3 345 24.7 231 16.5 506 36.2 100 7.2

Utah 35 50.2 11 15.8 14 19.6 22 32.1 11 15.6

Vermont 11 27.4 15 38.9 13 34.1 8 20.7 3 7.6

Virgin Islands 5 46.0 3 27.3 0 3.6 3 34.3 2 16.7

Virginia 124 38.1 94 28.8 83 25.4 80 24.5 30 9.2

Washington 120 25.6 119 25.4 113 24.0 58 12.3 114 24.4

West Virginia 53 33.3 46 29.2 47 30.0 36 22.4 24 15.3

Wisconsin 104 34.1 85 27.8 79 25.9 64 21.0 47 15.6

Wyoming 6 50.2 3 22.7 3 23.5 4 35.8 1 4.8

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
134

Table B.5.b. Distribution of participating households by household composition and by State, waiver period

Households with:

 Children

Elderly 

individuals

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities

Single adults with 

children

Adults age 18–49 

without 

disabilities in 

childless 

householdse

State

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Totala 6,178 37.0 4,619 27.7 3,589 21.5 3,938 23.6 2,647 15.9

Alabama 155 43.0 74 20.6 108 30.0 107 29.8 54 15.0

Alaska 13 33.2 10 26.4 7 18.1 4 10.3 8 22.1

Arizona 149 37.3 99 24.8 95 23.7 90 22.5 53 13.3

Arkansas 74 41.9 41 23.4 49 28.0 51 29.0 22 12.2

California - - - - - - - - - -

Colorado 95 35.8 86 32.3 29 11.1 57 21.6 47 17.8

Connecticut 61 29.1 66 31.7 49 23.5 41 19.6 34 16.2

Delaware - - - - - - - - - -

District of Columbia - - - - - - - - - -

Florida 704 34.3 616 30.0 419 20.4 301 14.6 353 17.2

Georgia 279 36.2 228 29.6 127 16.5 198 25.6 132 17.1

Guam 8 54.5 3 20.9 - - 2 9.7 2 12.9

Hawaii 21 22.9 40 42.9 16 17.1 16 17.1 13 14.3

Idaho 31 44.5 11 16.3 24 34.8 16 22.2 8 10.7

Illinois 354 33.9 306 29.3 238 22.8 222 21.3 150 14.4

Indiana 99 33.3 76 25.4 99 33.3 62 20.6 43 14.3

Iowa 53 35.5 27 18.3 33 22.1 34 23.0 31 20.6

Kansas 39 41.4 18 19.4 27 28.0 23 23.9 13 13.2

Kentucky 125 46.0 67 24.6 58 21.4 80 29.5 37 13.5

Louisiana 131 36.6 94 26.2 66 18.6 106 29.7 69 19.3

Maine - - - - - - - - - -

Maryland - - - - - - - - - -

Massachusetts 132 26.6 145 29.1 120 24.1 82 16.5 120 24.1

Michigan 199 30.4 161 24.6 153 23.4 128 19.7 125 19.2

Minnesota 79 37.0 56 26.3 41 19.2 50 23.3 35 16.7

Mississippi 86 43.1 55 27.6 54 27.0 51 25.7 21 10.4

Missouri 130 36.7 90 25.3 93 26.3 88 24.9 56 15.7

Montana 17 33.6 17 33.9 10 20.5 9 17.0 6 11.9

Nebraska 29 42.6 17 25.3 16 23.9 18 26.8 8 12.1

Nevada 81 33.4 56 23.0 33 13.6 45 18.6 66 27.3

New Hampshire 12 31.6 10 27.0 12 32.5 9 25.1 5 12.8

New Jersey 155 41.8 144 38.9 65 17.6 135 36.3 35 9.4

New Mexico 91 38.4 46 19.4 36 15.2 57 24.1 71 30.0

New York - - - - - - - - - -

North Carolina 345 49.9 164 23.7 140 20.2 237 34.2 76 11.0

North Dakota 8 37.1 5 23.3 6 27.3 6 27.2 3 12.8

Ohio 236 33.3 244 34.5 130 18.4 146 20.7 122 17.2

Oklahoma 106 36.3 80 27.3 64 21.8 78 26.5 27 9.3

Oregon 112 27.2 105 25.5 65 15.9 69 16.8 89 21.7

Pennsylvania 348 34.9 326 32.8 256 25.8 226 22.7 154 15.5

Rhode Island 20 25.8 25 31.8 21 26.3 14 17.7 14 17.8

South Carolina 127 43.9 85 29.4 61 21.1 101 35.0 20 7.1

South Dakota 13 37.8 7 19.4 9 26.1 8 23.5 7 19.4

Tennessee 157 39.8 90 22.7 105 26.5 103 25.9 67 16.9

Texas 869 52.9 372 22.6 299 18.2 585 35.6 140 8.5

Utah 29 41.8 13 18.8 16 23.5 17 24.3 12 17.0

Vermont 11 27.7 15 39.2 11 29.4 7 17.7 4 11.3

Virgin Islands 6 45.4 2 17.5 0 3.7 4 30.8 2 20.0

Virginia 125 33.6 111 30.0 81 21.8 81 21.8 54 14.6

Washington 90 17.2 179 34.5 107 20.7 63 12.1 134 25.9

West Virginia 50 32.1 45 28.6 50 31.7 34 21.9 30 19.1

Wisconsin 120 33.7 88 24.9 84 23.7 75 21.1 74 20.9

Wyoming 6 46.5 2 18.9 4 31.7 4 29.7 1 11.1

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

Note: California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, and New York did not have any data for the waiver period. 
135

Table B.6.a. Distribution of participating households by selected countable income sources and by State, pre-pandemic 

period

Households with countable:

 Earned Income GA SSI Social Security TANFf

State

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Totala 5,174 27.7 768 4.1 4,667 25.0 5,933 31.8 674 3.6

Alabama 90 27.0 - - 86 25.9 116 34.9 7 2.0

Alaska 7 21.6 12 36.9 6 17.6 10 30.3 3 8.2

Arizona 106 29.9 - - 55 15.5 76 21.5 6 1.6

Arkansas 42 27.7 0 0.3 40 27.0 44 29.6 1 1.0

California 641 30.0 243 11.4 431 20.2 441 20.6 236 11.1

Colorado 52 23.9 26 11.9 46 21.3 72 33.1 9 4.2

Connecticut 47 23.1 17 8.4 49 24.0 77 37.5 9 4.4

Delaware 19 34.3 4 6.8 9 15.8 14 24.4 1 1.2

District of Columbia 8 12.5 2 3.0 14 21.4 15 23.7 11 17.5

Florida 357 24.3 3 0.2 381 25.8 558 37.9 22 1.5

Georgia 157 26.1 - - 121 20.2 205 34.1 5 0.9

Guam 7 48.4 - - - - 3 22.3 1 3.9

Hawaii 23 29.8 5 6.4 20 25.4 25 32.3 3 3.9

Idaho 23 34.3 14 20.6 20 29.6 22 33.9 1 2.2

Illinois 289 33.0 26 3.0 165 18.8 246 28.1 18 2.1

Indiana 66 26.3 - - 87 34.6 88 35.2 5 2.1

Iowa 53 37.3 1 0.5 29 20.1 47 33.2 6 4.0

Kansas 31 34.7 - - 25 27.1 30 33.6 2 2.7

Kentucky 53 24.5 1 0.3 60 27.5 60 27.7 9 3.9

Louisiana 103 28.7 1 0.2 109 30.2 105 29.1 4 1.2

Maine 18 22.1 28 33.4 25 29.8 42 50.7 3 3.1

Maryland 77 23.6 16 4.8 75 22.9 106 32.2 18 5.4

Massachusetts 85 18.8 25 5.6 142 31.5 191 42.5 20 4.5

Michigan 166 27.9 - - 168 28.3 222 37.2 16 2.7

Minnesota 64 31.9 16 7.8 61 30.2 57 28.4 22 10.9

Mississippi 57 28.9 - - 59 29.6 65 33.0 3 1.5

Missouri 72 23.7 - - 76 25.0 109 35.9 4 1.2

Montana 16 31.0 1 1.7 11 22.1 17 32.5 1 2.2

Nebraska 22 32.0 4 5.5 17 24.1 22 31.7 4 5.3

Nevada 78 36.4 - - 36 16.8 53 24.8 4 2.0

New Hampshire 11 27.8 5 14.0 8 21.0 18 46.2 3 7.2

New Jersey 89 26.0 9 2.7 112 32.9 126 37.0 8 2.3

New Mexico 74 34.1 1 0.7 42 19.3 49 22.4 13 6.0

New York 329 22.7 175 12.1 522 35.9 562 38.7 36 2.5

North Carolina 184 31.4 1 0.2 141 24.0 189 32.2 3 0.6

North Dakota 8 33.9 0 1.0 5 22.6 8 36.6 1 3.7

Ohio 174 25.9 8 1.1 182 27.1 230 34.2 27 4.1

Oklahoma 75 28.1 67 25.3 69 25.8 78 29.5 4 1.4

Oregon 107 31.2 2 0.4 69 20.2 108 31.5 19 5.6

Pennsylvania 219 23.3 - - 261 27.8 383 40.8 40 4.3

Rhode Island 19 22.5 - - 24 28.7 29 34.3 2 2.9

South Carolina 67 25.3 1 0.2 63 23.9 93 35.4 8 3.0

South Dakota 10 27.8 1 2.1 8 21.1 10 27.7 2 6.4

Tennessee 98 24.9 - - 107 27.1 122 30.9 14 3.6

Texas 534 38.2 - - 275 19.7 312 22.4 6 0.5

Utah 22 31.3 0 0.5 14 19.6 16 23.0 2 3.2

Vermont 7 18.2 1 2.8 12 30.0 21 53.8 4 9.1

Virgin Islands 4 43.4 0 2.5 - - 3 26.9 0 1.0

Virginia 81 25.0 1 0.3 94 28.9 106 32.4 10 3.2

Washington 109 23.2 43 9.2 128 27.2 141 29.9 11 2.3

West Virginia 26 16.4 0 0.3 46 29.0 66 41.5 3 1.9

Wisconsin 92 30.2 8 2.6 64 21.0 119 39.2 3 1.1

Wyoming 3 26.1 0 1.4 2 22.0 4 38.8 - -

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
136

Table B.6.b. Distribution of participating households by selected countable income sources and by State, waiver period

Households with countable:

 Earned Income GA SSI Social Security TANFf

State

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Totala 4,140 24.8 286 1.7 3,824 22.9 5,318 31.9 405 2.4

Alabama 95 26.5 1 0.3 83 23.0 116 32.3 1 0.3

Alaska 8 21.7 12 32.6 7 18.1 11 29.5 2 4.9

Arizona 104 26.1 - - 94 23.6 121 30.3 - -

Arkansas 31 17.6 1 0.4 60 34.0 57 32.3 2 0.9

California - - - - - - - - - -

Colorado 62 23.5 28 10.7 45 16.9 77 28.9 11 4.0

Connecticut 48 22.8 14 6.7 51 24.4 79 37.7 6 2.7

Delaware - - - - - - - - - -

District of Columbia - - - - - - - - - -

Florida 527 25.6 - - 452 22.0 705 34.3 70 3.4

Georgia 198 25.7 - - 167 21.7 238 30.9 5 0.7

Guam 6 41.1 2 13.5 - - 3 16.5 0 3.0

Hawaii 24 25.7 3 2.9 16 17.1 32 34.3 3 2.9

Idaho 18 25.5 15 21.9 21 30.5 21 30.1 0 0.7

Illinois 257 24.6 22 2.1 259 24.8 282 27.0 9 0.9

Indiana 71 23.8 - - 81 27.0 114 38.1 9 3.2

Iowa 57 38.4 1 0.3 27 18.0 39 26.0 4 2.6

Kansas 26 27.6 - - 22 23.1 32 33.6 2 1.9

Kentucky 60 22.1 1 0.2 62 22.7 72 26.4 7 2.5

Louisiana 89 24.8 5 1.4 108 30.3 116 32.4 - -

Maine - - - - - - - - - -

Maryland - - - - - - - - - -

Massachusetts 126 25.3 19 3.8 107 21.5 189 38.0 19 3.8

Michigan 152 23.3 4 0.6 180 27.6 196 30.0 12 1.8

Minnesota 55 26.0 19 9.0 52 24.5 54 25.3 29 13.7

Mississippi 34 16.9 - - 69 34.9 67 33.8 4 2.0

Missouri 77 21.7 - - 95 26.9 105 29.6 6 1.7

Montana 11 21.3 1 1.4 13 26.4 19 38.4 3 6.6

Nebraska 19 27.8 5 7.3 16 22.7 22 32.6 5 6.6

Nevada 66 27.0 - - 34 14.0 53 21.9 7 2.8

New Hampshire 5 14.6 4 10.4 10 27.3 18 49.4 2 4.6

New Jersey 20 5.5 6 1.7 112 30.3 168 45.2 - -

New Mexico 68 28.7 4 1.7 39 16.5 53 22.4 19 8.0

New York - - - - - - - - - -

North Carolina 249 35.9 2 0.3 136 19.6 204 29.5 10 1.4

North Dakota 4 20.2 - - 5 23.6 8 36.9 1 3.2

Ohio 114 16.1 - - 179 25.3 252 35.6 41 5.7

Oklahoma 59 20.2 55 18.8 53 18.3 97 33.3 3 0.9

Oregon 117 28.4 - - 69 16.8 107 25.9 17 4.2

Pennsylvania 257 25.9 - - 260 26.1 388 39.0 21 2.1

Rhode Island 19 24.0 - - 22 28.5 29 37.5 3 3.8

South Carolina 71 24.4 1 0.3 72 25.0 94 32.4 3 1.0

South Dakota 10 27.0 - - 6 17.6 14 38.6 - -

Tennessee 78 19.6 - - 102 25.7 113 28.4 22 5.5

Texas 523 31.9 - - 297 18.1 413 25.2 13 0.8

Utah 17 24.2 0 0.5 15 22.2 17 24.7 1 1.5

Vermont 7 17.8 1 1.9 9 24.5 20 50.7 2 5.2

Virgin Islands 5 40.2 0 2.8 - - 2 18.3 0 2.7

Virginia 108 29.1 - - 77 20.9 121 32.7 10 2.7

Washington 63 12.1 54 10.3 107 20.7 197 37.9 18 3.4

West Virginia 22 13.9 3 1.6 51 32.7 54 34.1 4 2.5

Wisconsin 102 28.8 4 1.1 74 20.8 127 35.8 1 0.4

Wyoming 3 24.2 1 4.2 4 30.2 4 30.3 0 1.0

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

Note: California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, and New York did not have any data for the waiver period. 
137

Table B.7.a. Average values of selected countable income sources by State, pre-pandemic period

Table omitted due to small sample sizes. See Appendix B introduction for more information.
138

Table B.7.b. Average values of selected countable income sources by State, waiver period

Table omitted due to small sample sizes. See Appendix B introduction for more information.
139

Table B.8.a. Distribution of participating households by earnings-related characteristics and by State, pre-pandemic period

Households with earned income

Average earned income deduction 

(dollars)

State

Number 

(000) Percent

Average 

earned income 

(dollars)

All 

householdsi

Households with 

deduction

Totala 5,174 27.7 1,242 71 249

Alabama 90 27.0 1,138 61 227

Alaska 7 21.6 1,575 68 315

Arizona 106 29.9 1,363 82 272

Arkansas 42 27.7 1,127 62 225

California 641 30.0 1,128 67 225

Colorado 52 23.9 1,275 61 255

Connecticut 47 23.1 1,416 65 283

Delaware 19 34.3 1,239 85 247

District of Columbia 8 12.5 1,138 28 227

Florida 357 24.3 1,333 65 266

Georgia 157 26.1 1,162 61 232

Guam 7 48.4 1,762 170 352

Hawaii 23 29.8 1,362 81 272

Idaho 23 34.3 1,288 88 257

Illinois 289 33.0 1,187 78 237

Indiana 66 26.3 1,200 63 242

Iowa 53 37.3 1,163 87 234

Kansas 31 34.7 1,198 83 239

Kentucky 53 24.5 1,202 60 240

Louisiana 103 28.7 1,039 60 207

Maine 18 22.1 1,500 66 300

Maryland 77 23.6 1,393 69 278

Massachusetts 85 18.8 1,586 65 317

Michigan 166 27.9 1,210 68 242

Minnesota 64 31.9 1,348 94 329

Mississippi 57 28.9 1,154 77 230

Missouri 72 23.7 1,469 70 293

Montana 16 31.0 1,340 83 268

Nebraska 22 32.0 1,181 76 238

Nevada 78 36.4 1,141 83 228

New Hampshire 11 27.8 1,569 87 313

New Jersey 89 26.0 1,569 83 313

New Mexico 74 34.1 1,156 79 231

New York 329 22.7 1,332 74 269

North Carolina 184 31.4 1,416 92 283

North Dakota 8 33.9 1,347 91 269

Ohio 174 25.9 1,125 58 225

Oklahoma 75 28.1 1,037 58 207

Oregon 107 31.2 1,278 80 255

Pennsylvania 219 23.3 1,346 64 269

Rhode Island 19 22.5 1,385 62 277

South Carolina 67 25.3 1,185 67 237

South Dakota 10 27.8 1,230 74 246

Tennessee 98 24.9 1,138 57 227

Texas 534 38.2 1,175 97 235

Utah 22 31.3 1,301 81 260

Vermont 7 18.2 1,325 48 270

Virgin Islands 4 43.4 1,260 109 252

Virginia 81 25.0 1,031 52 206

Washington 109 23.2 1,384 79 276

West Virginia 26 16.4 1,354 44 270

Wisconsin 92 30.2 1,201 72 242

Wyoming 3 26.1 1,402 73 280

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
140

Table B.8.b. Distribution of participating households by earnings-related characteristics and by State, waiver period

Households with earned income

Average earned income deduction 

(dollars)

State

Number 

(000) Percent

Average 

earned income 

(dollars)

All 

householdsi

Households with 

deduction

Totala 4,140 24.8 1,320 67 264

Alabama 95 26.5 1,176 62 235

Alaska 8 21.7 1,666† 72 333†

Arizona 104 26.1 1,282† 68 256†

Arkansas 31 17.6 1,137 40 227

California - - - - -

Colorado 62 23.5 1,322 62 264

Connecticut 48 22.8 1,421 65 284

Delaware - - - - -

District of Columbia - - - - -

Florida 527 25.6 1,403 72 280

Georgia 198 25.7 1,348 69 269

Guam 6 41.1 1,843† 151 368†

Hawaii 24 25.7 1,568† 81 313†

Idaho 18 25.5 1,317† 67 263†

Illinois 257 24.6 1,107 54 221

Indiana 71 23.8 1,364† 65 272†

Iowa 57 38.4 1,187 91 237

Kansas 26 27.6 1,146 63 229

Kentucky 60 22.1 1,203 55 244

Louisiana 89 24.8 1,039† 53 207†

Maine - - - - -

Maryland - - - - -

Massachusetts 126 25.3 1,292† 71 258†

Michigan 152 23.3 1,185 56 237

Minnesota 55 26.0 1,333 71 314

Mississippi 34 16.9 1,195 47 239

Missouri 77 21.7 999 43 200

Montana 11 21.3 1,018 43 203

Nebraska 19 27.8 1,313 73 262

Nevada 66 27.0 1,208 65 241

New Hampshire 5 14.6 1,749† 51 349†

New Jersey 20 5.5 2,830† 31 566†

New Mexico 68 28.7 1,071 61 214

New York - - - - -

North Carolina 249 35.9 1,255 91 252

North Dakota 4 20.2 1,183† 48 236†

Ohio 114 16.1 1,512† 49 302†

Oklahoma 59 20.2 974 39 194

Oregon 117 28.4 1,815† 103 363†

Pennsylvania 257 25.9 1,171 62 234

Rhode Island 19 24.0 1,306 63 261

South Carolina 71 24.4 1,126 60 225

South Dakota 10 27.0 1,450† 83 290†

Tennessee 78 19.6 1,244 49 249

Texas 523 31.9 1,602 107 320

Utah 17 24.2 1,506 73 301

Vermont 7 17.8 1,579† 56 315†

Virgin Islands 5 40.2 1,073† 86 214†

Virginia 108 29.1 968 56 193

Washington 63 12.1 1,360† 40 272†

West Virginia 22 13.9 1,304 36 261

Wisconsin 102 28.8 1,318 76 263

Wyoming 3 24.2 1,260† 61 252†

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

Note: California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, and New York did not have any data for the waiver period. 

† Use caution when interpreting this estimate as it is based on a small sample size. 
141

Table B.9.a. Distribution of entrant households with and without expedited service by State, pre-pandemic period

Table omitted due to small sample sizes. See Appendix B introduction for more information.
142

Table B.9.b. Distribution of entrant households with and without expedited service by State, waiver period

Table omitted due to small sample sizes. See Appendix B introduction for more information.
143

Table B.10.a. Distribution of participating households by race and Hispanic status of household head and by State, prepandemic period

Race and Hispanic status of household headj

 

White, not 

Hispanic

African American, 

not Hispanic

Hispanic, any 

race

Other, not 

Hispanick

Missing/

unknownl

State

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Totala 7,472 40.1 4,660 25.0 2,108 11.3 960 5.1 3,454 18.5

Alabama 151 45.5 169 51.0 4 1.2 2 0.5 6 1.8

Alaska 14 42.4 1 3.1 1 3.8 15 43.7 2 7.0

Arizona 134 37.7 33 9.4 116 32.7 36 10.2 35 10.0

Arkansas 90 59.7 52 34.7 2 1.5 2 1.5 4 2.7

California 561 26.3 348 16.3 571 26.7 240 11.2 416 19.5

Colorado 43 19.7 5 2.3 19 8.8 5 2.4 145 66.8

Connecticut 81 39.6 40 19.4 55 26.9 5 2.3 24 11.8

Delaware 1 2.6 2 3.3 - - 0 0.4 53 93.7

District of Columbia 1 2.2 58 89.6 2 3.2 0 0.6 3 4.4

Florida 489 33.2 359 24.4 499 33.9 4 0.2 122 8.3

Georgia 203 33.8 356 59.4 6 1.0 10 1.7 25 4.1

Guam 0 1.3 0 1.0 - - 11 76.0 3 21.7

Hawaii 20 25.1 0 0.4 1 1.6 48 61.3 9 11.7

Idaho 56 85.3 2 2.5 4 6.7 2 2.3 2 3.1

Illinois 358 40.8 335 38.2 42 4.8 22 2.5 120 13.7

Indiana 179 71.2 57 22.8 5 1.9 4 1.5 6 2.5

Iowa 79 56.0 11 8.0 6 4.0 7 4.7 39 27.3

Kansas 39 43.2 11 12.4 3 3.2 4 4.6 33 36.6

Kentucky 182 83.7 22 10.3 4 1.8 1 0.5 8 3.7

Louisiana 103 28.4 173 48.0 3 0.9 2 0.5 80 22.2

Maine 77 93.2 1 1.3 0 0.3 3 3.7 1 1.5

Maryland 125 38.1 178 54.3 7 2.0 9 2.9 9 2.6

Massachusetts 252 55.9 56 12.3 99 22.1 27 6.1 16 3.7

Michigan 298 50.0 191 32.1 11 1.8 6 1.0 89 15.0

Minnesota 86 43.0 40 20.2 1 0.5 16 7.8 57 28.5

Mississippi 43 21.8 102 51.5 2 0.8 2 0.9 49 25.0

Missouri 194 63.7 90 29.7 - - 3 0.8 18 5.8

Montana 38 74.1 0 0.6 0 0.7 8 15.7 5 8.9

Nebraska 37 53.0 10 14.2 3 4.8 4 5.6 15 22.4

Nevada 78 36.2 58 27.0 51 23.8 15 7.0 13 6.0

New Hampshire 31 80.9 1 2.6 1 3.7 1 2.6 4 10.2

New Jersey 202 59.2 85 25.0 11 3.2 13 3.7 28 8.3

New Mexico 73 33.4 6 2.9 72 33.2 35 16.2 31 14.4

New York 513 35.3 422 29.1 307 21.2 133 9.2 76 5.2

North Carolina 281 47.9 254 43.3 11 1.8 12 2.0 29 4.9

North Dakota 16 70.9 2 7.2 0 1.1 5 20.4 0 0.4

Ohio 419 62.2 213 31.6 10 1.5 13 1.9 19 2.8

Oklahoma 158 59.5 42 15.7 8 3.1 24 9.0 34 12.7

Oregon 264 77.0 16 4.8 3 0.9 18 5.2 42 12.1

Pennsylvania 542 57.7 267 28.5 6 0.7 102 10.9 21 2.2

Rhode Island 40 47.6 10 11.2 22 25.4 2 2.3 11 13.5

South Carolina 98 37.2 151 57.0 6 2.4 4 1.6 5 1.9

South Dakota 16 43.7 1 1.9 0 0.4 14 39.7 5 14.3

Tennessee 64 16.1 53 13.4 - - 4 1.0 274 69.5

Texas 155 11.1 115 8.2 117 8.3 18 1.3 992 71.0

Utah 41 58.7 3 3.8 3 4.4 3 4.9 20 28.1

Vermont 29 74.7 1 1.4 0 1.3 2 5.1 7 17.6

Virgin Islands 0 1.8 8 75.4 1 12.6 0 4.1 1 6.1

Virginia 156 47.8 137 42.1 3 0.8 17 5.2 13 4.0

Washington 43 9.2 9 1.8 1 0.3 8 1.8 408 86.9

West Virginia 148 93.3 8 5.3 - - 0 0.2 2 1.2

Wisconsin 165 54.3 95 31.1 3 1.0 19 6.1 23 7.5

Wyoming 8 75.2 0 2.4 1 8.2 1 9.7 0 4.5

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
144

Table B.10.b. Distribution of participating households by race and Hispanic status of household head and by State, waiver 

period

Race and Hispanic status of household headj

 

White, not 

Hispanic

African American, 

not Hispanic

Hispanic, any 

race

Other, not 

Hispanick

Missing/

unknownl

State

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Totala 6,951 41.7 4,619 27.7 1,505 9.0 714 4.3 2,898 17.4

Alabama 137 37.9 210 58.3 4 1.0 3 0.9 7 1.9

Alaska 14 35.8 1 2.5 1 1.7 21 56.6 1 3.4

Arizona 166 41.8 52 12.9 101 25.3 51 12.8 29 7.2

Arkansas 101 57.1 65 36.9 2 1.2 2 1.2 6 3.7

California - - - - - - - - - -

Colorado 53 19.8 10 3.6 22 8.4 8 3.1 173 65.1

Connecticut 69 33.0 43 20.6 70 33.3 4 1.7 24 11.4

Delaware - - - - - - - - - -

District of Columbia - - - - - - - - - -

Florida 654 31.8 573 27.9 628 30.6 19 0.9 180 8.8

Georgia 259 33.6 472 61.2 5 0.7 5 0.7 30 3.9

Guam - - - - - - 12 79.8 3 20.2

Hawaii 21 22.9 3 2.9 - - 61 65.7 8 8.6

Idaho 59 83.7 1 1.4 6 8.7 2 2.7 3 3.6

Illinois 429 41.1 418 40.0 42 4.1 20 1.9 136 13.0

Indiana 194 65.1 95 31.7 5 1.6 - - 5 1.6

Iowa 88 59.4 20 13.2 2 1.3 4 2.6 35 23.6

Kansas 47 49.8 15 15.9 3 3.3 4 3.9 26 27.2

Kentucky 223 81.9 37 13.6 3 1.3 3 1.2 6 2.0

Louisiana 111 31.1 214 60.0 - - - - 32 8.9

Maine - - - - - - - - - -

Maryland - - - - - - - - - -

Massachusetts 220 44.3 101 20.3 107 21.5 44 8.9 25 5.1

Michigan 321 49.2 223 34.1 16 2.4 12 1.8 81 12.5

Minnesota 89 41.8 45 21.2 2 1.0 21 9.8 56 26.1

Mississippi 48 24.1 99 49.7 - - 2 1.1 50 25.0

Missouri 239 67.3 76 21.5 - - 3 0.9 36 10.3

Montana 38 75.1 0 1.0 - - 8 15.0 4 8.9

Nebraska 36 52.0 10 14.9 4 5.6 4 5.3 15 22.2

Nevada 99 40.8 64 26.4 49 20.0 18 7.2 13 5.5

New Hampshire 31 84.0 - - 2 4.7 1 1.6 4 9.6

New Jersey 181 48.9 105 28.5 38 10.3 35 9.5 10 2.8

New Mexico 71 29.9 6 2.5 64 27.0 32 13.5 64 27.0

New York - - - - - - - - - -

North Carolina 309 44.6 341 49.3 6 0.9 8 1.2 28 4.0

North Dakota 15 67.1 1 5.9 1 4.4 5 21.2 0 1.4

Ohio 431 60.9 220 31.0 16 2.3 24 3.4 16 2.3

Oklahoma 169 57.9 34 11.6 16 5.4 37 12.6 37 12.5

Oregon 331 80.5 11 2.8 10 2.5 21 5.0 38 9.3

Pennsylvania 554 55.7 283 28.5 - - 142 14.3 16 1.6

Rhode Island 41 52.3 6 8.0 14 18.1 1 0.7 16 20.9

South Carolina 114 39.3 165 56.9 2 0.6 4 1.5 5 1.8

South Dakota 20 55.1 - - 1 2.5 12 33.0 3 9.4

Tennessee 76 19.3 45 11.3 1 0.3 3 0.6 271 68.4

Texas 219 13.4 284 17.3 239 14.6 8 0.5 893 54.4

Utah 37 54.2 1 2.0 2 2.8 4 6.2 24 34.8

Vermont 30 78.6 0 0.9 0 0.5 1 1.5 7 18.5

Virgin Islands 0 1.4 10 82.4 1 5.3 1 5.2 1 5.8

Virginia 185 50.0 152 40.9 3 0.9 20 5.5 10 2.7

Washington 63 12.1 9 1.7 9 1.7 9 1.7 430 82.8

West Virginia 141 89.7 12 7.4 - - 1 0.8 3 2.0

Wisconsin 208 58.7 87 24.6 7 2.0 15 4.3 37 10.4

Wyoming 9 74.6 0 3.3 1 5.5 1 8.4 1 8.2

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

Note: California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, and New York did not have any data for the waiver period. 
145

Table B.11.a. Distribution of participating households by use of standard utility allowance and by State, pre-pandemic period

Standard Utility Allowance (SUA)-usage and entitlementm

 

Total 

households

Households with 

heating/cooling SUA

Households with 

another SUA

Households 

with no SUA

State

Number 

(000)

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Totala 18,657 11,909 63.8 1,449 7.8 4,729 25.3

Alabama 331 219 66.1 18 5.4 94 28.5

Alaska 33 11 31.8 14 42.4 9 25.8

Arizona 355 178 50.2 34 9.5 142 40.0

Arkansas 150 84 56.2 6 3.9 60 39.9

California 2,138 1,480 69.2 59 2.7 599 28.0

Colorado 217 122 56.4 28 12.9 66 30.7

Connecticut 204 161 78.8 5 2.6 38 18.6

Delaware 56 29 51.2 3 4.6 25 44.2

District of Columbia 65 55 85.4 0 0.4 9 14.2

Florida 1,473 882 59.9 189 12.9 402 27.3

Georgia 600 356 59.3 17 2.8 227 37.9

Guam 15 - - 8 51.4 7 48.6

Hawaii 78 - - 40 50.7 38 49.3

Idaho 66 48 72.5 6 8.7 12 18.8

Illinois 877 514 58.6 97 11.1 266 30.3

Indiana 251 162 64.7 5 2.0 84 33.3

Iowa 142 88 61.9 20 13.8 34 24.2

Kansas 90 65 71.6 7 7.9 19 20.5

Kentucky 218 130 59.9 9 4.3 72 33.0

Louisiana 361 236 65.5 19 5.4 102 28.2

Maine 82 55 67.0 12 15.1 15 17.9

Maryland 328 169 51.5 28 8.6 115 35.0

Massachusetts 450 320 71.0 46 10.1 85 18.9

Michigan 595 416 69.9 38 6.4 135 22.6

Minnesota 200 111 55.4 25 12.3 42 21.1

Mississippi 198 100 50.7 3 1.5 67 33.9

Missouri 305 216 71.0 16 5.2 72 23.8

Montana 52 32 61.5 4 6.9 16 31.6

Nebraska 69 46 66.1 10 14.2 14 19.7

Nevada 215 96 44.6 26 12.0 93 43.4

New Hampshire 38 21 56.5 8 21.8 8 21.7

New Jersey 341 259 76.0 14 4.0 63 18.5

New Mexico 218 127 58.2 18 8.3 73 33.5

New York 1,451 976 67.2 59 4.0 105 7.2

North Carolina 586 384 65.5 39 6.6 143 24.5

North Dakota 23 15 68.6 2 8.5 5 22.9

Ohio 673 430 63.9 31 4.7 211 31.4

Oklahoma 266 172 64.8 18 6.8 76 28.5

Oregon 343 239 69.7 22 6.4 82 23.9

Pennsylvania 938 795 84.7 26 2.7 103 11.0

Rhode Island 85 77 90.4 - - 8 9.6

South Carolina 264 146 55.4 1 0.5 90 33.9

South Dakota 36 19 52.6 0 1.3 14 38.3

Tennessee 395 226 57.3 6 1.5 163 41.3

Texas 1,397 835 59.7 205 14.7 254 18.2

Utah 69 33 48.1 10 14.6 26 37.3

Vermont 38 38 97.7 1 1.4 0 1.0

Virgin Islands 10 - - 0 0.9 10 99.1

Virginia 326 174 53.4 38 11.7 111 34.0

Washington 470 268 57.2 98 20.9 103 21.9

West Virginia 158 114 72.2 5 3.5 38 24.3

Wisconsin 304 171 56.1 56 18.3 78 25.6

Wyoming 11 7 63.3 1 12.4 3 24.2

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
146

Table B.11.b. Distribution of participating households by use of standard utility allowance and by State, waiver period

Standard Utility Allowance (SUA)-usage and entitlementm

 

Total 

households

Households with 

heating/cooling SUA

Households with 

another SUA

Households 

with no SUA

State

Number 

(000)

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Totala 16,686 10,303 61.7 1,441 8.6 4,720 28.3

Alabama 361 234 64.8 31 8.5 96 26.7

Alaska 38 12 32.7 16 42.2 9 25.0

Arizona 398 194 48.7 67 16.9 130 32.6

Arkansas 177 90 50.9 8 4.8 78 44.3

California - - - - - - -

Colorado 266 166 62.5 40 15.0 60 22.5

Connecticut 209 173 82.8 3 1.6 33 15.6

Delaware - - - - - - -

District of Columbia - - - - - - -

Florida 2,054 1,151 56.0 240 11.7 663 32.3

Georgia 771 456 59.2 40 5.2 274 35.6

Guam 16 - - 8 52.9 7 47.1

Hawaii 92 3 2.9 37 40.0 53 57.1

Idaho 70 44 62.1 12 16.6 15 21.3

Illinois 1,045 577 55.3 110 10.5 358 34.2

Indiana 298 199 66.7 14 4.8 85 28.6

Iowa 149 89 59.8 13 8.9 47 31.3

Kansas 95 67 70.7 9 9.3 19 20.1

Kentucky 272 161 59.2 9 3.3 94 34.5

Louisiana 357 227 63.5 12 3.4 111 31.0

Maine - - - - - - -

Maryland - - - - - - -

Massachusetts 497 327 65.8 50 10.1 120 24.1

Michigan 652 419 64.2 55 8.4 167 25.7

Minnesota 213 110 51.7 32 15.1 42 19.5

Mississippi 198 85 42.9 2 1.0 84 42.1

Missouri 354 233 65.7 25 7.0 97 27.4

Montana 50 30 60.1 3 6.1 17 33.9

Nebraska 69 48 69.5 10 14.2 11 16.3

Nevada 243 117 48.1 18 7.3 109 44.7

New Hampshire 37 15 40.8 14 38.2 8 21.0

New Jersey 371 345 93.1 - - 25 6.9

New Mexico 236 129 54.8 20 8.4 87 36.7

New York - - - - - - -

North Carolina 692 477 68.8 38 5.5 172 24.8

North Dakota 22 14 63.3 2 10.7 6 26.1

Ohio 708 431 60.9 24 3.4 252 35.6

Oklahoma 293 155 53.1 14 4.7 123 42.2

Oregon 412 285 69.1 29 6.9 99 23.9

Pennsylvania 995 829 83.3 6 0.6 137 13.8

Rhode Island 78 74 94.4 - - 4 5.6

South Carolina 290 166 57.3 2 0.6 99 34.1

South Dakota 36 19 54.4 2 4.9 12 34.4

Tennessee 396 212 53.6 9 2.3 175 44.1

Texas 1,643 1,045 63.6 180 11.0 340 20.7

Utah 68 33 47.7 12 17.3 24 35.0

Vermont 39 39 100.0 - - - -

Virgin Islands 12 - - 1 5.8 11 94.2

Virginia 371 192 51.8 34 9.1 145 39.1

Washington 519 313 60.3 116 22.4 90 17.2

West Virginia 157 113 71.7 5 3.3 39 25.1

Wisconsin 355 199 56.0 66 18.7 90 25.3

Wyoming 12 7 55.7 1 12.5 4 31.8

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

Note: California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, and New York did not have any data for the waiver period. 
147

Table B.12.a. Distribution of participating categorically eligible households by public assistance status and by State, prepandemic period

Categorically eligible households

 

Total 

households

Total 

households

Pure public assistance 

householdsn

Other categorically 

eligible householdso

State

Number 

(000)

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Totala 18,657 17,170 92.0 4,420 23.7 12,750 68.3

Alabama 331 331 100.0 63 19.2 268 80.8

Alaska 33 12 37.3 12 36.2 0 1.1

Arizona 355 355 100.0 42 11.8 313 88.2

Arkansas 150 29 19.3 26 17.5 3 1.8

California 2,138 2,138 100.0 673 31.5 1,464 68.5

Colorado 217 217 100.0 56 25.7 161 74.3

Connecticut 204 204 100.0 55 26.9 149 73.1

Delaware 56 56 100.0 9 15.9 47 84.1

District of Columbia 65 65 100.0 22 33.9 43 66.1

Florida 1,473 1,473 100.0 299 20.3 1,174 79.7

Georgia 600 600 100.0 75 12.5 525 87.5

Guam 15 15 100.0 1 3.9 14 96.1

Hawaii 78 78 100.0 24 30.3 54 69.7

Idaho 66 66 100.0 16 23.6 50 76.4

Illinois 877 877 100.0 142 16.2 735 83.8

Indiana 251 251 100.0 63 25.0 188 75.0

Iowa 142 141 99.7 25 17.5 117 82.2

Kansas 90 22 24.6 21 23.0 1 1.5

Kentucky 218 218 100.0 43 19.8 175 80.2

Louisiana 361 82 22.8 77 21.3 5 1.5

Maine 82 82 100.0 23 28.0 59 72.0

Maryland 328 328 100.0 83 25.3 245 74.7

Massachusetts 450 450 100.0 145 32.3 305 67.7

Michigan 595 595 100.0 143 24.1 452 75.9

Minnesota 200 200 100.0 89 44.4 111 55.6

Mississippi 198 79 39.8 46 23.0 33 16.8

Missouri 305 74 24.4 61 19.9 14 4.5

Montana 52 52 100.0 9 16.9 43 83.1

Nebraska 69 69 100.0 16 22.6 54 77.4

Nevada 215 215 100.0 30 13.9 185 86.1

New Hampshire 38 22 58.1 9 23.2 13 34.9

New Jersey 341 341 100.0 113 33.1 228 66.9

New Mexico 218 218 100.0 39 17.9 179 82.1

New York 1,451 1,451 100.0 585 40.3 866 59.7

North Carolina 586 586 100.0 105 17.9 481 82.1

North Dakota 23 23 100.0 5 21.6 18 78.4

Ohio 673 673 100.0 151 22.4 522 77.6

Oklahoma 266 266 100.0 51 19.1 215 80.9

Oregon 343 343 100.0 73 21.2 271 78.8

Pennsylvania 938 938 100.0 228 24.2 711 75.8

Rhode Island 85 85 100.0 22 25.3 63 74.7

South Carolina 264 264 100.0 55 20.7 209 79.3

South Dakota 36 9 24.9 7 19.8 2 5.1

Tennessee 395 89 22.5 86 21.7 3 0.9

Texas 1,397 1,397 100.0 192 13.8 1,205 86.2

Utah 69 15 21.7 11 16.4 4 5.3

Vermont 38 38 100.0 13 33.0 26 67.0

Virgin Islands 10 10 100.0 0 2.6 10 97.4

Virginia 326 90 27.7 84 25.7 7 2.0

Washington 470 470 100.0 125 26.6 345 73.4

West Virginia 158 158 100.0 35 21.9 124 78.1

Wisconsin 304 304 100.0 44 14.6 260 85.4

Wyoming 11 2 18.7 2 17.4 0 1.4

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
148

Table B.12.b. Distribution of participating categorically eligible households by public assistance status and by State, waiver 

period

Categorically eligible households

 

Total 

households

Total 

households

Pure public assistance 

householdsn

Other categorically 

eligible householdso

State

Number 

(000)

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Totala 16,686 15,336 91.9 3,272 19.6 12,064 72.3

Alabama 361 361 100.0 60 16.7 300 83.3

Alaska 38 12 31.3 11 29.7 1 1.7

Arizona 398 398 100.0 72 18.1 326 81.9

Arkansas 177 48 27.4 43 24.4 5 3.0

California - - - - - - -

Colorado 266 266 100.0 56 21.0 210 79.0

Connecticut 209 209 100.0 54 25.8 155 74.2

Delaware - - - - - - -

District of Columbia - - - - - - -

Florida 2,054 2,054 100.0 384 18.7 1,670 81.3

Georgia 771 771 100.0 137 17.8 634 82.2

Guam 16 16 100.0 2 13.9 13 86.1

Hawaii 92 92 100.0 18 20.0 74 80.0

Idaho 70 70 100.0 16 22.5 55 77.5

Illinois 1,045 1,045 100.0 181 17.3 864 82.7

Indiana 298 298 100.0 71 23.8 227 76.2

Iowa 149 149 100.0 26 17.6 123 82.4

Kansas 95 20 21.2 18 18.8 2 2.4

Kentucky 272 272 100.0 44 16.3 228 83.7

Louisiana 357 357 100.0 79 22.0 279 78.0

Maine - - - - - - -

Maryland - - - - - - -

Massachusetts 497 497 100.0 101 20.3 397 79.7

Michigan 652 652 100.0 141 21.7 511 78.3

Minnesota 213 213 100.0 95 44.9 117 55.1

Mississippi 198 63 31.6 50 25.3 13 6.3

Missouri 354 79 22.3 72 20.3 7 2.0

Montana 50 50 100.0 12 24.6 38 75.4

Nebraska 69 69 100.0 16 22.7 53 77.3

Nevada 243 243 100.0 28 11.5 215 88.5

New Hampshire 37 24 64.6 13 34.6 11 30.0

New Jersey 371 371 100.0 102 27.6 268 72.4

New Mexico 236 236 100.0 43 18.1 193 81.9

New York - - - - - - -

North Carolina 692 692 100.0 92 13.3 600 86.7

North Dakota 22 22 100.0 5 22.0 17 78.0

Ohio 708 708 100.0 171 24.1 537 75.9

Oklahoma 293 293 100.0 44 14.9 249 85.1

Oregon 412 412 100.0 86 21.0 325 79.0

Pennsylvania 995 995 100.0 214 21.5 781 78.5

Rhode Island 78 78 100.0 18 23.0 60 77.0

South Carolina 290 290 100.0 53 18.4 236 81.6

South Dakota 36 7 19.2 6 17.6 1 1.6

Tennessee 396 88 22.3 85 21.4 4 0.9

Texas 1,643 1,643 100.0 233 14.2 1,410 85.8

Utah 68 13 19.2 12 17.6 1 1.6

Vermont 39 39 100.0 9 24.1 29 75.9

Virgin Islands 12 12 100.0 0 2.8 12 97.2

Virginia 371 74 20.0 64 17.3 10 2.7

Washington 519 519 100.0 143 27.6 376 72.4

West Virginia 157 157 100.0 38 23.9 120 76.1

Wisconsin 355 355 100.0 49 13.7 306 86.3

Wyoming 12 3 25.9 2 20.4 1 5.5

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

Note: California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, and New York did not have any data for the waiver period. 
149

Table B.13.a. Distribution of participating households by poverty status and by State, and effect of SNAP benefits on the 

poverty status of SNAP households, pre-pandemic period

Distribution of households in relation to poverty guidelinesp

 Based on 

cash only

Based on cash and 

SNAP benefits

Difference in 

percentage points

State

50 

percent 

or less

51 to 

100 

percent

101 

percent 

or more

50 

percent 

or less

51 to 

100 

percent

101 

percent 

or more

50 

percent 

or less

51 to 

100 

percent

101 

percent 

or more

Totala 35.7 45.4 18.9 26.1 45.8 28.1 -9.5 0.3 9.2

Alabama 36.8 49.4 13.9 26.4 54.0 19.6 -10.4 4.6 5.8

Alaska 43.8 40.5 15.7 34.6 40.2 25.2 -9.2 -0.3 9.5

Arizona 52.5 31.7 15.8 42.9 36.7 20.4 -9.6 5.0 4.6

Arkansas 43.2 48.2 8.7 30.9 58.0 11.1 -12.3 9.9 2.4

California 41.9 40.6 17.5 30.8 40.7 28.5 -11.0 0.1 11.0

Colorado 39.3 40.9 19.7 29.1 45.9 25.0 -10.3 5.0 5.3

Connecticut 33.0 42.8 24.2 24.1 37.3 38.6 -8.9 -5.6 14.5

Delaware 37.8 41.9 20.3 30.0 42.4 27.6 -7.9 0.5 7.4

District of Columbia 53.5 33.1 13.4 34.0 50.1 15.8 -19.4 17.0 2.4

Florida 30.4 48.2 21.5 21.3 51.6 27.1 -9.1 3.4 5.6

Georgia 41.2 43.5 15.3 32.8 44.4 22.7 -8.4 1.0 7.4

Guam 40.0 34.7 25.3 23.6 31.1 45.3 -16.4 -3.6 20.0

Hawaii 37.2 48.1 14.7 15.7 53.3 31.0 -21.5 5.2 16.3

Idaho 31.7 48.8 19.5 22.3 50.6 27.1 -9.3 1.7 7.6

Illinois 37.7 41.6 20.6 27.2 45.8 27.1 -10.6 4.1 6.4

Indiana 34.1 55.5 10.4 23.8 57.0 19.1 -10.3 1.5 8.7

Iowa 35.0 41.1 23.9 24.4 45.3 30.2 -10.6 4.2 6.4

Kansas 32.8 51.2 16.0 21.9 54.6 23.5 -11.0 3.4 7.5

Kentucky 43.0 47.1 9.9 35.3 52.2 12.4 -7.6 5.1 2.5

Louisiana 42.5 48.2 9.3 30.1 54.2 15.6 -12.4 6.0 6.4

Maine 16.8 50.8 32.4 12.0 42.3 45.7 -4.8 -8.5 13.3

Maryland 37.5 39.7 22.8 28.8 41.3 29.9 -8.7 1.7 7.0

Massachusetts 22.4 49.4 28.3 17.9 39.6 42.5 -4.5 -9.7 14.3

Michigan 29.0 51.3 19.7 23.7 47.0 29.3 -5.4 -4.2 9.6

Minnesota 32.9 46.0 21.1 27.4 44.1 28.5 -5.5 -1.9 7.4

Mississippi 38.7 50.2 11.2 27.3 56.7 16.1 -11.4 6.5 4.9

Missouri 36.7 46.7 16.5 28.3 45.9 25.8 -8.5 -0.8 9.3

Montana 36.8 38.6 24.6 27.3 40.2 32.4 -9.4 1.6 7.8

Nebraska 34.0 48.1 17.9 22.1 53.1 24.8 -11.9 5.0 6.9

Nevada 43.4 35.8 20.8 35.9 37.3 26.8 -7.5 1.5 5.9

New Hampshire 19.4 48.5 32.0 15.2 44.6 40.2 -4.3 -3.9 8.1

New Jersey 21.6 55.1 23.3 14.3 48.2 37.5 -7.3 -6.9 14.2

New Mexico 43.3 42.7 14.0 33.1 47.4 19.5 -10.3 4.7 5.6

New York 23.7 53.1 23.2 12.5 39.5 48.0 -11.2 -13.6 24.8

North Carolina 35.4 41.0 23.7 26.5 42.3 31.2 -8.9 1.3 7.6

North Dakota 32.5 41.1 26.4 24.7 40.3 35.1 -7.8 -0.8 8.6

Ohio 35.4 46.3 18.3 24.8 48.4 26.8 -10.6 2.1 8.5

Oklahoma 41.3 48.7 10.0 31.2 53.3 15.6 -10.1 4.5 5.6

Oregon 34.3 39.6 26.1 25.4 42.1 32.5 -8.9 2.5 6.4

Pennsylvania 26.3 48.6 25.0 20.1 45.6 34.3 -6.2 -3.1 9.3

Rhode Island 29.9 42.8 27.3 24.1 39.3 36.6 -5.8 -3.5 9.3

South Carolina 36.3 51.1 12.7 28.3 51.6 20.0 -7.9 0.5 7.4

South Dakota 45.0 40.6 14.4 36.2 40.1 23.6 -8.7 -0.5 9.2

Tennessee 42.8 46.5 10.7 30.2 53.7 16.1 -12.7 7.2 5.4

Texas 43.8 41.6 14.7 32.0 46.9 21.1 -11.8 5.3 6.4

Utah 44.9 44.9 10.3 36.0 46.3 17.8 -8.9 1.4 7.5

Vermont 18.4 44.3 37.3 11.4 32.8 55.9 -7.0 -11.6 18.6

Virgin Islands 45.8 32.5 21.7 30.5 42.9 26.6 -15.3 10.4 4.9

Virginia 40.4 47.7 11.9 29.4 53.1 17.5 -11.0 5.4 5.6

Washington 38.4 43.5 18.0 31.6 45.1 23.3 -6.9 1.6 5.3

West Virginia 32.9 51.1 16.0 24.8 55.0 20.2 -8.1 3.9 4.2

Wisconsin 31.2 42.0 26.8 24.8 36.6 38.5 -6.4 -5.3 11.7

Wyoming 38.5 47.6 13.9 24.0 54.7 21.2 -14.5 7.2 7.3

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
150

Table B.13.b. Distribution of participating households by poverty status and by State, and effect of SNAP benefits on the 

poverty status of SNAP households, waiver period

Distribution of households in relation to poverty guidelinesp

 

Based on 

cash only

Based on cash and 

SNAP benefits

Difference in 

percentage points

State

50 

percent 

or less

51 to 

100 

percent

101 

percent 

or more

50 

percent 

or less

51 to 

100 

percent

101 

percent 

or more

50 

percent 

or less

51 to 

100 

percent

101 

percent 

or more

Totala 38.5 40.4 21.1 30.1 43.1 26.8 -8.4 2.7 5.7

Alabama 37.7 44.4 17.9 29.7 44.6 25.7 -8.0 0.2 7.8

Alaska 48.6 40.8 10.6 34.3 40.2 25.4 -14.3 -0.5 14.8

Arizona 37.1 45.8 17.1 30.8 45.6 23.6 -6.3 -0.2 6.5

Arkansas 44.1 45.7 10.2 32.8 55.2 12.1 -11.3 9.4 1.9

California - - - - - - - - -

Colorado 39.3 39.1 21.6 31.0 39.4 29.6 -8.2 0.2 8.0

Connecticut 32.4 41.4 26.2 23.5 40.8 35.7 -8.9 -0.6 9.5

Delaware - - - - - - - - -

District of Columbia - - - - - - - - -

Florida 36.7 39.9 23.5 27.4 45.0 27.6 -9.2 5.1 4.2

Georgia 39.4 32.9 27.7 29.6 42.1 28.3 -9.8 9.2 0.7

Guam 47.2 35.0 17.7 40.3 20.6 39.2 -7.0 -14.5 21.4

Hawaii 45.7 37.1 17.1 25.7 42.9 31.4 -20.0 5.7 14.3

Idaho 39.7 46.0 14.3 28.6 49.3 22.1 -11.2 3.3 7.9

Illinois 44.2 37.0 18.8 32.5 43.3 24.2 -11.7 6.3 5.4

Indiana 28.6 50.8 20.6 23.8 49.2 27.0 -4.8 -1.6 6.3

Iowa 38.9 36.0 25.1 28.9 39.3 31.8 -10.0 3.4 6.7

Kansas 36.5 45.8 17.7 29.0 48.4 22.5 -7.5 2.7 4.8

Kentucky 47.8 38.1 14.1 39.6 43.0 17.4 -8.2 4.9 3.3

Louisiana 44.1 47.6 8.3 31.7 55.9 12.4 -12.4 8.3 4.1

Maine - - - - - - - - -

Maryland - - - - - - - - -

Massachusetts 32.9 30.4 36.7 26.6 25.3 48.1 -6.3 -5.1 11.4

Michigan 39.4 43.7 16.9 31.6 43.2 25.2 -7.8 -0.6 8.3

Minnesota 37.5 39.6 23.0 32.9 37.0 30.1 -4.6 -2.5 7.1

Mississippi 36.8 55.4 7.8 26.2 60.9 12.9 -10.6 5.5 5.1

Missouri 44.3 46.0 9.7 29.5 55.3 15.1 -14.8 9.3 5.5

Montana 39.9 40.4 19.7 26.5 49.5 24.0 -13.4 9.1 4.3

Nebraska 33.9 48.6 17.5 24.5 47.6 27.9 -9.4 -1.0 10.4

Nevada 52.1 29.8 18.1 42.7 34.7 22.6 -9.4 5.0 4.4

New Hampshire 24.4 49.2 26.4 19.6 47.6 32.9 -4.9 -1.6 6.5

New Jersey 35.3 39.5 25.2 33.7 36.5 29.8 -1.7 -3.0 4.6

New Mexico 49.8 38.0 12.3 40.5 42.2 17.3 -9.3 4.2 5.0

New York - - - - - - - - -

North Carolina 39.9 36.9 23.2 26.4 44.2 29.4 -13.5 7.3 6.2

North Dakota 42.0 42.8 15.2 30.6 48.9 20.5 -11.3 6.0 5.3

Ohio 36.8 43.7 19.5 31.0 47.1 21.8 -5.7 3.4 2.3

Oklahoma 47.9 39.6 12.5 41.2 42.1 16.7 -6.7 2.5 4.2

Oregon 39.5 33.8 26.6 32.4 31.6 36.1 -7.2 -2.3 9.5

Pennsylvania 28.1 43.5 28.5 21.9 39.1 38.9 -6.1 -4.3 10.5

Rhode Island 24.3 48.8 26.9 18.5 46.2 35.3 -5.8 -2.6 8.4

South Carolina 39.0 46.3 14.8 28.3 50.8 20.9 -10.7 4.5 6.2

South Dakota 40.2 41.9 17.9 37.2 39.4 23.5 -3.1 -2.5 5.6

Tennessee 43.5 44.1 12.3 35.4 49.0 15.6 -8.1 4.9 3.3

Texas 38.3 38.6 23.0 32.0 40.3 27.6 -6.3 1.7 4.6

Utah 46.7 41.4 12.0 35.5 46.0 18.5 -11.1 4.6 6.5

Vermont 21.6 42.9 35.5 15.1 34.4 50.6 -6.5 -8.5 15.0

Virgin Islands 54.3 31.7 14.0 40.8 35.0 24.2 -13.5 3.3 10.2

Virginia 43.6 40.0 16.4 33.6 43.6 22.7 -10.0 3.6 6.4

Washington 34.5 41.4 24.1 29.3 44.8 25.9 -5.2 3.4 1.7

West Virginia 36.9 46.2 16.9 29.7 49.5 20.8 -7.2 3.3 3.9

Wisconsin 36.2 37.1 26.7 29.3 35.2 35.5 -6.9 -1.9 8.8

Wyoming 38.8 47.0 14.1 29.3 51.8 18.9 -9.5 4.8 4.7

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

Note: California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, and New York did not have any data for the waiver period. 
151

Table B.14.a. Distribution of participants by age and by State, pre-pandemic period

Preschool-age 

children

School-age 

children

Total 

children

Non-elderly 

adults

Elderly 

adults

State

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Totala 4,469 12.3 10,821 29.8 15,290 42.0 15,184 41.8 5,888 16.2

Alabama 93 13.4 223 32.2 316 45.6 295 42.6 82 11.8

Alaska 9 12.1 21 28.6 30 40.8 34 46.4 9 12.9

Arizona 88 11.8 239 32.1 326 43.9 330 44.4 87 11.7

Arkansas 47 14.6 94 29.4 141 44.0 148 46.1 32 9.9

California 448 11.2 1,192 29.9 1,640 41.1 1,678 42.1 667 16.7

Colorado 47 11.1 132 31.3 179 42.4 179 42.3 64 15.2

Connecticut 26 7.6 82 24.0 108 31.7 163 47.8 70 20.5

Delaware 13 11.2 37 33.2 50 44.5 50 44.8 12 10.8

District of Columbia 14 13.1 24 22.2 38 35.4 53 48.8 17 15.9

Florida 327 12.2 741 27.6 1,069 39.8 1,000 37.2 619 23.0

Georgia 155 12.2 431 33.9 586 46.1 529 41.6 158 12.4

Guam 8 19.1 15 36.1 23 55.3 16 38.9 2 5.8

Hawaii 21 13.7 35 23.7 56 37.4 64 42.5 30 20.1

Idaho 21 14.3 44 30.9 65 45.1 61 42.1 18 12.8

Illinois 185 10.8 563 32.9 748 43.8 724 42.3 238 13.9

Indiana 75 13.6 193 35.1 268 48.7 228 41.5 54 9.8

Iowa 31 10.7 89 31.0 120 41.7 134 46.6 34 11.7

Kansas 26 14.0 57 30.0 83 44.0 87 45.7 19 10.3

Kentucky 60 12.4 160 33.1 219 45.5 202 42.0 60 12.5

Louisiana 91 11.7 278 35.8 369 47.5 311 40.0 97 12.5

Maine 11 7.4 36 24.5 46 31.9 70 48.0 29 20.1

Maryland 55 9.2 180 29.8 235 39.0 249 41.3 119 19.7

Massachusetts 66 9.0 162 22.1 228 31.1 319 43.6 186 25.3

Michigan 136 12.2 295 26.4 431 38.6 506 45.3 181 16.2

Minnesota 44 11.6 127 33.2 172 44.7 153 39.9 59 15.4

Mississippi 43 10.3 156 37.4 199 47.7 165 39.5 54 12.8

Missouri 87 13.5 189 29.4 276 42.9 298 46.2 70 10.9

Montana 10 9.3 30 29.2 40 38.5 50 48.6 13 12.9

Nebraska 21 13.6 52 34.2 72 47.8 61 40.7 17 11.5

Nevada 46 11.6 116 29.2 162 40.8 178 45.0 56 14.2

New Hampshire 6 8.9 19 27.6 26 36.5 35 49.5 10 13.9

New Jersey 89 13.2 194 28.8 283 41.9 218 32.3 172 25.5

New Mexico 51 11.6 128 29.3 178 40.9 217 49.8 40 9.3

New York 295 11.8 556 22.3 851 34.1 963 38.5 685 27.4

North Carolina 151 12.6 383 32.0 534 44.7 516 43.1 146 12.2

North Dakota 6 13.8 15 32.6 21 46.4 19 40.4 6 13.2

Ohio 146 10.9 383 28.6 529 39.5 648 48.4 163 12.1

Oklahoma 55 9.8 186 33.5 241 43.3 262 47.1 53 9.6

Oregon 45 7.9 152 26.2 197 34.0 282 48.7 100 17.3

Pennsylvania 193 11.1 410 23.7 603 34.9 759 43.9 368 21.3

Rhode Island 9 6.6 34 24.7 43 31.2 69 50.4 25 18.4

South Carolina 78 13.7 187 32.8 265 46.5 228 40.0 77 13.5

South Dakota 11 13.6 29 37.4 39 51.0 28 36.3 10 12.7

Tennessee 108 13.2 261 31.9 370 45.1 362 44.2 88 10.7

Texas 604 18.6 1,218 37.6 1,822 56.2 1,038 32.0 379 11.7

Utah 26 16.0 57 35.5 83 51.5 66 41.5 11 7.0

Vermont 5 7.7 17 25.6 22 33.3 28 41.7 17 25.0

Virgin Islands 3 14.8 6 27.9 9 42.7 9 41.3 3 16.0

Virginia 84 12.7 188 28.4 271 41.1 285 43.1 104 15.8

Washington 86 11.0 172 21.8 258 32.8 397 50.5 131 16.6

West Virginia 39 13.1 63 21.3 102 34.4 143 48.2 51 17.3

Wisconsin 74 12.7 157 26.8 231 39.5 264 45.1 90 15.4

Wyoming 3 12.8 8 32.9 11 45.6 11 44.1 3 10.2

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
152

Table B.14.b. Distribution of participants by age and by State, waiver period

Preschool-age 

children

School-age 

children

Total 

children

Non-elderly 

adults

Elderly 

adults

State

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Totala 3,848 12.0 9,307 28.9 13,155 40.9 14,011 43.6 4,998 15.5

Alabama 78 10.5 238 32.0 316 42.4 350 47.0 79 10.6

Alaska 7 8.7 27 32.1 34 40.8 40 47.0 10 12.2

Arizona 136 16.9 222 27.6 358 44.6 342 42.7 103 12.8

Arkansas 59 16.4 103 28.5 162 44.9 157 43.4 42 11.7

California - - - - - - - - - -

Colorado 48 9.4 164 31.8 212 41.2 210 40.9 92 17.9

Connecticut 24 6.9 92 26.1 117 32.9 168 47.5 69 19.5

Delaware - - - - - - - - - -

District of Columbia - - - - - - - - - -

Florida 380 10.0 1,098 28.9 1,477 38.9 1,627 42.8 697 18.3

Georgia 152 11.0 339 24.6 491 35.6 629 45.6 258 18.8

Guam 7 16.3 17 37.9 24 54.2 17 37.4 4 8.4

Hawaii 16 8.8 40 22.1 55 30.9 63 35.3 58 32.4

Idaho 25 16.4 47 30.6 72 47.0 70 45.5 11 7.5

Illinois 213 10.9 568 29.0 781 39.9 839 42.8 339 17.3

Indiana 95 17.2 114 20.7 208 37.9 265 48.3 76 13.8

Iowa 42 14.8 72 25.2 115 40.0 143 50.0 29 10.0

Kansas 26 13.0 62 31.4 87 44.4 90 45.7 19 9.8

Kentucky 76 12.7 180 30.0 256 42.7 272 45.5 70 11.7

Louisiana 72 10.0 242 33.9 313 44.0 303 42.6 96 13.5

Maine - - - - - - - - - -

Maryland - - - - - - - - - -

Massachusetts 38 4.9 170 22.1 208 27.0 390 50.8 170 22.1

Michigan 129 11.1 277 24.0 405 35.1 582 50.3 169 14.6

Minnesota 48 11.6 125 30.5 172 42.1 176 42.9 61 15.0

Mississippi 49 11.9 141 34.3 190 46.3 161 39.2 59 14.5

Missouri 76 10.4 262 36.1 338 46.5 293 40.3 96 13.2

Montana 8 8.6 27 27.5 35 36.1 44 45.5 18 18.4

Nebraska 19 13.0 49 33.3 68 46.3 60 41.2 18 12.5

Nevada 58 12.9 128 28.2 186 41.2 208 46.1 57 12.7

New Hampshire 11 16.3 16 24.3 28 40.6 30 44.6 10 14.8

New Jersey 89 12.2 228 31.4 317 43.6 243 33.4 167 23.0

New Mexico 66 14.0 121 25.9 187 39.9 232 49.5 50 10.6

New York - - - - - - - - - -

North Carolina 190 12.4 515 33.5 705 45.9 658 42.8 175 11.4

North Dakota 6 12.5 15 32.4 21 44.9 20 43.2 5 11.9

Ohio 179 13.1 382 28.0 561 41.1 553 40.5 252 18.5

Oklahoma 79 14.9 118 22.4 197 37.3 247 46.8 84 15.9

Oregon 75 10.8 141 20.4 216 31.2 365 52.8 111 16.0

Pennsylvania 179 9.9 432 24.0 610 34.0 845 47.0 342 19.0

Rhode Island 9 7.5 27 21.3 36 28.8 60 48.4 28 22.7

South Carolina 78 12.8 214 35.0 292 47.8 231 37.7 88 14.4

South Dakota 11 14.6 26 34.0 37 48.6 32 42.3 7 9.1

Tennessee 98 11.8 250 30.1 348 41.9 386 46.5 96 11.6

Texas 600 16.2 1,374 37.1 1,974 53.3 1,337 36.1 392 10.6

Utah 24 15.7 50 32.9 74 48.6 64 42.1 14 9.3

Vermont 4 6.7 18 27.5 23 34.2 28 41.5 16 24.4

Virgin Islands 4 14.3 8 30.8 11 45.1 11 46.2 2 8.7

Virginia 111 16.1 158 22.9 270 39.0 297 42.9 121 17.6

Washington 63 7.9 143 18.0 206 25.8 403 50.6 188 23.6

West Virginia 28 9.8 66 22.9 95 32.8 145 50.3 49 16.9

Wisconsin 61 9.2 193 29.2 254 38.4 312 47.2 96 14.4

Wyoming 3 10.3 9 36.0 12 46.3 12 45.1 2 8.6

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

Note: California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, and New York did not have any data for the waiver period. 
153

Table B.15.a. Distribution of participants by disability status and by State, pre-pandemic period

Children with 

disabilities

Non-elderly adults 

with disabilities

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities

Adults age 18–49 

without 

disabilities in 

childless 

householdse

Adults age 18–49 

without 

disabilities not 

subject to work 

requirements or a 

time limit

State

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Totala 567 1.6 3,733 10.3 4,300 11.8 2,659 7.3 6,929 19.1

Alabama 10 1.5 87 12.5 97 14.0 35 5.1 137 19.8

Alaska 1 0.8 6 7.6 6 8.4 7 9.6 15 21.1

Arizona 8 1.0 45 6.0 52 7.0 82 11.1 157 21.1

Arkansas 11 3.3 35 11.0 46 14.3 23 7.1 74 23.1

California 16 0.4 233 5.8 249 6.2 531 13.3 667 16.7

Colorado 5 1.2 38 8.9 43 10.1 39 9.3 78 18.4

Connecticut 4 1.2 45 13.3 50 14.5 38 11.2 53 15.5

Delaware 1 1.0 10 8.9 11 9.9 9 7.8 23 20.5

District of Columbia 1 1.0 10 9.7 12 10.8 13 11.8 20 18.1

Florida 48 1.8 288 10.7 336 12.5 95 3.6 447 16.6

Georgia 28 2.2 115 9.0 143 11.2 79 6.2 269 21.1

Guam 0 0.8 1 2.7 1 3.4 3 7.0 11 24.9

Hawaii 2 1.1 12 8.3 14 9.3 6 4.3 34 23.1

Idaho 2 1.4 18 12.3 20 13.7 5 3.8 33 22.9

Illinois 28 1.6 145 8.5 173 10.1 121 7.1 346 20.2

Indiana 14 2.5 89 16.1 103 18.6 19 3.4 104 18.9

Iowa 2 0.8 33 11.3 35 12.1 24 8.4 59 20.3

Kansas 2 1.2 27 14.0 29 15.2 10 5.5 41 21.8

Kentucky 13 2.7 48 10.0 61 12.7 23 4.8 109 22.7

Louisiana 23 2.9 69 8.9 92 11.8 56 7.2 158 20.4

Maine 4 2.7 29 20.0 33 22.7 6 3.9 29 19.6

Maryland 14 2.2 50 8.2 63 10.5 47 7.7 100 16.6

Massachusetts 17 2.4 111 15.1 128 17.5 55 7.4 113 15.5

Michigan 17 1.6 158 14.1 175 15.7 77 6.9 214 19.2

Minnesota 3 0.8 46 12.0 49 12.8 26 6.7 64 16.7

Mississippi 7 1.7 38 9.0 45 10.7 18 4.4 87 20.9

Missouri 8 1.3 90 13.9 98 15.2 35 5.5 145 22.5

Montana 2 2.4 11 10.2 13 12.6 9 8.4 24 23.6

Nebraska 3 2.0 16 10.6 19 12.6 9 6.3 32 21.2

Nevada 9 2.3 26 6.5 35 8.7 61 15.4 72 18.2

New Hampshire 0 0.6 13 18.3 13 18.9 4 5.3 15 21.7

New Jersey 4 0.6 60 8.9 64 9.5 20 2.9 120 17.8

New Mexico 4 1.0 40 9.1 44 10.1 57 13.2 94 21.7

New York 28 1.1 310 12.4 338 13.5 169 6.8 407 16.3

North Carolina 27 2.2 130 10.8 156 13.1 59 4.9 249 20.8

North Dakota 1 1.5 5 10.0 5 11.5 3 7.3 9 19.7

Ohio 23 1.7 209 15.6 231 17.3 94 7.0 261 19.5

Oklahoma 11 1.9 69 12.4 80 14.4 45 8.2 117 21.0

Oregon 9 1.5 59 10.2 67 11.6 87 15.0 99 17.1

Pennsylvania 30 1.7 217 12.5 247 14.3 126 7.3 345 19.9

Rhode Island 2 1.2 24 17.7 26 18.9 15 11.1 23 17.0

South Carolina 9 1.5 52 9.2 61 10.7 13 2.3 126 22.1

South Dakota 1 1.3 6 7.7 7 9.0 6 8.3 13 16.5

Tennessee 16 2.0 92 11.2 108 13.1 50 6.1 177 21.6

Texas 64 2.0 180 5.6 245 7.6 104 3.2 665 20.5

Utah 1 0.9 13 8.2 14 9.0 11 6.9 36 22.3

Vermont 2 2.3 12 18.7 14 21.1 3 4.4 9 14.3

Virgin Islands - - 0 1.8 0 1.8 2 9.4 4 19.3

Virginia 14 2.1 77 11.7 91 13.8 35 5.2 135 20.4

Washington 6 0.7 113 14.3 118 15.1 116 14.7 131 16.6

West Virginia 3 1.0 48 16.3 51 17.3 30 10.2 52 17.6

Wisconsin 12 2.0 73 12.5 85 14.5 48 8.2 118 20.2

Wyoming - - 3 11.1 3 11.1 1 2.2 7 26.5

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
154

Table B.15.b. Distribution of participants by disability status and by State, waiver period

Children with 

disabilities

Non-elderly adults 

with disabilities

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities

Adults age 18–49 

without 

disabilities in 

childless 

householdse

Adults age 18–49 

without 

disabilities not 

subject to work 

requirements or a 

time limit

State

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Totala 548 1.7 3,246 10.1 3,794 11.8 2,846 8.8 6,296 19.6

Alabama 11 1.5 102 13.7 113 15.2 58 7.8 169 22.7

Alaska - - 7 8.1 7 8.1 9 11.0 17 20.2

Arizona 16 1.9 79 9.8 95 11.8 53 6.6 169 21.0

Arkansas 13 3.5 41 11.4 54 14.9 23 6.3 76 21.0

California - - - - - - - - - -

Colorado 5 0.9 26 5.0 30 5.9 51 9.9 99 19.2

Connecticut 4 1.0 46 12.9 49 13.9 34 9.7 68 19.2

Delaware - - - - - - - - - -

District of Columbia - - - - - - - - - -

Florida 68 1.8 359 9.4 427 11.2 403 10.6 647 17.0

Georgia 20 1.5 117 8.5 137 9.9 142 10.3 289 20.9

Guam - - - - - - 2 4.5 10 21.7

Hawaii - - 16 8.8 16 8.8 13 7.4 24 13.2

Idaho 6 4.1 21 13.7 27 17.8 8 4.9 38 24.6

Illinois 63 3.2 205 10.5 268 13.7 155 7.9 346 17.7

Indiana 14 2.6 90 16.4 104 19.0 43 7.8 118 21.6

Iowa 2 0.9 31 11.0 34 11.8 33 11.4 62 21.8

Kansas 5 2.4 23 11.7 28 14.1 14 6.9 46 23.2

Kentucky 9 1.6 55 9.2 64 10.8 48 8.0 140 23.3

Louisiana 5 0.7 62 8.6 66 9.3 69 9.7 121 17.0

Maine - - - - - - - - - -

Maryland - - - - - - - - - -

Massachusetts 6 0.8 113 14.8 120 15.6 126 16.4 107 13.9

Michigan 16 1.3 141 12.2 156 13.5 129 11.2 211 18.2

Minnesota 2 0.5 42 10.2 43 10.6 35 8.7 83 20.2

Mississippi 12 3.0 45 10.9 57 13.9 22 5.4 77 18.7

Missouri 21 2.8 76 10.4 96 13.2 58 8.0 132 18.1

Montana 1 1.4 9 9.4 11 10.8 6 6.6 21 21.7

Nebraska 1 1.0 16 11.0 17 11.9 9 6.2 30 20.9

Nevada 7 1.6 26 5.7 33 7.3 70 15.5 84 18.7

New Hampshire - - 12 17.8 12 17.8 5 7.0 12 18.0

New Jersey 26 3.6 65 9.0 91 12.5 35 4.8 129 17.7

New Mexico 9 1.9 30 6.4 39 8.3 74 15.7 102 21.7

New York - - - - - - - - - -

North Carolina 21 1.4 132 8.6 153 10.0 82 5.3 373 24.3

North Dakota 1 1.9 5 12.0 6 13.9 3 6.8 10 21.4

Ohio 24 1.8 106 7.7 130 9.5 122 8.9 293 21.4

Oklahoma 4 0.8 61 11.5 65 12.3 28 5.4 105 19.9

Oregon - - 72 10.3 72 10.3 95 13.7 136 19.6

Pennsylvania 29 1.6 267 14.9 297 16.5 181 10.0 323 18.0

Rhode Island 1 0.7 20 15.9 21 16.5 14 11.2 17 13.8

South Carolina 9 1.5 55 9.0 64 10.5 21 3.5 124 20.3

South Dakota - - 9 12.2 9 12.2 8 10.6 14 17.9

Tennessee 14 1.7 99 11.9 113 13.6 72 8.7 170 20.5

Texas 70 1.9 229 6.2 299 8.1 154 4.2 832 22.5

Utah 2 1.6 15 9.9 18 11.5 13 8.2 30 19.9

Vermont 1 1.3 11 15.8 11 17.1 5 6.8 10 14.8

Virgin Islands - - 0 1.8 0 1.8 3 11.1 6 24.3

Virginia 7 1.0 74 10.7 81 11.7 54 7.8 131 19.0

Washington - - 107 13.5 107 13.5 152 19.1 116 14.6

West Virginia 6 1.9 51 17.5 56 19.4 34 11.7 51 17.7

Wisconsin 15 2.3 77 11.6 92 13.9 77 11.6 124 18.7

Wyoming 0 1.7 4 14.0 4 15.7 2 5.9 6 21.2

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

Note: California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, and New York did not have any data for the waiver period. 
155

Table B.16.a. Distribution of participants by citizenship status and by State, pre-pandemic period

All 

participants

U.S.-born 

citizens

Naturalized

citizens Refugees

Other 

noncitizens

Citizen children 

living with a 

noncitizenq

State

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000)

Column 

Percent

Number 

(000)

Column 

Percent

Number 

(000)

Column 

Percent

Number 

(000)

Column 

Percent

Number 

(000)

Column 

Percent

Totala 36,363 100.0 33,180 100.0 1,852 100.0 292 100.0 1,039 100.0 2,519 100.0

Alabama 693 1.9 686 2.1 2 0.1 - - 5 0.5 20 0.8

Alaska 73 0.2 69 0.2 2 0.1 - - 2 0.2 1 0.1

Arizona 743 2.0 688 2.1 28 1.5 2 0.7 25 2.4 69 2.8

Arkansas 321 0.9 320 1.0 0 0.0 - - 1 0.1 6 0.2

California 3,985 11.0 3,090 9.3 597 32.2 116 39.8 182 17.5 652 25.9

Colorado 423 1.2 397 1.2 14 0.7 1 0.5 11 1.0 36 1.4

Connecticut 342 0.9 317 1.0 16 0.9 1 0.2 9 0.8 18 0.7

Delaware 113 0.3 109 0.3 1 0.1 0 0.1 2 0.2 7 0.3

District of Columbia 108 0.3 106 0.3 1 0.1 - - 1 0.1 4 0.2

Florida 2,688 7.4 2,189 6.6 340 18.4 9 3.2 149 14.4 173 6.9

Georgia 1,273 3.5 1,254 3.8 9 0.5 3 0.9 7 0.7 64 2.5

Guam 42 0.1 40 0.1 2 0.1 - - 0 0.0 8 0.3

Hawaii 149 0.4 136 0.4 9 0.5 - - 4 0.4 7 0.3

Idaho 144 0.4 136 0.4 3 0.2 4 1.4 1 0.1 4 0.2

Illinois 1,710 4.7 1,610 4.9 28 1.5 - - 71 6.9 155 6.2

Indiana 551 1.5 546 1.6 3 0.2 1 0.3 1 0.1 20 0.8

Iowa 288 0.8 272 0.8 5 0.3 8 2.9 3 0.3 13 0.5

Kansas 189 0.5 179 0.5 2 0.1 1 0.3 8 0.8 8 0.3

Kentucky 482 1.3 477 1.4 2 0.1 0 0.2 3 0.2 21 0.8

Louisiana 777 2.1 775 2.3 1 0.1 - - 1 0.1 10 0.4

Maine 146 0.4 141 0.4 4 0.2 0 0.1 1 0.1 1 0.0

Maryland 604 1.7 563 1.7 23 1.2 8 2.9 9 0.9 31 1.2

Massachusetts 733 2.0 610 1.8 72 3.9 3 1.0 49 4.7 33 1.3

Michigan 1,118 3.1 1,061 3.2 39 2.1 6 1.9 12 1.2 16 0.6

Minnesota 384 1.1 327 1.0 36 1.9 11 3.8 10 1.0 16 0.6

Mississippi 418 1.1 413 1.2 1 0.0 1 0.2 4 0.3 8 0.3

Missouri 644 1.8 635 1.9 4 0.2 - - 5 0.4 10 0.4

Montana 103 0.3 103 0.3 - - - - - - - -

Nebraska 151 0.4 145 0.4 3 0.1 0 0.2 2 0.2 7 0.3

Nevada 396 1.1 371 1.1 10 0.5 4 1.5 11 1.0 40 1.6

New Hampshire 70 0.2 68 0.2 1 0.0 - - 2 0.2 0 0.0

New Jersey 675 1.9 599 1.8 53 2.9 - - 23 2.2 67 2.7

New Mexico 436 1.2 426 1.3 4 0.2 - - 6 0.6 22 0.9

New York 2,500 6.9 1,944 5.9 344 18.6 40 13.6 171 16.5 153 6.1

North Carolina 1,196 3.3 1,173 3.5 11 0.6 4 1.5 7 0.7 106 4.2

North Dakota 46 0.1 45 0.1 1 0.0 0 0.1 0 0.0 0 0.0

Ohio 1,339 3.7 1,298 3.9 16 0.9 9 3.2 16 1.5 9 0.4

Oklahoma 557 1.5 556 1.7 1 0.0 - - 1 0.1 18 0.7

Oregon 579 1.6 549 1.7 13 0.7 3 1.0 14 1.4 44 1.8

Pennsylvania 1,730 4.8 1,681 5.1 11 0.6 19 6.4 20 1.9 46 1.8
Table B.16.a (continued)

156

156

All 

participants

U.S.-born 

citizens

Naturalized

citizens Refugees

Other 

noncitizens

Citizen children 

living with a 

noncitizenq

State

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000)

Column 

Percent

Number 

(000)

Column 

Percent

Number 

(000)

Column 

Percent

Number 

(000)

Column 

Percent

Number 

(000)

Column 

Percent

Rhode Island 137 0.4 117 0.4 11 0.6 0 0.2 9 0.8 7 0.3

South Carolina 570 1.6 564 1.7 2 0.1 - - 4 0.4 15 0.6

South Dakota 77 0.2 76 0.2 0 0.0 1 0.2 0 0.0 3 0.1

Tennessee 819 2.3 814 2.5 2 0.1 2 0.6 2 0.2 17 0.7

Texas 3,239 8.9 3,078 9.3 42 2.2 - - 120 11.5 433 17.2

Utah 160 0.4 152 0.5 2 0.1 6 2.0 1 0.1 9 0.4

Vermont 66 0.2 65 0.2 1 0.0 1 0.2 0 0.0 0 0.0

Virgin Islands 21 0.1 17 0.1 3 0.1 0 0.1 1 0.1 2 0.1

Virginia 660 1.8 624 1.9 22 1.2 6 2.1 9 0.9 32 1.3

Washington 786 2.2 683 2.1 52 2.8 15 5.0 37 3.6 53 2.1

West Virginia 296 0.8 296 0.9 - - - - - - - -

Wisconsin 585 1.6 568 1.7 5 0.3 5 1.7 8 0.7 21 0.8

Wyoming 25 0.1 25 0.1 0 0.0 - - - - 0 0.0

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
157

Table B.16.b. Distribution of participants by citizenship status and by State, waiver period

All 

participants

U.S.-born 

citizens

Naturalized

citizens Refugees

Other 

noncitizens

Citizen children 

living with a 

noncitizenq

State

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000)

Column 

Percent

Number 

(000)

Column 

Percent

Number 

(000)

Column 

Percent

Number 

(000)

Column 

Percent

Number 

(000)

Column 

Percent

Totala 32,170 100.0 30,094 100.0 1,201 100.0 202 100.0 672 100.0 1,839 100.0

Alabama 745 2.3 745 2.5 - - - - - - 18 1.0

Alaska 84 0.3 79 0.3 3 0.2 - - 2 0.4 - -

Arizona 803 2.5 765 2.5 14 1.2 - - 23 3.5 73 4.0

Arkansas 362 1.1 361 1.2 - - - - 0 0.0 15 0.8

California - - - - - - - - - - - -

Colorado 515 1.6 482 1.6 18 1.5 - - 15 2.2 30 1.6

Connecticut 354 1.1 331 1.1 12 1.0 1 0.3 10 1.5 9 0.5

Delaware - - - - - - - - - - - -

District of Columbia - - - - - - - - - - - -

Florida 3,802 11.8 2,980 9.9 484 40.3 101 49.9 237 35.3 300 16.3

Georgia 1,379 4.3 1,338 4.4 25 2.1 - - 15 2.3 66 3.6

Guam 44 0.1 40 0.1 3 0.3 - - 1 0.1 13 0.7

Hawaii 180 0.6 150 0.5 26 2.2 - - 3 0.4 21 1.1

Idaho 153 0.5 147 0.5 2 0.2 3 1.4 1 0.1 6 0.3

Illinois 1,958 6.1 1,816 6.0 94 7.9 18 8.9 30 4.5 113 6.2

Indiana 549 1.7 549 1.8 - - - - - - 9 0.5

Iowa 287 0.9 270 0.9 6 0.5 6 2.8 5 0.7 5 0.3

Kansas 197 0.6 188 0.6 4 0.3 2 0.8 3 0.4 4 0.2

Kentucky 598 1.9 572 1.9 12 1.0 2 1.0 12 1.8 16 0.9

Louisiana 713 2.2 713 2.4 - - - - - - 10 0.5

Maine - - - - - - - - - - - -

Maryland - - - - - - - - - - - -

Massachusetts 768 2.4 655 2.2 63 5.2 6 3.1 44 6.6 31 1.7

Michigan 1,156 3.6 1,128 3.7 16 1.3 - - 12 1.7 8 0.4

Minnesota 409 1.3 354 1.2 45 3.7 3 1.5 7 1.1 13 0.7

Mississippi 410 1.3 410 1.4 - - - - - - 14 0.8

Missouri 727 2.3 721 2.4 5 0.4 - - 2 0.2 61 3.3

Montana 98 0.3 97 0.3 0 0.0 - - - - - -

Nebraska 146 0.5 138 0.5 1 0.1 4 2.2 2 0.4 10 0.5

Nevada 452 1.4 432 1.4 4 0.3 3 1.5 13 2.0 56 3.1

New Hampshire 68 0.2 67 0.2 1 0.0 0 0.2 - - - -

New Jersey 726 2.3 661 2.2 53 4.5 - - 12 1.7 31 1.7

New Mexico 469 1.5 464 1.5 1 0.1 - - 4 0.6 22 1.2

New York - - - - - - - - - - - -

North Carolina 1,538 4.8 1,504 5.0 9 0.8 13 6.6 11 1.6 105 5.7

North Dakota 46 0.1 43 0.1 1 0.1 2 1.1 - - 1 0.1

Ohio 1,366 4.2 1,301 4.3 57 4.7 8 4.0 - - 24 1.3

Oklahoma 528 1.6 520 1.7 6 0.5 - - 1 0.2 17 0.9

Oregon 693 2.2 670 2.2 22 1.9 - - - - 17 0.9

Pennsylvania 1,797 5.6 1,769 5.9 8 0.7 - - 20 3.0 54 2.9
Table B.16.b (continued)

158

All 

participants

U.S.-born 

citizens

Naturalized

citizens Refugees

Other 

noncitizens

Citizen children 

living with a 

noncitizenq

State

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000)

Column 

Percent

Number 

(000)

Column 

Percent

Number 

(000)

Column 

Percent

Number 

(000)

Column 

Percent

Number 

(000)

Column 

Percent

Rhode Island 125 0.4 107 0.4 11 0.9 1 0.4 6 0.9 6 0.3

South Carolina 612 1.9 611 2.0 1 0.1 - - - - 17 0.9

South Dakota 76 0.2 76 0.3 - - - - - - - -

Tennessee 829 2.6 827 2.7 - - 1 0.6 1 0.2 15 0.8

Texas 3,704 11.5 3,478 11.6 56 4.6 13 6.5 157 23.3 556 30.3

Utah 153 0.5 146 0.5 4 0.4 2 1.2 0 0.0 9 0.5

Vermont 67 0.2 66 0.2 1 0.1 - - - - - -

Virgin Islands 25 0.1 21 0.1 3 0.2 - - 1 0.1 3 0.1

Virginia 691 2.1 637 2.1 40 3.4 3 1.7 10 1.5 20 1.1

Washington 797 2.5 707 2.4 81 6.7 - - 9 1.3 - -

West Virginia 288 0.9 288 1.0 - - - - - - - -

Wisconsin 661 2.1 643 2.1 7 0.6 9 4.4 2 0.3 41 2.2

Wyoming 26 0.1 26 0.1 0 0.0 - - 0 0.0 0 0.0

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

Note: California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, and New York did not have any data for the waiver period. 
159

Table B.17.a. Distribution of noncitizen participants by age and by State, pre-pandemic period

Table omitted due to small sample sizes. See Appendix B introduction for more information.
160

Table B.17.b. Distribution of noncitizen participants by age and by State, waiver period

Table omitted due to small sample sizes. See Appendix B introduction for more information.
APPENDIX B FOOTNOTES

163

APPENDIX B FOOTNOTES

a Due to rounding, some individual categories may not match the table total.

b Because net income is not used in their benefit determinations, 22,410 MFIP households 

and 547,829 SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits are 

excluded from this category in the pre-pandemic period and 29,056 MFIP households and 

193,091 SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits are excluded 

from this category in the waiver period. Thus, the average values are based on fewer 

households than the number of total SNAP households shown in Appendix Tables A.1.a and 

A.1.b.

c Because deductions are not used in their benefit determinations, 547,829 SSI-CAP 

households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits are excluded from this category 

in the pre-pandemic period and 193,091 SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized 

SSI-CAP benefits are excluded from this category in the waiver period. Thus, the average 

values are based on fewer households than the number of total SNAP households shown in 

Appendix Tables A.1.a and A.1.b.

d Average shelter deduction (dollars) is calculated across households with a shelter deduction.

e With some exceptions, adult SNAP participants age 18–49 without disabilities in childless 

households are subject to work requirements and a time limit. 

f This category does not include households receiving a noncash benefit or a noncountable 

cash benefit (for example, households participating in MFIP).

g Average values are calculated across households with income source.

h TANF income is not included in the MFIP gross income or used in the MFIP benefit 

calculation. Because of Federal Quality Control System constraints, this means that only a 

placeholder TANF amount, typically $1, may be reported for MFIP households in the SNAP 

QC data file. 

i Because this deduction is not used in their benefit determinations, 676,468 SSI-CAP 

households are excluded from this category in the pre-pandemic period and 337,280 SSICAP households are excluded from this category in the waiver period. Thus, the average 

values are based on fewer households than the number of total SNAP households shown in 

Appendix Tables A.1.a and A.1.b.

j Codes to allow reporting of multiple races were implemented beginning in April 2007. We 

have grouped the codes together to form general race/ethnicity categories. Reporting of 

race/ethnicity is voluntary and was missing for 16 percent of participants in the fiscal year 

2020 pre-pandemic period and 16 percent of participants in the waiver period. 

k

“Other” race includes household heads that are Asian, Native American, or those who 

reported multiple races that do not fit into the following categories: White, not Hispanic; 

African American, not Hispanic; or Hispanic, any race. 

l

“Missing/unknown” race 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.

m Because this deduction is not used in their benefit determinations, 22,410 MFIP households 

and 547,829 SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits are 
164

excluded from this category in the pre-pandemic period and 29,056 MFIP households and 

193,091 SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits are excluded 

from this category in the waiver period. Thus, the average values are based on fewer 

households than the number of total SNAP households shown in Appendix Tables A.1.a and 

A.1.b.

n Pure Public Assistance (PA) households are those in which each member (1) received SSI,

(2) was covered by a cash TANF benefit, or (3) received General Assistance (GA) income.

o Other categorically eligible households are identified as such in the SNAP QC data but are 

not pure cash PA households. Most are typically eligible through broad-based categorical 

eligibility or because of the receipt of noncash TANF benefits or services such as child care 

or transportation subsidies. 

p Defined as the fiscal year 2020 SNAP net income screen (see Appendix C). 

q Noncitizens may be inside or outside the SNAP unit.

– No sample data in this category.

† Please use caution when interpreting results due to small sample sizes. See footnotes of 

individual tables for more details.

n.a. Not applicable.
APPENDIX C 

FISCAL YEAR 2020 SNAP PARAMETERS

167

Table C.1. 2019 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) poverty income guidelines

Household size (individuals)

Contiguous United States,

Guam, and the Virgin Islands Alaska Hawaii

1 $12,490 $15,600 $14,380

2 16,910 21,130 19,460

3 21,330 26,660 24,540

4 25,750 32,190 29,620

5 30,170 37,720 34,700

6 34,590 43,250 39,780

7 39,010 48,780 44,860

8 43,430 54,310 49,940

Each additional member +4,420 +5,530 +5,080

Source: 83 Federal Register 2642, January 18, 2018.

Note: HHS issued these numbers, which identify the annual income thresholds for poverty status based on household 

size. These values provide the basis for the fiscal year 2020 SNAP gross and net monthly income eligibility 

standards.

Table C.2. SNAP maximum allowable gross monthly income eligibility standards in fiscal year 2020

Household size (individuals)

Contiguous United States, 

Guam, and the Virgin Islands Alaska Hawaii

1 $1,354 $1,690 $1,558

2 1,832 2,290 2,109

3 2,311 2,889 2,659

4 2,790 3,488 3,209

5 3,269 4,087 3,760

6 3,748 4,686 4,310

7 4,227 5,285 4,860

8 4,705 5,884 5,411

Each additional member +479 +600 +551

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Note: The fiscal year 2020 SNAP gross monthly income limits were based on the 2019 poverty guidelines issued by 

HHS (see Appendix Table C.1). FNS derived the fiscal year 2020 gross income limits by multiplying the 2019

poverty guidelines by 130 percent, dividing the results by 12, and then rounding up to the nearest dollar. 
168

Table C.3. SNAP maximum allowable net monthly income eligibility standards in fiscal year 2020

Household size (individuals)

Contiguous United States, 

Guam, and the Virgin Islands Alaska Hawaii

1 $1,041 $1,300 $1,199

2 1,410 1,761 1,622

3 1,778 2,222 2,045

4 2,146 2,683 2,469

5 2,515 3,144 2,892

6 2,883 3,605 3,315

7 3,251 4,065 3,739

8 3,620 4,526 4,162

Each additional member +369 +461 +424

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Note: The fiscal year 2020 SNAP net monthly income limits were based on the 2019 poverty guidelines issued by HHS 

(see Appendix Table C.1). FNS derived the fiscal year 2020 net income limits by dividing the 2019 poverty 

guidelines by 12 and rounding up to the nearest dollar. 

Table C.4. Value of standard SNAP deductions and maximum excess shelter expense deductions in fiscal 

year 2020

Deduction

Contiguous 

United States Alaska Hawaii Guam Virgin Islands

Standard deduction . . . . .

1 to 2 people $167 $286 $236 $336 $147

3 people 167 286 236 336 148

4 people 178 286 236 357 178

5 people 209 286 240 418 209

6 or more people 240 300 275 479 240

Maximum excess shelter 

expense deduction 569 908 766 667 448

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Notes: The Homeless Household Shelter Deduction was $152.06.

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 SSICAP households with standardized benefits. States with nonstandardized SSI-CAP benefits used the standard 

deduction and the excess shelter deduction when calculating benefit levels for SSI-CAP households.
169

Table C.5. Value of maximum monthly SNAP benefit in fiscal year 2020

Household size 

(individuals)

Contiguous 

United States

Alaska 

Urban

Alaska 

Rural I

Alaska 

Rural II Hawaii Guam

Virgin 

Islands

1 $194 $238 $304 $370 $356 $285 $249

2 355 437 558 679 654 524 457

3 509 627 799 973 936 750 654

4 646 796 1,015 1,235 1,189 953 831

5 768 945 1,205 1,467 1,412 1,131 987

6 921 1,134 1,447 1,761 1,695 1,358 1,184

7 1,018 1,254 1,599 1,946 1,873 1,501 1,309

8 1,164 1,433 1,827 2,224 2,141 1,715 1,496

Each additional 

member +146 +179 +228 +278 +268 +214 +187

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Notes: These maximum benefit values were based on 100 percent of the cost of the Thrifty Food Plan in June 2019 for a 

reference family of four, rounded to the lowest dollar increment. 

Due to the unusual nature of Alaska’s terrain and climate, areas outside major urban centers 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. 

Table C.6. Value of minimum monthly SNAP benefit in fiscal year 2020

Household size 

(individuals)

Contiguous 

United 

States

Alaska 

Urban

Alaska 

Rural I

Alaska 

Rural II Hawaii Guam

Virgin 

Islands

1 to 2 people $16 $19 $24 $30 $29 $23 $20

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Note: The minimum benefit, applicable to one- and two-person households, is equal to 8 percent of the maximum 

benefit for single-person households.

APPENDIX D 

SOURCE AND RELIABILITY OF ESTIMATES

173

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). 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 of

approximately 34,282 participating SNAP households and a separate State sample of denials and 

terminations. Each month, State agencies select an independent sample of participating SNAP 

households. Annual required State samples normally depend upon the size of a State’s caseload 

and generally range from approximately 300 to 1,200 reviews. 

Because of the COVID-19 public health emergency, FNS granted States temporary waivers 

on conducting QC reviews starting in March 2020 and continuing beyond fiscal year 2020. For 

this report, the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample was divided into two periods, the prepandemic period of October 2019 through February 2020 and the waiver period of June 2020 

through September 2020. Very few States collected QC data from March 2020 through May 

2020, so those months are not included in the SNAP QC data file. Most States opted to conduct 

reviews from June 2020 through September 2020, although monthly State samples were often 

smaller than usual. Five States—California, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, and New York—and 

the District of Columbia did not have any data for the waiver period. Eight States—Hawaii, 

Idaho, Indiana, Massachusetts, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, and Washington—had only one 

month of data in the waiver period. Fourteen States and territories—Alaska, Arizona, Florida, 

Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Dakota, Rhode Island, 

Virginia, Wisconsin, Guam, and the Virgin Islands—had only two months of data in the waiver 

period. Four States—Illinois, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas—had three months of data in 

the waiver period. 

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 Virgin Islands 

during the pre-pandemic period and 45 States, Guam, and the Virgin Islands during the waiver 

period.

48 Our analyses do not use the separate State samples of denials and terminations.

Although most participating SNAP households are included in the target universe, certain 

types of households not subject to review are excluded. Specifically, the universe includes all 

households receiving SNAP benefits during the review period except those in which all 

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.

48 Participating households in Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands have been included in the target universe since 

fiscal year 1993. Prior to that, the universe excluded households in those areas.
174

DATA EDITING

The estimates in this report are derived from an edited version of the raw data file generated 

by the SNAP QC System that covers the fiscal year 2020 pre-pandemic period and the fiscal year 

2020 waiver period. The edited data file does not include March 2020 through May 2020 

because of the limited data collected in those months.

Households with an incomplete Quality Control review or those found ineligible for SNAP 

benefits were dropped from the edited data file.49 Of the 34,282 sample cases in the raw data file, 

1,623 were determined to be not subject to review. Of those cases subject to review, 4,693 did 

not undergo a complete review because the household failed to cooperate, could not be located, 

or all members had died or moved. An additional 778 households were found either ineligible for 

SNAP or eligible for SNAP but ineligible for a positive benefit and thus were dropped from the 

data file.50 An additional 76 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 fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC file is 27,112 (Appendix Table D.1), 18,319 of 

which are in the pre-pandemic period and 8,793 of which are in the waiver period. Appendix 

Tables D.2.a and D.2.b shows the distribution of these unweighted households by State and time 

period.

Table D.1. Number and percentage of cases sampled, dropped from the edited file, and included in the edited 

file

Fiscal year 

2020 SNAP QC 

sample

Percentage of 

cases 

sampled

Percentage of 

cases subject 

to review

Number of cases sampleda 34,282 100.0 n.a.

Cases not subject to review 1,623 4.7 n.a.

Cases deselected to correct for oversampling 0 0.0 n.a.

Cases subject to review 32,659 95.3 100.0

Incomplete cases 4,693 13.7 14.4

Cases completed 27,966 81.6 85.6

Not eligible for SNAP 518 1.5 1.6

Not eligible for a positive benefit 260 0.8 0.8

Eligible for a positive benefit 27,188 79.3 83.2

Dropped due to unresolved inconsistencies 76 0.2 0.2

SNAP households in the final file 27,112 79.1 83.0

Source: Fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

a We dropped some cases from the sample due to small monthly State samples. See Technical Documentation for the Fiscal 

Year 2020 SNAP QC Database and QC Minimodel (Cronquist et al. 2022). Forthcoming at https://snapqcdata.net/.

Failure to complete reviews for all cases subject to review may bias the sample results if the 

characteristics of households not reviewed differ significantly from those of reviewed 

households. In the absence of direct measures of such differences, the ratio of completed reviews 

49 For detailed information on the editing and weighting of data, see Technical Documentation for the Fiscal Year 

2020 SNAP QC Database and QC Minimodel (Cronquist et al. 2022). Forthcoming at https://snapqcdata.net/.

50 Eligible one- and two-person SNAP units are guaranteed a minimum benefit. However, it is possible for larger 

units to be eligible for SNAP but have net income high enough that they do not qualify for a positive benefit. The 

eligible households dropped from the data file were found by the reviewer to have a benefit overissuance equal to or 

greater than the recorded benefit.
175

to total cases subject to review provides an indication of the magnitude of any potential bias. For 

fiscal year 2020, the completion rate was 86 percent, 1 percentage point higher than in fiscal year 

2019. 

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 2020 SNAP QC Database and QC Minimodel. For 

instance, in most cases, a household’s net countable income should equal the household’s gross 

countable income minus the total deductions for which the household is eligible. Also, the SNAP 

benefit level should equal the household’s maximum benefit minus 30 percent of the household’s 

net countable income. Exceptions are households participating in MFIP and SSI-CAP in States

with standardized benefit amounts. These households are subject to different eligibility and 

benefit determination rules, and their data have been edited accordingly. Additionally, if the 

value of deductions exceeds gross income, net income is equal to zero.

Although most inconsistencies in these basic relationships were resolved in the editing 

process, the measures could not be reconciled for 76 records in the raw data file. These records 

were therefore dropped from the edited data file.
176

Table D.2.a. Unweighted distribution of participating households by State, pre-pandemic period

SNAP households

State Number Percent

Total 18,319 100.0

Alabama 413 2.3

Alaska 193 1.1

Arizona 365 2.0

Arkansas 398 2.2

California 355 1.9

Colorado 339 1.9

Connecticut 388 2.1

Delaware 315 1.7

District of Columbia 316 1.7

Florida 426 2.3

Georgia 477 2.6

Guam 104 0.6

Hawaii 249 1.4

Idaho 428 2.3

Illinois 333 1.8

Indiana 335 1.8

Iowa 389 2.1

Kansas 413 2.3

Kentucky 406 2.2

Louisiana 370 2.0

Maine 396 2.2

Maryland 242 1.3

Massachusetts 394 2.2

Michigan 390 2.1

Minnesota 391 2.1

Mississippi 393 2.1

Missouri 350 1.9

Montana 288 1.6

Nebraska 370 2.0

Nevada 385 2.1

New Hampshire 257 1.4

New Jersey 246 1.3

New Mexico 406 2.2

New York 399 2.2

North Carolina 434 2.4

North Dakota 183 1.0

Ohio 401 2.2

Oklahoma 435 2.4

Oregon 377 2.1

Pennsylvania 355 1.9

Rhode Island 419 2.3

South Carolina 442 2.4

South Dakota 274 1.5

Tennessee 408 2.2

Texas 374 2.0

Utah 406 2.2

Vermont 266 1.5

Virgin Islands 107 0.6

Virginia 313 1.7

Washington 351 1.9

West Virginia 320 1.7

Wisconsin 413 2.3

Wyoming 122 0.7

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 data from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.
177

Table D.2.b. Unweighted distribution of participating households by State, waiver period

SNAP households

State Number Percent

Total 8,793 100.0

Alabama 288 3.3

Alaska 67 0.8

Arizona 89 1.0

Arkansas 316 3.6

California - -

Colorado 295 3.4

Connecticut 306 3.5

Delaware - -

District of Columbia - -

Florida 238 2.7

Georgia 152 1.7

Guam 40 0.5

Hawaii 35 0.4

Idaho 87 1.0

Illinois 150 1.7

Indiana 63 0.7

Iowa 311 3.5

Kansas 338 3.8

Kentucky 349 4.0

Louisiana 107 1.2

Maine - -

Maryland - -

Massachusetts 79 0.9

Michigan 167 1.9

Minnesota 342 3.9

Mississippi 271 3.1

Missouri 164 1.9

Montana 186 2.1

Nebraska 279 3.2

Nevada 329 3.7

New Hampshire 84 1.0

New Jersey 44 0.5

New Mexico 237 2.7

New York - -

North Carolina 336 3.8

North Dakota 72 0.8

Ohio 87 1.0

Oklahoma 142 1.6

Oregon 74 0.8

Pennsylvania 276 3.1

Rhode Island 151 1.7

South Carolina 331 3.8

South Dakota 52 0.6

Tennessee 309 3.5

Texas 238 2.7

Utah 323 3.7

Vermont 213 2.4

Virgin Islands 53 0.6

Virginia 110 1.3

Washington 58 0.7

West Virginia 260 3.0

Wisconsin 192 2.2

Wyoming 103 1.2

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

Note: California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, and New York did not have any data in the edited SNAP 

QC data file for the waiver period. 
178

WEIGHTING

The estimates for the fiscal year 2020 pre-pandemic period are based on a sample of 18,319 

valid observations and the estimates for the waiver period are based on a sample of 8,793 valid 

observations. Where possible, the sample records have been weighted to match SNAP Program 

Operations totals after adjustments to (1) account for incomplete data in the SNAP Program 

Operations totals, and (2) remove households ineligible for benefits as well as those receiving 

benefits issued through the SNAP disaster assistance program, as these households are not 

included in the SNAP QC data file. The weighting procedure matches to SNAP Program 

Operations totals for (1) the monthly number of participating households by State, (2) the 

monthly number of participants by State, and (3) the monthly total benefits issued by State. The 

small samples for some States in some months of the waiver period meant that the weighting 

program was not always able to match the intended totals. When this occurred, the weighting 

program matched the monthly number of participating households in the State and, as closely as 

possible, the monthly number of participants and the monthly total benefits.

51 Appendix Tables

D.3.a and D.3.b compare the Quality Control System’s sample-based estimates to aggregate 

program participation data for the fiscal year 2020 pre-pandemic period and waiver period, 

respectively.

The fiscal year 2020 weighting methodology for both periods is similar to that used for the 

fiscal year 2000 through fiscal year 2019 SNAP QC data files.52 However, it differs from the 

weighting methodology used in the development of the SNAP QC data files prior to fiscal year 

2000. SNAP QC data files before fiscal year 2000 are weighted to match the monthly number of 

SNAP households by State and stratum, unadjusted for ineligible households or the disaster 

assistance program.

51 For detailed information on the editing and weighting of data for these States, see Technical Documentation for 

the Fiscal Year 2020 SNAP QC Database and QC Minimodel (Cronquist et al. 2022). Forthcoming at 

https://snapqcdata.net/.

52 The fiscal year 2000–2004 SNAP QC data files were previously weighted to match the disaster- and erroradjusted monthly numbers of SNAP households, but not individuals or benefits, by State and stratum. For the fiscal 

year 2009 report, the fiscal year 2003 and fiscal year 2004 SNAP QC data files were updated to match the current 

weighting methodology. Starting with the fiscal year 2018 report, the fiscal year 2000–2002 SNAP QC data files 

were updated to match the current weighting methodology.
179

Table D.3.a. Comparison of program data to edited pre-pandemic period SNAP QC data file

Fiscal year 2020

Average monthly 

value

Program 

data

Adjustments 

for months 

not included 

in the file

Adjustments 

for disaster 

assistance a

Adjustments 

for ineligible 

households

Target 

numbers for 

edited SNAP 

QC data file

Edited 

SNAP QC 

data file

Number of 

households 18,985,988 n.a. 0 329,143 18,656,845 18,656,845

Number of 

participants 37,266,007 n.a. 0 902,683 36,363,324 36,363,324

Value of benefits 

(dollars) 4,518,237,227 n.a. 1,806,801 232,996,030 4,283,434,396 4,283,434,396

Average household 

size 1.96 - - - 1.95 1.95

Average benefit per 

person (dollars) 121.24 - - - 117.80 117.80

Average benefit per 

household (dollars) 237.98 - - - 229.59 229.59

Sources: October 2019 through February 2020 Program Operations data and October 2019 through February 2020 data 

from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

a Adjustments are made for households and individuals who received disaster SNAP assistance only. Adjustments 

are made to benefits for disaster SNAP benefits issued to disaster SNAP households as well as replacement benefits 

issued to qualifying ongoing SNAP households. As a result, the average disaster SNAP benefit per person cannot be 

calculated from the information in this table.

Table D.3.b. Comparison of program data to edited waiver period SNAP QC data file

Fiscal year 2020

Average monthly 

value

Program 

data

Adjustments 

for months 

not included 

in the file

Adjustments 

for disaster 

assistance a

Adjustments 

for ineligible 

households

Target 

numbers for 

edited SNAP 

QC data file

Edited 

SNAP QC 

data file

Number of 

households 22,366,722 5,171,489 62,565 446,618 16,686,050 16,686,050

Number of 

participants 42,817,885 9,379,606 80,076 1,203,659 32,154,545 32,169,504

Value of benefits 

(dollars) 7,731,676,528 2,245,024,204 1,282,942,761 246,567,484 3,957,142,078 3,719,663,060

Average household 

size 1.91 - - - 1.93 1.93

Average benefit per 

person (dollars) 180.57 - - - 123.07 115.63

Average benefit per 

household (dollars) 345.68 - - - 237.15 222.92

Sources: June 2020 through September 2020 Program Operations data and June 2020 through September 2020 data 

from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

a Adjustments are made for households and individuals who received disaster SNAP assistance only. Adjustments 

are made to benefits for disaster SNAP benefits issued to disaster SNAP households as well as replacement benefits 

issued to qualifying ongoing SNAP households. As a result, the average disaster SNAP benefit per person cannot be 

calculated from the information in this table.
180

COMPARISON TO REPORTED DATA

Appendix Table D.4.a compares the reported and calculated values of selected variables for 

the fiscal year 2020 pre-pandemic period and Appendix Table D.4.b compares the reported and 

calculated values of selected variables for the waiver period. Reported values and averages 

reflect those in the SNAP QC data file before any editing has taken place. Calculated values and 

averages are based on the edited data file used for this report. 

Table D.4.a. Comparison of calculated and reported values for selected variables of participating 

households, pre-pandemic period

Households with:

Variable

All 

households

Earned 

income

Elderly 

individuals Children

. . .

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities

Average gross income (dollars)

Calculated 890 1437 957 1,136 1,066

Reported 890 1437 957 1,136 1,066

Average net income (dollars)a. . . .

Calculated 408 677 459 553 502

Reported 406 677 451 554 498

Average total deduction (dollars)b. . . .

Calculated 584 811 574 682 600

Reported 568 792 559 660 595

Average SNAP benefit (dollars)c. . . . .

Calculated 230 284 118 383 178

Reported 229 284 118 382 177

Percentage with zero gross income . . . . .

Calculated 18.5 0.0 6.8 14.4 0.1

Reported 18.7 0.1 6.8 14.6 0.1

Percentage with zero net income . . . . .

Calculated 34.9 20.6 17.7 32.8 14.8

Reported 37.9 21.5 24.9 33.7 17.9

Percentage with minimum benefit . . . . .

Calculated 11.1 9.2 21.5 2.8 14.8

Reported 10.6 8.4 21.1 2.5 14.3

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 data from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

a Because net income is not used in their benefit determination, 22,410 households participating in MFIP and 547,829

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, 547,829 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 partial benefits received in the initial 

certification month. 
181

Table D.4.b. Comparison of calculated and reported values for selected variables of participating 

households, waiver period

Households with:

Variable

All 

households

Earned 

income

Elderly 

individuals Children

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities

Average gross income (dollars) . . . . .

Calculated 880 1528 959 1,109 1,083

Reported 882 1532 959 1,110 1,083

Average net income (dollars)a. . . . .

Calculated 444 791 479 584 560

Reported 441 786 471 580 558

Average total deduction (dollars)b. . . . .

Calculated 553 794 552 658 554

Reported 549 786 550 656 556

Average SNAP benefit (dollars)c. . . . .

Calculated 223 270 110 381 173

Reported 223 270 111 380 173

Percentage with zero gross income . . . . .

Calculated 22.4 0.0 7.8 19.5 0.0

Reported 22.6 0.1 7.8 20.0 0.0

Percentage with zero net income . . . . .

Calculated 36.9 20.5 18.1 37.6 11.7

Reported 38.0 20.9 20.6 38.1 12.1

Percentage with minimum benefit . . . .

Calculated 13.9 11.8 26.7 4.2 19.1

Reported 13.6 11.4 26.1 4.1 18.8

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

a Because net income is not used in their benefit determination, 29,056 households participating in MFIP and 193,091

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, 193,091 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 partial benefits received in the initial 

certification month. 

APPENDIX E

SAMPLING ERROR OF ESTIMATES

185

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 

error measures the variation in estimated values that would be observed if multiple replications 

of the sample were drawn. The magnitude of the standard error 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 describes the 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 (

p

S

) based on a simple random 

sample is 

(1)

Sp = [ ] p p N n n N (1 )( )]/[( 1) − − − ,

where p is the weighted estimate of the proportion, N is the number of households in the 

population, and n is the sample size.53 The standard error of an estimated number of households 

(

N

S

) based on a simple random sample is

(2)

= N p S S N .

These formulas for the standard errors of estimates based on a simple random sample do not 

necessarily apply to estimates derived from more-complex samples, such as the stratified design 

of the SNAP QC sample. 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. The bootstrap method allows for simplicity in calculating approximate 

standard errors and confidence intervals. It also guards against sensitivity to model specification, 

especially if the sample distribution is skewed, as it does not rely on parametric assumptions.

53 More precisely, n is the sample size (number of households) corresponding to the population that forms the 

denominator or “base” of the proportion being estimated. When the base is all SNAP households in the fiscal year 

2020 pre-pandemic period, n = 18,319. When the base is all SNAP households in the fiscal year 2020 waiver

period, n = 8,793. Sample sizes for selected demographic subgroups for the pre-pandemic period are shown in the 

sample size column of Appendix Table E.1.a and sample sizes for selected demographic subgroups for the waiver 

period are shown in the sample size column of Appendix Table E.1.b. For subgroups not shown in Appendix Tables

E.1.a or E.1.b, the sample size can be approximated by multiplying the total sample size (18,319 in the prepandemic period, 8,793 in the waiver period) by the ratio of the subgroup population size to the total population size 

(N). For example, in the pre-pandemic period, N = 18,657,000 and there were 5,330,000 elderly households 

(households with at least one or more elderly individuals). Thus, the approximate sample size for elderly households 

in the pre-pandemic period would be calculated as(5,330,000/18,657,000) × (18,319) = 5,233. In this case, the 

approximation can be compared to the true sample size of households with elderly individuals of 4,861, as shown in 

Appendix Table E.1.a.
186
187

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 then are 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 the fiscal year 2020 prepandemic period and waiver period are shown in Appendix Tables E.1.a and E.1.b, respectively. 

These standard errors can be used to compute confidence intervals for the estimated number of 

households with a particular characteristic.54 For example, the estimated number of SNAP 

households that receive the minimum benefit in the pre-pandemic period is approximately 

2,065,000 (Appendix Table A.1.a) and the corresponding standard error is 64,619 (Appendix 

Table E.1.a). The 95 percent confidence interval thus extends from approximately 1,935,000 to 

2,195,000.55

For standard errors not shown in Appendix Tables E.1.a and E.1.b, the approximate standard 

error (SE) of an estimated number of households for the fiscal year 2020 pre-pandemic period or 

the waiver period can be calculated using Equation (3):

(3)

E N S S 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 Appendix Tables

E.2.a and E.2.b. 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 (Appendix Tables E.1.a and E.1.b) to the naive variance.56 When the 

population subgroup (for example, households with an elderly individual) is listed in Appendix 

Tables E.2.a and E.2.b but the characteristic of interest is not, the average square root of the 

design effect for the subgroup from the right-hand column of Appendix Tables E.2.a and E2.b is 

used. When neither the subgroup nor the characteristic is listed, use the average square root of 

the design effect for all SNAP households, 1.48 in the pre-pandemic period and 3.54 in the 

waiver period.

For example, to estimate the standard error of the number of households in the pre-pandemic 

period containing an elderly individual with zero net income, the first step is to obtain the size of 

the estimate. As shown in Appendix Table A.3.a, 944,000 households with elderly individuals

have zero net income. 

54 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 two standard errors above 

and below the estimated value for a characteristic, and 95 percent of all confidence intervals will contain the true 

value.

55 Calculated as: (2,065,000 − (2 × 64,619)) = 1,935,000 and (2,065,000 + (2 × 64,619)) = 2,195,000.

56 The variance and naive variance are the standard error and naive standard error squared, respectively.
188 

The next step is to calculate the naive standard error. Using Equations (1) and (2), the value 

is 29,173.57 Multiplying 29,173 by the square root of the design effect (d), 1.6, from Appendix 

Table E.2.a yields an estimated standard error of 47,789. 

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: 

(4) 

P N S S N = . 

For example, Appendix Table A.17.a shows that, of the 7,108,000 households with children 

in the pre-pandemic period, 1,023,000 (14.4 percent) have no gross income. The standard error 

(SN) of the number of households with children with no gross income in the pre-pandemic period 

is 43,905 (Appendix Table E.1.a). 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, 7,108,000 households with children. The resulting 

standard error of the percentage estimate is 0.6 percentage points, and the corresponding 95 

percent confidence interval extends from 13.2 to 15.6 percent around the point estimate of 14.4 

percent. 

Equation (4) can also be applied to standard errors not shown in Appendix Tables E.1.a and 

E.1.b. 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 5,330,000 households with 

elderly individuals in the pre-pandemic period, 944,000 (17.7 percent) have zero net income. 

Dividing the adjusted naive standard error (calculated above as 47,789) by 5,330,000 yields an 

adjusted naive standard error of the percentage estimate of 0.9 percentage points. 

STANDARD ERRORS OF ESTIMATED MEANS

The standard errors for selected estimated means for the fiscal year 2020 pre-pandemic 

period and the waiver period are provided in Appendix Tables E.3.a and E.3.b, respectively. For 

example, the standard error of the mean gross income for all SNAP households in the prepandemic period is $5.43 (Appendix Table E.3.a) and the mean itself is $890 (Appendix Table 

A.2.a). Therefore, a 95 percent confidence interval extends from approximately $879 to $900. 

Generalized approximation methods, such as that used in Equation (3), work well for 

standard errors of estimated numbers and percentages because standard errors depend only on 

57 Equation (1): 

√[(944,000/5,330,000) × (1 − (944,000/5,330,000)) × (5,330,000 − 4,861)]/[(4,861 − 1) × 5,330,000] =

0.00547

 Equation (2):5,330,000 × 0.00547 = 29,173, 

where, in the pre-pandemic period, 5,330,000 is the estimated population of elderly households, 944,000 is the 

estimated population of elderly households with zero net income, 4,861 is the sample size of elderly households 

(Appendix Table E.1.a), and 29,173 is the standard error. 
189

sample size, estimated proportion, and design effects. Generalized methods are less appropriate 

for standard errors of means because the standard error depends upon 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 Appendix Tables E.3.a and E.3.b can be obtained from 

Appendix Tables E.4.a and E.4.b, respectively, which show for each variable in Appendix Tables

E.3.a and E.3.b the average, minimum, and maximum value of that variable’s standard error as a 

percentage of the variable’s mean value. These three values are shown for all SNAP households 

and for selected subgroups. The standard errors in Appendix Tables E.4.a and E.4.b incorporate 

design effects.
190

Table E.1.a. Standard errors of estimated numbers of SNAP households, pre-pandemic period

Households (000) with:

Zero 

gross 

income

Zero 

net 

income

Minimum 

benefits

Earned 

income

Elderly 

individuals Children

School-age 

children

Non-elderly 

individuals 

with 

disabilities

Sample 

size

Estimated 

population 

(000)

All SNAP households 83.11 119.39 64.62 93.42 86.06 94.19 80.51 81.41 18,319 18,657

With elderly 

individuals

30.72 47.81 48.43 29.76 86.06 23.49 23.21 15.34 4,861 5,330

Without elderly 

individuals 

79.46 107.44 48.74 89.95 0.00 94.09 79.17 79.71 13,458 13,327

With children 43.90 59.84 23.94 81.79 23.49 94.19 80.51 47.01 6,952 7,108

With school-age 

children

35.03 53.23 19.12 74.45 23.21 80.51 80.51 43.64 5,663 5,786

Without children 77.17 109.76 60.05 54.66 82.99 0.00 0.00 70.84 11,367 11,549

With earnings 0.00 49.92 36.33 93.42 29.76 81.79 74.45 28.24 4,998 5,174

With non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities 2.92 35.43 36.08 28.24 15.34 47.01 43.64 81.41 4,374 4,071

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 data from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

Note: Standard errors were estimated using the bootstrap method.
191

Table E.1.b. Standard errors of estimated numbers of SNAP households, waiver period

Households (000) with:

Zero 

gross 

income

Zero 

net 

income

Minimum 

benefits

Earned 

income

Elderly 

individuals Children

School-age 

children

Non-elderly 

individuals 

with 

disabilities

Sample 

size

Estimated 

population 

(000)

All SNAP households 277.70 435.89 237.25 124.82 283.03 412.29 266.60 173.78 8,793 16,686

With elderly 

individuals

47.10 70.47 168.74 34.50 283.03 28.87 26.98 15.34 2,304 4,619

Without elderly 

individuals

271.52 424.93 99.61 121.49 0.00 416.34 271.63 168.46 6,489 12,067

With children 241.77 383.92 47.83 108.37 28.87 412.29 266.60 79.23 3,266 6,178

With school-age 

children

138.02 247.74 46.93 95.30 26.98 266.60 266.60 77.99 2,659 5,036

Without children 111.57 136.89 224.35 86.44 278.22 0.00 0.00 164.24 5,527 10,508

With earnings 0.00 94.13 55.58 124.82 34.50 108.37 95.30 43.42 2,155 4,140

With non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities 0.83 60.06 83.31 43.42 15.34 79.23 77.99 173.78 1,996 3,589

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

Note: Standard errors were estimated using the bootstrap method.
192

Table E.2.a. Square root of design effects (d) for standard errors of estimated numbers or percentages of SNAP households, pre-pandemic period

Households with:

Base of estimated 

number

Zero gross 

income

Zero net 

income

Minimum 

benefits

Earned 

income

Elderly 

individuals Children

School-age 

children

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities

Average 

square root of 

design effect

All SNAP households 1.55 1.82 1.49 1.51 1.38 1.41 1.26 1.43 1.48

With elderly 

individuals 1.59 1.64 1.54 1.63 n.a. 1.71 1.72 1.52 1.62

Without elderly 

individuals 1.64 1.90 1.67 1.63 n.a. 1.64 1.40 1.52 1.63

With children 1.47 1.50 1.70 1.92 1.76 n.a. 2.43 1.52 1.76

With school-age 

children 1.42 1.52 1.62 1.94 1.78 n.a. n.a. 1.50 1.63

Without children 1.75 2.11 1.51 1.55 1.54 n.a. n.a. 1.50 1.66

With earnings n.a. 1.69 1.72 n.a. 1.68 2.53 2.08 1.45 1.86

With non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities 1.70 1.62 1.65 1.55 1.65 1.71 1.65 n.a. 1.65

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 data from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

Note: 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.

n.a. = not applicable.
193

Table E.2.b. Square root of design effects (d) for standard errors of estimated numbers or percentages of SNAP households, waiver period

Households with:

Base of estimated 

number

Zero gross 

income

Zero net 

income

Minimum 

benefits

Earned 

income

Elderly 

individuals Children

School-age 

children

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities

Average 

square root of 

design effect

All SNAP households 3.74 5.08 3.85 1.62 3.55 4.80 3.26 2.38 3.54

With elderly 

individuals 1.83 1.91 3.97 1.68 n.a. 1.53 1.49 1.36 1.97

Without elderly 

individuals 4.03 5.71 2.32 1.73 n.a. 5.56 3.70 2.47 3.65

With children 5.64 7.33 2.21 2.01 1.57 n.a. 6.35 2.02 3.88

With school-age 

children 3.84 5.37 2.37 1.95 1.53 n.a. n.a. 2.09 2.86

Without children 1.84 2.01 4.00 1.93 3.99 n.a. n.a. 2.68 2.74

With earnings n.a. 2.61 1.93 n.a. 1.72 2.68 2.18 1.84 2.16

With non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities 0.66 2.34 2.64 1.92 1.44 2.23 2.24 n.a. 1.92

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

Note: 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.

n.a. = not applicable.
194

Table E.3.a. Standard errors of estimated means, pre-pandemic period

Gross 

income

Net 

income Benefits

All 

deductions

Total 

resources

Household 

size

Certification 

period Earningsa TANFa SSIa

Shelter 

deductiona

All SNAP households 5.43 3.20 0.60 3.72 0.93 0.00 0.10 16.23 20.04 7.62 3.09

With elderly 

individuals

10.28 10.03 1.75 7.38 1.97 0.01 0.23 47.31 51.52 13.42 7.26

Without elderly 

individuals

6.99 4.42 1.35 4.49 1.07 0.01 0.09 17.02 21.41 9.24 3.45

With children 11.84 9.50 3.40 6.41 1.65 0.03 0.05 20.54 20.32 17.19 4.40

With school-age 

children

14.04 11.53 3.98 7.15 1.99 0.04 0.06 22.82 23.87 19.12 4.76

Without children 9.07 6.61 1.17 4.50 1.09 0.01 0.16 30.74 30.00 8.53 4.47

With earnings 15.05 13.03 3.85 7.58 2.17 0.03 0.10 16.23 46.46 24.95 5.24

With non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities 10.60 11.52 3.36 7.48 2.45 0.03 0.26 54.08 30.90 9.21 6.82

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 data from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

Note: Standard errors were estimated using the bootstrap method.

a For households with a nonzero amount.
195

Table E.3.b. Standard errors of estimated means, waiver period

Gross 

income

Net 

income Benefits

All 

deductions

Total 

resources

Household 

size

Certification 

period Earningsa TANFa SSIa

Shelter 

deductiona

All SNAP households 37.74 30.88 13.89 6.12 5.10 0.04 0.23 56.10 23.57 14.68 8.24

With elderly 

individuals

22.29 23.82 6.49 15.34 15.95 0.02 0.35 90.46 29.89 20.40 13.81

Without elderly 

individuals

44.24 34.68 13.82 7.57 3.93 0.04 0.14 58.43 24.59 19.06 8.78

With children 90.81 67.14 13.59 16.58 6.17 0.06 0.23 78.13 24.13 37.21 9.62

With school-age 

children

87.56 68.47 14.55 13.53 6.13 0.06 0.22 80.43 26.31 38.89 10.56

Without children 22.27 19.79 5.41 8.18 7.67 0.01 0.28 55.69 114.25 13.80 10.39

With earnings 66.02 57.52 12.21 11.57 7.19 0.06 0.14 56.10 42.98 33.89 9.22

With non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities 22.88 28.54 9.93 15.78 8.07 0.06 0.38 70.49 28.87 19.09 17.03

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

Note: Standard errors were estimated using the bootstrap method.

a For households with a nonzero amount.
196

Table E.4.a. Range of standard errors of mean amounts expressed as a percentage of the mean amount, prepandemic period

Standard error as

percentage of the mean amount

Number of households in base of mean (000) Averagea Lowestb Highestc

18,657 (All SNAP households) 1.4 0.1 5.0

5,330 (Households with elderly individuals) 3.6 1.1 12.2

7,108 (Households with children) 2.0 0.5 7.4

5,174 (Households with earnings) 2.9 0.9 9.3

4,071 (Households with non-elderly individuals with disabilities) 3.4 1.0 11.2

Source: October 2019 through February 2020 data from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC sample.

Note: Standard errors from Appendix Table E.3 and mean amounts from applicable text tables.

a Average standard error across all 11 variables in Appendix Table E.3 expressed as a percentage of the mean amount.

b Lowest of the standard errors across all 11 variables in Appendix Table E.3 expressed as a percentage of the mean 

amount.

c Highest of the standard errors across all 11 variables in Appendix Table E.3 expressed as a percentage of the mean 

amount

Table E.4.b. Range of standard errors of mean amounts expressed as a percentage of the mean amount, 

waiver period

Standard error as

percentage of the mean amount

Number of households in base of mean (000) Averagea Lowestb Highestc

16,686 (All SNAP households) 4.7 1.1 13.3

4,619 (Households with elderly individuals) 7.1 1.7 27.2

6,178 (Households with children) 6.1 1.7 17.2

4,140 (Households with earnings) 5.9 1.3 17.8

3,589 (Households with non-elderly individuals with disabilities) 6.0 2.1 21.4

Source: June 2020 through September 2020 data for 47 States and territories from the fiscal year 2020 SNAP QC 

sample.

Note: Standard errors from Appendix Table E.3 and mean amounts from applicable text tables.

a Average standard error across all 11 variables in Appendix Table E.3 expressed as a percentage of the mean amount.

b Lowest of the standard errors across all 11 variables in Appendix Table E.3 expressed as a percentage of the mean 

amount.

c Highest of the standard errors across all 11 variables in Appendix Table E.3 expressed as a percentage of the mean 

amount.
APPENDIX F

DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENT

199
200
201
202
INDEX

205

......................

......

.....................................................

.................................................

............................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................

.........

........

.....................................................................................................................

......................

................................

..........

........................................................................

................................

............................

..............................................

.........

................................................................................................

...........

Able-bodied adults See Non-elderly adults without disabilities and without children

Age 3, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 32, 34, 36, 39, 45, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 53, 60, 61, 62, 63, 65, 66, 67, 68, 

Tables A.1.a-A.2.b, A.14.a-A.16.b, A.23.a-A.24.b, A.26.a-A.26.b, A.29, B.5.a-B.5.b, B.14.aB.15.b, E.1.a-E.3.b

Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) 3, 7, 59

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) 57, 59

Asset limit See Resource limit

Assets, countable See Resources

Asylees .9, 65, 66

Benefits 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 40, 

42, 43, 44, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 52, 53, 54, 57, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 195, 196, 

197, 200, 209, Tables A.1.a-A.2.b, A.5.a-A.7.b, A.9.a-A.12.b, A.14.a-A.15.b, A.17.a-A.20.b, 

A.22, A.27-A.29, B.1.a-B.2.b, B.13.a-B.13.b, C.4-C.6, D.1, D.3.a-D.4.b, E.1.a-E.3.b

Maximum 2, 12, 14, 27, 52, 54, 59, 63, 64, 197, Tables A.1.a-A.2.b, A.9.a-A.12.b, A.17.aA.17.b, A.19.a-A.19.b, C.5, C.6

Minimum 12, 52, 53, 64, 209, Tables A.1.a-A.2.b, A.9.a-A.10.b, A.12.a-A.12.b, A.17.a-A.17.b, 

A.19.a-A.19.b, A.27, C.6, D.4.a-D.4.b, E.1.a-E.2.b

Prorated 47, 48, 49, 50

Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE) 4, 5, 14, 15, 57, 59

Categorically eligible households . 3, 4, 5, 8, 13, 59, 66, Tables B.12.a-B.12.b

Certification period 11, 60, 63, Tables A.2.a-A.2.b, A.12.a-A.12.b, A.15.a-A.15.b, A.18.aA.18.b, A.20.A-A.20.b, B.2.a-B.2.b, E.3.a-E.3.b

Child support income 24, 25, 68, Tables A.6.a-A.7.b

Child support payment deduction 7, 60, 68, Tables A.9.a-A.11.b, A.17.a-A.20.b

Children 3, 6, 7, 9, 10, 20, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 33, 35, 37, 38, 

40, 42, 44, 45, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 60, 62, 63, 65, 66, 67, 68, 211, 

Tables A.1.a-A.3.b, A.5.a-A.6.b, A.8.a-A.12.b, A.14.a-A.19.b, A.21.a-A.24.b, 

A.26.a-A.26.b, A.27, A.29, B.5.a-B.5.b, B14.a-B.16.b, D.4.a-D.4.b, E.1.a-E.4.b

 

 

 

Citizenship 9, 45, 48, 49, 50, 61, 63, 64, 65, 66, Tables A.1.a-A.2.b, A.22.a-A.22.b, A.23.aA.23.b, A.27, B.16.a-B.16.b

Contributions 68, Tables A.6.a-A.7.b

Countable resources 3, 4, 8, 11, 60, 62, 66, Tables A.5.a-A.5.b, A.17.a-A.17.b, E.3.a-E.3.b
206

...............................................................

..............................................................

..........................................

...............................................

..................................

...........................

.................................................................................

...................................

..........................................

......................................................................................

................................

...

.............................

............................................................................................

....

....................................................................

..........................................................................

...............................................

......................................................................................

....................................................................................

............

.............................................................

COVID-19 public health emergency 1, 12, 15, 62, 65, 195

 

 

Deductions 6, 7, 12, 14, 54, 60, 61, 62, 64, 66, 67, 68, 197, 

Tables A.2.a-A.2.b, A.7.a-A.7.b, A.9.a-A.11.b, A.15.a-A.15.b, A.17.a-A.20.b, A.28, 

B.2.a-B.2.b, B.4.a-B.4.b, B.8.a-B.8.b, C.4, D.4.a-D.4.b, E.3.a-E.3.b

Child support payment 7, 60, 68, Tables A.9.a-A.11.b, A.17.a-A.20.b

Dependent care 6, 60, 61, 68, Tables A.9.a-A.11.b, A.17.a-A.20.b

Earned income 6, 61, 68, Tables A.9.a-A.11.b, A.17.a-A.20.b, B.8.a-B.8.b

Excess shelter expense 7, 13, 61, 66, 68, Tables A.9.a-A.11.b, A.17.a-A.20.b, 

B.4.a-B.4.b, C.4, E.3.a-E.3.b

Homeless household shelter 8, 62, Table C.4

Medical expense 6, 7, 61, 63, 64, 68, Tables A.9.a-A.11.b, A.17.a-A.20.b

Standard 6, 13, 61, 66, 67, Tables A.17.a-A.17.b, A.19.a-A.19.b, C.4

Deemed income 61, 68, Tables A.6.a-A.7.b

Dependent care deduction .. 6, 60, 61, 68, Tables A.9.a-A.11.b, A.17.a-A.20.b

Earned income 6, 8, 13, 23, 24, 25, 26, 30, 31, 33, 35, 37, 43, 45, 51, 60, 61, 68, Tables A.1.aA.2.b, A.6.a-A.12.b, A.16.a-A.22.b, A.27, B.6.a-B.6.b, B.8.a-B.8.b, D.4.a-D.4.b, E.1.a-E.2.b

Earned income deduction 6, 61, 68, Tables A.9.a-A.11.b, A.17.a-A.20.b, B.8.b

Educational loans 5, Tables A.6.a-A.7.b

 

 

 

Elderly individuals 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 13, 20, 23, 27, 28, 31, 33, 36, 38, 40, 42, 43, 44, 45, 47, 48, 

49, 50, 51, 52, 61, 62, 63, 64, 66, 67, 209, 210, 211, Tables A.1.a-A.3.b, A.5.a-A.6.b, 

A.8.a-A.12.b, A.14.a-A.19.b, A.21.a-A.23.b, A.25.a-A.26.b, A.27, A.29, 

B.5.a-B.5.b, B.14.a-B.15.b, D.4.a-D.4.b, E.1.a-E.4.b

Elderly Simplified Applications Project (ESAP) 11, 57

Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) 1, 14, 57, 61, 67

Emergency allotment 2, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, 26, 28, 44, 45, 46, 61, 62

Energy assistance 5, 68, Tables A.6.a-A.7.b

Entrant households 61, Tables A.13.a-A.13.b

Excess shelter expense deduction 7, 8, 13, 61, 66, 68, Tables A.9.a-A11.b, A.17.a-A.20.b, 

B.4.a-B.4.b, C.4, E.3.a-E.3.b

Expedited service households 11, 62, Tables A.13.a-A.13.b
207

............................................

...............................................................................

................................................................

.......

............ 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

...............................................................................................

................................................................

......................

...............................

................................

..........................................................

..........................................

......................

....

.................................................................................

...........

Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 2, 10, 12, 61, 62, 67

Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 1, 3, 5, 8, 11, 57

Gender ... 40, 42, 43, 47, 48, , Tables A.23.a-A.24.b, A.29

General Assistance (GA) 4, 45, 57, 59, 62, 66, 68, Tables A.1.a-A.2.b, A.6.a-A.10.b, A.16.aA.20.b, B.6.a-B.6.b

Gross income 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 15, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30, 31, 33, 35, 37, 

40, 42, 43, 45, 46, 51, 52, 53, 54, 59, 60, 61, 62, 68, 197, 211, 212, Tables A.1.a-A.5.b, 

A.7.a-A.7.b, A.9.a-A.10.b, A.15.a-A.20.b, A.27, A.28, B.2.a-B.3.b, 

C.1, C.2, D.4.a-D.4.b, E.1.a-E.3.b

Gross income limit 3, 5, 60, Table C.2

Homeless household shelter deduction ....8, 62, Table C.4

Household composition 12, 20, 23, 24, 25, 26, 31, 33, 35, 37, 40, 42, 43, 51, 62, 65, 

Tables A.1.a-A.2.b, A.5.a-A.5.b, A.9.a-A.10.b, A.14.a-A.17.b, 

A.19.a-A.19.b, A.26.a-A.26.b, B.5.a-B.5.b

Married head with children households 24, 25, 26, 31, 33, 35, 38, 40, 42, 63, 

Tables A.14.a-A.16.b

Single adult with children households .24, 25, 26, 31, 33, 35, 37, 40, 42, 66, 

Tables A.14.a-A.16.b, B.5.a-B.5.b

Household head 24, 25, 26, 31, 33, 35, 37, 38, 40, 42, 63, 65, 

Tables A.21.a-A.21.b, A.25.a-A.25.b, B.10.a-B.10.b

Household size 6, 12, 14, 20, 24, 27, 40, 42, 44, 52, 62, 64, 66, 67, 197, 

Tables A.2.a-A.2.b, A.4.a-A.5.b, A.7.a-A.7.b, A.15.a-A.15.b, A.17.a-A.20.b, 

A.24.a-A.24.b, A.28, B.2.a-B.2.b, C.1-C.3, C.5, C.6, 

D.3.a-D.3.b, E.3.a-E.3.b

Households, participating 1, 2, 22, 46, 51, 64, 195, 200, Tables A.1.a-A.22.b, A.27, 

B.1.a-B.2.b, B.3.a-B.6.b, B.8.a-B.8.b, B.10.a-B.11.b, B.13.a-B.13.b, 

D.2.a-D.2.b, D.4.a-D.4.b

Income, monthly countable 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 14, 21, 22, 24, 27, 28, 31, 33, 35, 37, 46, 60, 61, 62, 

63, 64, 65, 67, 197, Tables A.1.a-A.12.b, A.15.a-A.22.b, A.27, A.28, 

B.2.a-B.3.b, B.6.a-B.6.b, B.8.a-B.8.b, C.1-C.3, D.4.a-D.4.b, E.1.a-E.3.b

Child support 24, 25, 68, Tables A.6.a-A.7.b

Earned 6, 8, 13, 23, 24, 25, 26, 30, 31, 33, 35, 37, 43, 51, 60, 61, 67, Tables A.1.a-A.2.b, 

A.6.a-A.12.b, A.16.a-A.22.b, A.27, B.6.a-B.6.b, B.8.a-B.8.b, D.4.a-D.4.b, E.1.a-E.2.b
208

........................................ 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

....................

................................

.................................................................................

.......

..............

..............................................

.....................................................

................................................................

....................

............

............................................................................................

......................

........................................................................

........................................................................

...............

.............................

.......

......................................................................................................

General Assistance (GA) 4, 45, 57, 59, 62, 66, 68, Tables A.1.a-A.2.b, 

A.6.a-A.10.b, A.16.a-A.20.b, B.6.a-B.6.b

Gross 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 15, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30, 31, 33, 35, 37, 

40, 42, 43, 45, 46, 47, 51, 52, 53, 54, 59, 60, 61, 62, 197, 211, 212,

Tables A.1.a-A.5.b, A.7.a-A.7.b, A.9.a-A.10.b, A.15.a-A.20.b, A.27, 

A.28, B.2.a-B.3.b, C.1, C.2, D.4.a-D.4.b, E.1.a-E.3.b

Net ..3, 5, 6, 11, 12, 20, 40, 42, 51, 53, 54, 60, 63, 64, 65, 197, 210, 211, 

Tables A.1.a-A.5.b, A.7.a-A.7.b, A.9.a-A.10.b, A.15.a-A.15.b, A.17.a-A.20.b, 

A.27, A.28, B.2.a-B.2.b, C.1, C.3, D.4.a-D.4.b, E.1.a-E.3.b

Social Security 25, 27, 28, 43, 44, 46, 63, 68, 

Tables A.1.a-A.2.b, A.6.a-A.10.b, A.16.a-A.20.b, B.6.a-B.6.b

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) 4, 10, 13, 24, 27, 28, 29, 43, 44, 46, 57, 59, 63, 67, 68, 

Tables A.1.a-A.2.b, A.6.a-A.10.b, A.16.a-A.20.b, A.27, B.6.a-B.6.b, C.4, E.3.a-E.3.b

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 14, 24, 31, 33, 35, 37, 

45, 52, 53, 57, 59, 65, 67, 68, Tables A.1.a-A.2.b, A.6.a-A.10.b, 

A.12.a-A.12.b, A.16.a-A.22.b, A.27, B.6.a-B.6.b, E.3.a-E.3.b

Unearned 60, 68, Tables A.1.a-A.2.b, A.6.a-A.10.b, A.17.a-A.20.b

Initial certification households 11, 12, 63, Tables A.13.a-A.13.b

Lawful permanent resident noncitizens ...9, 48, 63, 64, 65

Married-head households 24, 25, 26, 31, 33, 35, 38, 40, 42, 63, Tables A.14.a-A.16.b

Maximum benefit 2, 12, 14, 27, 52, 54, 59, 63, 64, 197, Tables A.1.a-A.2.b, A.9.a-A.12.b, 

A.17.a-A.17.b, A.19.a-A.19.b, C.5, C.6

Medical deduction demonstrations 7, 66

Medical expense deduction 6, 7, 61, 63, 64, 68, Tables A.9.a-A.11.b, A.17.a-A.20.b

Metropolitan households 64, 66, Tables A.1.a-A.2.b

Micropolitan households 64, 66, Tables A.1.a-A.2.b

Minimum benefit 12, 52, 53, 64, 209, Tables A.1.a-A.2.b, A.9.a-A.10.b, A.12.a-A.12.b, 

A.17.a-A.17.b, A.19.a-A.19.b, A.27, C.6, D.4.a-D.4.b, E.1.a-E.2.b

Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) 14, 64, Tables C.4, D.4.a-D.4.b

Net income 3, 5, 6, 11, 12, 20, 40, 42, 51, 53, 54, 60, 63, 64, 65, 197, 210, 211, Tables A.1.aA.5.b, A.7.a-A.7.b, A.9.a-A.10.b, A.15.a-A.15.b, A.17.a-A.20.b, A.27, 

A.28, B.2.a-B.2.b, C.1, C.3, D.4.a-D.4.b, E.1.a-E.3.b

Net income limit 3, 64, Table C.3
209

......

................................................................................................................................

......................................................................

................................................................................

..........................................................................

................................................................................................................

.................................................................................... 

 

 

 

 

 

.............

................................

...................................................................................

....................................

...........

.......

....................................

.....

.........................

............................................................................................................

...........................................................

..........................

.....................................................................................

...........................................................

Noncitizens 9, 48, 61, 63, 64, 65, 66, Tables A.1.a-A.2.b, A.22.a-A.23.b, A.27, B.16.a-B.16.b

Asylees ..65, 66

Lawful permanent resident noncitizens 9, 48, 63, 65

Nonimmigrant visitors to the United States 65

Refugees 48, 65, 66, Tables A.22.a-A.23.b, B.16

Stay of deportation 65, 66

Non-elderly adults 29, 30, 47, 48, 52, 65, 67, 

Tables A.23.a-A.23.b, A.25.a-A.26.b, A.29, B.15.a-B.15.b

Non-elderly adults without disabilities and without children 29, 30, 32, 34, 36, 39, 49, 50, 

51, 67, Tables A.1.a-A.2.b, A.14.a-A.16.b, A.23.a-A.23.b, 

A.26.a-A.26.b, B.5.a-B.5.b, B.15.a-B.15.b

Non-elderly individuals with disabilities 23, 28, 29, 36, 38, 40, 42, 43, 44, 67, 

Tables A.1.a-A.3.b, A.5.a-A.6.b, A.8.a-A.12.b, A.14.a-A.19.b, A.21.a-A.23.b, 

A.26.a-A.26.b, A.27, B.5.a-B.5.b, B.15.a-B.15.b, D.4.a-D.4.b, E.1.a-E.4.b

Nonimmigrant visitors to the United States 65

Nonparticipating household head 65, Tables A.21.a-A.22.b, A.25.a-A.25.b

Participants 1, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 20, 23, 30, 47, 48, 51, 52, 60, 61, 67, 68, 69, 195, 200, 

Tables A.1.a-A.1.b, A.14.a-A.14.b, A.23.a-A.26.b, A.29, B.1.a-B.1.b, B.14.a-B.16.b

Poverty guidelines 4, 5, 21, 22, 46, 52, 53, 60, 62, 64, 65, Tables A.1.a-A.5.b, A.15.a-A.15.b, 

A.18.a-A.18.b, A.20.a-A.20.b, A.28, B.2.a-B.3.b, B.13.a-B.13.b, C.2, C.3

Poverty, individuals in 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 46, 47, Tables B.13.a-B.13.b

Pre-pandemic period 2, 11, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 35, 40, 43, 47, 48, 49, 

51, 52, 53, 54, 195, 196, 200, 202, 209, 211, 212

Preschool-age children 49, 50, 65, Tables A.1.b-A.2.b, A.5.a-A.5.b, A.9.a-A.10.b, 

A.17.a-A.19.b, A.23.a-A.23.b, A.26.a-A.26.b, B.14.a-B.14.b

Prorated benefit 47, 48, 49, 50

Pure Public Assistance (PA) 4, 57, 65, Tables B.12.a-B.12.b

Race/Hispanic status 49, 50, Tables A.21.a-A.21.b, A.23.a-A.23.b, B.10.a-B.10.b

Recertification 59, 60, Tables A.13.a-A.13.b

Refugees 9, 48, 65, 66, Tables A.22.a-A.23.b, B.16.a-B.16.b
210

..............................................................................................................

..............................................................................................

.................

......................................................

................................................................................................................................

................................................................

................................................ 

 

.....................................................................................

.....................................................................................

...............

............................

......................................................................

.............................................

...........................................................................................................

...........

...................................................................................................................

..........

.....

...........................................

.....................................................................................................................

..............................................................................

Resource limit 3, 5, 8, 60, 66

Rural 66, Tables A.1.a-A.2.b, C.5, C.6

School-age children 47, 48, 49, 50, 66, Tables A.1.a-A.2.b, A.5.a-A.5.b, A.9.a-A.10.b, 

A.17.a-A.19.b, A.23.a-A.23.b, B.14.a-B.14.b, E.1.a-E.3.b

Self-employment income 61, Tables A.6.a-A.7.b, A.25.a-A25.b

Sex ..See Gender

Shelter deduction ...See Excess shelter expense deduction

Single adult with children households 24, 25, 26, 31, 33, 40, 42, 66, 

Tables A.14.a-A.16.b, B.5.a-B.5.b

Single-person households 3, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 36, 37, 39, 40, 42, 43, 63, 66, Tables A.4.a-A.5.b, 

A.14.a-A.17.b, A.19.a-A.19.b, A.24.a-A.24.b, C.1-C.6

Social Security 25, 27, 28, 43, 44, 46, 63, 68

Social Security Administration (SSA) 13, 66

SSI-Combined Application Project (SSI-CAP) 11, 13, 57, 60, 61, 64, 66, 197, Table C.4

Standard deduction 6, 13, 61, 66, 67, Tables A.17.a-A.17.b, A.19.a-A.19.b, C.4

Standard error 207, 209, 211, 212, Tables E.1.a-E.4.b

Standard utility allowance (SUA) 7, 13, 57, 66, Tables B.11.a-B.11.b

State diversion payments 4, 68

States 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 51, 59, 60, 62, 63, 66, 67, 68, 195, 196, 197, 200, 

Tables A.29, B.1.a-B.6.b, B.8.a-B.8.b, B.10.a-B.16.b, C.1-C.6, D.2.a-D.2.b

Stay of deportation 65, 66

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) 4, 10, 13, 24, 27, 28, 29, 43, 44, 46, 57, 59, 63, 67, 68,

Tables A.1.a-A.2.b, A.6.a-A.10.b, A.16.a-A.20.b, A.27, B.6.a-B.6.b, C.4, E.3.a-E.3.b

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 14, 24, 25, 26, 31, 33, 35, 37, 

45, 52, 53, 57, 59, 66, 67, 68, Tables A.1.a-A.2.b, A.6.a-A.10.b, 

A.12.a-A.12.b, A.16.a-A.22.b, A.27, B.6.a-B.6.b, E.3.a-E.3.b

Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) 12, 57, 59, 63, 67, Tables A.24.a-A.24.b, C.5

Unearned income 60, 68

Unemployment income 9, 68, Tables A.6.a-A.7.b
211

................................................................................

..................................................................................

...........................................................................................................

...

......................................................................................

...............................................

..........................................................................

Veterans' benefits 9, 63, 68, Tables A.6.a-A.7.b

Wage supplementation 68, Tables A.6.a-A.7.b

Wages 61, Tables A.6.a-A.7.b

Waiver period 2, 11, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 33, 37, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 50, 51, 

52, 53, 65, 68, 195, 196, 200, 202, 209, 212

Work registration 63, Tables A.25.a-A.25.b

Work requirements 10, 11, 30, 59, 63, 67, 68, Tables B.15.a-B.15.b

Workers’ compensation 63, 68, Tables A.6.a-A.7.b