United States Department of Agriculture

Characteristics of Supplemental 

Nutrition Assistance Program 

Households: Fiscal Year 2019 

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Report No. SNAP-20-CHAR

Nutrition Assistance Program Report Series

Office of Policy Support
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
March 2021 

Supplemental Nutrition

Assistance Program

Report No. SNAP-20-CHAR

 

Characteristics of Supplemental

Nutrition Assistance Program 

Households: Fiscal Year 2019 

Author:

Kathryn Cronquist

Submitted by: Submitted to:

Mathematica Office of Policy Support

1100 1st Street NE, 12th Floor USDA, Food and Nutrition Service

Washington, DC 20002-4221 1320 Braddock Place

. Alexandria, VA 22314

Project Director: Joshua Leftin Project Officer: Barbara Murphy

This study was conducted under Contract Number 12-3198-20-F-0051 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 2019, 

by Kathryn Cronquist. Project Officer, Barbara Murphy. Alexandria, VA, 2021. 

United States Department of Agriculture

Kathryn Cronquist 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, Sarah Lauffer, 

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

Vigil, Katherine Bencio, and Joel Smith for providing programming support; Chrystine Tadler, 

Conor Duffy, and Robbie Skinner of Insight Policy Research for providing research assistance; 

and Anuja Pandit for preparing the manuscript. The author also thanks Melanie Meisenheimer, 

Barbara Murphy, Kameron Burt, Kathryn Law, Arpan Dasgupta, Merrit Gillard, Kari Hardgrove, 

Arthur Hoffman, Bill Jenkins, Clay Jones, Tim Kreh, Alexis Lometz, Miles Patrie, Jessica Luna, 

Solomon Mezgebu, Nadine Nichols, Morris Olitsky, Stephanie Proska, Billie Roye, Shamon 

Studmire, Lisa Tarrant-Gilbert, and Tom Tinnin of FNS for providing guidance and program 

information. 

March 2021

Author: Kathryn Cronquist

Mathematica Project Director: Joshua Leftin

Mathematica Project Number: 51070.600

FNS Project Officer: Barbara Murphy

FNS Contract Number: 12-3198-20-F-0051

vii

CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .........................................................................................................xv

SNAP PARTICIPATION AND COSTS ................................................................................................ xv

CHARACTERISTICS OF SNAP HOUSEHOLDS AND PARTICIPANTS .................................................. xv

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).................................................. 10

SNAP BENEFIT ISSUANCE ............................................................................................................. 10

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 ...................................................................................... 18

Households with Non-Elderly Individuals with Disabilities................................................... 19

OTHER HOUSEHOLDS SERVED BY SNAP....................................................................................... 19

Single-Person Households....................................................................................................... 24

CHARACTERISTICS OF SNAP PARTICIPANTS................................................................................. 24

CHANGES IN SNAP PARTICIPATION AND THE CHARACTERISTICS OF SNAP HOUSEHOLDS ......... 26

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

APPENDIX A DETAILED TABLES OF SNAP HOUSEHOLD 

CHARACTERISTICS.................................................................................................................39

APPENDIX A FOOTNOTES........................................................................................................ 75
viii

APPENDIX B DETAILED TABLES OF SNAP HOUSEHOLDS BY STATE....................81

APPENDIX B FOOTNOTES...................................................................................................... 101

APPENDIX C FISCAL YEAR 2019 SNAP PARAMETERS...............................................105

APPENDIX D SOURCE AND RELIABILITY OF ESTIMATES ......................................111

APPENDIX E SAMPLING ERROR OF ESTIMATES .......................................................121

APPENDIX F DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENT........................................................131

INDEX.........................................................................................................................................137
ix

TABLES

REPORT

Table 2.1. Major economic indicators, calendar years 2004–2019 ...............................................13

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

percentage of Federal poverty guidelines..........................................................................16

Table 3.2. Composition of households with select countable income types .................................21

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

composition........................................................................................................................22

Table 3.4. Average values of selected characteristics by household composition ........................23

Table 3.5. SNAP benefits of participants by selected demographic characteristics......................25

Table 3.6. Comparison of characteristics of participating individuals and households, 

fiscal years 2015–2019 ......................................................................................................26

Table 3.7. Nominal and real values of selected characteristics, fiscal year 2018 and fiscal 

year 2019............................................................................................................................28

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

household characteristic.....................................................................................................41

Table A.2. 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....................42

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

non-elderly individuals with disabilities by household characteristic ...............................43

Table A.4. 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..............................................................................................................44

Table A.5. 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 ...........................................45

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

non-elderly individuals with disabilities by type of countable income .............................46

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

participating households by type of countable income......................................................47

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

non-elderly individuals with disabilities by countable earned and unearned 

income amounts.................................................................................................................48

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

composition, countable income source, and SNAP benefit amount..................................50

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

composition, countable income source, and SNAP benefit amount..................................51

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

characteristics and amount of deduction............................................................................52
x

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

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

maximum benefit, and certification period........................................................................54

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

expedited service................................................................................................................55

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

household composition ......................................................................................................56

Table A.15. 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 .....................57

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

household composition ......................................................................................................59

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

and non-elderly individuals with disabilities by selected characteristics ..........................60

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

children, elderly individuals, and non-elderly individuals with disabilities......................62

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

income by selected characteristics.....................................................................................63

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

countable earned and unearned income .............................................................................64

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

characteristics by race and Hispanic status of household head..........................................65

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

with selected characteristics...............................................................................................66

Table A.23. SNAP participants by gender and selected demographic characteristics ..................67

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

household size....................................................................................................................68

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

participants by work registration status and employment status .......................................69

Table A.26. Work status of participants by age and household composition................................70

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

characteristics for fiscal years 1992–2019.........................................................................71

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

characteristics for fiscal years 1992–2019.........................................................................72

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

years 1992–2019 ................................................................................................................73

Table B.1. Distribution of participating households, individuals, and benefits by State...............83

Table B.2. Average values of selected characteristics by State.....................................................84

Table B.3. Distribution of participating households by poverty status and by State.....................85
xi

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

by State...............................................................................................................................86

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

State....................................................................................................................................87

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

and by State........................................................................................................................88

Table B.7. Average values of selected countable income sources by State ..................................89

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

and by State........................................................................................................................90

Table B.9. Distribution of entrant households with and without expedited service by State ........91

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

household head and by State..............................................................................................92

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

and by State........................................................................................................................93

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

assistance status and by State.............................................................................................94

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

effect of SNAP benefits on the poverty status of SNAP households ................................95

Table B.14. Distribution of participants by age and by State ........................................................96

Table B.15. Distribution of participants by disability status and by State.....................................97

Table B.16. Distribution of participants by citizenship status and by State ..................................98

Table B.17. Distribution of noncitizen participants by age and by State ....................................100

Table C.1. 2018 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) poverty income 

guidelines.........................................................................................................................107

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

fiscal year 2019................................................................................................................107

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

year 2019..........................................................................................................................108

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

deductions in the contiguous United States and outlying areas in fiscal year 2019 ........108

Table C.5. Value of maximum monthly SNAP benefit in the contiguous United States 

and outlying areas in fiscal year 2019..............................................................................109

Table C.6. Value of minimum monthly SNAP benefit in the contiguous United States and 

outlying areas in fiscal year 2019 ....................................................................................109

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

included in the edited file.................................................................................................114

Table D.2. Unweighted distribution of participating households by State ..................................116

Table D.3. Comparison of program data to edited SNAP QC data file.......................................118
xii

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

participating households..................................................................................................119

Table E.1. Standard errors of estimated numbers of SNAP households .....................................127

Table E.2. Square root of design effects (d) for standard errors of estimated numbers or 

percentages of SNAP households....................................................................................128

Table E.3. Standard errors of estimated means............................................................................129

Table E.4. Range of standard errors of mean amounts expressed as a percentage of the 

mean amount....................................................................................................................130
xiii

FIGURES

ES.1. Prevalence of income types for SNAP households.......................................................... xvi

ES.2. Households by composition and presence of earned income .......................................... xvi

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

individuals at or below 130 percent of poverty, calendar years 1985–2019 .....................12

3.1. Effect of SNAP benefits on the poverty status of SNAP households...........................17

3.2. SNAP participants by age group, fiscal years 2013–2019.................................................27

xv

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 describes the characteristics of SNAP 

households and participants nationwide in fiscal year 2019 (October 2018 through September 

2019). It also presents an overview of SNAP eligibility requirements and benefit levels in fiscal 

year 2019. The appendices provide detailed tabulations 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 the report. 

SNAP PARTICIPATION AND COSTS

During fiscal year 2019, SNAP provided benefits to approximately 35.7 million people 

living in 18.0 million households each month across the United States.1 The total Federal cost of 

the program in fiscal year 2019 was $60.4 billion, $55.6 billion of which went to SNAP benefits 

and the remainder to program administration.2 The average monthly SNAP benefit across all 

participating households in fiscal year 2019 was $258.

CHARACTERISTICS OF SNAP HOUSEHOLDS AND PARTICIPANTS

As measured by the 2018 Federal poverty guidelines issued by the U.S. Department of 

Health and Human Services (HHS), approximately 80 percent of SNAP households lived in 

poverty in fiscal year 2019. Thirty-six percent of SNAP households had gross incomes less than 

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

When the value of SNAP benefits is included as income, more than 9 percent of SNAP 

households would move above the poverty guidelines; 10 percent would move from below half 

to above half of the poverty guidelines. 

The average SNAP household had a gross monthly income of $872 and net monthly income 

of $398. SNAP households received income from a variety of sources (Figure ES.1). The most 

common source was Social Security, followed by earnings and Supplemental Security Income 

(SSI) benefits. Nineteen percent of SNAP households had zero gross income in fiscal year 2019, 

and 35 percent had zero net income. The percentages of SNAP households with both zero gross 

income and zero net income decreased slightly from fiscal year 2018. 

1 These data are based on FNS administrative records. Our imputations suggest that these values underestimate the 

counts of households and participants each by 6.7 percent. See Appendix D for more information. The remainder of 

this summary presents data derived from the SNAP Quality Control (QC) sample. 

2 The total cost of SNAP in fiscal year 2019 included $4.7 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 Benefit Transfer (EBT) systems, and program evaluation and 

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

Figure ES.1. Prevalence of income types for SNAP households

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

In fiscal year 2019, one in five (19 percent) SNAP households consisted exclusively of one 

or more non-elderly adults without disabilities and without children. In contrast, four in five 

households (81 percent) included a child, elderly individual, or individual with a disability and 

received 86 percent of all benefits. Nearly one-third of SNAP participants were non-elderly 

adults without disabilities. The rest were either children (43 percent), elderly adults (16 percent), 

or non-elderly adults with disabilities (11 percent). More than half (57 percent) of all 

participants, and nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of all non-elderly adult participants, were female. 

More than two-thirds (70 percent) of children were school age (age 5–17).

In fiscal year 2019, the average SNAP household size was 2.0 people. Households with 

children received an average monthly SNAP benefit of $387, reflecting their larger average 

household size. The average household with children had 3.3 people, compared with an average 

of 1.1 people for households without children. A majority (62 percent) of SNAP households with 

children were single-adult households. 

The number of SNAP households with elderly individuals increased in fiscal year 2019, 

even as the total number of SNAP households decreased. Consequently, the percentage of 

households with elderly individuals increased by 2 percentage points, from 26 percent in fiscal 

year 2018 to 28 percent in fiscal year 2019. Households with elderly individuals received an 

average monthly SNAP benefit of $120, reflecting their smaller than average size (1.2 people) 

and higher than average income compared to other SNAP households. Households with elderly 

individuals had an average gross income of $934, compared with $848 for households without 

elderly individuals. Eighty-three percent of SNAP households with elderly individuals consisted 

of one elderly individual living alone. 

The percentage of SNAP households with earned income varied across subgroups. Of the 39

percent of SNAP households that included children in fiscal year 2019, more than half (53

percent) had countable earned income. In contrast, of the 28 percent of SNAP households that 
xvii 

included elderly individuals, only 6 percent had countable earned income. Twenty-nine percent 

of households with adults age 18–49 without disabilities in childless households had earned 

income, and 11 percent of households that included non-elderly individuals with disabilities had 

earned income. While single-person households make up more than half of all SNAP 

households, only 13 percent of single-person households had earned income (Figure ES.2).

Figure ES.2. Households by composition and presence of earned income 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control 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). 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). According to FNS administrative records, during fiscal year 

2019, SNAP served an average of 35.7 million people each month,3

at a total annual cost of 

$60.4 billion, $55.6 billion of which went to SNAP benefits.4

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

Congress, and 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.5 As of September 2019, 242,768 retailers across the 

nation were authorized to accept SNAP benefits.

6

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

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

under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (FNA). FNS administers SNAP nationally, and 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 households 

and individuals participating in SNAP in fiscal year 2019. The report draws on data for 

participating households eligible for SNAP under normal program rules, and thus does not 

include information about those who were issued benefits mistakenly nor those who received 

disaster assistance.

7

3 Our imputations suggest that this value underestimates the count of participants by 6.7 percent. See Appendix D 

for more information. 

4 The total cost of SNAP in fiscal year 2019 included $4.7 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. 

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

any food sold for on-premise consumption. 

6 Separate from retailers, 4,868 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). 

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

earthquakes, floods, fires, or other disasters. About 19,000 households received disaster assistance at some time 

during fiscal year 2019. This number was calculated internally by Mathematica based on information provided by 

FNS and individual State reports. See Appendix D for more information on adjustments made to the data to remove 

disaster assistance recipients from the analyses. 
2

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 fiscal year 2019. We also provide a list of acronyms and 

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

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

characteristics in Appendix B. Appendix C contains the fiscal year 2019 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 SNAP QC 

data that form the basis of this report appears in Appendix F.
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 and 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 2019. The chapter concludes with a 

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

2019.

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, contains the uniform national eligibility standards for 

SNAP, which were 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 

provides higher income limits for certain high-cost areas, such as Alaska and Hawaii, and for 

households with members who are elderly or disabled and includes exceptions to the eligibility 

criteria for individuals who are categorically eligible (as defined in sections below).

8

The Household 

Under SNAP rules, a household is defined as an individual living 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.

9 The incomes and countable resources of household members applying 

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

8 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.

9 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 2019 SNAP gross and net monthly income limits 

were based on the 2018 poverty guidelines issued by HHS. See Appendix C for a list of the 2018 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 2019. In fiscal year 2019, 42 States and territories (including the District of Columbia, 

Guam, and the Virgin Islands) had a BBCE policy in effect for the full fiscal year, and one State, 

Mississippi, had a BBCE policy in place through June 30, 2019, but then revoked it. 

Income Eligibility Standards 

Monthly income is the most important 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.

10 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 not categorically 

eligible and not including 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 ($2,252 per month 

for a family of three in the contiguous United States in fiscal year 2019).11 Households with 

elderly members or individuals with disabilities are not subject to the gross income standard. All 

10 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. 

11 The fiscal year 2019 SNAP gross and net monthly income eligibility standards are based on the 2018 poverty 

guidelines issued by HHS. See Appendix C for more information. 
5 

households that are not categorically eligible must have a monthly net income at or below 100 

percent of the poverty guidelines ($1,732 per month for a family of three in the contiguous 

United States in fiscal year 2019). 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. 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:

12

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

household size. In fiscal year 2019, a household with one to three members living in 

the contiguous United States received a $164 deduction; larger households received a 

larger standard deduction based on household size. 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 2019, 

21 States had medical deduction demonstration programs that used standard deduction

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

limit.13 Medical expenses reimbursed by insurance or government programs are not 

deductible in any State. 

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

support payments made to or for 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 2019, 10 States excluded legally obligated 

child support payments from income, whereas 43 States treated child support 

payments as an income deduction. 

12 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.

13 For detailed information on these demonstrations, see Technical Documentation for the Fiscal Year 2019 SNAP 

QC Database and QC Minimodel (Cronquist et al. 2020). Available at https://snapqcdata.net/. 
6 

• 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 2019 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 $552 in fiscal year 2019. 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 and that were not 

claiming the excess shelter expense deduction and indexed the homeless shelter 

deduction to inflation. In fiscal year 2019, the value of the mandated homeless shelter 

deduction was $147.55.

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 2019, 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 

$4,650 or the equity value is counted.14 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 2019, more than half of all States and territories had adopted 

14 The equity of a vehicle is defined as its fair market value minus remaining liens. 
7 

rules that exclude all vehicles from the resource test, and most others 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, undocumented noncitizens, 

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

15

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 qualified alien for five years or more 

from the date of entry 

• Qualified alien children younger than age 18 

• Blind or disabled individuals receiving government benefits for their condition 

• Noncitizens who are 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 ages 16–59 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.16 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 

• 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 

15 These eligibility standards were in effect for most of fiscal year 2019. Effective June 14, 2019, a new rule also 

restricted the nonfinancial eligibility of other groups. The rule now explicitly states that individuals are deemed 

ineligible for SNAP benefits if they have been convicted of sexual assault or related charges, and are not in 

compliance with their sentence or are in violation of their parole. In addition, individuals with substantial lottery or 

gambling winnings are now prohibited from receiving SNAP benefits. 

16 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 working a minimum of 30 hours a 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 18–49, (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 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.17

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. 

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

To apply for SNAP benefits, households must complete an application and then (in most 

cases) participate in an interview required by the State. Depending on the State, households may 

apply for SNAP by providing the required information over the telephone or by completing a 

paper or online application. In 2019, 47 States 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. 

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) 

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 

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

workfare participants must work depends on the amount of benefits they receive each month. 
9 

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

18 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 2019, SNAP households were certified for 

benefits for an average of 15 months, up from an average of 14 months in fiscal year 2018.

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.

19 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 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.20 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 $505 in fiscal year 

2019 (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 

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 deduction amounts match or exceed 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.

21 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 2019, the minimum benefit for oneand two-person households in the contiguous United States was $15 (Appendix C).

18 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 SNAP ESAP 

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

19 For more detailed information on State options as of October 1, 2017, see the State Options Reports available at 

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

20 See Thrifty Food Plan reports at https://www.fns.usda.gov/cnpp/usda-food-plans-cost-food-reports-monthlyreports for more information. 

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

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 2019, 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.22 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, such as New York and South Dakota, 

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, SSICAP households in Florida, Massachusetts, and Washington received a SNAP benefit based on 

gross income, the standard deduction, a SUA, and a standardized high or low shelter expense 

deduction. SSI-CAP households do not receive any other income deductions.23

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 and 50 percent of the remaining earnings in fiscal year 2019. 

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 

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

once enrolled, may have earned income for up to three months 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.

23 For detailed information on SSI-CAP demonstrations, see Technical Documentation for the Fiscal Year 2019 

SNAP QC Database and QC Minimodel (Cronquist et al. 2020). Available at https://snapqcdata.net/. 
11

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 

Program changes in fiscal year 2019 included the following: 

• The 2018 Farm Bill mandated the existing State option to provide a standard shelter 

deduction to homeless households that had qualifying shelter expenses and that were 

not claiming the excess shelter expense deduction. 

• In response to a government shutdown, FNS issued a blanket waiver on January 10, 

2019, to allow States to issue February SNAP benefits early. 

• As of June 1, 2019, California discontinued its policy of providing SSI recipients with 

a small food assistance benefit through the State SSI supplement in lieu of deeming 

them eligible for SNAP. 

• As of June 14, 2019, SNAP Employment and Training programs must provide skill 

training for the current job market. 

• Also as of June 14, 2019, individuals convicted of sexual assault or related charges are 

ineligible for SNAP if they are not in compliance with parole requirements or the terms 

of their sentence, along with individuals with substantial lottery or gambling winnings. 

• Mississippi discontinued its BBCE policy as of July 1, 2019. 

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. Since 2013, there has been a 

steady decrease in SNAP participation. Average monthly SNAP participation declined from 40.8 

million individuals in fiscal year 2018 to 35.7 million individuals in fiscal year 2019.

24 Figure 

2.1 illustrates the changes in SNAP participation from calendar year 1985 to calendar year 2019 

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, and have fallen steadily each year thereafter. The decrease in total SNAP costs from 

fiscal year 2013 to fiscal year 2015 is largely a result of the decline in SNAP participation 

combined with lower average per-person benefits due to the expiration of the American 

Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) benefit increases at the beginning of fiscal 

24 These data are based on FNS administrative records. Our imputations suggest that the fiscal year 2019 values 

underestimate the counts of households and participants each by 6.7 percent. See Appendix D for more information. 
12

year 2014.25 However, costs have continued to fall since fiscal year 2015 and declined from 

$65.4 billion in fiscal year 2018 to $60.4 billion in fiscal year 2019. 

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

130 percent of poverty, calendar years 1985–2019 

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. 

a Annual values. 

b Average monthly values. 

25 This legislation, which took effect on April 1, 2009, temporarily increased the maximum benefit to 113.6 percent 

of the June 2008 Thrifty Food Plan. This provision expired on October 31, 2013. 
13

Table 2.1. Major economic indicators, calendar years 2004–2019 

 Calendar year 

Economic 

indicator 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Inflation rate a 2.7 3.1 3.1 2.7 1.9 0.8 1.2 2.1 1.9 1.8 1.8 1.0 1.0 1.9 2.4 1.8 

Interest rate b 5.6 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 

Productivity 

increase c 3.0 2.2 1.1 1.6 1.1 3.6 3.3 -0.1 0.8 0.9 0.7 1.5 0.4 1.3 1.6 1.7 

Real GDP 

increase d,e 3.8 3.5 2.9 1.9 -0.1 -2.5 2.6 1.6 2.2 1.8 2.5 3.1 1.7 2.3 3.0 2.2 

SNAP 

participants f,g

(000) 24,413 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 39,748 35,286 

Unemployed 

individuals f (000) 8,140 7,579 6,991 7,073 8,948 14,295 14,808 13,739 12,499 11,457 9,602 8,294 7,757 6,979 6,308 5,989 

Unemployment 

rateh 5.5 5.1 4.6 4.6 5.8 9.3 9.6 8.9 8.1 7.4 6.2 5.3 4.9 4.3 3.9 3.7 

Individuals below 

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

Number (000) 37,937 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 34,797 

Percentage of 

total population 13.0 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 10.7 

Individuals at or 

below 130 percent 

of poverty level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Number (000) 53,413 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 50,021 

Percentage of 

total population 18.3 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 15.4 

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. Our imputations suggest that the fiscal year 2019 value underestimates the count of participants by 6.7 percent. 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.26 In fiscal 

year 2019, SNAP provided benefits to an average of 37.2 million people living in 18.8 million 

households each month.

27 Most SNAP households (81 percent) included either a child (younger 

than age 18), an elderly individual (age 60 or older), or a non-elderly individual with a disability. 

The average SNAP household received a monthly benefit of $234, had gross monthly income of 

$872, and had net monthly income of $398.

28 The average SNAP household size was 2.0 

individuals in fiscal year 2019.

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 2018 to fiscal year 2019. 

THE POVERTY STATUS OF SNAP HOUSEHOLDS

In fiscal year 2019, the average SNAP household had gross monthly income that was 

slightly less than 65 percent of the poverty guidelines (Appendix Table A.2).29, 30 Eighty percent 

of households had gross monthly income that was less than or equal to the Federal poverty 

guidelines, 52 percent had gross monthly income that was less than or equal to 75 percent of the 

poverty guidelines, and 36 percent had gross monthly income that was less than or equal to 50 

percent of the guidelines (Table 3.1). 

SNAP effectively targets benefits to the neediest households—poorer households receive 

greater SNAP benefits than those with more income. The 36 percent of all SNAP households 

with gross monthly income less than or equal to 50 percent of the Federal poverty guidelines in 

fiscal year 2019 received 54 percent of all benefits. In contrast, the 20 percent of households with 

a gross monthly income above the poverty guidelines received only 8 percent of all benefits 

(Table 3.1). 

26 The information in this chapter and the estimates in Appendices A and B are based on 43,258 households from the 

fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample (see Appendix Table D.2). 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. 

27 The estimates of 37.2 million participants and 18.8 million households differ from the number of SNAP 

participants and households in FNS administrative records (35.7 million and 18.0 million, respectively) because the 

sample estimates are adjusted to exclude receipt of benefits by ineligible households and those receiving disaster 

assistance, and to account for incomplete program data. These adjustments also affect household average monthly 

benefits, which are $234 in the SNAP QC data, compared with $258 in FNS administrative records (Appendix D 

provides details). 

28 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. 

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

A.8. 

30 See Appendix Table C.1 for the poverty guidelines. 
16

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

guidelines 

 

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 

25 percent or less 26.0 26.0 35.4 35.4 

26 to 50 percent 10.1 36.1 18.2 53.6 

51 to 75 percent 15.6 51.7 19.2 72.8 

76 to 100 percent 28.4 80.0 19.0 91.8 

101 to 130 percent 13.4 93.4 6.6 98.4 

131 percent or more 6.6 100.0 1.6 100.0 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample. 

Note: Estimates may not sum to 100 percent due to rounding. 

a Defined as the fiscal year 2019 SNAP net income screen (Appendix Table C.3).

The impact 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.31 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, 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. 

31 This comparison assumes that program participants value their SNAP benefits at face value. 
17

Figure 3.1. Effect of SNAP benefits on the poverty status of SNAP households 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample. 

a Defined as the fiscal year 2019 SNAP net income screen (Appendix Table C.3).

HOUSEHOLDS WITH GREATER NEEDS

About one in five (19 percent) of SNAP households consisted exclusively of one or more 

non-elderly adults without disabilities and without children. In contrast, four in five households 

(81 percent)—which contained 90 percent of all participants—included a child, an elderly 

individual, or a non-elderly individual with a disability. These households received 86 percent of 

all SNAP benefits (Appendix Table A.14).32

Households with Children 

In fiscal year 2019, SNAP served an average of 7.4 million households with children each 

month, representing 39 percent of all SNAP households. Seventy-four percent of SNAP 

households with earned income contained children, whereas 53 percent of households with 

children had earned income (Tables 3.2 and 3.3). Ten percent of households with children 

received TANF cash benefits, and 2 percent received a combination of TANF and earnings. 

Among all households with children, 1.4 million (19 percent) received child support (Appendix 

Table A.6). Compared with other SNAP households, those with children received a relatively 

high average SNAP benefit of $387 per month, in large part because the average household size 

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

among all SNAP households (2.0 people) (Table 3.4).

In fiscal year 2019, more than half (62 percent) of SNAP households with children were 

headed by single adults, accounting for 25 percent of all SNAP households. Sixteen percent of 

SNAP households with children had a married head of household, accounting for 6 percent of all 

32 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

SNAP households. The remaining SNAP households with children contained nonmarried 

multiple adults (11 percent) or children only (11 percent) (Table 3.3). 

With respect to earnings and TANF income, the sources of 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 4.6 million SNAP 

households with children that were headed by a single adult, 45 percent had earned income, and 

about 11 percent received TANF. In contrast, of the 1.2 million SNAP households with children 

that were headed by a married couple, 73 percent had earned income, and 6 percent received 

TANF. Among SNAP households with children that were headed by a single adult, 18 percent 

had zero gross income, which is similar to the national percentage of SNAP households with 

zero gross income. Among households with children that were headed by a married couple, 8 

percent had zero gross income. In terms of receipt of SSI and Social Security income, the 

characteristics of these households were more similar. About 13 percent of SNAP households 

with children that were headed by a single adult received SSI, compared with 12 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, 10 percent received Social Security 

income, compared to 11 percent of SNAP households with children that were headed by a 

married couple (Table 3.3).

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

than that of married-head households with children ($373 versus $440), because of the smaller 

size of single-adult households. However, the benefit per person was higher for people in singleadult households with children than for people in married-head households with children ($123

versus $96), because single-adult households were poorer. Single-adult households with children 

had a substantially lower gross monthly income than married-head households with children 

($955 versus $1,680) (Table 3.4). 

Households with Elderly Individuals 

In fiscal year 2019, SNAP served a monthly average of about 5.3 million households with 

elderly individuals (Table 3.2), compared with an average of 5.1 million households each month 

in fiscal year 2018.

33 This increase is particularly notable because the overall SNAP caseload 

dropped by 925,000 households during the same time period. Consequently, in fiscal year 2019, 

households with elderly individuals represented 28 percent of all SNAP households, up from 26

percent in fiscal year 2018 (Appendix Table A.27). Households with elderly individuals had an 

average household size of 1.2 people (Table 3.4). 

In fiscal year 2019, the average SNAP benefit for households with elderly individuals was 

$120, compared to $279 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 $934 and $440, 

respectively—than households without elderly individuals ($848 and $383, respectively). 

33 Fiscal year 2018 data have been revised due to corrected Program Operations data. See Appendix D for more 

information. 
19

Second, elderly SNAP recipients often lived alone and thus were eligible for smaller maximum 

benefit amounts than were other households (Appendix Table A.2).

34

In fiscal year 2019, 83 percent of all SNAP households with elderly individuals were singleperson households (Table 3.2). Elderly SNAP recipients who lived alone received an average 

SNAP benefit of $104 per month, compared to $163 for multi-person households composed of 

only elderly individuals and $239 for multi-person households with both elderly and non-elderly 

individuals (Appendix Table A.15). The average size of households with elderly individuals not 

living alone was 2.3 people (Table 3.4). 

A majority of SNAP households with elderly individuals received either SSI or Social 

Security income. In fiscal year 2019, 35 percent of all SNAP households with elderly individuals 

received SSI, 70 percent received Social Security income, and 87 percent received income from 

at least one of those two sources. Eighteen percent of households with elderly individuals 

received both SSI and Social Security income (Appendix Table A.6). SNAP households with 

elderly individuals represented 42 percent of all SNAP households with SSI and 63 percent of all 

SNAP households with Social Security income (Table 3.2). Seven percent of households with 

elderly individuals had no income (Table 3.3). 

Households with Non-Elderly Individuals with Disabilities 

In fiscal year 2019, SNAP served a monthly average of 4.0 million households with nonelderly individuals with disabilities.

35 These households represented 21 percent of all SNAP 

households and received an average monthly SNAP benefit of $177 (Tables 3.2 and 3.4). 

Sixty-four percent of SNAP households with non-elderly individuals with disabilities were 

single-person households (Table 3.2). These single-person households had an average benefit of 

$107. Non-elderly individuals with disabilities who did not live alone resided in households with 

an average of 3.2 individuals and a per-person benefit of $95 (Table 3.4). Sixty-seven percent of 

households with non-elderly individuals with disabilities received SSI, and 50 percent received 

Social Security income (Table 3.3). SNAP households with non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities represented 60 percent of all SNAP households with SSI and 34 percent of all SNAP 

households with Social Security income (Table 3.2). 

OTHER HOUSEHOLDS SERVED BY SNAP 

In fiscal year 2019, 19 percent of SNAP households (3.5 million households) consisted 

exclusively of one or more non-elderly adults without disabilities and without children (Table 

3.2). These households tended to be single-person households (94 percent) and had a very low 

average gross monthly income ($300). Fifty-eight percent of these households had zero gross 

income, and more than one-fourth (27 percent) had earned income. Households consisting 

exclusively of one or more non-elderly adults without disabilities received an average SNAP 

benefit of $180 per month (Tables 3.3 and 3.4). 

34 In this report, we use the term “living alone” to refer to individuals who reside in single-person SNAP households, 

although others may live in the same residential unit. 

35 See “Individuals with disabilities” in the Definitions section of this report following this chapter.
20

Within this group, 2.5 million SNAP households (13 percent of all households) contained 

one or more adults ages 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 (85 percent). Fifty-two percent of these households had zero gross 

income, and 29 percent had earned income (Table 3.3).
21

Table 3.2. Composition of households with select countable income types 

 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 18,802 100.0 5,384 100.0 5,871 100.0 4,462 100.0 3,480 100.0 799 100.0 613 100.0 

Children 7,420 39.5 3,961 73.6 732 12.5 931 20.9 1,101 31.6 765 95.8 136 22.2 

Single-adult household 4,621 24.6 2,077 38.6 471 8.0 591 13.2 845 24.3 524 65.6 104 17.0 

Multiple-adult household 1,994 10.6 1,329 24.7 248 4.2 304 6.8 178 5.1 141 17.6 28 4.6 

Married-head 1,155 6.1 848 15.7 127 2.2 142 3.2 93 2.7 65 8.1 7 1.2 

Other multiple-adult 838 4.5 481 8.9 122 2.1 162 3.6 85 2.4 76 9.5 21 3.4 

Children only 805 4.3 556 10.3 12 0.2 36 0.8 78 2.3 100 12.5 4 0.6 

Elderly individuals 5,289 28.1 336 6.2 3,716 63.3 1,857 41.6 361 10.4 42 5.2 178 29.0 

Living alone 4,387 23.3 205 3.8 3,054 52.0 1,563 35.0 326 9.4 4 0.5 149 24.4 

Not living alone 902 4.8 131 2.4 661 11.3 294 6.6 35 1.0 38 4.7 29 4.7 

Non-elderly individuals 

with disabilities 3,959 21.1 438 8.1 1,989 33.9 2,659 59.6 2 0.1 165 20.6 122 19.9 

Living alone 2,544 13.5 129 2.4 1,405 23.9 1,584 35.5 1 0.0 2 0.2 62 10.1 

Not living alone 1,415 7.5 309 5.7 584 9.9 1,076 24.1 1 0.0 163 20.4 60 9.8 

Other householdsc 3,511 18.7 960 17.8 22 0.4 1 0.0 2,022 58.1 26 3.3 235 38.4 

Single-person 3,289 17.5 834 15.5 7 0.1 1 0.0 1,969 56.6 19 2.4 231 37.8 

Multi-person 222 1.2 125 2.3 15 0.3 - - 53 1.5 7 0.9 4 0.6 

Adults age 18–49 without 

disabilities in childless 

householdsd 2,458 13.1 717 13.3 109 1.9 95 2.1 1,288 37.0 28 3.5 151 24.6

Living alone 2,079 11.1 558 10.4 3 0.0 0 0.0 1,235 35.5 19 2.3 138 22.6 

Not living alone 379 2.0 159 3.0 106 1.8 95 2.1 53 1.5 10 1.2 12 2.0 

Single-person

households 10,452 55.6 1,309 24.3 4,472 76.2 3,149 70.6 2,327 66.9 63 7.9 443 72.3 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control 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. 
22

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

 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 18,802 100.0 5,384 28.6 5,871 31.2 4,462 23.7 3,480 18.5 799 4.2 613 3.3 

Children 7,420 39.5 3,961 53.4 732 9.9 931 12.5 1,101 14.8 765 10.3 136 1.8 

Single-adult 

household 4,621 24.6 2,077 44.9 471 10.2 591 12.8 845 18.3 524 11.3 104 2.3 

Multiple-adult 

household 1,994 10.6 1,329 66.6 248 12.5 304 15.2 178 8.9 141 7.1 28 1.4 

Married-head 1,155 6.1 848 73.4 127 11.0 142 12.3 93 8.0 65 5.6 7 0.6 

Other multipleadult 838 4.5 481 57.4 122 14.5 162 19.3 85 10.1 76 9.0 21 2.5 

Children only 805 4.3 556 69.1 12 1.5 36 4.5 78 9.7 100 12.4 4 0.5 

Elderly individuals 5,289 28.1 336 6.4 3,716 70.2 1,857 35.1 361 6.8 42 0.8 178 3.4 

Living alone 4,387 23.3 205 4.7 3,054 69.6 1,563 35.6 326 7.4 4 0.1 149 3.4 

Not living alone 902 4.8 131 14.5 661 73.3 294 32.6 35 3.9 38 4.2 29 3.2 

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities 3,959 21.1 438 11.1 1,989 50.2 2,659 67.2 2 0.1 165 4.2 122 3.1 

Living alone 2,544 13.5 129 5.1 1,405 55.2 1,584 62.3 1 0.1 2 0.1 62 2.4 

Not living alone 1,415 7.5 309 21.8 584 41.2 1,076 76.0 1 0.1 163 11.5 60 4.2 

Other householdsc 3,511 18.7 960 27.3 22 0.6 1 0.0 2,022 57.6 26 0.8 235 6.7 

Single-person 3,289 17.5 834 25.4 7 0.2 1 0.0 1,969 59.9 19 0.6 231 7.0 

Multi-person 222 1.2 125 56.5 15 6.9 - - 53 24.0 7 3.3 4 1.6 

Adults age 18–49

without disabilities 

in childless 

householdsd 2,458 13.1 717 29.2 109 4.4 95 3.9 1,288 52.4 28 1.1 151 6.1 

Living alone 2,079 11.1 558 26.8 3 0.1 0 0.0 1,235 59.4 19 0.9 138 6.7 

Not living alone 379 2.0 159 42.0 106 28.0 95 25.0 53 13.9 10 2.5 12 3.2 

Single-person

households 10,452 55.6 1,309 12.5 4,472 42.8 3,149 30.1 2,327 22.3 63 0.6 443 4.2 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control 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. 
23

Table 3.4. Average values of selected characteristics by household composition 

 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 872 398 234 118 2.0 

Children 1,093 526 387 117 3.3 

Single-adult household 955 445 373 123 3.0 

Male adult 868 423 334 125 2.7 

Female adult 962 447 376 123 3.1 

Multiple-adult household 1,519 818 449 102 4.4 

Married-head 1,680 926 440 96 4.6 

Other multiple-adult 1,296 670 462 111 4.2 

Children only 838 261 315 139 2.3 

Elderly individuals 934 440 120 99 1.2 

Living alone 855 373 104 104 1.0 

Not living alone 1,316 739 198 86 2.3 

Non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 1,054 500 177 100 1.8 

Living alone 893 345 107 107 1.0 

Not living alone 1,342 760 303 95 3.2 

Other householdsc 300 110 180 167 1.1 

Single-person 263 92 173 173 1.0 

Multi-person 850 383 283 130 2.2 

Single-person households 670 267 128 128 1.0 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample. 

a Because net income is not used in their benefit determinations, 22,406 MFIP households and 575,336 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.
24

Single-Person Households 

In fiscal year 2019, 56 percent of SNAP households were composed of a single person 

(Table 3.2).36 These households received an average monthly SNAP benefit of $128 (Table 3.4). 

A slight majority of these individuals (56 percent) were female (Appendix Table A.24), 42

percent were elderly, and 24 percent were non-elderly individuals with disabilities (Appendix 

Table A.17). Compared with all SNAP households, a relatively small proportion of single-person 

SNAP households had earned income (13 percent versus 29 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 received Social Security income, compared with 31 percent 

of all SNAP households. In addition, 30 percent of single-person households received SSI 

income, as compared to 24 percent of all SNAP households (Table 3.3). 

CHARACTERISTICS OF SNAP PARTICIPANTS

In fiscal year 2019, 43 percent of SNAP participants were children, and they received 

42 percent of prorated SNAP benefits.

37 More than two-thirds (70 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 3.5). 

Sixty-four percent of non-elderly adults and 62 percent of elderly individuals were female. 

Nearly 9 percent of SNAP participants were foreign born—5 percent were naturalized citizens, 1 

percent were refugees, and 3 percent were other noncitizens (lawful permanent residents and 

other eligible noncitizens). Seven percent of all SNAP participants were citizen children living 

with noncitizen adults (Appendix Table A.23).

38

36 These individuals apply for SNAP benefits for themselves only. Other people may live in the household. 

37 Prorated benefits equal the benefits paid to households multiplied by the ratio of participants with selected 

characteristic to total household size. 

38 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. 
25

Table 3.5. SNAP benefits of participants by selected demographic characteristics 

 Total participants Prorated benefitsa

Participant characteristic 

Number 

(000) Percent 

Number 

(000) Percent 

Total 37,202 100.0 4,400,590 100.0 

Age . . . 

Children 15,871 42.7 1,868,639 42.5 

Preschool-age children 4,822 13.0 598,438 13.6 

0–1 year 1,783 4.8 227,412 5.2 

2–4 years 3,040 8.2 371,026 8.4 

School-age children 11,049 29.7 1,270,201 28.9 

5–7 years 2,843 7.6 334,927 7.6 

8–11 years 3,734 10.0 433,030 9.8 

12–15 years 3,170 8.5 355,989 8.1 

16–17 years 1,302 3.5 146,255 3.3 

Non-elderly adults (age 18–59) 15,532 41.7 1,955,608 44.4 

Elderly adults (60 or older) 5,800 15.6 576,343 13.1 

Citizenship . . . . 

U.S.-born citizen 33,906 91.1 4,003,361 91.0 

Naturalized citizen 1,861 5.0 220,355 5.0 

Refugee 295 0.8 31,425 0.7 

Other noncitizen 1,141 3.1 145,448 3.3 

Citizen children living with noncitizen adultsb 2,470 6.6 313,285 7.1 

Non-elderly individuals with disabilities 4,182 11.2 420,486 9.6 

Children with disabilities 562 1.5 51,831 1.2 

Non-elderly adults with disabilities 3,619 9.7 368,655 8.4 

Adults age 18–49 without disabilities in 

childless householdsc 2,610 7.0 423,191 9.6 

Race and Hispanic status 

White, not Hispanic 13,596 36.5 1,550,639 35.2 

African American, not Hispanic 9,611 25.8 1,168,768 26.6 

Hispanic, any race 5,947 16.0 736,310 16.7 

Asian, not Hispanic 1,221 3.3 154,614 3.5 

Native American, not Hispanic 542 1.5 66,839 1.5 

Multiple races reported, not Hispanic 296 0.8 37,122 0.8 

Race unknown 5,989 16.1 686,298 15.6

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control 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.
26

CHANGES IN SNAP PARTICIPATION AND THE CHARACTERISTICS OF SNAP HOUSEHOLDS

SNAP participation has steadily declined in recent years, from 45.2 million participants in 

fiscal year 2015 to about 37.2 million participants in fiscal year 2019. Over the same period, the 

number of SNAP households decreased from 22.3 million to 18.8 million. The number of SNAP 

participants decreased by 5.9 percent from 2018 to 2019, and the number of SNAP households 

decreased by 4.7 percent (Table 3.6). 

Table 3.6. Comparison of characteristics of participating individuals and households, fiscal years 2015–2019 

 Fiscal year 

Characteristic 2015 2016 2017 2018a 2019

Participants 

Total (000) 45,184 43,539 41,491 39,519 37,202

Characteristic (percent) 

Children 44.0 44.1 43.5 43.7 42.7 

Elderly individuals 10.6 11.8 13.1 14.1 15.6 

Non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 11.7 10.7 10.9 10.9 11.2 

Adults age 18–49 without 

disabilities in childless 

households 10.2 8.8 7.8 7.2 7.0 

Households 

Total (000) 22,293 21,511 20,597 19,727 18,802 

Characteristic (percent) 

Zero gross income 22.2 20.4 19.0 19.0 18.5 

Zero net income 39.6 37.2 35.7 35.3 35.1 

Earned income 31.8 31.9 31.4 30.2 28.6 

TANF income 5.8 5.1 4.9 4.5 4.2 

Minimum benefit 7.2 8.1 8.8 9.5 10.3 

Maximum benefit 41.1 38.5 37.2 36.5 36.4 

Average gross income as a 

percentage of poverty 

guidelines 58.9 60.8 62.6 63.2 64.7 

Average household size 2.03 2.02 2.01 2.00 1.98 

Sources: Fiscal years 2015 to 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control samples. 

a Fiscal year 2018 data have been revised due to corrected Program Operations data. See Appendix D for more information. 

The composition of the SNAP caseload changed between fiscal year 2013 and fiscal year 

2019. The percentage of participants who were elderly increased continuously over that period, 

from 9.3 to 15.6 percent, with corresponding decreases in the percentage of participants who 

were non-elderly adults (from 46.4 to 41.7 percent), and the percentage who were children (from 

44.4 percent in fiscal year 2013 to 42.7 percent in fiscal year 2019; Figure 3.2). 
27

Figure 3.2. SNAP participants by age group, fiscal years 2013–2019 

Source: Fiscal years 2013 - 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control samples.

a Fiscal year 2018 data have been revised due to corrected Program Operations data. See Appendix D for more information. 

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 58.9 in fiscal year 2015 to 64.7 percent in fiscal year 

2019. Not surprisingly, the percentage of households receiving the minimum benefit increased 

from fiscal year 2015 to fiscal year 2019, as the percentage of households receiving the 

maximum benefit decreased. The percentage of households with TANF income decreased each 

year from fiscal year 2015 to fiscal year 2019 (Table 3.6). 

As the average household size decreased and the average gross income and net income 

increased, the average household benefit decreased. The average household size decreased very 

slightly, from 2.00 in fiscal year 2018 to 1.98 in fiscal year 2019. The average gross income per 

person and the average net income per person increased in both nominal and real value from 

fiscal year 2018 to fiscal year 2019. As both the gross and net income per person increased over 

that period, both the average gross income per household and the average net income per 

household increased as well. The average household benefit decreased in real dollars, from $239 

in fiscal year 2018 to $234 in fiscal year 2019 (Tables 3.6 and 3.7). 
28

Table 3.7. Nominal and real values of selected characteristics, fiscal year 2018 and fiscal year 2019 

 

Fiscal year 

2018

d 

Fiscal year 

2019 

Characteristic 

Nominal 

value 

Real value 

(in fiscal year 

2019 dollars) 

Nominal 

value 

Percentage 

change in 

nominal values 

Percentage 

change in real 

values 

Average gross income a . . . . . 

Per household $852 $868 $872 +2.4 +0.5 

Per person 517 527 540 +4.5 +2.6 

Average net income a . . . . . 

Per household 389 396 398 +2.4 +0.4 

Per person 218 222 227 +4.4 +2.5 

Average total deduction a 563 574 578 +2.5 +0.6 

Average household benefit

 b 239 240 234 -1.9 -2.6 

Maximum household benefit 

for a family of four b,c 640 644 642 +0.3 -0.4 

Consumer price index (CPI) . . . . . 

All items 249.7 . 254.4 +1.9 . 

Food at home 239.4 . 241.2 +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 2018 and fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance 

Program Quality Control samples. 

a Real values are in constant fiscal year 2019 dollars. Fiscal year 2018 values were inflated by the change in the CPI-U for 

all items between fiscal year 2018 and fiscal year 2019 (+1.9 percent). 

b Real values are in constant fiscal year 2019 dollars. Fiscal year 2018 values were inflated by the change in the CPI-U for 

food at home between fiscal year 2018 and fiscal year 2019 (+0.7 percent). 

c The maximum benefit values were based on 100 percent of the cost of the Thrifty Food Plan in June 2018 for a family of 

four living in the 48 contiguous States or the District of Columbia. 

d Fiscal year 2018 data have been revised due to corrected Program Operations data. See Appendix D for more information. 
ACRONYMS AND DEFINITIONS

31

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 

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 

33

DEFINITIONS

Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 

(2018 Farm Bill). This legislation, signed on 

December 20, 2018, reauthorized SNAP 

through fiscal year 2023. It maintained the 

program’s basic eligibility guidelines and 

work requirements while providing 

additional funding for enhanced employment 

and training activities. The bill also provided 

additional funding to promote healthy eating

and expanded antifraud efforts, particularly

across States. 

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act 

of 2009 (ARRA). This legislation, which 

took effect on April 1, 2009, temporarily 

increased the maximum benefit to 113.6 

percent 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/Maintenance of 

Effort, 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 

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.
34

Deductions. Allowable deductions from a 

household’s gross monthly income used to 

calculate SNAP net monthly income. The 

deduction amounts to which households were 

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 2019.) 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.

Entrant households. Households newly 

certified during fiscal year 2019 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.

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.

Gross income limit. SNAP monthly gross 

income eligibility standards, determined by 

household size; 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 shelter 

deduction is indexed to inflation; in fiscal 

year 2019, the value of the homeless shelter 

deduction was $147.55.
35

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. Under SNAP 

rules, a disabled individual is defined as one 

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. In this report, individuals with 

disabilities are those younger than age 60

who (1) were SSI recipients; (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 

to participate 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 for permanent resident 

status. 

Married-head households. Households with 

a spouse present or with a head of household

in a unit with spouse outside of the unit.

Maximum benefit. SNAP benefits are 

calculated by subtracting 30 percent of a 

household’s net income from the maximum 

possible benefit amount to which it is entitled 

based on household size. The maximum 

benefit is 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. The maximum 

benefit is uniform throughout the contiguous 

United States but is different for Hawaii, 

Alaska, the Virgin Islands, and Guam. 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 individual or individual 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 

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 
36

integration with the core, as measured by 

commuting ties.

Minimum benefit. Amount guaranteed to all 

eligible one- and two-person units except 

during the initial month of participation. The 

minimum benefit for all one- and two-person 

units 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, 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). Unauthorized aliens are not 

eligible to receive SNAP benefits, but they 

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 

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 unmarried household head

and two or more adults.

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 that use income eligibility.

They are developed on the basis of the 

poverty thresholds issued by the Census 

Bureau. Dividing the guidelines by 12 and 

rounding up to the nearest dollar yields the 

monthly net income limits for SNAP. See 

also Appendix C.

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 2019. 

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 
37

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.

Standard medical deduction

demonstrations. State programs that use a 

standard deduction amount for households 

with medical expenses below a specified 

limit. 

Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Federal income supplement program that 

provides cash assistance to low-income 

elderly individuals and non-elderly 

individuals with disabilities.

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 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.

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 

plan, and the USDA 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. In 

this report, all adults meeting this definition, 

regardless of exemption status, are identified 
38

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 to which SNAP 

households are entitled. In some cases, the 

total deduction exceeds the amount deducted 

from gross income because net income may 

not be less than zero. See also Deductions. 

Unearned income. Includes TANF, GA, 

SSI, Social Security, unemployment benefits, 

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. 

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 rules 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 

• 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.

41

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

 

SNAP 

households 

Participants in 

households with 

household characteristic 

Monthly SNAP 

 benefits 

Household characteristic 

Number 

(000) Percent 

Number 

(000) Percent 

Number 

(000) Percent 

Total 18,802 100.0 37,202 100.0 4,400,590 100.0 

Household composition 

Children 7,420 39.5 24,562 66.0 2,871,298 65.2 

School-age 5,984 31.8 20,975 56.4 2,395,849 54.4 

Preschool-age 3,601 19.2 12,987 34.9 1,547,840 35.2 

No children 11,382 60.5 12,640 34.0 1,529,292 34.8 

Elderly individuals 5,289 28.1 6,461 17.4 636,749 14.5 

No elderly individuals 13,513 71.9 30,741 82.6 3,763,841 85.5 

Non-elderly individuals with disabilities 3,959 21.1 7,052 19.0 702,163 16.0 

No non-elderly individuals with disabilities 14,843 78.9 30,150 81.0 3,698,427 84.0 

Adults age 18–49 without disabilities in 

childless householdsa 2,458 13.1 2,924 7.9 457,585 10.4 

No adults age 18–49 without disabilities in 

childless households 16,344 86.9 34,279 92.1 3,943,005 89.6 

Noncitizens 1,007 5.4 2,288 6.2 267,002 6.1 

No noncitizens 17,795 94.6 34,914 93.8 4,133,588 93.9 

Locality 

Metropolitan 15,420 82.0 30,412 81.7 3,634,547 82.6 

Micropolitanb 1,837 9.8 3,730 10.0 425,492 9.7 

Rural 1,153 6.1 2,339 6.3 255,958 5.8 

Unknown locality 392 2.1 721 1.9 84,593 1.9 

Countable Income Source 

Gross income 15,322 81.5 31,462 84.6 3,396,522 77.2 

No gross income 3,480 18.5 5,740 15.4 1,004,068 22.8 

Net income 11,603 61.7 25,073 67.4 2,290,602 52.1 

No net income 6,601 35.1 11,491 30.9 2,021,823 45.9 

Not applicablec 598 3.2 638 1.7 88,165 2.0 

Earned income 5,384 28.6 15,556 41.8 1,567,588 35.6 

No earned income 13,418 71.4 21,646 58.2 2,833,002 64.4 

Unearned income 11,666 62.0 21,310 57.3 2,300,929 52.3 

No unearned income 7,136 38.0 15,892 42.7 2,099,661 47.7 

TANF 799 4.2 2,473 6.6 311,407 7.1 

No TANF 18,003 95.8 34,729 93.4 4,089,183 92.9 

GA 613 3.3 952 2.6 130,173 3.0 

No GA 18,189 96.7 36,250 97.4 4,270,417 97.0 

SSI 4,462 23.7 7,239 19.5 778,569 17.7 

No SSI 14,340 76.3 29,963 80.5 3,622,021 82.3 

Social Security 5,871 31.2 8,172 22.0 719,300 16.3 

No Social Security 12,931 68.8 29,030 78.0 3,681,290 83.7 

Gross countable income as a percentage 

of poverty guidelines 

No gross income 3,480 18.5 5,740 15.4 1,004,068 22.8 

25 percent or lessd 1,404 7.5 3,335 9.0 553,841 12.6 

26 to 50 percent 1,897 10.1 5,367 14.4 799,462 18.2 

51 to 75 percent 2,934 15.6 6,883 18.5 844,897 19.2 

76 to 100 percent 5,332 28.4 8,605 23.1 837,378 19.0 

101 to 130 percent 2,512 13.4 5,222 14.0 292,500 6.6 

131 percent or greater 1,245 6.6 2,051 5.5 68,444 1.6 

SNAP benefit 

Minimum benefit 1,938 10.3 2,276 6.1 29,107 0.7 

Maximum benefit 6,835 36.4 11,725 31.5 2,066,807 47.0 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample. 
42

Table A.2. 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 

 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 64.7 872 398 578 234 2.0 14.7 

Household composition 

Children 58.9 1,093 526 667 387 3.3 10.0 

School-age 60.7 1,161 571 682 400 3.5 10.1 

Preschool-age 55.1 1,091 515 683 430 3.6 9.7 

No children 68.5 728 311 516 134 1.1 17.7 

Elderly individuals 85.4 934 440 572 120 1.2 21.0 

No elderly individuals 56.7 848 383 580 279 2.3 12.2 

Non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 84.0 1,054 500 591 177 1.8 17.9 

No non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 59.6 824 371 574 249 2.0 13.8 

Adults age 18–49 without 

disabilities in childless 

householdsa 33.0 381 158 407 186 1.2 10.3 

No adults age 18–49 without 

disabilities in childless 

households 69.5 946 436 604 241 2.1 15.3 

Noncitizens 65.9 989 439 675 265 2.3 15.8 

No noncitizens 64.7 866 396 572 232 2.0 14.6 

Locality 

Metropolitan 65.1 877 388 596 236 2.0 14.7 

Micropolitanb 62.4 845 439 502 232 2.0 14.1 

Rural 63.7 859 466 473 222 2.0 14.1 

Unknown locality 65.4 846 393 539 216 1.8 18.6 

Countable income source 

Gross income 79.4 1,070 489 641 222 2.1 15.4 

No gross income 0.0 0 0 299 289 1.6 11.2 

Net income 89.3 1,233 625 608 197 2.2 15.0 

No net income 21.7 258 0 525 306 1.7 12.1 

Not applicablec 64.1 652 n.a. 69 147 1.1 37.0 

Earned income 84.8 1,410 663 796 291 2.9 10.3 

No earned income 56.7 657 287 486 211 1.6 16.4 

Unearned income 79.3 995 464 585 197 1.8 17.2 

No unearned income 40.9 673 294 565 294 2.2 10.5 

TANF 50.4 899 408 558 390 3.1 11.6 

No TANF 65.4 871 398 578 227 1.9 14.8 

GA 52.8 660 238 554 212 1.6 15.4 

No GA 65.1 879 404 578 235 2.0 14.6 

SSI 76.8 937 415 561 174 1.6 21.1 

No SSI 61.0 852 393 582 253 2.1 12.6 

Social Security 95.1 1,079 524 588 123 1.4 19.0 

No Social Security 50.9 778 341 573 285 2.2 12.7 

SNAP benefit 

Minimum benefit 129.9 1,413 1,020 392 15 1.2 17.2 

Maximum benefit 23.8 278 0 525 302 1.7 12.9 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample. 
43

Table A.3. Distribution of participating households with children, elderly individuals, and non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities by household characteristic 

 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 18,802 100.0 7,420 100.0 5,289 100.0 3,959 100.0 

Gross countable income 

$0 3,480 18.5 1,101 14.8 361 6.8 2 0.1 

1 to 200 737 3.9 326 4.4 59 1.1 8 0.2 

201 to 400 887 4.7 481 6.5 108 2.0 14 0.4 

401 to 600 959 5.1 484 6.5 232 4.4 125 3.2 

601 to 800 3,535 18.8 715 9.6 1,405 26.6 1,498 37.8 

801 to 1,000 2,685 14.3 643 8.7 1,227 23.2 848 21.4 

1,001 to 1,250 2,187 11.6 775 10.4 911 17.2 618 15.6 

1,251 to 1,500 1,346 7.2 661 8.9 446 8.4 281 7.1 

1,501 to 2,000 1,646 8.8 1,078 14.5 426 8.1 350 8.9 

2,001 or greater 1,338 7.1 1,156 15.6 113 2.1 214 5.4 

Net countable incomec 

$0 6,601 35.1 2,463 33.2 1,008 19.1 547 13.8 

1 to 200 2,298 12.2 818 11.0 716 13.5 627 15.8 

201 to 400 2,436 13.0 710 9.6 951 18.0 780 19.7 

401 to 600 2,062 11.0 694 9.4 802 15.2 646 16.3 

601 to 800 1,493 7.9 651 8.8 518 9.8 431 10.9 

801 to 1,000 1,107 5.9 514 6.9 422 8.0 241 6.1 

1,001 to 1,250 846 4.5 523 7.1 237 4.5 186 4.7 

1,251 or greater 1,361 7.2 1,025 13.8 256 4.8 329 8.3 

Gross countable income as a 

percentage of poverty guidelines 

No gross income 3,480 18.5 1,101 14.8 361 6.8 2 0.1 

25 percent or lessd 1,404 7.5 827 11.1 90 1.7 29 0.7 

26 to 50 percent 1,897 10.1 1,398 18.8 216 4.1 299 7.6 

51 to 75 percent 2,934 15.6 1,551 20.9 738 13.9 912 23.0 

76 to 100 percent 5,332 28.4 1,208 16.3 2,386 45.1 1,900 48.0 

101 to 130 percent 2,512 13.4 989 13.3 942 17.8 581 14.7 

131 percent or greater 1,245 6.6 346 4.7 556 10.5 235 5.9 

Net countable income as a 

percentage of poverty guidelinesc 

No net income 6,601 35.1 2,463 33.2 1,008 19.1 547 13.8 

25 percent or lessd 3,790 20.2 1,749 23.6 1,031 19.5 1,021 25.8 

26 to 50 percent 3,670 19.5 1,531 20.6 1,244 23.5 1,118 28.2 

51 to 75 percent 2,379 12.7 1,039 14.0 846 16.0 657 16.6 

76 to 100 percent 1,178 6.3 521 7.0 475 9.0 294 7.4 

101 to 130 percent 378 2.0 62 0.8 222 4.2 96 2.4 

131 percent or greater 208 1.1 34 0.5 83 1.6 53 1.3 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample. 
44

Table A.4. 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 

 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 10,452 100.0 3,300 100.0 2,226 100.0 1,502 100.0 812 100.0 510 100.0 

Gross countable income 

$0 2,327 22.3 515 15.6 334 15.0 182 12.1 89 10.9 32 6.4 

1 to 200 409 3.9 144 4.4 98 4.4 62 4.1 14 1.7 11 2.2 

201 to 400 435 4.2 207 6.3 130 5.9 68 4.5 38 4.7 9 1.7 

401 to 600 483 4.6 239 7.2 131 5.9 68 4.5 26 3.1 13 2.6 

601 to 800 2,707 25.9 390 11.8 241 10.8 118 7.9 48 6.0 31 6.0 

801 to 1,000 1,973 18.9 327 9.9 192 8.6 108 7.2 56 6.9 29 5.7 

1,001 to 1,250 1,185 11.3 490 14.9 264 11.9 151 10.1 67 8.3 29 5.7 

1,251 to 1,500 534 5.1 328 9.9 220 9.9 147 9.8 71 8.7 47 9.2 

1,501 to 2,000 331 3.2 431 13.1 381 17.1 280 18.6 146 18.0 77 15.1 

2,001 or greater 70 0.7 228 6.9 234 10.5 318 21.1 257 31.7 231 45.4 

Net countable incomec 

$0 4,081 39.0 1,166 35.3 711 31.9 385 25.6 182 22.4 77 15.0 

1 to 200 1,400 13.4 388 11.8 262 11.8 148 9.8 74 9.1 26 5.1 

201 to 400 1,607 15.4 381 11.6 240 10.8 124 8.2 54 6.6 31 6.2 

401 to 600 1,234 11.8 338 10.2 239 10.7 138 9.2 76 9.4 36 7.0 

601 to 800 718 6.9 315 9.6 228 10.2 126 8.4 72 8.8 35 6.8 

801 to 1,000 439 4.2 267 8.1 175 7.9 144 9.6 44 5.4 39 7.6 

1,001 to 1,250 235 2.2 156 4.7 189 8.5 140 9.3 74 9.2 52 10.3 

1,251 or greater 160 1.5 280 8.5 177 8.0 296 19.7 235 29.0 213 41.7 

Gross countable income as a 

percentage of poverty guidelines 

No gross income 2,327 22.3 515 15.6 334 15.0 182 12.1 89 10.9 32 6.4 

25 percent or lessd 566 5.4 286 8.7 246 11.1 172 11.5 80 9.8 54 10.7 

26 to 50 percent 491 4.7 415 12.6 421 18.9 280 18.6 167 20.6 121 23.8 

51 to 75 percent 1,202 11.5 651 19.7 447 20.1 329 21.9 185 22.8 120 23.6 

76 to 100 percent 3,836 36.7 631 19.1 370 16.6 259 17.3 132 16.2 103 20.3 

101 to 130 percent 1,297 12.4 466 14.1 310 13.9 236 15.7 134 16.5 70 13.7 

131 percent or greater 734 7.0 336 10.2 97 4.3 44 2.9 26 3.2 8 1.6 

Net countable income as a 

percentage of poverty guidelinesc 

No net income 4,081 39.0 1,166 35.3 711 31.9 385 25.6 182 22.4 77 15.0 

25 percent or lessd 1,878 18.0 663 20.1 551 24.7 364 24.2 211 26.0 125 24.5 

26 to 50 percent 1,906 18.2 601 18.2 494 22.2 351 23.3 179 22.0 140 27.5 

51 to 75 percent 1,085 10.4 463 14.0 312 14.0 259 17.2 151 18.6 109 21.4 

76 to 100 percent 551 5.3 193 5.9 153 6.9 140 9.3 86 10.6 55 10.9 

101 to 130 percent 244 2.3 128 3.9 0 0.0 2 0.1 2 0.2 2 0.5 

131 percent or greater 129 1.2 79 2.4 0 0.0 0 0.0 - - - -

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample. 
45

Table A.5. 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 

 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 18,802 100.0 872 398 64.7 28.2 439 234

Household composition 

Children 7,420 39.5 1,093 526 58.9 27.2 462 387

School-age 5,984 31.8 1,161 571 60.7 28.8 459 400

Preschool-age 3,601 19.2 1,091 515 55.1 24.8 487 430

No children 11,382 60.5 728 311 68.5 28.8 417 134

Elderly individuals 5,289 28.1 934 440 85.4 39.3 472 120

No elderly individuals 13,513 71.9 848 383 56.7 24.1 425 279

Non-elderly individuals with disabilities 3,959 21.1 1,054 500 84.0 37.3 394 177

No non-elderly individuals with disabilities 14,843 78.9 824 371 59.6 25.8 453 249

Household size 

1 person 10,452 55.6 670 267 66.1 26.3 437 128

2 people 3,300 17.6 934 435 68.0 31.7 412 239

3 people 2,226 11.8 1,017 451 58.7 26.0 413 372

4 people 1,502 8.0 1,248 643 59.6 30.7 519 453

5 people 812 4.3 1,503 796 61.2 32.4 377 528

6 people 301 1.6 1,775 1,033 63.1 36.7 529 608

7 people 129 0.7 1,945 1,206 61.2 38.0 491 654

8 or more people 80 0.4 2,103 1,350 55.1 35.2 520 871

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample. 
46

Table A.6. Distribution of participating households with children, elderly individuals, and non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities by type of countable income 

 Type of income 

 Total 

households 

Households with: 

Children 

Elderly 

individuals 

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities 

Number 

(000)g Percent 

Number 

(000) Percent 

Number 

(000) Percent 

Number 

(000) Percent 

Total 18,802 100.0 7,420 100.0 5,289 100.0 3,959 100.0 

Countable earned income 5,384 28.6 3,961 53.4 336 6.4 438 11.1 

Wages and salaries 4,565 24.3 3,436 46.3 255 4.8 368 9.3 

Self-employment 880 4.7 589 7.9 81 1.5 64 1.6 

Other earned income 57 0.3 20 0.3 9 0.2 9 0.2 

Countable unearned income 11,666 62.0 3,662 49.4 4,788 90.5 3,952 99.8 

TANF 799 4.2 765 10.3 42 0.8 165 4.2 

GA 613 3.3 136 1.8 178 3.4 122 3.1 

SSI 4,462 23.7 931 12.5 1,857 35.1 2,659 67.2 

Social Security 5,871 31.2 732 9.9 3,716 70.2 1,989 50.2 

Unemployment income 189 1.0 101 1.4 12 0.2 12 0.3 

Veterans’ benefits 122 0.6 20 0.3 70 1.3 18 0.5 

Workers’ compensation 40 0.2 22 0.3 9 0.2 7 0.2 

Other government benefitsh 75 0.4 19 0.2 37 0.7 14 0.4 

Household contributions 550 2.9 325 4.4 84 1.6 51 1.3 

Household deemed income 7 0.0 7 0.1 0 0.0 - - 

Educational loans 2 0.0 1 0.0 - - 0 0.0 

Child support enforcement 

payments 1,494 7.9 1,411 19.0 26 0.5 261 6.6 

Foster care payments 8 0.0 8 0.1 3 0.1 2 0.0 

Energy assistance income 4 0.0 1 0.0 2 0.0 1 0.0 

Wage supplementation - - - - - - - - 

Other unearned incomei 696 3.7 239 3.2 358 6.8 68 1.7 

TANF or GA 1,407 7.5 897 12.1 219 4.1 283 7.1 

TANF and earned income 158 0.8 155 2.1 5 0.1 11 0.3 

TANF and SSI 161 0.9 157 2.1 13 0.2 151 3.8 

TANF or SSI or GA 5,510 29.3 1,627 21.9 1,970 37.2 2,682 67.7 

(TANF or SSI or GA) and earned 

income 548 2.9 409 5.5 39 0.7 331 8.3 

TANF and child support 87 0.5 87 1.2 1 0.0 21 0.5 

SSI and Social Security 1,638 8.7 206 2.8 965 18.2 713 18.0 

SSI or Social Security 8,694 46.2 1,457 19.6 4,608 87.1 3,935 99.4 

SSI and earned income 356 1.9 236 3.2 31 0.6 329 8.3 

GA and earned income 51 0.3 31 0.4 4 0.1 7 0.2 

Earned income and child support 698 3.7 680 9.2 2 0.0 43 1.1 

No countable income 3,480 18.5 1,101 14.8 361 6.8 2 0.1 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
47

Table A.7. Average income, total deduction, SNAP benefit, and household size of participating households by type of 

countable income 

 Type of income 

Total households Average values 

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 18,802 100.0 872 398 n.a. 578 234 2.0 

Countable earned income 5,384 28.6 1,410 663 1,224 796 291 2.9 

Wages and salaries 4,565 24.3 1,511 735 1,313 813 280 2.9 

Self-employment 880 4.7 968 344 664 735 352 2.7 

Other earned income 57 0.3 745 266 254 602 252 1.8 

Countable unearned 

income 11,666 62.0 995 464 841 585 197 1.8 

TANF 799 4.2 899 408 478 558 390 3.1 

GA 613 3.3 660 238 255 554 212 1.6 

SSI 4,462 23.7 937 415 609 561 174 1.6 

Social Security 5,871 31.2 1,079 524 905 588 123 1.4 

Unemployment income 189 1.0 1,245 706 913 584 218 2.3 

Veterans’ benefits 122 0.6 1,084 605 550 520 151 1.7 

Workers’ compensation 40 0.2 1,384 834 868 628 251 2.9 

Other government benefitsh 75 0.4 1,146 669 425 517 150 1.8 

Household contributions 550 2.9 734 271 296 576 318 2.3 

Household deemed income 7 0.0 3,081 2,471 1,890 684 211 2.8 

Educational loans 2 0.0 2,275 1,635 240 686 433 6.2 

Child support enforcement 

payments 1,494 7.9 1,186 607 330 639 376 3.4 

Foster care payments 8 0.0 1,652 1,228 819 425 197 3.3 

Energy assistance income 4 0.0 940 254 224 709 190 1.5 

Wage supplementation - - - - - - - - 

Other unearned incomei 696 3.7 1,158 606 375 614 191 1.9 

TANF or GA 1,407 7.5 794 332 383 557 313 2.4 

TANF and earned income 158 0.8 1,379 698 1,282 706 367 3.5 

TANF and SSI 161 0.9 1,308 767 1,110 546 322 3.4 

TANF or SSI or GA 5,510 29.3 888 380 591 560 206 1.8 

(TANF or SSI or GA) and 

earned income 548 2.9 1,601 891 1,478 739 283 3.2 

TANF and child support 87 0.5 1,110 592 682 573 441 3.9 

SSI and Social Security 1,638 8.7 931 417 881 545 141 1.4 

SSI or Social Security 8,694 46.2 1,034 490 923 583 146 1.5 

SSI and earned income 356 1.9 1,745 1,022 1,569 753 244 3.2 

GA and earned income 51 0.3 1,370 668 1,213 725 287 2.7 

Earned income and child 

support 698 3.7 1,677 883 1,592 809 330 3.7 

No countable income 3,480 18.5 0 0 - 299 289 1.6 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample. 
48

Table A.8. Distribution of participating households with children, elderly individuals, and non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities by countable earned and unearned income amounts 

 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 18,802 100.0 7,420 100.0 5,289 100.0 3,959 100.0 

Countable earned income . . . . . . . . 

$0 13,418 71.4 3,458 46.6 4,953 93.6 3,521 88.9 

1 to 200 467 2.5 186 2.5 63 1.2 82 2.1 

201 to 400 417 2.2 226 3.0 45 0.9 55 1.4 

401 to 600 436 2.3 268 3.6 46 0.9 54 1.4 

601 to 800 478 2.5 322 4.3 35 0.7 36 0.9 

801 to 1000 551 2.9 380 5.1 38 0.7 50 1.3 

1,001 to 1,250 674 3.6 516 7.0 33 0.6 51 1.3 

1,251 to 1,500 590 3.1 464 6.3 28 0.5 30 0.8 

1,501 to 2,000 852 4.5 739 10.0 26 0.5 45 1.1 

2,001 or greater 918 4.9 860 11.6 20 0.4 34 0.9 

Countable unearned income . . . . . . . . 

$0 7,136 38.0 3,758 50.6 502 9.5 8 0.2 

1 to 200 799 4.3 513 6.9 54 1.0 14 0.4 

201 to 400 1,016 5.4 685 9.2 115 2.2 25 0.6 

401 to 600 895 4.8 504 6.8 227 4.3 164 4.1 

601 to 800 3,490 18.6 708 9.5 1,415 26.8 1,681 42.4 

801 to 1000 2,288 12.2 374 5.0 1,225 23.2 863 21.8 

1,001 to 1,250 1,624 8.6 346 4.7 906 17.1 606 15.3 

1,251 to 1,500 737 3.9 200 2.7 416 7.9 244 6.2 

1,501 or greater 816 4.3 332 4.5 428 8.1 355 9.0 

Countable TANF income . . . . . . . . 

$0 18,003 95.8 6,655 89.7 5,248 99.2 3,795 95.8 

1 to 200 103 0.5 98 1.3 11 0.2 36 0.9 

201 to 400 246 1.3 233 3.1 21 0.4 68 1.7 

401 to 600 205 1.1 192 2.6 5 0.1 45 1.1 

601 to 800 158 0.8 158 2.1 3 0.1 10 0.3 

801 to 1000 58 0.3 55 0.7 3 0.1 5 0.1 

1,001 or greater 30 0.2 30 0.4 - - 0 0.0 

Countable GA income . . . . . . . . 

$0 18,189 96.7 7,284 98.2 5,111 96.6 3,837 96.9 

1 to 200 264 1.4 29 0.4 105 2.0 83 2.1 

201 to 400 225 1.2 30 0.4 52 1.0 24 0.6 

401 to 600 82 0.4 44 0.6 16 0.3 11 0.3 

601 to 800 28 0.1 24 0.3 2 0.0 4 0.1 

801 to 1000 13 0.1 10 0.1 3 0.1 0 0.0 

1,001 or greater 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Countable TANF or GA income . . . . . . . . 

$0 17,395 92.5 6,523 87.9 5,071 95.9 3,676 92.9 

1 to 200 363 1.9 123 1.7 114 2.2 116 2.9 

201 to 400 471 2.5 262 3.5 72 1.4 91 2.3 

401 to 600 287 1.5 236 3.2 21 0.4 56 1.4 

601 to 800 186 1.0 182 2.5 5 0.1 14 0.4 

801 to 1000 70 0.4 64 0.9 6 0.1 5 0.1 

1,001 or greater 30 0.2 30 0.4 0 0.0 1 0.0 

Countable SSI . . . . . . . . 

$0 14,340 76.3 6,489 87.5 3,432 64.9 1,300 32.8 

1 to 200 711 3.8 64 0.9 402 7.6 310 7.8 

201 to 400 499 2.7 58 0.8 299 5.6 205 5.2 

401 to 600 554 2.9 109 1.5 275 5.2 288 7.3 

601 to 800 2,081 11.1 532 7.2 597 11.3 1,491 37.7 

801 to 1000 384 2.0 45 0.6 193 3.7 197 5.0 

1,001 or greater 232 1.2 123 1.7 91 1.7 168 4.3 
Table A.8 (continued) 

49

 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 

Countable SSI . . . . . . . . 

Maximum for a one-person 

householdk 1,302 6.9 292 3.9 378 7.1 931 23.5 

Maximum for a two-person 

householdl 8 0.0 1 0.0 8 0.2 1 0.0 

Countable Social Security . . . . . . . . 

$0 12,931 68.8 6,688 90.1 1,574 29.8 1,970 49.8 

1 to 200 103 0.5 36 0.5 46 0.9 33 0.8 

201 to 400 402 2.1 77 1.0 246 4.6 119 3.0 

401 to 600 703 3.7 110 1.5 433 8.2 250 6.3 

601 to 800 1,215 6.5 130 1.8 781 14.8 403 10.2 

801 to 1000 1,372 7.3 124 1.7 838 15.8 507 12.8 

1,001 or greater 2,076 11.0 255 3.4 1,371 25.9 678 17.1 

Other countable unearned income . . . . . . . . 

$0 15,740 83.7 5,380 72.5 4,694 88.7 3,538 89.4 

1 to 200 1,145 6.1 663 8.9 272 5.1 177 4.5 

201 to 400 830 4.4 617 8.3 135 2.6 116 2.9 

401 to 600 420 2.2 309 4.2 82 1.6 51 1.3 

601 to 800 266 1.4 183 2.5 42 0.8 37 0.9

801 to 1000 142 0.8 94 1.3 25 0.5 17 0.4 

1,001 or greater 254 1.4 171 2.3 38 0.7 22 0.6 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample. 
50

Table A.9. Distribution of participating households by type of deduction and household composition, countable income source, and SNAP benefit amount 

 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 18,802 5,365 28.5 610 3.2 13,113 69.7 20.1 1,067 5.7 296 1.6 

Household composition . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Children 7,420 3,957 53.3 610 8.2 5,532 74.6 36.0 82 1.1 134 1.8 

School-age 5,984 3,235 54.1 457 7.6 4,564 76.3 35.5 75 1.3 112 1.9 

Preschool-age 3,601 2,022 56.1 414 11.5 2,627 73.0 37.3 24 0.7 66 1.8 

No children 11,382 1,408 12.4 0 0.0 7,580 66.6 8.5 986 8.7 162 1.4 

Elderly individuals 5,289 331 6.3 2 0.0 4,001 75.6 n.a. 775 14.7 40 0.8 

No elderly individuals 13,513 5,035 37.3 607 4.5 9,111 67.4 28.9 292 2.2 256 1.9 

Non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 3,959 432 10.9 40 1.0 3,213 81.2 0.4 305 7.7 102 2.6 

No non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 14,843 4,933 33.2 569 3.8 9,899 66.7 26.5 762 5.1 195 1.3 

Countable income source . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Gross income 15,322 5,365 35.0 601 3.9 12,184 79.5 17.9 1,065 6.9 284 1.9 

No gross income 3,480 - - 9 0.3 929 26.7 49.3 3 0.1 13 0.4 

Net income 11,603 4,299 37.1 511 4.4 9,278 80.0 13.9 898 7.7 209 1.8 

No net income 6,601 1,062 16.1 99 1.5 3,834 58.1 35.2 169 2.6 88 1.3 

Not applicablec 598 4 0.6 - - - - - - - - - 

Earned income 5,384 5,365 99.7 563 10.5 4,281 79.5 36.9 77 1.4 151 2.8 

No earned income 13,418 - - 47 0.4 8,831 65.8 12.0 991 7.4 145 1.1 

Unearned income 11,666 1,712 14.7 226 1.9 9,262 79.4 10.5 1,057 9.1 186 1.6 

No unearned income 7,136 3,653 51.2 383 5.4 3,851 54.0 43.2 10 0.1 110 1.5 

TANF 799 157 19.7 17 2.1 668 83.6 33.4 8 1.0 5 0.6 

No TANF 18,003 5,208 28.9 593 3.3 12,445 69.1 19.4 1,059 5.9 292 1.6 

GA 613 50 8.2 2 0.3 500 81.6 25.3 5 0.8 5 0.9 

No GA 18,189 5,315 29.2 608 3.3 12,613 69.3 19.9 1,063 5.8 291 1.6 

SSI 4,462 347 7.8 34 0.8 3,474 77.9 0.4 81 1.8 51 1.1 

No SSI 14,340 5,018 35.0 576 4.0 9,639 67.2 27.2 986 6.9 245 1.7 

Social Security 5,871 397 6.8 16 0.3 4,791 81.6 1.4 1,005 17.1 126 2.1 

No Social Security 12,931 4,968 38.4 593 4.6 8,322 64.4 30.9 63 0.5 170 1.3 

SNAP benefit . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Minimum benefit 1,938 427 22.0 8 0.4 1,069 55.1 2.2 363 18.7 19 1.0 

Maximum benefit 6,835 1,062 15.5 99 1.4 3,834 56.1 35.2 169 2.5 88 1.3 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample. 
51

Table A.10. Average values of deductions of participating households by household composition, countable income source, and SNAP benefit amount 

 

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 73 245 10 299 312 433 11 182 4 241

Household composition 

Children 147 276 25 299 314 420 1 127 5 277

School-age 154 284 23 301 323 422 2 128 5 274

Preschool-age 161 287 35 306 303 414 1 114 5 269

No children 21 158 0 123 310 442 17 186 3 212

Elderly individuals 11 161 0 259 366 449 30 184 1 158

No elderly individuals 95 251 14 299 292 426 4 175 5 254

Non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 20 175 3 250 379 447 14 176 7 246

No non-elderly individuals 

with disabilities 87 252 12 302 294 428 10 184 3 238

Countable income source 

Gross income 90 245 12 301 353 430 13 182 5 246

No gross income 0 - 0 174 129 470 0 118 1 136

Net income 107 284 13 292 303 379 13 161 4 235

No net income 14 88 5 336 327 563 7 290 3 256

Not applicablec 69 415 - - - - - - - - 

Earned income 245 245 31 300 336 422 2 134 8 278

No earned income 0 - 1 282 301 438 14 185 2 203

Unearned income 32 209 6 268 359 434 18 182 4 236

No unearned income 136 262 17 317 236 431 0 87 4 250

TANF 33 170 4 194 358 416 1 116 1 97

No TANF 75 248 10 302 310 434 11 182 4 243

GA 15 181 0 118 364 446 1 119 2 186

No GA 75 246 10 300 310 432 11 182 4 242

SSI 17 187 2 260 368 424 4 192 3 209

No SSI 88 249 12 301 296 436 13 181 4 248

Social Security 10 137 1 287 376 446 32 181 5 210

No Social Security 102 254 14 299 283 425 1 198 4 264

SNAP benefit 

Minimum benefit 66 301 1 290 132 239 27 143 2 190

Maximum benefit 14 88 5 336 327 563 7 290 3 256

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
52

Table A.11. Distribution of participating households by selected household characteristics and amount of deduction 

 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 18,802 100.0 7,420 100.0 5,289 100.0 3,959 100.0 5,384 100.0 

Total deductionq 

$0 to 163r 209 1.1 69 0.9 21 0.4 12 0.3 4 0.1 

164s 3,205 17.0 755 10.2 680 12.9 337 8.5 3 0.0 

165 to 200 501 2.7 272 3.7 89 1.7 87 2.2 130 2.4 

201 to 300 1,160 6.2 414 5.6 394 7.5 331 8.4 222 4.1 

301 to 400 1,419 7.5 423 5.7 541 10.2 434 11.0 292 5.4 

401 to 500 1,508 8.0 503 6.8 567 10.7 423 10.7 379 7.0 

501 to 600 1,746 9.3 616 8.3 579 11.0 462 11.7 430 8.0 

601 to 700 1,657 8.8 647 8.7 561 10.6 439 11.1 563 10.5 

701 to 800 2,538 13.5 1,310 17.7 432 8.2 412 10.4 675 12.5 

801 to 900 1,340 7.1 666 9.0 320 6.1 297 7.5 790 14.7 

901 to 1,000 1,072 5.7 613 8.3 231 4.4 190 4.8 708 13.1 

1,001 or greater 1,872 10.0 1,133 15.3 495 9.4 361 9.1 1,180 21.9 

Earned income deductiont 

$0 12,684 67.5 3,462 46.7 4,480 84.7 3,276 82.8 11 0.2 

1 to 50 568 3.0 236 3.2 75 1.4 95 2.4 568 10.6 

51 to 100 523 2.8 304 4.1 57 1.1 67 1.7 523 9.7 

101 to 150 575 3.1 366 4.9 48 0.9 54 1.4 575 10.7 

151 to 200 673 3.6 475 6.4 44 0.8 57 1.4 673 12.5 

201 to 250 673 3.6 518 7.0 32 0.6 50 1.3 673 12.5 

251 to 300 589 3.1 464 6.3 28 0.5 30 0.8 589 10.9 

301 to 350 487 2.6 422 5.7 17 0.3 23 0.6 487 9.0 

351 to 400 363 1.9 314 4.2 9 0.2 22 0.5 363 6.7 

401 or greater 915 4.9 858 11.6 20 0.4 34 0.9 915 17.0 

Dependent care deductionu 

$0 17,418 92.6 6,789 91.5 4,809 90.9 3,668 92.7 4,808 89.3 

1 to 50 48 0.3 48 0.6 0 0.0 1 0.0 39 0.7 

51 to 100 68 0.4 68 0.9 0 0.0 6 0.1 64 1.2 

101 to 150 82 0.4 82 1.1 1 0.0 13 0.3 70 1.3 

151 to 200 79 0.4 79 1.1 - - 8 0.2 74 1.4 

201 to 250 61 0.3 61 0.8 - - 1 0.0 59 1.1 

251 to 300 49 0.3 49 0.7 - - 1 0.0 49 0.9 

301 to 350 38 0.2 38 0.5 0 0.0 2 0.0 34 0.6 

351 to 400 33 0.2 33 0.4 1 0.0 2 0.1 33 0.6 

401 or greater 153 0.8 153 2.1 - - 6 0.1 141 2.6 

Medical expense deductionu 

$0 16,960 90.2 7,316 98.6 4,036 76.3 3,403 86.0 5,294 98.3 

1 to 50 72 0.4 8 0.1 43 0.8 31 0.8 15 0.3 
Table A.11 (continued) 

53

 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

Medical expense deductionu 

51 to 100 165 0.9 12 0.2 117 2.2 50 1.3 9 0.2 

101 to 150 435 2.3 46 0.6 303 5.7 135 3.4 30 0.6 

151 to 200 160 0.8 9 0.1 126 2.4 36 0.9 11 0.2 

201 to 250 102 0.5 3 0.0 84 1.6 20 0.5 6 0.1 

251 to 300 26 0.1 2 0.0 22 0.4 4 0.1 1 0.0 

301 or greater 108 0.6 2 0.0 80 1.5 30 0.8 5 0.1 

Child support payment deductionv 

$0 17,731 94.3 7,264 97.9 4,771 90.2 3,607 91.1 5,220 96.9 

1 to 50 41 0.2 13 0.2 10 0.2 16 0.4 16 0.3 

51 to 100 48 0.3 21 0.3 8 0.1 18 0.4 17 0.3 

101 to 150 28 0.1 10 0.1 6 0.1 9 0.2 16 0.3 

151 to 200 31 0.2 10 0.1 5 0.1 9 0.2 13 0.2 

201 to 250 28 0.1 14 0.2 3 0.1 10 0.2 15 0.3 

251 to 300 29 0.2 16 0.2 3 0.1 8 0.2 18 0.3 

301 to 350 25 0.1 12 0.2 1 0.0 8 0.2 15 0.3 

351 to 400 16 0.1 7 0.1 1 0.0 6 0.2 9 0.2 

401 or greater 50 0.3 32 0.4 2 0.0 19 0.5 34 0.6 

Excess shelter expense deductionv 

$0 5,092 27.1 1,866 25.1 909 17.2 573 14.5 1,090 20.2 

1 to 50 495 2.6 211 2.8 146 2.8 115 2.9 164 3.0 

51 to 100 531 2.8 223 3.0 182 3.4 145 3.7 163 3.0 

101 to 150 587 3.1 240 3.2 190 3.6 181 4.6 184 3.4 

151 to 200 728 3.9 265 3.6 272 5.1 209 5.3 199 3.7 

201 to 250 757 4.0 277 3.7 283 5.4 224 5.7 215 4.0 

251 to 300 796 4.2 321 4.3 278 5.2 202 5.1 258 4.8 

301 to 350 883 4.7 337 4.5 290 5.5 216 5.5 257 4.8 

351 to 400 952 5.1 375 5.1 299 5.7 246 6.2 270 5.0 

401 to 450 854 4.5 305 4.1 275 5.2 216 5.5 237 4.4 

451 to 500 828 4.4 314 4.2 280 5.3 217 5.5 276 5.1 

501 to 550x 810 4.3 321 4.3 262 5.0 212 5.4 245 4.6 

551 to 600 3,067 16.3 2,064 27.8 227 4.3 220 5.6 1,614 30.0 

601 or greater 1,823 9.7 278 3.8 1,016 19.2 810 20.5 197 3.7 

No deduction 5,092 27.1 1,866 25.1 909 17.2 573 14.5 1,090 20.2 

Deduction less than capy 8,240 43.8 3,197 43.1 2,763 52.2 2,187 55.2 2,475 46.0 

Deduction equal to cap 2,638 14.0 1,993 26.9 6 0.1 12 0.3 1,578 29.3 

Benefit less than maximum benefit 1,290 6.9 1,107 14.9 5 0.1 12 0.3 1,093 20.3 

Benefit equal to maximum benefit 1,348 7.2 886 11.9 1 0.0 - - 485 9.0 

Deduction greater than cap 2,234 11.9 342 4.6 1,232 23.3 1,014 25.6 228 4.2 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample. 
54

Table A.12. Distribution of participating households by selected household characteristics and SNAP benefit amount, SNAP benefit as a percentage of the maximum 

benefit, and certification period 

 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 18,802 100.0 7,420 100.0 5,289 100.0 3,959 100.0 5,384 100.0 799 100.0 

SNAP benefit (dollars) 

Minimum benefit or lessz 1,961 10.4 170 2.3 1,129 21.3 551 13.9 437 8.1 12 1.5 

Greater than the minimum to 50 845 4.5 111 1.5 425 8.0 292 7.4 155 2.9 5 0.6 

51 to 100 1,792 9.5 243 3.3 932 17.6 566 14.3 335 6.2 13 1.6 

101 to 191 3,226 17.2 685 9.2 1,325 25.1 1,098 27.7 828 15.4 72 9.0 

192

aa 4,297 22.9 172 2.3 1,028 19.4 495 12.5 520 9.7 43 5.4 

193 to 300 1,312 7.0 1,038 14.0 200 3.8 287 7.2 786 14.6 96 12.0 

301 to 400 2,299 12.2 1,972 26.6 187 3.5 289 7.3 956 17.8 234 29.3 

401 to 500 783 4.2 766 10.3 23 0.4 145 3.7 474 8.8 106 13.2 

501 to 600 1,110 5.9 1,090 14.7 20 0.4 101 2.5 444 8.3 111 13.8 

601 or greater 1,177 6.3 1,172 15.8 21 0.4 136 3.4 448 8.3 107 13.4 

Benefit as a percentage of the 

maximum 

Minimum 1,938 10.3 158 2.1 1,121 21.2 544 13.7 428 8.0 7 0.9 

Less than 25 percentbb 1,274 6.8 496 6.7 495 9.4 395 10.0 485 9.0 33 4.1 

25 to 50 percent 2,771 14.7 1,153 15.5 998 18.9 775 19.6 1,052 19.5 90 11.3 

51 to 75 percent 3,019 16.1 1,522 20.5 846 16.0 895 22.6 1,229 22.8 153 19.1 

76 to 99 percent 2,964 15.8 1,628 21.9 683 12.9 707 17.9 1,123 20.9 265 33.2 

Maximum 6,835 36.4 2,463 33.2 1,147 21.7 643 16.2 1,067 19.8 251 31.4 

Months in certification period 

Average 15 n.a. 10 n.a. 21 n.a. 18 n.a. 10 n.a. 12 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 267 1.4 97 1.3 23 0.4 24 0.6 79 1.5 7 0.9 

6 months 4,094 21.8 2,766 37.3 237 4.5 536 13.6 1,860 34.6 120 15.0 

7 to 11 months 263 1.4 141 1.9 42 0.8 48 1.2 77 1.4 25 3.1 

12 months 9,644 51.3 4,188 56.4 2,172 41.1 1,763 44.5 3,168 58.8 602 75.3 

13 to 23 months 180 1.0 51 0.7 74 1.4 45 1.1 39 0.7 10 1.2 

24 months 2,626 14.0 150 2.0 1,615 30.5 977 24.7 121 2.2 33 4.1 

25 to 35 months 66 0.3 0 0.0 47 0.9 18 0.5 3 0.1 - - 

36 months 1,334 7.1 22 0.3 863 16.3 440 11.1 26 0.5 2 0.2 

37 or more months 324 1.7 2 0.0 214 4.1 106 2.7 10 0.2 - - 

Unknown 4 0.0 1 0.0 1 0.0 1 0.0 1 0.0 1 0.1 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample. 
55

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

 Total households Entrants Other households 

Most recent action and expedited service 

Number 

(000) Percent 

Number 

(000) Percent 

Number 

(000) Percent 

Total 18,802 100.0 675 100.0 18,127 100.0 

Initial certification 6,202 33.0 675 100.0 5,527 30.5 

Eligible for and receiving expedited service 1,827 9.7 347 51.4 1,480 8.2 

Eligible for but did not receive expedited service 308 1.6 33 4.9 275 1.5 

Not eligible for expedited service 4,067 21.6 295 43.7 3,773 20.8 

Recertification 12,600 67.0 n.a. n.a. 12,600 69.5 

Eligible for and receiving expedited service 250 1.3 n.a. n.a. 250 1.4 

Eligible for but did not receive expedited service 59 0.3 n.a. n.a. 59 0.3 

Not eligible for expedited service 12,291 65.4 n.a. n.a. 12,291 67.8 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample. 
56

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

 

SNAP 

households 

Participants in 

households with 

household 

characteristic 

Monthly SNAP 

benefits 

Household composition 

Number 

(000) Percent 

Number 

(000) Percent 

Dollars 

(000) Percent 

Totalcc 18,802 100.0 37,202 100.0 4,400,590 100.0 

Children, elderly individuals, or individuals 

with disabilities 15,291 81.3 33,429 89.9 3,769,372 85.7 

Children 7,420 39.5 24,562 66.0 2,871,298 65.2 

Single-adult household 4,621 24.6 13,962 37.5 1,722,163 39.1 

Male adult 377 2.0 1,011 2.7 125,993 2.9 

Female adult 4,243 22.6 12,951 34.8 1,596,170 36.3 

Multiple-adult household 1,994 10.6 8,781 23.6 895,688 20.4 

Married-head 1,155 6.1 5,279 14.2 508,159 11.5 

Other multiple-adult 838 4.5 3,502 9.4 387,530 8.8 

Children only 805 4.3 1,819 4.9 253,446 5.8 

Elderly individuals 5,289 28.1 6,461 17.4 636,749 14.5 

Living alone 4,387 23.3 4,387 11.8 457,923 10.4 

Living with only elderly individuals 485 2.6 971 2.6 79,237 1.8 

Living with at least one non-elderly individual 417 2.2 1,103 3.0 99,589 2.3 

Non-elderly individuals with disabilities 3,959 21.1 7,052 19.0 702,163 16.0 

Living alone 2,544 13.5 2,544 6.8 272,752 6.2 

Not living alone 1,415 7.5 4,508 12.1 429,411 9.8 

Other householdsdd 3,511 18.7 3,774 10.1 631,218 14.3 

Single-person 3,289 17.5 3,289 8.8 568,411 12.9 

Multi-person 222 1.2 485 1.3 62,807 1.4 

Adults age 18–49 without disabilities in 

childless householdsa 2,458 13.1 2,924 7.9 457,585 10.4 

Living alone 2,079 11.1 2,079 5.6 358,198 8.1 

Not living alone 379 2.0 845 2.3 99,387 2.3 

Single-person households 10,452 55.6 10,452 28.1 1,338,638 30.4 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample. 
57

Table A.15. 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 

 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 64.7 872 398 578 234 2.0 14.7 

Children, elderly individuals, 

or individuals with disabilities 73.2 1,004 466 622 247 2.2 15.6 

Children 58.9 1,093 526 667 387 3.3 10.0 

Single-adult household 55.4 955 445 617 373 3.0 10.1 

Male adult 53.4 868 423 576 334 2.7 10.6 

Female adult 55.6 962 447 620 376 3.1 10.0 

Multiple-adult household 67.7 1,519 818 773 449 4.4 9.9 

Married-head 73.4 1,680 926 825 440 4.6 9.9 

Other multiple-adult 60.0 1,296 670 701 462 4.2 10.0 

Children only 57.2 838 261 694 315 2.3 9.5 

Elderly individuals 85.4 934 440 572 120 1.2 21.0 

Living alone 84.4 855 373 563 104 1.0 21.9 

Living with only elderly 

individuals 96.5 1,326 733 622 163 2.0 19.3 

Living with at least one nonelderly individual 82.8 1,305 748 603 239 2.6 12.7 

Non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 84.0 1,054 500 591 177 1.8 17.9 

Living alone 88.1 893 345 581 107 1.0 21.0 

Not living alone 76.7 1,342 760 608 303 3.2 12.1 

Other householdsdd 28.0 300 110 390 180 1.1 10.4 

Single-person 25.9 263 92 375 173 1.0 10.4 

Multi-person 58.9 850 383 615 283 2.2 10.3 

Adults age 18–49 without 

disabilities in childless 

householdsa 33.0 381 158 407 186 1.2 10.3 

Living alone 26.5 268 98 369 172 1.0 10.2 

Not living alone 68.6 999 485 620 262 2.2 11.1 

Single-person households 66.1 670 267 506 128 1.0 17.8 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample. 

59

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

 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 5,384 100.0 3,480 100.0 799 100.0 613 100.0 4,462 100.0 5,871 100.0 

Children, elderly individuals, or 

individuals with disabilities 4,424 82.2 1,458 41.9 773 96.7 378 61.6 4,461 100.0 5,849 99.6 

Children 3,961 73.6 1,101 31.6 765 95.8 136 22.2 931 20.9 732 12.5 

Single-adult household 2,077 38.6 845 24.3 524 65.6 104 17.0 591 13.2 471 8.0 

Male adult 137 2.6 93 2.7 59 7.4 9 1.5 43 1.0 63 1.1 

Female adult 1,939 36.0 751 21.6 465 58.2 95 15.5 548 12.3 408 6.9 

Multiple-adult household 1,329 24.7 178 5.1 141 17.6 28 4.6 304 6.8 248 4.2 

Married-head 848 15.7 93 2.7 65 8.1 7 1.2 142 3.2 127 2.2 

Other multiple-adult 481 8.9 85 2.4 76 9.5 21 3.4 162 3.6 122 2.1 

Children only 556 10.3 78 2.3 100 12.5 4 0.6 36 0.8 12 0.2 

Elderly individuals 336 6.2 361 10.4 42 5.2 178 29.0 1,857 41.6 3,716 63.3 

Living alone 205 3.8 326 9.4 4 0.5 149 24.4 1,563 35.0 3,054 52.0 

Living with only elderly individuals 42 0.8 17 0.5 0 0.0 14 2.3 169 3.8 366 6.2 

Living with at least one non-elderly 

individual 89 1.7 18 0.5 37 4.7 15 2.4 126 2.8 295 5.0 

Non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 438 8.1 2 0.1 165 20.6 122 19.9 2,659 59.6 1,989 33.9 

Living alone 129 2.4 1 0.0 2 0.2 62 10.1 1,584 35.5 1,405 23.9

Not living alone 309 5.7 1 0.0 163 20.4 60 9.8 1,076 24.1 584 9.9 

Other householdsdd 960 17.8 2,022 58.1 26 3.3 235 38.4 1 0.0 22 0.4 

Single-person 834 15.5 1,969 56.6 19 2.4 231 37.8 1 0.0 7 0.1 

Multi-person 125 2.3 53 1.5 7 0.9 4 0.6 - - 15 0.3 

Adults age 18–49 without 

disabilities in childless 

householdsa 717 13.3 1,288 37.0 28 3.5 151 24.6 95 2.1 109 1.9 

Living alone 558 10.4 1,235 35.5 19 2.3 138 22.6 0 0.0 3 0.0 

Not living alone 159 3.0 53 1.5 10 1.2 12 2.0 95 2.1 106 1.8 

Single-person households 1,309 24.3 2,327 66.9 63 7.9 443 72.3 3,149 70.6 4,472 76.2 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
60

Table A.17. Distribution of participating households with children, elderly individuals, and non-elderly individuals with disabilities by selected characteristics 

 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 18,802 100.0 7,420 100.0 5,984 100.0 3,601 100.0 5,289 100.0 3,959 100.0 

Household composition 

Children 7,420 39.5 7,420 100.0 5,984 100.0 3,601 100.0 205 3.9 1,114 28.1 

School-age 5,984 31.8 5,984 80.7 5,984 100.0 2,165 60.1 187 3.5 1,004 25.4 

Preschool-age 3,601 19.2 3,601 48.5 2,165 36.2 3,601 100.0 35 0.7 380 9.6 

Elderly individuals 5,289 28.1 205 2.8 187 3.1 35 1.0 5,289 100.0 86 2.2 

Non-elderly individuals with disabilities 3,959 21.1 1,114 15.0 1,004 16.8 380 10.5 86 1.6 3,959 100.0 

Countable income source 

Gross income 15,322 81.5 6,319 85.2 5,219 87.2 3,002 83.4 4,928 93.2 3,957 99.9 

No gross income 3,480 18.5 1,101 14.8 765 12.8 598 16.6 361 6.8 2 0.1 

Net income 11,603 61.7 4,935 66.5 4,163 69.6 2,326 64.6 3,902 73.8 3,239 81.8 

No net income 6,601 35.1 2,463 33.2 1,805 30.2 1,264 35.1 1,008 19.1 547 13.8 

Not applicablec 598 3.2 22 0.3 17 0.3 10 0.3 379 7.2 173 4.4 

Earned income 5,384 28.6 3,961 53.4 3,237 54.1 2,024 56.2 336 6.4 438 11.1

Unearned income 11,666 62.0 3,662 49.4 3,145 52.6 1,545 42.9 4,788 90.5 3,952 99.8 

TANF 799 4.2 765 10.3 606 10.1 388 10.8 42 0.8 165 4.2 

GA 613 3.3 136 1.8 115 1.9 53 1.5 178 3.4 122 3.1 

SSI 4,462 23.7 931 12.5 844 14.1 331 9.2 1,857 35.1 2,659 67.2 

Social Security 5,871 31.2 732 9.9 666 11.1 174 4.8 3,716 70.2 1,989 50.2 

Countable resources 930 4.9 445 6.0 368 6.2 213 5.9 274 5.2 223 5.6 

Deductions 

Total deduction 18,208 96.8 7,402 99.8 5,970 99.8 3,593 99.8 4,910 92.8 3,786 95.6 

Standard deduction 18,204 96.8 7,398 99.7 5,967 99.7 3,590 99.7 4,910 92.8 3,786 95.6 

Earned income deduction 5,365 28.5 3,957 53.3 3,235 54.1 2,022 56.1 331 6.3 432 10.9 

Dependent care deduction 610 3.2 610 8.2 457 7.6 414 11.5 2 0.0 40 1.0 

Medical expense deduction 1,067 5.7 82 1.1 75 1.3 24 0.7 775 14.7 305 7.7 

Child support payment deduction 296 1.6 134 1.8 112 1.9 66 1.8 40 0.8 102 2.6 

Excess shelter expense deduction 13,113 69.7 5,532 74.6 4,564 76.3 2,627 73.0 4,001 75.6 3,213 81.2 

SNAP benefit (dollars) 

Minimum benefit or lessz 1,961 10.4 170 2.3 144 2.4 29 0.8 1,129 21.3 551 13.9 

Greater than the minimum to 100 2,637 14.0 354 4.8 281 4.7 129 3.6 1,357 25.7 858 21.7 

101 to 200 7,604 40.4 918 12.4 701 11.7 353 9.8 2,370 44.8 1,614 40.8 

201 to 300 1,230 6.5 977 13.2 768 12.8 438 12.2 183 3.5 266 6.7 

Greater than 300 5,370 28.6 5,001 67.4 4,091 68.4 2,652 73.7 250 4.7 670 16.9 

Minimum benefit 1,938 10.3 158 2.1 133 2.2 26 0.7 1,121 21.2 544 13.7 

Maximum benefit 6,835 36.4 2,463 33.2 1,805 30.2 1,264 35.1 1,147 21.7 643 16.2 
Table A.17 (continued) 

61

 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 10,452 55.6 236 3.2 143 2.4 94 2.6 4,387 82.9 2,544 64.3

2 people 3,300 17.6 2,215 29.9 1,471 24.6 842 23.4 743 14.1 614 15.5 

3 people 2,226 11.8 2,153 29.0 1,733 29.0 977 27.1 89 1.7 307 7.8 

4 people 1,502 8.0 1,495 20.2 1,347 22.5 818 22.7 41 0.8 255 6.4 

5 people 812 4.3 810 10.9 784 13.1 499 13.9 23 0.4 155 3.9 

6 or more people 510 2.7 510 6.9 506 8.5 370 10.3 7 0.1 84 2.1 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample. 
62

Table A.18. Average values of selected characteristics for participating households with children, elderly individuals, and 

non-elderly individuals with disabilities 

 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 872 1,093 1,161 1,091 934 1,054 

Net incomee 398 526 571 515 440 500

Earned income 351 737 769 807 51 96

Unearned income 522 356 393 284 883 957

TANF 20 50 50 59 3 15

GA 8 8 8 7 6 5 

SSI 144 94 107 68 189 447

Social Security 282 88 101 41 645 453

Countable income as a percentage 

of poverty guidelines (percent) 

Gross income 64.7 58.9 60.7 55.1 85.4 84.0 

Net incomee 27.3 27.2 28.7 24.7 36.5 35.6 

Deductions (dollars) 

Total deductionf 578 667 682 683 572 591

Earned income deduction 

All householdsn 73 147 154 161 11 20

Households with deduction 245 276 284 287 161 175

Dependent care deduction 

All householdso 10 25 23 35 0 3 

Households with deduction 299 299 301 306 259 250

Medical expense deduction 

All householdso 11 1 2 1 30 14

Households with deduction 182 127 128 114 184 176

Child support payment deduction 

All householdsp 4 5 5 5 1 7 

Households with deduction 241 277 274 269 158 246

Excess shelter expense deduction 

All householdsp 312 314 323 303 366 379

Households with deduction 433 420 422 414 449 447

SNAP benefit (dollars) 234 387 400 430 120 177

Household size (individuals) 2.0 3.3 3.5 3.6 1.2 1.8 

Certification period (months) 14.7 10.0 10.1 9.7 21.0 17.9 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample. 
63

Table A.19. Distribution of participating households with countable earned and unearned income by selected characteristics 

 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 18,802 100.0 5,384 100.0 11,666 100.0 799 100.0 613 100.0 

Household 

composition . . . . . . . . . . 

Children 7,420 39.5 3,961 73.6 3,662 31.4 765 95.8 136 22.2 

School-age 5,984 31.8 3,237 60.1 3,145 27.0 606 75.8 115 18.8 

Preschool-age 3,601 19.2 2,024 37.6 1,545 13.2 388 48.5 53 8.6 

Elderly individuals 5,289 28.1 336 6.2 4,788 41.0 42 5.2 178 29.0 

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities 3,959 21.1 438 8.1 3,952 33.9 165 20.6 122 19.9 

Countable income 

source . . . . . . . . . . 

Gross income 15,322 81.5 5,384 100.0 11,666 100.0 799 100.0 613 100.0 

No gross incomeee 3,480 18.5 - - - - - - - - 

Net income 11,603 61.7 4,305 80.0 8,854 75.9 526 65.9 326 53.1 

No net income 6,601 35.1 1,066 19.8 2,326 19.9 251 31.4 287 46.9 

Not applicablec 598 3.2 13 0.2 486 4.2 22 2.7 - - 

Earned income 5,384 28.6 5,384 100.0 1,728 14.8 158 19.8 51 8.3 

Unearned income 11,666 62.0 1,728 32.1 11,666 100.0 799 100.0 613 100.0 

TANF 799 4.2 158 2.9 799 6.8 799 100.0 5 0.8 

GA 613 3.3 51 0.9 613 5.3 5 0.6 613 100.0 

SSI 4,462 23.7 356 6.6 4,462 38.2 161 20.1 202 33.0 

Social Security 5,871 31.2 404 7.5 5,871 50.3 70 8.7 116 18.9 

Deductions . . . . . . . . . . 

Total deduction 18,208 96.8 5,375 99.8 11,184 95.9 781 97.7 613 100.0 

Standard deduction 18,204 96.8 5,371 99.8 11,180 95.8 777 97.3 613 100.0 

Earned income 

deduction 5,365 28.5 5,365 99.7 1,712 14.7 157 19.7 50 8.2 

Dependent care 

deduction 610 3.2 563 10.5 226 1.9 17 2.1 2 0.3 

Medical expense 

deduction 1,067 5.7 77 1.4 1,057 9.1 8 1.0 5 0.8 

Child support payment 

deduction 296 1.6 151 2.8 186 1.6 5 0.6 5 0.9 

Excess shelter 

expense deduction 13,113 69.7 4,281 79.5 9,262 79.4 668 83.6 500 81.6 

SNAP benefit (dollars) . . . . . . . . . . 

Minimum benefit or 

lessz 1,961 10.4 437 8.1 1,742 14.9 12 1.5 29 4.8 

Greater than the 

minimum to 100 2,637 14.0 491 9.1 2,234 19.1 18 2.2 71 11.6 

101 to 200 7,604 40.4 1,392 25.9 4,365 37.4 121 15.1 372 60.8 

201 to 300 1,230 6.5 741 13.8 740 6.3 90 11.3 24 4.0 

Greater than 300 5,370 28.6 2,323 43.1 2,585 22.2 558 69.8 115 18.8 

Minimum benefit 1,938 10.3 428 8.0 1,721 14.8 7 0.9 29 4.8 

Maximum benefit 6,835 36.4 1,067 19.8 2,560 21.9 251 31.4 287 46.9 

Household size . . . . . . . . . . 

1 person 10,452 55.6 1,309 24.3 7,140 61.2 63 7.9 443 72.3 

2 people 3,300 17.6 1,170 21.7 1,996 17.1 283 35.4 80 13.0 

3 people 2,226 11.8 1,173 21.8 1,098 9.4 191 23.9 40 6.6 

4 people 1,502 8.0 867 16.1 756 6.5 136 17.0 33 5.3 

5 people 812 4.3 518 9.6 394 3.4 71 8.9 10 1.6 

6 or more people 510 2.7 346 6.4 282 2.4 55 6.8 7 1.2 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
64

Table A.20. Average values of selected characteristics for participating households with countable earned and unearned 

income 

 Average values for households with countable: 

Household characteristic 

Average 

values 

Earned 

income 

Unearned 

income TANF GA 

Countable income (dollars) . . . . . 

Gross income 872 1,410 995 899 660

Net incomee 398 663 464 408 238

Earned income 351 1,224 154 162 74

Unearned income 522 186 841 737 587

TANF 20 14 33 478 3 

GA 8 3 13 0 255

SSI 144 42 233 153 192

Social Security 282 61 455 69 121

Countable income as a percentage of poverty 

guidelines (percent) 

Gross income 64.7 84.8 79.3 50.4 52.8 

Net incomee 27.3 38.0 33.8 20.5 17.6 

Deductions (dollars) 

Total deductionf 578 796 585 558 554

Earned income deduction 

All householdsn 73 245 32 33 15

Households with deduction 245 245 209 170 181

Dependent care deduction 

All householdso 10 31 6 4 0 

Households with deduction 299 300 268 194 118

Medical expense deduction 

All householdso 11 2 18 1 1 

Households with deduction 182 134 182 116 119

Child support payment deduction 

All householdsp 4 8 4 1 2 

Households with deduction 241 278 236 97 186

Excess shelter expense deduction 

All householdsp 312 336 359 358 364

Households with deduction 433 422 434 416 446

SNAP benefit (dollars) 234 291 197 390 212

Household size (individuals) 2.0 2.9 1.8 3.1 1.6 

Certification period (months) 14.7 10.3 17.2 11.6 15.4 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
65

Table A.21. Distribution of participating households with selected household characteristics by race and Hispanic status of household head 

 

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) 18,802 7,441 4,675 2,250 602 222 120 2,515 977

Row percent 100.0 39.6 24.9 12.0 3.2 1.2 0.6 13.4 5.2 

Households with: 

Children 

Number (000) 7,420 2,398 1,928 901 156 99 51 957 930

Row percent 100.0 32.3 26.0 12.1 2.1 1.3 0.7 12.9 12.5 

Elderly individuals 

Number (000) 5,289 2,247 1,112 786 316 42 36 731 18

Row percent 100.0 42.5 21.0 14.9 6.0 0.8 0.7 13.8 0.3 

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities 

Number (000) 3,959 1,783 1,095 304 65 34 28 607 42

Row percent 100.0 45.0 27.7 7.7 1.7 0.9 0.7 15.3 1.1 

Countable earned 

income 

Number (000) 5,384 1,919 1,256 627 164 65 43 645 664

Row percent 100.0 35.7 23.3 11.6 3.0 1.2 0.8 12.0 12.3 

Countable TANF 

income 

Number (000) 799 214 215 145 19 16 5 67 119

Row percent 100.0 26.8 26.9 18.1 2.3 2.0 0.6 8.4 14.9 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
66

Table A.22. Distribution of participating households by presence of a household member with selected characteristics 

 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) 18,802 17,119 1,490 110 901 279 837

Percent 100.0 91.0 7.9 0.6 4.8 1.5 4.5 

Average SNAP benefit 

(dollars) 234 240 223 363 255 414 345

Households with: 

Children 

Number (000) 7,420 7,311 388 71 316 279 837

Row percent 100.0 98.5 5.2 1.0 4.3 3.8 11.3 

Elderly individuals 

Number (000) 5,289 4,009 942 24 487 25 9 

Row percent 100.0 75.8 17.8 0.5 9.2 0.5 0.2 

Non-elderly individuals 

with disabilities 

Number (000) 3,959 3,849 123 6 66 26 38

Row percent 100.0 97.2 3.1 0.2 1.7 0.7 1.0 

Countable earned 

income 

Number (000) 5,384 5,163 369 57 304 201 640

Row percent 100.0 95.9 6.9 1.1 5.6 3.7 11.9 

Countable TANF 

income 

Number (000) 799 778 24 13 30 24 106

Row percent 100.0 97.4 3.0 1.6 3.8 2.9 13.3 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample. 
67

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

 Total participants Female participants Male participants 

Participant characteristic 

Number 

(000) Percenthh

Number 

(000) Percenthh

Number 

(000) Percenthh

Total 37,202 100.0 21,389 57.5 15,813 42.5 

Age 

Child 15,871 42.7 7,847 21.1 8,024 21.6 

Preschool-age 4,822 13.0 2,392 6.4 2,430 6.5 

School-age 11,049 29.7 5,455 14.7 5,593 15.0 

Non-elderly adult 15,532 41.7 9,930 26.7 5,601 15.1 

18–35 years 7,246 19.5 4,996 13.4 2,250 6.0 

36–59 years 8,285 22.3 4,934 13.3 3,351 9.0 

Elderly individual 5,800 15.6 3,612 9.7 2,188 5.9 

Citizenship 

U.S.-born citizen 33,906 91.1 19,358 52.0 14,548 39.1 

Naturalized citizen 1,861 5.0 1,185 3.2 675 1.8 

Refugee 295 0.8 158 0.4 137 0.4 

Other noncitizen 1,141 3.1 688 1.8 453 1.2 

Citizen children living with 

noncitizen adultsii 2,470 6.6 1,236 3.3 1,233 3.3 

Non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 4,182 11.2 2,169 5.8 2,013 5.4 

Children with disabilities 562 1.5 174 0.5 388 1.0 

Non-elderly adults with 

disabilities 3,619 9.7 1,995 5.4 1,625 4.4 

Adults age 18–49 without 

disabilities in childless 

householdsa 2,610 7.0 1,248 3.4 1,362 3.7 

Race and Hispanic statusff 

White, not Hispanic 13,596 36.5 7,826 21.0 5,770 15.5 

African American, not Hispanic 9,611 25.8 5,620 15.1 3,991 10.7 

Hispanic, any race 5,947 16.0 3,390 9.1 2,557 6.9 

Asian, not Hispanic 1,221 3.3 699 1.9 522 1.4 

Native American, not Hispanic 542 1.5 297 0.8 246 0.7 

Multiple races reported, not 

Hispanic 296 0.8 182 0.5 114 0.3 

Race unknown 5,989 16.1 3,376 9.1 2,613 7.0 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample. 
68

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

 Household size (individuals) 

Participant characteristic 

Total 

(000) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 

8 or 

more 

Total 37,202 10,452 6,601 6,678 6,010 4,058 1,804 902 699

Children younger than 

age 12 

1 or younger 1,783 34 347 472 445 254 134 56 40

2–3 years 2,010 44 360 513 466 347 142 71 68

4–5 years 1,960 23 306 501 505 325 168 65 67

6–8 years 2,856 36 391 707 741 528 236 111 107

9–11 years 2,790 28 399 682 673 516 238 151 103

Females 21,389 5,813 4,069 4,078 3,460 2,200 968 456 346

1 or younger 894 16 182 237 230 124 63 27 15

2–3 years 1,002 19 152 274 242 166 80 36 32

4–5 years 957 15 143 251 250 146 96 31 26

6–8 years 1,414 22 206 351 358 259 109 62 46

9–11 years 1,359 17 209 331 328 243 112 64 54

12–13 years 862 16 95 202 232 165 76 39 36

14–18 years 1,612 58 279 396 377 272 121 60 48

19–50 years 7,849 1,556 1,752 1,851 1,380 787 302 134 86

51–70 years 3,867 2,776 808 174 59 37 8 4 2 

71 or older 1,573 1,317 243 9 2 1 0 0 - 

Males 15,813 4,639 2,532 2,600 2,550 1,857 836 446 353

1 or younger 888 18 166 235 215 129 71 29 25

2–3 years 1,008 24 208 239 224 181 62 35 35

4–5 years 1,003 8 163 249 255 180 72 34 42

6–8 years 1,442 14 185 355 383 269 127 48 61

9–11 years 1,432 12 189 350 345 273 125 88 49

12–13 years 839 11 122 199 205 158 71 40 33

14–18 years 1,642 42 300 384 391 270 115 90 51

19–50 years 3,797 1,820 393 471 457 353 171 77 54

51–70 years 3,004 2,241 514 106 70 44 22 5 3 

71 or older 758 448 293 11 6 1 0 - -

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample. 
69

Table A.25. Distribution of household heads, all participants, and non-elderly adult participants by work registration status 

and employment status 

 

Household 

heads 

All 

participants 

Non-elderly adult 

participants 

Employment/work registration status 

Number 

(000) Percent 

Number 

(000) Percent 

Number 

(000) Percent 

Total 18,802 100.0 37,202 100.0 15,532 100.0 

Work registration status 

Work registrant 3,255 17.3 4,484 12.1 4,063 26.2 

Mandatory employment and training program 

participant 845 4.5 1,120 3.0 1,116 7.2 

Voluntary employment and training program 

participant 159 0.8 223 0.6 194 1.2 

Not employment and training program 

participant 2,250 12.0 3,141 8.4 2,753 17.7 

Exempt 14,498 77.1 32,598 87.6 11,356 73.1 

For disability 5,468 29.1 6,313 17.0 3,871 24.9 

For reason other than disability 9,030 48.0 26,285 70.7 7,486 48.2 

Nonregistrant, should have registered 65 0.3 109 0.3 106 0.7 

Nonparticipating household headgg 977 5.2 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. 

Unknown 6 0.0 11 0.0 7 0.0 

Employment and training program status 

Total participating in employment and training 

programjj 897 4.8 3,025 8.1 1,074 6.9 

Not participating in employment and training 

program 16,925 90.0 34,171 91.9 14,454 93.1 

Nonparticipating household headgg 977 5.2 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. 

Unknown 3 0.0 6 0.0 4 0.0 

Employment status 

Total employed 4,193 22.3 5,165 13.9 4,824 31.1 

Self-employed, farming 6 0.0 7 0.0 6 0.0 

Self-employed, nonfarming 509 2.7 663 1.8 582 3.7 

Migrant farm labor - - - - - - 

Non-migrant farm labor 2 0.0 2 0.0 2 0.0 

Active-duty military service 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 

Employed by other 3,675 19.5 4,492 12.1 4,234 27.3 

Unemployed and looking for work 2,297 12.2 3,024 8.1 2,882 18.6 

Not in labor force and not looking for work 11,332 60.3 29,008 78.0 7,822 50.4 

Nonparticipating household headgg 977 5.2 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. 

Unknown 3 0.0 6 0.0 3 0.0 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample. 
70

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

 

 Working adults 

Average monthly 

earnings among 

those with 

earnings 

(dollars) 

 

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) 

 Number 

(000) 

Column 

percent 

Number 

(000) 

Row 

percent 

Total 21,332 100.0 4,966 23.3 17.5 12.1 4.1 1,193 

Age and household 

composition 

Non-elderly adults without 

disabilities (age 18–59) 11,912 55.8 4,516 37.9 29.6 20.9 7.1 1,249 

Living with children 7,750 36.3 3,476 44.8 37.0 27.3 9.8 1,372 

Living with preschool-age 

children 3,908 18.3 1,787 45.7 37.9 28.1 10.1 1,413 

Living in childless 

households 4,162 19.5 1,040 25.0 16.0 9.1 2.1 841

Age 18–49 living in 

childless households 2,610 12.2 684 26.2 16.8 9.1 2.2 827

Non-elderly adults with 

disabilities 3,619 17.0 157 4.3 1.4 0.3 0.1 428

Elderly adults (60 or older) 5,800 27.2 292 5.0 2.5 1.3 0.4 730

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample. 
71

Table A.27. Comparison of participating households with key SNAP household characteristics for fiscal years 1992–2019 

 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 1992 10,059 9.6 21.9 3.6 15.4 62.2 9.5 39.5 20.2 18.4 10.4 

Fiscal year 1993 10,791 9.7 23.7 4.0 15.5 62.1 10.7 39.4 20.6 19.4 11.6 

Fiscal year 1994 11,091 10.2 23.8 4.5 15.8 61.1 12.5 38.1 21.4 21.4 10.7 

Fiscal year 1995 10,883 9.7 25.0 4.3 16.0 59.7 18.9 38.3 21.4 22.6 10.7 

Fiscal year 1996 10,552 10.2 24.9 4.5 16.2 59.5 20.2 36.6 22.5 24.1 10.5 

Fiscal year 1997 9,452 9.2 22.7 6.6 17.6 58.3 22.3 34.6 24.2 26.5 8.4 

Fiscal year 1998 8,246 8.8 20.8 8.3 18.2 58.3 24.4 31.4 26.3 28.1 4.3 

Fiscal year 1999 7,670 8.5 20.6 9.7 20.1 55.7 26.4 27.3 26.8 30.2 6.0 

Fiscal year 2000 7,252 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 

Source: Fiscal years 1992 to 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control samples. 

Note: Fiscal year analysis files were not developed for the years before 1989. 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. 

 Fiscal year 2018 data have been revised due to corrected Program Operations data. See Appendix D for more information. 
72

Table A.28. Comparison of average nominal and real values of key SNAP household characteristics for fiscal years 1992–2019 

 

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 

Time period (individuals) 

Nominal 

value 

Real 

valueoo

Nominal 

value 

Real 

valueoo

Nominal 

value 

Real 

valueoo

Nominal 

value 

Real 

valuepp

Fiscal year 1992 478 867 258 468 250 453 170 300 57 2.6 

Fiscal year 1993 490 863 258 454 262 461 170 293 56 2.6 

Fiscal year 1994 507 870 268 460 272 467 168 281 57 2.5 

Fiscal year 1995 514 858 265 442 283 472 172 279 56 2.5 

Fiscal year 1996 528 856 275 446 287 465 174 272 57 2.5 

Fiscal year 1997 558 884 299 474 291 461 169 258 58 2.4 

Fiscal year 1998 584 911 321 501 294 459 165 247 60 2.4 

Fiscal year 1999 603 921 338 516 299 457 162 238 62 2.4 

Fiscal year 2000 595 879 331 489 300 443 165 237 61 2.3 

Fiscal year 2001 596 856 325 467 314 451 171 238 60 2.3 

Fiscal year 2002 602 856 324 461 327 465 182 250 59 2.3 

Fiscal year 2003 608 841 317 438 346 478 192 258 57 2.3 

Fiscal year 2004 634 854 312 420 382 514 197 255 58 2.3 

Fiscal year 2005 644 839 316 412 390 508 209 266 58 2.3 

Fiscal year 2006 668 843 323 408 410 517 208 260 59 2.3 

Fiscal year 2007 684 839 325 399 430 528 212 254 59 2.2 

Fiscal year 2008 693 819 329 389 441 521 222 250 58 2.2 

Fiscal year 2009 711 843 329 390 471 558 272 305 58 2.2 

Fiscal year 2010 731 853 336 392 491 573 287 321 57 2.2 

Fiscal year 2011 744 848 338 385 508 579 281 304 59 2.1 

Fiscal year 2012 755 840 343 382 512 570 274 286 60 2.1 

Fiscal year 2013 758 831 344 377 522 572 271 280 59 2.1 

Fiscal year 2014 759 818 335 361 538 580 253 258 58 2.0 

Fiscal year 2015 786 844 354 380 529 568 254 253 59 2.0 

Fiscal year 2016 814 867 374 398 539 574 249 250 61 2.0 

Fiscal year 2017 837 873 384 401 550 574 245 248 63 2.0 

Fiscal year 2018 852 868 389 396 563 573 239 241 63 2.0 

Fiscal year 2019 872 872 398 398 578 578 234 234 65 2.0 

Sources: CPI-U values: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nominal values: Fiscal years 1992 to 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control 

samples. 

Note: Fiscal year analysis files were not developed for the years before 1989. 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. 

 Fiscal year 2018 data have been revised due to corrected Program Operations data. See Appendix D for more information. 
73

Table A.29. Comparison of number of SNAP participants by gender and age for fiscal years 1992–2019 

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 1992 25,775 15,204 10,566 13,368 10,700 1,703 

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

Source: Fiscal years 1992 to 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control samples. 

Notes: Fiscal year analysis files were not developed for the years before 1989. 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. 

Fiscal year 2018 data have been revised due to corrected Program Operations data. See Appendix D for more information. 

 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 

77

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 22,406 MFIP households and 575,336

SSI-CAP households are excluded from this distribution. 

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, 22,406 MFIP households 

and 575,336 SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits are 

excluded from this category. Thus, the average values are based on fewer households than 

the number of total SNAP households shown in Appendix Table A.1. 

f Because deductions are not used in their benefit determinations, 575,336 SSI-CAP 

households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits are excluded from this 

category. Thus, the average values are based on fewer households than the number of total 

SNAP households shown in Appendix Table A.1. 

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 2019 maximum monthly SSI benefit for one person was $750 from October 

through December 2018 and $771 from January through September 2019. This row 

tabulates the number of households in which at least one person received the applicable 

maximum SSI benefit. 

l The fiscal year 2019 maximum monthly SSI benefit for two individuals was $1,125 from 

October through December 2018 and $1,157 from January through September 2019. This 

row tabulates the number of households in which the two individuals receive a combined 

SSI benefit of this amount. 

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, 752,232 SSI-CAP 

households are excluded from this category. Thus, the average values are based on fewer 

households than the number of total SNAP households shown in Appendix Table A.1.
78

o Because this deduction is not used in their benefit determinations, 22,406 MFIP households 

and 752,232 SSI-CAP households are excluded from this category. Thus, the average values 

are based on fewer households than the number of total SNAP households shown in 

Appendix Table A.1. 

p Because this deduction is not used in their benefit determinations, 22,406 MFIP households 

and 575,336 SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits are 

excluded from this category. Thus, the average values are based on fewer households than 

the number of total SNAP households shown in Appendix Table A.1. 

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 163)” row contains MFIP households, which do not receive a 

standard deduction, and households in the Virgin Islands, which receive a standard 

deduction of $145 for one- to three-person households. 

s

In 2019, the standard deduction was $164 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 2019, the excess shelter expense deduction cap for households without elderly or disabled 

members was $552.

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 

the one- and two-person household minimum. See Appendix Table C.6 for the fiscal year 

2019 minimum benefit values. 

aa In 2019, the maximum monthly SNAP benefit was $192 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. 
79

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 fiscal year 2019. 

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 

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 
80

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 2019 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 2019 dollars adjusted by changes in the CPI-U for 

food at home. 

– No sample data in this category. 

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.

83

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

 

SNAP 

households 

Participants in 

households 

Monthly 

SNAP benefits 

State 

Number 

(000) Percent 

Number 

(000) Percent 

Dollars 

(000) Percent 

Totala 18,802 100.0 37,202 100.0 4,400,590 100.0 

Alabama 336 1.8 707 1.9 81,258 1.8 

Alaska 36 0.2 80 0.2 13,280 0.3 

Arizona 368 2.0 788 2.1 91,915 2.1 

Arkansas 154 0.8 344 0.9 36,212 0.8 

California 1,912 10.2 3,722 10.0 473,206 10.8 

Colorado 223 1.2 444 1.2 50,574 1.1 

Connecticut 208 1.1 354 1.0 45,042 1.0 

Delaware 62 0.3 126 0.3 13,888 0.3 

District of Columbia 65 0.3 108 0.3 12,965 0.3 

Florida 1,522 8.1 2,803 7.5 322,189 7.3 

Georgia 635 3.4 1,373 3.7 164,879 3.7 

Guam 15 0.1 44 0.1 7,874 0.2 

Hawaii 80 0.4 153 0.4 36,416 0.8 

Idaho 66 0.4 146 0.4 15,909 0.4 

Illinois 867 4.6 1,729 4.6 208,001 4.7 

Indiana 250 1.3 557 1.5 64,198 1.5 

Iowa 150 0.8 308 0.8 32,294 0.7 

Kansas 91 0.5 195 0.5 20,682 0.5 

Kentucky 238 1.3 526 1.4 58,683 1.3 

Louisiana 371 2.0 799 2.1 98,463 2.2 

Maine 82 0.4 143 0.4 14,960 0.3 

Maryland 331 1.8 607 1.6 69,751 1.6 

Massachusetts 445 2.4 748 2.0 91,327 2.1 

Michigan 611 3.2 1,138 3.1 131,330 3.0 

Minnesota 204 1.1 392 1.1 39,895 0.9 

Mississippi 210 1.1 451 1.2 48,975 1.1 

Missouri 317 1.7 675 1.8 79,263 1.8 

Montana 52 0.3 105 0.3 11,710 0.3 

Nebraska 71 0.4 157 0.4 17,520 0.4 

Nevada 218 1.2 407 1.1 45,953 1.0 

New Hampshire 39 0.2 74 0.2 7,265 0.2 

New Jersey 354 1.9 703 1.9 79,334 1.8 

New Mexico 214 1.1 436 1.2 49,911 1.1 

New York 1,484 7.9 2,595 7.0 341,562 7.8 

North Carolina 615 3.3 1,264 3.4 146,088 3.3 

North Dakota 23 0.1 47 0.1 5,560 0.1 

Ohio 676 3.6 1,352 3.6 160,262 3.6 

Oklahoma 258 1.4 553 1.5 64,059 1.5 

Oregon 347 1.8 587 1.6 67,158 1.5 

Pennsylvania 935 5.0 1,726 4.6 199,637 4.5 

Rhode Island 86 0.5 143 0.4 16,476 0.4 

South Carolina 276 1.5 594 1.6 68,895 1.6 

South Dakota 38 0.2 80 0.2 9,986 0.2 

Tennessee 420 2.2 880 2.4 103,313 2.3 

Texas 1,440 7.7 3,361 9.0 383,773 8.7 

Utah 72 0.4 170 0.5 19,095 0.4 

Vermont 39 0.2 68 0.2 8,141 0.2 

Virgin Islands 11 0.1 23 0.1 3,633 0.1 

Virginia 328 1.7 669 1.8 76,092 1.7 

Washington 474 2.5 813 2.2 95,343 2.2 

West Virginia 159 0.8 302 0.8 31,642 0.7 

Wisconsin 313 1.7 609 1.6 61,799 1.4 

Wyoming 12 0.1 26 0.1 2,949 0.1 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample. 
84

Table B.2. Average values of selected characteristics by State 

 Average values 

State 

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 64.7 872 398 578 234 2.0 14.7 

Alabama 59.4 813 410 477 242 2.1 16.2 

Alaska 51.1 939 505 609 368 2.2 7.3 

Arizona 52.9 770 408 453 250 2.1 11.5 

Arkansas 56.7 822 494 390 235 2.2 19.3 

California 57.1 789 341 596 247 1.9 16.2 

Colorado 67.0 905 409 590 227 2.0 12.9 

Connecticut 72.7 918 298 761 216 1.7 17.6 

Delaware 69.9 957 481 544 223 2.0 15.8 

District of Columbia 51.0 641 361 466 200 1.7 15.3 

Florida 68.9 897 405 559 212 1.8 10.0 

Georgia 56.2 785 385 491 260 2.2 8.3 

Guam 60.5 1,063 573 597 515 2.9 13.9 

Hawaii 59.2 938 524 477 457 1.9 11.6 

Idaho 65.1 932 457 552 240 2.2 12.0 

Illinois 62.4 847 365 579 240 2.0 12.1 

Indiana 58.8 836 412 506 257 2.2 11.8 

Iowa 69.3 974 492 565 215 2.1 7.7 

Kansas 65.4 919 468 528 229 2.2 17.5 

Kentucky 50.7 741 439 411 247 2.2 13.4 

Louisiana 51.6 718 341 455 265 2.2 16.7 

Maine 84.0 1,060 464 654 183 1.8 12.1 

Maryland 65.5 846 416 524 210 1.8 12.4 

Massachusetts 78.7 980 345 753 205 1.7 21.7 

Michigan 71.8 919 400 619 215 1.9 17.2 

Minnesota 70.3 932 549 479 196 1.9 13.7 

Mississippi 57.3 794 450 405 233 2.1 14.9 

Missouri 62.4 854 389 545 250 2.1 17.8 

Montana 68.0 920 431 584 226 2.0 16.3 

Nebraska 63.8 906 434 569 245 2.2 8.3 

Nevada 63.0 842 445 481 211 1.9 8.1 

New Hampshire 80.9 1,100 496 683 186 1.9 7.2 

New Jersey 76.0 1,023 415 685 224 2.0 17.0 

New Mexico 56.1 802 397 486 233 2.0 15.0 

New York 78.7 994 352 830 230 1.7 20.8 

North Carolina 67.3 905 441 556 238 2.1 9.3 

North Dakota 68.8 921 373 654 240 2.0 8.4 

Ohio 64.0 850 390 564 237 2.0 16.3 

Oklahoma 53.3 750 398 438 248 2.1 15.8 

Oregon 69.7 883 387 593 194 1.7 12.6 

Pennsylvania 75.8 990 402 694 214 1.8 21.6 

Rhode Island 77.7 965 367 726 192 1.7 17.9 

South Carolina 57.7 790 402 478 250 2.2 9.1 

South Dakota 61.1 839 331 654 265 2.1 14.2 

Tennessee 55.1 743 391 423 246 2.1 11.9 

Texas 57.4 871 432 576 266 2.3 12.8 

Utah 56.1 867 444 511 266 2.4 7.7 

Vermont 88.4 1,129 344 952 209 1.7 17.8 

Virgin Islands 50.6 713 442 319 325 2.1 13.3 

Virginia 58.8 800 408 460 232 2.0 16.1 

Washington 65.5 828 363 566 201 1.7 16.7 

West Virginia 65.2 850 491 438 200 1.9 17.7 

Wisconsin 76.6 1,018 534 568 198 1.9 11.5 

Wyoming 60.5 841 432 500 251 2.2 7.0 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample. 
85

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

 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 18,802 3,480 18.5 3,301 17.6 8,265 44.0 3,756 20.0 

Alabama 336 58 17.1 69 20.6 165 48.9 45 13.3 

Alaska 36 11 29.5 7 20.8 13 34.7 5 15.1 

Arizona 368 100 27.2 74 20.1 134 36.3 61 16.4 

Arkansas 154 30 19.5 29 18.9 76 49.5 19 12.1 

California 1,912 505 26.4 523 27.3 493 25.8 392 20.5 

Colorado 223 32 14.5 43 19.3 100 44.8 48 21.3 

Connecticut 208 35 16.7 29 13.8 88 42.1 57 27.4 

Delaware 62 8 12.3 14 22.9 26 41.6 15 23.3 

District of Columbia 65 23 34.8 11 17.4 23 35.1 8 12.6 

Florida 1,522 263 17.3 185 12.1 726 47.7 348 22.9 

Georgia 635 144 22.7 125 19.7 266 41.9 100 15.7 

Guam 15 2 12.9 5 31.3 6 37.4 3 18.5 

Hawaii 80 10 12.8 20 25.5 38 47.6 11 14.1 

Idaho 66 8 12.5 12 18.0 35 52.6 11 16.9 

Illinois 867 205 23.6 108 12.4 370 42.7 185 21.3 

Indiana 250 44 17.6 47 18.9 121 48.4 38 15.1 

Iowa 150 22 14.9 25 16.8 66 43.8 37 24.4 

Kansas 91 13 14.4 14 15.0 48 52.7 16 17.9 

Kentucky 238 62 25.9 43 18.1 113 47.5 20 8.5 

Louisiana 371 76 20.4 83 22.5 181 48.8 31 8.4 

Maine 82 7 9.0 6 7.3 44 53.6 25 30.1 

Maryland 331 64 19.2 57 17.2 142 42.9 69 20.7 

Massachusetts 445 64 14.4 57 12.9 207 46.6 116 26.1 

Michigan 611 92 15.1 79 12.9 294 48.2 145 23.8 

Minnesota 204 16 7.8 51 24.8 90 44.4 47 23.0 

Mississippi 210 37 17.6 41 19.5 109 51.7 24 11.2 

Missouri 317 53 16.6 48 15.2 169 53.2 48 15.0 

Montana 52 10 18.4 7 14.2 23 44.4 12 23.0 

Nebraska 71 11 15.1 13 18.6 35 48.8 12 17.4 

Nevada 218 54 24.9 36 16.7 78 35.6 50 22.8 

New Hampshire 39 4 10.6 3 6.8 21 54.7 11 27.9 

New Jersey 354 29 8.3 50 14.2 189 53.5 85 23.9 

New Mexico 214 46 21.5 46 21.6 88 41.2 34 15.8 

New York 1,484 129 8.7 259 17.4 735 49.5 361 24.3 

North Carolina 615 113 18.4 99 16.1 262 42.7 140 22.8 

North Dakota 23 4 17.2 3 14.6 10 41.7 6 26.5 

Ohio 676 125 18.5 102 15.1 323 47.7 126 18.6 

Oklahoma 258 56 21.7 57 22.2 112 43.3 33 12.8 

Oregon 347 65 18.7 50 14.3 142 41.1 90 25.9 

Pennsylvania 935 116 12.4 109 11.7 473 50.6 236 25.3 

Rhode Island 86 12 14.5 8 9.6 40 46.7 25 29.2 

South Carolina 276 51 18.4 58 21.0 128 46.4 39 14.2 

South Dakota 38 8 20.4 7 18.2 16 42.5 7 18.9 

Tennessee 420 97 23.2 73 17.4 196 46.7 54 12.7 

Texas 1,440 306 21.3 300 20.8 614 42.6 220 15.3 

Utah 72 16 22.3 14 19.4 30 42.1 12 16.2 

Vermont 39 3 8.8 4 10.9 17 42.8 15 37.5 

Virgin Islands 11 2 14.7 4 38.6 4 34.2 1 12.6 

Virginia 328 59 18.0 61 18.5 165 50.4 43 13.1 

Washington 474 97 20.5 67 14.1 210 44.4 100 21.1 

West Virginia 159 31 19.3 22 13.6 76 47.7 31 19.4 

Wisconsin 313 51 16.2 39 12.6 132 42.4 90 28.8 

Wyoming 12 2 18.1 2 15.7 6 49.1 2 17.2 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample. 
86

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

 

Households with 

shelter deduction 

Households at the 

shelter cap 

Average 

monthly 

shelter 

expense 

(dollars) 

Average monthly 

shelter expense 

among households 

with expense 

(dollars) 

Average 

shelter 

deduction 

(dollars)d State 

Number 

(000) Percent 

Number 

(000) Percent 

Totala 13,113 69.7 2,638 14.0 659 818 433

Alabama 224 66.6 22 6.4 484 627 321

Alaska 21 56.9 1 2.9 512 688 401

Arizona 201 54.5 36 9.7 450 656 342

Arkansas 81 52.7 5 3.4 396 537 264

California 1,434 75.0 495 25.9 703 888 460

Colorado 161 72.4 34 15.4 708 841 455

Connecticut 170 81.7 50 24.0 937 1,121 628

Delaware 42 66.8 10 15.5 619 803 395

District of Columbia 55 84.3 3 4.3 495 518 311

Florida 1,115 73.2 171 11.2 657 807 415

Georgia 382 60.1 56 8.8 506 715 378

Guam 5 31.7 0 0.9 246 400 205

Hawaii 38 48.0 2 2.8 417 585 311

Idaho 51 76.4 7 10.4 624 720 360

Illinois 603 69.5 132 15.2 641 834 435

Indiana 167 66.6 25 10.1 549 719 375

Iowa 108 72.2 18 12.3 635 756 384

Kansas 69 76.4 8 8.3 580 661 327

Kentucky 140 58.8 9 3.9 408 575 275

Louisiana 234 62.9 25 6.8 459 617 332

Maine 67 82.2 9 10.7 832 926 497

Maryland 212 63.9 36 10.7 596 747 400

Massachusetts 367 82.4 71 16.0 892 1,047 585

Michigan 444 72.8 84 13.7 709 850 472

Minnesota 122 60.0 13 6.4 549 746 386

Mississippi 98 46.5 5 2.6 389 517 267

Missouri 238 75.0 27 8.6 559 666 347

Montana 38 74.1 6 12.4 669 801 421

Nebraska 54 75.4 10 13.4 651 739 395

Nevada 132 60.5 21 9.5 520 735 350

New Hampshire 32 81.0 5 13.7 870 953 515

New Jersey 286 81.0 52 14.7 836 945 513

New Mexico 134 62.5 22 10.4 483 650 336

New York 1,001 67.4 364 24.5 1,045 1,127 619

North Carolina 412 67.0 80 13.0 615 776 396

North Dakota 17 74.6 4 17.9 695 831 459

Ohio 475 70.3 72 10.7 641 802 456

Oklahoma 158 61.1 19 7.4 456 619 318

Oregon 263 75.8 46 13.3 692 852 442

Pennsylvania 797 85.2 171 18.3 839 919 494

Rhode Island 72 83.2 21 24.5 884 966 564

South Carolina 148 53.8 19 6.9 435 572 323

South Dakota 25 65.9 7 19.8 717 896 514

Tennessee 245 58.3 23 5.4 435 628 313

Texas 983 68.2 187 13.0 575 741 371

Utah 45 62.3 9 12.3 555 749 368

Vermont 39 99.0 11 27.3 1,217 1,221 672

Virgin Islands 3 29.1 0 3.0 196 288 193

Virginia 212 64.6 24 7.2 490 619 318

Washington 366 77.3 61 12.8 675 820 422

West Virginia 104 65.5 7 4.1 493 597 308

Wisconsin 218 69.7 43 13.7 677 813 411

Wyoming 8 70.6 1 8.8 536 637 327

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample. 
87

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

 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 7,420 39.5 5,289 28.1 3,959 21.1 4,621 24.6 2,458 13.1 

Alabama 155 46.1 79 23.4 84 24.9 112 33.4 34 10.2 

Alaska 15 40.9 9 23.6 5 14.7 8 22.5 8 23.3 

Arizona 152 41.3 92 24.9 50 13.6 92 25.0 75 20.3 

Arkansas 73 47.3 30 19.4 47 30.6 51 32.8 19 12.3 

California 808 42.3 396 20.7 114 6.0 379 19.8 476 24.9 

Colorado 88 39.6 66 29.5 43 19.3 57 25.5 29 12.9 

Connecticut 59 28.2 65 31.2 47 22.4 40 19.2 34 16.3 

Delaware 26 41.0 15 23.5 16 26.3 17 27.1 8 12.7 

District of Columbia 19 29.3 16 24.7 11 16.2 15 23.5 16 24.7 

Florida 535 35.2 611 40.1 308 20.3 271 17.8 113 7.4 

Georgia 301 47.4 158 25.0 119 18.8 206 32.4 83 13.1 

Guam 8 53.7 4 24.4 1 3.3 2 14.4 3 17.0 

Hawaii 27 34.3 27 33.7 14 17.4 16 20.0 11 13.6 

Idaho 31 47.0 15 22.6 20 29.6 18 27.6 5 7.6 

Illinois 351 40.5 223 25.7 147 16.9 216 25.0 137 15.8 

Indiana 116 46.4 58 23.0 63 25.3 75 30.0 24 9.4 

Iowa 62 41.4 27 17.7 37 24.6 39 25.9 24 16.2 

Kansas 39 42.7 22 24.6 28 30.4 21 22.9 6 6.9 

Kentucky 105 44.2 56 23.7 61 25.7 63 26.3 29 12.1 

Louisiana 167 45.0 75 20.1 104 28.1 133 35.9 55 14.7 

Maine 23 28.6 27 33.3 31 37.9 13 16.3 5 6.6 

Maryland 118 35.6 112 33.9 57 17.3 85 25.6 39 11.6 

Massachusetts 127 28.6 150 33.8 128 28.7 90 20.3 59 13.3 

Michigan 203 33.2 164 26.9 181 29.7 121 19.8 72 11.9 

Minnesota 71 35.0 51 24.8 50 24.7 42 20.6 33 16.0 

Mississippi 98 46.9 45 21.3 60 28.5 64 30.5 20 9.4 

Missouri 137 43.2 77 24.2 94 29.8 101 31.8 25 8.0 

Montana 19 36.6 14 26.1 12 23.2 11 22.1 7 13.7 

Nebraska 32 44.5 17 23.9 16 22.8 20 28.1 9 12.8 

Nevada 78 35.9 56 25.9 32 14.9 50 23.0 46 21.1 

New Hampshire 14 37.0 9 24.3 16 40.8 10 25.7 3 6.6 

New Jersey 134 37.8 144 40.8 79 22.4 76 21.6 19 5.3 

New Mexico 85 39.8 40 18.5 36 16.6 51 23.9 51 23.8 

New York 436 29.4 605 40.8 325 21.9 271 18.3 156 10.5 

North Carolina 273 44.4 163 26.5 128 20.8 185 30.0 64 10.4 

North Dakota 9 39.2 6 26.2 5 23.2 6 26.3 3 11.9 

Ohio 256 37.9 185 27.3 190 28.1 176 26.0 62 9.2 

Oklahoma 111 43.2 54 21.1 61 23.8 72 27.7 40 15.5 

Oregon 91 26.2 109 31.4 76 21.9 53 15.4 62 18.0 

Pennsylvania 317 34.0 293 31.3 258 27.6 223 23.8 123 13.1 

Rhode Island 25 28.9 30 34.4 23 26.3 14 16.7 12 14.3 

South Carolina 141 51.0 66 23.8 65 23.4 113 41.1 19 6.9 

South Dakota 16 41.5 9 23.2 10 25.8 8 20.2 5 12.6 

Tennessee 183 43.6 99 23.5 105 25.0 131 31.2 42 10.0 

Texas 784 54.4 347 24.1 263 18.2 479 33.2 85 5.9 

Utah 36 50.7 12 16.2 16 22.2 21 29.0 10 14.0 

Vermont 11 28.2 14 36.7 12 30.8 7 18.1 3 8.9 

Virgin Islands 5 41.0 3 31.0 0 4.2 3 28.7 2 17.5 

Virginia 137 41.9 87 26.4 73 22.2 95 28.9 30 9.0 

Washington 134 28.3 133 28.1 116 24.6 83 17.6 95 20.1 

West Virginia 53 33.6 45 28.5 46 28.7 32 20.5 22 13.9 

Wisconsin 119 38.0 81 25.9 73 23.5 79 25.3 45 14.4 

Wyoming 5 45.3 2 18.9 3 23.9 3 29.7 1 11.9 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample. 
88

Table B.6. Distribution of participating households by selected countable income sources and by State 

 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 5,384 28.6 613 3.3 4,462 23.7 5,871 31.2 799 4.2 

Alabama 96 28.5 0 0.1 96 28.7 103 30.6 4 1.3 

Alaska 10 27.1 10 26.4 5 15.2 9 23.6 4 10.8 

Arizona 108 29.4 - - 55 15.0 92 24.9 6 1.6 

Arkansas 42 27.2 1 0.4 44 28.2 50 32.6 2 1.3 

California 595 31.1 86 4.5 97 5.1 333 17.4 319 16.7 

Colorado 62 28.0 25 11.4 46 20.6 74 33.1 12 5.4 

Connecticut 53 25.6 13 6.2 54 25.8 71 34.3 9 4.4 

Delaware 20 32.8 5 8.8 15 24.4 17 26.9 3 4.3 

District of Columbia 9 13.3 1 1.9 14 21.6 14 22.1 10 15.3 

Florida 375 24.7 - - 444 29.1 596 39.1 21 1.4 

Georgia 177 27.9 - - 122 19.2 192 30.2 5 0.8 

Guam 8 49.7 1 6.4 - - 3 21.4 1 4.1 

Hawaii 23 28.8 4 4.6 17 21.7 27 33.3 4 5.6 

Idaho 22 32.8 13 20.3 20 30.8 20 30.6 2 3.5 

Illinois 284 32.7 13 1.5 153 17.7 251 28.9 19 2.2 

Indiana 78 31.2 - - 63 25.1 76 30.3 5 1.9 

Iowa 61 40.6 - - 30 20.3 45 30.0 7 4.5 

Kansas 27 30.2 0 0.1 25 27.6 34 37.7 3 3.0 

Kentucky 59 24.6 1 0.5 61 25.6 67 28.1 7 2.8 

Louisiana 99 26.7 2 0.7 120 32.2 90 24.4 1 0.3 

Maine 18 21.8 28 34.4 26 32.4 43 52.2 3 3.8 

Maryland 71 21.5 15 4.7 81 24.4 105 31.6 12 3.6 

Massachusetts 94 21.1 20 4.4 144 32.3 169 37.9 25 5.7 

Michigan 173 28.4 3 0.4 177 28.9 224 36.7 17 2.8 

Minnesota 67 32.6 17 8.5 59 28.9 59 28.9 22 10.6 

Mississippi 56 26.4 - - 65 31.0 67 31.9 3 1.5 

Missouri 87 27.5 2 0.7 96 30.3 112 35.4 9 2.7 

Montana 15 29.2 0 0.9 12 22.4 19 36.6 3 5.3 

Nebraska 24 34.0 4 5.6 16 23.1 22 30.9 4 5.2 

Nevada 67 30.8 - - 35 16.3 57 26.0 8 3.9 

New Hampshire 9 23.0 6 15.7 11 27.1 19 47.7 2 5.9 

New Jersey 99 27.9 12 3.4 113 32.0 130 36.8 11 3.2 

New Mexico 81 38.1 2 0.9 37 17.5 48 22.7 13 6.1 

New York 347 23.4 191 12.9 501 33.8 559 37.7 33 2.2 

North Carolina 201 32.6 2 0.3 130 21.1 196 31.9 5 0.8 

North Dakota 8 33.0 0 1.0 5 19.5 8 35.5 0 1.5 

Ohio 177 26.3 3 0.5 200 29.5 238 35.3 27 4.0 

Oklahoma 76 29.4 55 21.4 57 21.9 79 30.5 3 1.2 

Oregon 91 26.4 2 0.6 75 21.5 130 37.6 17 5.0 

Pennsylvania 306 32.7 6 0.7 291 31.1 332 35.6 49 5.3 

Rhode Island 20 23.5 - - 25 28.7 35 40.6 4 5.0 

South Carolina 83 30.0 0 0.1 61 22.1 90 32.8 8 2.8 

South Dakota 11 29.1 0 0.5 9 23.8 13 33.3 2 5.1 

Tennessee 95 22.5 - - 108 25.7 140 33.2 18 4.4 

Texas 531 36.8 - - 282 19.6 348 24.1 10 0.7 

Utah 26 36.8 0 0.2 15 21.0 15 21.1 3 3.5 

Vermont 9 22.7 1 2.8 10 25.5 20 51.0 3 6.9 

Virgin Islands 3 31.2 1 7.7 - - 3 30.5 0 0.5 

Virginia 89 27.0 - - 92 28.2 101 30.7 9 2.8 

Washington 98 20.7 54 11.5 133 28.1 151 32.0 22 4.7 

West Virginia 33 21.1 3 1.9 46 28.8 61 38.7 2 1.2 

Wisconsin 107 34.3 6 1.9 66 21.1 111 35.5 6 2.0 

Wyoming 4 30.7 0 1.7 3 21.5 3 28.1 0 4.2 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample. 
89

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

 Average countable values (dollars)g

State Earned income GA SSI Social Security TANFf

Total 1,224 255 609 905 478

Alabama 1,123 215 580 836 189

Alaska 1,446 336 586 889 658

Arizona 1,238 - 591 904 344

Arkansas 1,146 203 590 821 178

California 1,191 250 913 1,039 641

Colorado 1,299 286 595 893 427

Connecticut 1,262 179 605 963 479

Delaware 1,392 149 625 989 263

District of Columbia 1,293 397 642 838 579

Florida 1,301 - 568 895 226

Georgia 1,085 - 600 941 288

Guam 1,635 154 - 746 166

Hawaii 1,355 386 565 911 485

Idaho 1,231 54 604 854 166

Illinois 1,212 77 621 941 383

Indiana 1,141 - 593 854 177

Iowa 1,165 - 551 913 318

Kansas 1,282 175 561 825 307

Kentucky 1,196 170 640 786 230

Louisiana 1,019 333 628 715 429

Maine 1,342 10 532 946 436

Maryland 1,313 200 598 953 607

Massachusetts 1,442 351 672 923 457

Michigan 1,200 153 592 913 411

Minnesotah 1,195 186 662 899 1 

Mississippi 1,141 - 554 765 150

Missouri 1,218 255 570 815 233

Montana 1,338 627 491 880 502

Nebraska 1,173 151 569 899 417

Nevada 1,260 - 593 1,024 350

New Hampshire 1,592 131 581 930 735

New Jersey 1,359 236 654 909 409

New Mexico 1,138 235 572 847 369

New York 1,331 429 634 928 629

North Carolina 1,252 204 571 964 234

North Dakota 1,262 398 513 900 260

Ohio 1,093 377 585 900 410

Oklahoma 1,032 37 564 812 193

Oregon 1,236 399 574 957 445

Pennsylvania 1,163 205 684 900 327

Rhode Island 1,347 - 609 954 436

South Carolina 1,111 231 559 818 224

South Dakota 1,089 300 565 892 417

Tennessee 1,142 - 568 843 212

Texas 1,266 - 581 855 175

Utah 1,264 287 617 827 449

Vermont 1,416 226 605 1,080 496

Virgin Islands 1,145 180 - 812 260

Virginia 1,181 - 526 825 257

Washington 1,369 80 570 889 512

West Virginia 1,257 359 581 895 353

Wisconsin 1,280 463 662 983 374

Wyoming 1,138 385 590 861 479

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample. 
90

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

 Households with earned income 

Average earned income deduction 

(dollars) 

State 

Number 

(000) Percent 

Average 

earned income 

(dollars) 

All 

householdsi

Households with 

deduction 

Totala 5,384 28.6 1,224 73 245

Alabama 96 28.5 1,123 64 224

Alaska 10 27.1 1,446 78 289

Arizona 108 29.4 1,238 73 247

Arkansas 42 27.2 1,146 62 229

California 595 31.1 1,191 74 238

Colorado 62 28.0 1,299 73 259

Connecticut 53 25.6 1,262 65 253

Delaware 20 32.8 1,392 91 278

District of Columbia 9 13.3 1,293 34 258

Florida 375 24.7 1,301 66 260

Georgia 177 27.9 1,085 61 217

Guam 8 49.7 1,635 162 327

Hawaii 23 28.8 1,355 78 271

Idaho 22 32.8 1,231 81 246

Illinois 284 32.7 1,212 79 242

Indiana 78 31.2 1,141 71 228

Iowa 61 40.6 1,165 94 233

Kansas 27 30.2 1,282 77 256

Kentucky 59 24.6 1,196 61 239

Louisiana 99 26.7 1,019 55 204

Maine 18 21.8 1,342 58 269

Maryland 71 21.5 1,313 59 262

Massachusetts 94 21.1 1,442 65 288

Michigan 173 28.4 1,200 70 240

Minnesota 67 32.6 1,195 82 289

Mississippi 56 26.4 1,141 69 228

Missouri 87 27.5 1,218 67 243

Montana 15 29.2 1,338 78 267

Nebraska 24 34.0 1,173 80 234

Nevada 67 30.8 1,260 78 252

New Hampshire 9 23.0 1,592 73 318

New Jersey 99 27.9 1,359 76 271

New Mexico 81 38.1 1,138 86 227

New York 347 23.4 1,331 79 269

North Carolina 201 32.6 1,252 84 250

North Dakota 8 33.0 1,262 83 252

Ohio 177 26.3 1,093 57 218

Oklahoma 76 29.4 1,032 61 206

Oregon 91 26.4 1,236 65 247

Pennsylvania 306 32.7 1,163 78 233

Rhode Island 20 23.5 1,347 63 269

South Carolina 83 30.0 1,111 73 222

South Dakota 11 29.1 1,089 69 222

Tennessee 95 22.5 1,142 51 228

Texas 531 36.8 1,266 100 253

Utah 26 36.8 1,264 93 253

Vermont 9 22.7 1,416 64 283

Virgin Islands 3 31.2 1,145 71 229

Virginia 89 27.0 1,181 64 236

Washington 98 20.7 1,369 70 273

West Virginia 33 21.1 1,257 53 251

Wisconsin 107 34.3 1,280 88 256

Wyoming 4 30.7 1,138 70 227

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample. 
91

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

 

Total 

entrant 

households 

Entrant households 

eligible for and receiving 

expedited service 

Entrant households eligible 

for but not receiving 

expedited service 

Entrant households not 

eligible for expedited 

service 

State 

Number 

(000) 

Number 

(000) Percent 

Number 

(000) Percent 

Number 

(000) Percent 

Totala 675 347 51.4 33 4.9 295 43.7 

Alabama 9 6 70.6 0 2.8 2 26.6 

Alaska 1 1 46.4 - - 1 53.6 

Arizona 13 7 56.6 - - 5 43.4 

Arkansas 8 4 44.6 1 6.7 4 48.6 

California 59 31 53.5 4 7.4 23 39.1 

Colorado 7 4 51.7 0 3.9 3 44.4 

Connecticut 7 4 64.7 - - 2 35.3 

Delaware 1 0 27.0 0 17.4 1 55.6 

District of Columbia 3 2 59.8 - - 1 40.2 

Florida 38 24 63.0 - - 14 37.0 

Georgia 22 16 69.4 1 3.5 6 27.1 

Guam 0 0 41.9 - - 0 58.1 

Hawaii 2 1 45.8 - - 1 54.2 

Idaho 4 1 37.9 - - 2 62.1 

Illinois 29 12 41.7 5 16.6 12 41.6 

Indiana 10 5 51.6 1 11.1 4 37.3 

Iowa 5 2 33.8 1 13.9 2 52.3 

Kansas 3 1 47.4 0 12.8 1 39.8 

Kentucky 15 6 42.0 0 1.4 8 56.6 

Louisiana 24 5 21.6 3 12.5 16 65.9 

Maine 1 0 23.4 0 25.3 0 51.3 

Maryland 13 8 63.4 1 4.9 4 31.8 

Massachusetts 15 8 54.0 1 7.6 6 38.4 

Michigan 18 10 54.4 1 3.7 8 41.9 

Minnesota 6 3 44.5 0 3.0 3 52.6 

Mississippi 3 2 54.8 0 5.9 1 39.3 

Missouri 16 8 50.3 1 4.6 7 45.1 

Montana 2 1 54.5 - - 1 45.5 

Nebraska 3 1 38.2 - - 2 61.8 

Nevada 12 6 47.6 0 2.6 6 49.8 

New Hampshire 2 1 45.5 - - 1 54.5 

New Jersey 4 2 41.6 1 13.7 2 44.7 

New Mexico 21 11 54.8 0 1.3 9 43.8 

New York 53 39 72.2 4 7.1 11 20.7 

North Carolina 30 15 50.9 1 4.5 13 44.6 

North Dakota 1 0 75.1 - - 0 24.9 

Ohio 10 3 32.6 1 14.3 5 53.1 

Oklahoma 20 11 54.4 1 3.3 8 42.3 

Oregon 8 5 61.6 - - 3 38.4 

Pennsylvania 31 22 72.0 - - 9 28.0 

Rhode Island 3 2 66.6 - - 1 33.4 

South Carolina 10 2 16.4 1 8.4 7 75.3 

South Dakota 1 1 60.2 0 3.3 1 36.4 

Tennessee 21 8 37.4 1 6.8 12 55.8 

Texas 67 24 35.9 2 2.4 41 61.7 

Utah 4 3 67.4 - - 1 32.6 

Vermont 1 1 44.6 - - 1 55.4 

Virgin Islands 0 0 23.8 0 2.2 0 74.0 

Virginia 10 3 28.4 0 3.4 7 68.1 

Washington 10 4 43.0 - - 6 57.0 

West Virginia 3 2 55.9 - - 1 44.1 

Wisconsin 15 9 59.8 0 2.0 6 38.2 

Wyoming 1 1 72.4 - - 0 27.6 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample. 
92

Table B.10. Distribution of participating households by race and Hispanic status of household head and by State 

 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 7,441 39.6 4,675 24.9 2,250 12.0 944 5.0 3,492 18.6 

Alabama 143 42.5 184 54.6 2 0.6 1 0.3 7 2.0 

Alaska 13 34.6 2 5.5 1 2.1 18 50.6 3 7.2 

Arizona 156 42.3 35 9.5 107 29.1 47 12.8 23 6.3 

Arkansas 87 56.4 58 37.6 3 1.8 2 1.4 4 2.8 

California 515 26.9 264 13.8 650 34.0 160 8.4 323 16.9 

Colorado 39 17.6 7 3.1 19 8.6 5 2.2 153 68.5 

Connecticut 84 40.4 50 24.0 51 24.7 4 1.8 19 9.1 

Delaware 4 6.0 2 3.7 0 0.1 - - 56 90.1 

District of Columbia 1 1.5 60 92.5 2 2.9 1 0.8 1 2.3 

Florida 509 33.4 388 25.5 472 31.0 28 1.9 125 8.2 

Georgia 213 33.5 377 59.4 12 2.0 5 0.8 28 4.3 

Guam 0 2.4 - - - - 12 81.0 3 16.7 

Hawaii 14 18.0 1 1.2 2 2.0 42 53.3 20 25.4 

Idaho 54 81.2 1 1.5 7 10.5 2 2.8 3 4.0 

Illinois 337 38.9 298 34.4 47 5.4 34 3.9 151 17.4 

Indiana 158 63.4 62 24.7 11 4.5 7 2.8 12 4.7 

Iowa 82 54.7 18 11.9 2 1.4 3 1.8 45 30.1 

Kansas 42 46.9 11 12.6 4 4.4 4 4.0 29 32.1 

Kentucky 193 80.9 34 14.1 2 0.9 3 1.1 7 3.0 

Louisiana 104 28.0 174 46.8 1 0.2 4 1.1 89 23.9 

Maine 77 93.8 1 1.8 0 0.2 2 2.3 2 1.9 

Maryland 113 34.1 186 56.2 10 3.1 11 3.5 10 3.0 

Massachusetts 230 51.6 73 16.4 88 19.8 32 7.2 23 5.1 

Michigan 282 46.3 179 29.4 15 2.4 12 2.0 121 19.9 

Minnesota 77 37.5 41 20.1 3 1.4 16 7.8 68 33.1 

Mississippi 47 22.2 112 53.2 1 0.3 1 0.6 50 23.8 

Missouri 197 62.3 91 28.8 2 0.8 4 1.4 21 6.8 

Montana 39 75.5 0 0.8 0 0.7 7 14.2 5 8.8 

Nebraska 40 56.1 13 18.0 5 7.2 3 4.7 10 14.0 

Nevada 90 41.3 53 24.3 45 20.5 18 8.4 12 5.6 

New Hampshire 33 83.4 1 3.4 1 2.6 1 1.9 3 8.7 

New Jersey 214 60.5 92 26.0 3 0.9 18 5.0 27 7.5 

New Mexico 75 35.0 5 2.4 65 30.5 27 12.4 42 19.7 

New York 489 33.0 378 25.5 420 28.3 130 8.8 66 4.5 

North Carolina 279 45.4 286 46.5 9 1.5 16 2.6 25 4.1 

North Dakota 16 67.1 2 7.6 0 0.2 5 23.4 0 1.6 

Ohio 429 63.5 206 30.4 7 1.0 15 2.2 19 2.8 

Oklahoma 152 59.1 42 16.3 10 3.8 29 11.3 25 9.5 

Oregon 266 76.9 14 4.1 2 0.6 23 6.5 41 11.9 

Pennsylvania 532 56.9 271 28.9 3 0.4 114 12.2 15 1.6 

Rhode Island 44 51.2 10 12.1 17 19.6 3 3.0 12 14.1 

South Carolina 97 35.3 165 59.9 3 1.0 3 1.0 8 2.7 

South Dakota 18 48.1 1 2.6 0 0.9 13 33.3 6 15.1 

Tennessee 80 19.0 44 10.5 - - 3 0.8 293 69.7 

Texas 159 11.0 138 9.6 125 8.7 14 1.0 1,005 69.8 

Utah 43 60.5 1 1.5 2 2.1 4 5.7 22 30.3 

Vermont 31 78.4 1 2.0 0 0.3 1 3.0 6 16.3 

Virgin Islands 0 2.8 8 75.8 1 13.0 1 5.4 0 3.0 

Virginia 163 49.8 137 41.8 4 1.3 11 3.4 12 3.8 

Washington 48 10.2 4 0.7 5 1.1 9 1.9 407 86.0 

West Virginia 147 92.8 7 4.6 - - 1 0.5 3 2.0 

Wisconsin 176 56.3 86 27.4 6 2.0 13 4.2 32 10.2 

Wyoming 9 79.3 0 1.8 1 5.0 1 11.1 0 2.7 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample. 
93

Table B.11. Distribution of participating households by use of standard utility allowance and by State 

 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 18,802 12,004 63.8 1,505 8.0 4,695 25.0 

Alabama 336 223 66.4 13 3.9 100 29.7 

Alaska 36 12 32.6 13 34.9 12 32.5 

Arizona 368 192 52.1 43 11.6 133 36.0 

Arkansas 154 85 55.3 5 3.3 64 41.4 

California 1,912 1,400 73.2 44 2.3 468 24.5 

Colorado 223 130 58.4 44 19.6 49 22.0 

Connecticut 208 164 78.7 4 2.1 40 19.2 

Delaware 62 38 60.9 2 2.9 23 36.2 

District of Columbia 65 59 91.1 1 1.6 5 7.3 

Florida 1,522 931 61.2 189 12.4 402 26.4 

Georgia 635 383 60.4 28 4.4 224 35.3 

Guam 15 - - 7 44.3 9 55.7 

Hawaii 80 1 0.8 39 49.5 40 49.7 

Idaho 66 45 67.8 9 13.3 13 18.9 

Illinois 867 489 56.4 102 11.8 276 31.8 

Indiana 250 156 62.3 8 3.2 86 34.5 

Iowa 150 101 67.3 17 11.4 32 21.3 

Kansas 91 68 75.3 5 5.6 17 19.1 

Kentucky 238 142 59.8 6 2.5 80 33.7 

Louisiana 371 228 61.6 24 6.5 114 30.7 

Maine 82 55 67.4 15 18.4 12 14.2 

Maryland 331 158 47.7 33 9.9 129 39.0 

Massachusetts 445 324 72.7 47 10.5 75 16.8 

Michigan 611 435 71.3 46 7.5 116 19.0 

Minnesota 204 106 52.0 30 14.7 46 22.4 

Mississippi 210 114 54.2 3 1.5 65 31.1 

Missouri 317 223 70.2 30 9.4 64 20.3 

Montana 52 34 65.6 4 7.5 14 26.9 

Nebraska 71 48 67.4 10 13.5 14 19.0 

Nevada 218 114 52.3 20 9.3 84 38.4 

New Hampshire 39 21 53.6 10 25.8 8 20.6 

New Jersey 354 251 70.9 15 4.1 86 24.4 

New Mexico 214 122 56.9 24 11.3 68 31.9 

New York 1,484 927 62.5 79 5.3 148 9.9 

North Carolina 615 411 66.9 35 5.6 149 24.3 

North Dakota 23 15 66.0 2 9.2 6 24.8 

Ohio 676 443 65.5 35 5.1 198 29.3 

Oklahoma 258 158 61.1 17 6.6 83 32.3 

Oregon 347 254 73.2 15 4.4 78 22.4 

Pennsylvania 935 762 81.6 41 4.3 111 11.9 

Rhode Island 86 67 77.4 0 0.1 19 22.5 

South Carolina 276 157 57.1 2 0.7 91 33.1 

South Dakota 38 22 59.2 1 3.9 10 27.7 

Tennessee 420 237 56.4 12 3.0 171 40.7 

Texas 1,440 865 60.0 173 12.0 301 20.9 

Utah 72 36 49.5 10 14.3 26 36.2 

Vermont 39 39 99.3 0 0.4 0 0.3 

Virgin Islands 11 - - 0 2.5 11 97.5 

Virginia 328 172 52.3 33 10.0 119 36.3 

Washington 474 283 59.8 99 20.8 92 19.4 

West Virginia 159 116 73.0 4 2.8 38 24.2 

Wisconsin 313 182 58.2 57 18.3 73 23.5 

Wyoming 12 7 59.7 1 12.0 3 28.3 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample. 
94

Table B.12. Distribution of participating categorically eligible households by public assistance status and by State 

 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 18,802 17,402 92.6 4,338 23.1 13,064 69.5 

Alabama 336 336 99.9 70 20.8 266 79.1 

Alaska 36 12 32.2 11 29.6 1 2.6 

Arizona 368 368 100.0 43 11.7 325 88.3 

Arkansas 154 30 19.3 26 17.1 3 2.2 

California 1,912 1,912 100.0 426 22.3 1,486 77.7 

Colorado 223 223 100.0 62 27.8 161 72.2 

Connecticut 208 208 99.8 57 27.6 151 72.3 

Delaware 62 62 100.0 16 26.4 46 73.6 

District of Columbia 65 65 100.0 21 31.6 44 68.4 

Florida 1,522 1,522 100.0 346 22.7 1,176 77.3 

Georgia 635 635 100.0 85 13.4 550 86.6 

Guam 15 15 100.0 1 7.6 14 92.4 

Hawaii 80 80 100.0 22 27.9 57 72.1 

Idaho 66 66 100.0 17 25.1 50 74.9 

Illinois 867 867 100.0 127 14.6 740 85.4 

Indiana 250 250 100.0 48 19.2 202 80.8 

Iowa 150 150 100.0 27 18.2 123 81.8 

Kansas 91 23 25.2 21 23.2 2 2.0 

Kentucky 238 238 100.0 42 17.5 196 82.5

Louisiana 371 90 24.2 82 22.2 7 1.9 

Maine 82 82 100.0 25 30.3 57 69.7 

Maryland 331 331 100.0 90 27.0 242 73.0 

Massachusetts 445 445 100.0 151 33.9 294 66.1 

Michigan 611 610 99.9 155 25.4 455 74.5 

Minnesota 204 204 100.0 89 43.7 115 56.3 

Mississippi 210 196 93.2 48 22.8 148 70.5 

Missouri 317 104 32.7 81 25.5 23 7.3 

Montana 52 52 100.0 11 21.0 41 79.0 

Nebraska 71 71 99.9 16 22.9 55 77.0 

Nevada 218 218 100.0 35 16.1 183 83.9 

New Hampshire 39 24 60.4 11 27.0 13 33.3 

New Jersey 354 354 100.0 99 28.0 254 72.0 

New Mexico 214 214 100.0 38 17.9 176 82.1 

New York 1,484 1,484 100.0 561 37.8 923 62.2 

North Carolina 615 615 100.0 100 16.3 514 83.7 

North Dakota 23 23 100.0 4 17.6 19 82.4 

Ohio 676 676 100.0 176 26.1 500 73.9 

Oklahoma 258 258 100.0 49 19.0 209 81.0 

Oregon 347 347 100.0 75 21.8 271 78.2 

Pennsylvania 935 935 100.0 258 27.6 676 72.4 

Rhode Island 86 86 100.0 23 26.6 63 73.4 

South Carolina 276 276 100.0 51 18.4 225 81.6 

South Dakota 38 10 26.4 8 22.3 2 4.1 

Tennessee 420 103 24.6 94 22.3 9 2.3 

Texas 1,440 1,440 100.0 207 14.4 1,233 85.6 

Utah 72 17 23.2 13 18.3 4 4.9 

Vermont 39 39 100.0 11 28.3 28 71.7 

Virgin Islands 11 11 100.0 1 7.7 10 92.3 

Virginia 328 80 24.3 74 22.5 6 1.7 

Washington 474 474 100.0 144 30.5 329 69.5 

West Virginia 159 159 100.0 35 22.1 123 77.9 

Wisconsin 313 313 100.0 51 16.3 262 83.7 

Wyoming 12 3 21.6 2 19.9 0 1.7 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample. 
95

Table B.13. Distribution of participating households by poverty status and by State, and effect of SNAP benefits on the 

poverty status of SNAP households 

 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 36.1 44.0 20.0 26.1 44.5 29.4 -10.0 0.6 9.4 

Alabama 37.7 48.9 13.3 27.7 51.1 21.3 -10.1 2.1 8.0 

Alaska 50.2 34.7 15.1 35.4 41.6 23.0 -14.8 6.9 7.9 

Arizona 47.2 36.3 16.4 38.0 40.3 21.7 -9.3 4.0 5.3 

Arkansas 38.4 49.5 12.1 28.9 51.4 19.7 -9.5 1.9 7.6 

California 53.7 25.8 20.5 35.9 35.7 28.4 -17.8 10.0 7.9 

Colorado 33.9 44.8 21.3 23.4 45.7 30.9 -10.5 0.9 9.6 

Connecticut 30.5 42.1 27.4 23.9 37.5 38.6 -6.6 -4.6 11.2 

Delaware 35.2 41.6 23.3 24.3 45.8 29.8 -10.9 4.3 6.6 

District of Columbia 52.3 35.1 12.6 37.6 46.6 15.7 -14.6 11.5 3.2 

Florida 29.4 47.7 22.9 22.5 46.6 30.9 -6.9 -1.1 8.0 

Georgia 42.4 41.9 15.7 32.8 43.9 23.2 -9.5 2.0 7.5 

Guam 44.2 37.4 18.5 25.6 35.2 39.2 -18.6 -2.2 20.8 

Hawaii 38.3 47.6 14.1 15.4 55.1 29.5 -22.9 7.5 15.4 

Idaho 30.5 52.6 16.9 22.0 53.4 24.6 -8.6 0.8 7.8 

Illinois 36.0 42.7 21.3 29.3 39.3 31.3 -6.7 -3.3 10.0 

Indiana 36.5 48.4 15.1 27.0 50.7 22.3 -9.5 2.4 7.1 

Iowa 31.7 43.8 24.4 24.3 44.0 31.7 -7.4 0.2 7.3 

Kansas 29.4 52.7 17.9 21.6 51.3 27.0 -7.7 -1.4 9.1 

Kentucky 44.0 47.5 8.5 34.8 51.9 13.3 -9.2 4.4 4.7 

Louisiana 42.8 48.8 8.4 32.6 54.2 13.2 -10.2 5.4 4.8 

Maine 16.3 53.6 30.1 12.1 46.4 41.5 -4.2 -7.2 11.4 

Maryland 36.4 42.9 20.7 27.7 45.2 27.0 -8.7 2.4 6.3 

Massachusetts 27.3 46.6 26.1 20.2 35.4 44.4 -7.1 -11.2 18.3 

Michigan 28.1 48.2 23.8 20.3 47.3 32.4 -7.8 -0.9 8.6 

Minnesota 32.6 44.4 23.0 28.4 40.9 30.7 -4.2 -3.5 7.7 

Mississippi 37.1 51.7 11.2 27.2 56.7 16.0 -9.8 5.0 4.8 

Missouri 31.8 53.2 15.0 23.0 53.5 23.4 -8.8 0.4 8.4 

Montana 32.6 44.4 23.0 24.2 43.3 32.5 -8.5 -1.1 9.5 

Nebraska 33.8 48.8 17.4 23.5 50.7 25.8 -10.3 1.8 8.4 

Nevada 41.6 35.6 22.8 35.3 35.0 29.7 -6.3 -0.7 7.0 

New Hampshire 17.4 54.7 27.9 12.0 47.2 40.9 -5.5 -7.5 13.0 

New Jersey 22.5 53.5 23.9 14.4 49.7 35.9 -8.1 -3.8 11.9 

New Mexico 43.1 41.2 15.8 32.4 45.5 22.1 -10.7 4.4 6.3 

New York 26.1 49.5 24.3 14.6 36.6 48.8 -11.6 -12.9 24.5 

North Carolina 34.5 42.7 22.8 24.9 46.1 29.1 -9.7 3.4 6.3 

North Dakota 31.8 41.7 26.5 24.9 40.6 34.5 -6.9 -1.1 8.0 

Ohio 33.6 47.7 18.6 25.2 48.8 26.0 -8.5 1.1 7.3 

Oklahoma 43.9 43.3 12.8 33.1 49.2 17.6 -10.8 5.9 4.9 

Oregon 33.1 41.1 25.9 25.0 41.5 33.5 -8.1 0.4 7.6 

Pennsylvania 24.1 50.6 25.3 17.1 47.0 35.9 -7.0 -3.6 10.6 

Rhode Island 24.1 46.7 29.2 18.1 40.8 41.1 -6.0 -6.0 11.9 

South Carolina 39.4 46.4 14.2 27.1 52.6 20.3 -12.3 6.2 6.1 

South Dakota 38.6 42.5 18.9 30.0 40.6 29.5 -8.6 -1.9 10.6 

Tennessee 40.6 46.7 12.7 31.1 50.4 18.6 -9.5 3.7 5.8 

Texas 42.1 42.6 15.3 28.4 48.8 22.8 -13.7 6.2 7.5 

Utah 41.7 42.1 16.2 30.5 45.8 23.6 -11.2 3.7 7.5 

Vermont 19.7 42.8 37.5 13.0 31.2 55.9 -6.7 -11.7 18.4 

Virgin Islands 53.2 34.2 12.6 38.2 40.5 21.3 -15.0 6.3 8.7 

Virginia 36.5 50.4 13.1 27.3 52.6 20.1 -9.2 2.2 7.0 

Washington 34.6 44.4 21.1 28.0 44.8 27.3 -6.6 0.4 6.2 

West Virginia 32.9 47.7 19.4 24.9 51.1 24.0 -8.0 3.4 4.6 

Wisconsin 28.8 42.4 28.8 22.4 37.1 40.5 -6.4 -5.3 11.7 

Wyoming 33.7 49.1 17.2 27.7 48.0 24.2 -6.0 -1.1 7.1 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample. 
96

Table B.14. Distribution of participants by age and by State 

 

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 4,822 13.0 11,049 29.7 15,871 42.7 15,532 41.7 5,800 15.6 

Alabama 100 14.1 216 30.6 316 44.7 308 43.6 82 11.6 

Alaska 9 11.8 21 26.5 31 38.3 40 49.9 9 11.8 

Arizona 96 12.2 257 32.6 353 44.8 332 42.2 103 13.0 

Arkansas 50 14.4 113 32.8 163 47.2 150 43.7 31 9.1 

California 483 13.0 1,176 31.6 1,659 44.6 1,605 43.1 457 12.3 

Colorado 54 12.1 135 30.4 189 42.5 185 41.7 70 15.8 

Connecticut 34 9.5 89 25.2 123 34.7 162 45.6 70 19.7 

Delaware 14 11.3 38 30.3 53 41.6 58 45.7 16 12.7 

District of Columbia 14 13.4 23 21.3 37 34.7 54 50.1 16 15.2 

Florida 302 10.8 761 27.2 1,064 37.9 1,054 37.6 686 24.5 

Georgia 200 14.6 442 32.2 642 46.7 556 40.5 176 12.8 

Guam 7 16.2 16 36.2 23 52.4 16 37.2 5 10.4 

Hawaii 20 12.9 40 26.4 60 39.4 62 40.3 31 20.3 

Idaho 23 15.7 46 31.6 69 47.4 61 41.6 16 11.0 

Illinois 243 14.0 513 29.7 756 43.7 730 42.2 244 14.1 

Indiana 84 15.2 190 34.0 274 49.2 223 40.1 60 10.7 

Iowa 45 14.6 88 28.5 132 43.1 148 48.0 27 8.9 

Kansas 28 14.5 64 32.9 92 47.4 79 40.5 24 12.1 

Kentucky 72 13.7 154 29.2 226 42.9 239 45.4 62 11.7 

Louisiana 107 13.5 273 34.2 380 47.6 339 42.5 79 9.9 

Maine 14 10.1 31 21.9 46 32.0 68 47.5 29 20.5 

Maryland 77 12.6 167 27.5 244 40.1 245 40.3 119 19.6 

Massachusetts 63 8.4 189 25.2 251 33.6 326 43.6 170 22.8 

Michigan 139 12.2 285 25.0 423 37.2 541 47.5 173 15.2 

Minnesota 49 12.6 121 30.8 170 43.3 168 42.8 54 13.9 

Mississippi 66 14.6 151 33.4 216 48.0 189 41.9 45 10.0 

Missouri 104 15.5 208 30.9 313 46.3 282 41.7 81 12.0 

Montana 13 12.4 28 27.1 41 39.6 48 46.1 15 14.3 

Nebraska 23 14.5 53 33.5 75 47.9 64 40.6 18 11.4 

Nevada 57 14.0 107 26.4 164 40.3 180 44.1 63 15.6 

New Hampshire 9 12.3 19 26.1 29 38.5 36 48.2 10 13.3 

New Jersey 90 12.7 214 30.4 303 43.1 236 33.5 164 23.4 

New Mexico 53 12.2 128 29.3 181 41.5 211 48.3 44 10.1 

New York 241 9.3 653 25.1 893 34.4 1,025 39.5 676 26.1 

North Carolina 184 14.6 374 29.6 558 44.2 531 42.0 174 13.8 

North Dakota 7 15.7 13 27.7 21 43.4 21 43.4 6 13.2 

Ohio 167 12.3 382 28.3 549 40.6 606 44.9 197 14.5 

Oklahoma 70 12.6 170 30.7 240 43.3 258 46.5 56 10.2 

Oregon 63 10.7 127 21.6 189 32.2 279 47.5 119 20.2 

Pennsylvania 196 11.4 447 25.9 644 37.3 767 44.4 316 18.3 

Rhode Island 13 9.3 35 24.3 48 33.6 63 44.0 32 22.3 

South Carolina 85 14.2 206 34.7 290 48.9 235 39.6 68 11.5 

South Dakota 11 13.9 27 33.6 38 47.6 33 40.7 9 11.7 

Tennessee 117 13.3 284 32.3 401 45.5 376 42.8 103 11.7 

Texas 594 17.7 1,234 36.7 1,828 54.4 1,154 34.3 379 11.3 

Utah 26 15.1 63 37.0 88 52.0 69 40.6 13 7.4 

Vermont 6 8.8 16 23.8 22 32.6 30 44.1 16 23.3 

Virgin Islands 3 11.3 7 31.5 10 42.9 9 39.7 4 17.4 

Virginia 87 13.1 211 31.6 299 44.7 278 41.6 92 13.7 

Washington 98 12.0 187 23.0 285 35.1 379 46.7 148 18.3 

West Virginia 34 11.2 72 23.9 106 35.1 145 48.2 51 16.7 

Wisconsin 76 12.4 175 28.8 251 41.2 269 44.2 89 14.6 

Wyoming 4 14.2 8 32.4 12 46.6 12 44.8 2 8.6 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample. 
97

Table B.15. Distribution of participants by disability status and by State 

 

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 562 1.5 3,619 9.7 4,182 11.2 2,610 7.0 7,338 19.7 

Alabama 15 2.1 78 11.0 93 13.2 38 5.4 153 21.6 

Alaska 0 0.6 5 6.3 5 6.9 10 12.4 18 23.1 

Arizona 14 1.7 40 5.1 54 6.9 80 10.1 158 20.1 

Arkansas 10 3.0 42 12.1 52 15.1 20 5.9 74 21.6 

California 6 0.2 108 2.9 114 3.1 504 13.5 720 19.3 

Colorado 4 1.0 40 9.0 44 10.0 31 7.0 93 21.0 

Connecticut 5 1.5 44 12.4 49 14.0 35 9.9 62 17.6 

Delaware 3 2.3 14 11.2 17 13.5 9 6.9 25 20.1 

District of Columbia 2 1.5 10 8.9 11 10.4 17 15.6 18 17.0 

Florida 62 2.2 255 9.1 316 11.3 120 4.3 507 18.1 

Georgia 21 1.5 108 7.8 128 9.4 89 6.5 306 22.3 

Guam - - 1 1.2 1 1.2 3 6.5 10 22.6 

Hawaii 1 0.5 13 8.8 14 9.3 11 7.3 28 18.1

Idaho 2 1.5 18 12.6 21 14.2 5 3.6 32 21.9 

Illinois 22 1.3 136 7.9 158 9.1 142 8.2 353 20.4 

Indiana 7 1.3 59 10.6 66 11.9 26 4.6 117 21.1 

Iowa 5 1.5 34 11.1 39 12.6 26 8.6 71 23.1 

Kansas 4 2.2 25 12.9 29 15.1 7 3.4 40 20.4 

Kentucky 7 1.4 59 11.1 66 12.5 32 6.1 120 22.7 

Louisiana 19 2.4 92 11.5 110 13.8 57 7.2 158 19.7

Maine 1 0.9 31 21.7 32 22.7 6 3.9 26 18.4 

Maryland 11 1.9 49 8.0 60 9.9 40 6.5 116 19.2 

Massachusetts 16 2.2 119 15.9 135 18.1 62 8.3 111 14.8 

Michigan 16 1.4 173 15.2 189 16.6 77 6.8 229 20.1 

Minnesota 7 1.8 46 11.6 53 13.4 34 8.6 71 18.2

Mississippi 8 1.9 54 11.9 62 13.8 21 4.6 92 20.5

Missouri 11 1.6 89 13.1 100 14.8 26 3.9 140 20.8 

Montana 1 0.9 11 11.0 12 11.9 8 7.5 23 22.1 

Nebraska 1 0.9 15 9.7 17 10.6 10 6.5 33 20.8

Nevada 5 1.1 29 7.1 33 8.2 48 11.9 79 19.4

New Hampshire 2 2.3 16 21.5 18 23.7 3 3.6 14 19.0 

New Jersey 14 2.0 71 10.1 85 12.1 20 2.8 119 17.0 

New Mexico 5 1.0 32 7.4 37 8.4 55 12.7 96 22.1 

New York 46 1.8 303 11.7 348 13.4 167 6.4 423 16.3 

North Carolina 19 1.5 115 9.1 134 10.6 67 5.3 291 23.0 

North Dakota 0 0.8 5 10.8 5 11.5 3 6.6 11 22.6 

Ohio 14 1.1 181 13.4 195 14.5 75 5.5 274 20.3 

Oklahoma 6 1.2 57 10.3 63 11.4 44 7.9 127 22.9 

Oregon 9 1.5 71 12.1 79 13.5 68 11.5 98 16.8 

Pennsylvania 43 2.5 240 13.9 283 16.4 130 7.5 314 18.2 

Rhode Island 2 1.5 21 15.0 23 16.5 13 9.1 23 16.4 

South Carolina 11 1.9 55 9.3 67 11.2 20 3.3 132 22.2 

South Dakota 2 1.9 9 11.2 10 13.1 5 6.4 15 19.3 

Tennessee 10 1.1 101 11.4 110 12.6 46 5.3 180 20.4 

Texas 50 1.5 233 6.9 282 8.4 87 2.6 712 21.2 

Utah 2 1.3 15 8.6 17 9.9 11 6.2 38 22.4 

Vermont 1 1.1 12 17.6 13 18.7 4 5.5 11 16.3 

Virgin Islands - - 0 2.1 0 2.1 2 9.8 5 21.5 

Virginia 13 1.9 63 9.5 76 11.4 30 4.5 137 20.5 

Washington 9 1.1 111 13.7 120 14.7 96 11.8 137 16.9 

West Virginia 4 1.3 45 15.0 49 16.3 24 8.0 59 19.5 

Wisconsin 13 2.1 65 10.7 78 12.8 46 7.6 129 21.1 

Wyoming 0 1.2 3 10.1 3 11.3 2 6.1 6 23.4 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample. 
98

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

 

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 37,202 100.0 33,906 100.0 1,861 100.0 295 100.0 1,141 100.0 2,470 100.0 

Alabama 707 1.9 705 2.1 1 0.1 - - 1 0.1 13 0.5 

Alaska 80 0.2 76 0.2 1 0.1 1 0.2 2 0.1 2 0.1 

Arizona 788 2.1 718 2.1 29 1.6 6 2.0 35 3.1 83 3.4 

Arkansas 344 0.9 341 1.0 1 0.0 - - 3 0.2 9 0.3 

California 3,722 10.0 3,080 9.1 379 20.4 59 20.0 204 17.9 606 24.5 

Colorado 444 1.2 419 1.2 15 0.8 4 1.2 7 0.6 24 1.0 

Connecticut 354 1.0 327 1.0 15 0.8 2 0.7 10 0.9 14 0.6 

Delaware 126 0.3 123 0.4 3 0.1 - - 1 0.1 4 0.2 

District of Columbia 108 0.3 105 0.3 1 0.0 0 0.0 2 0.2 2 0.1 

Florida 2,803 7.5 2,224 6.6 400 21.5 7 2.4 173 15.2 141 5.7 

Georgia 1,373 3.7 1,339 4.0 14 0.8 3 1.0 17 1.4 68 2.8 

Guam 44 0.1 38 0.1 4 0.2 - - 2 0.2 9 0.4 

Hawaii 153 0.4 138 0.4 10 0.5 - - 5 0.4 11 0.5 

Idaho 146 0.4 139 0.4 3 0.1 2 0.7 3 0.2 8 0.3 

Illinois 1,729 4.6 1,643 4.8 52 2.8 - - 33 2.9 122 5.0 

Indiana 557 1.5 538 1.6 5 0.3 4 1.5 9 0.8 36 1.5 

Iowa 308 0.8 293 0.9 4 0.2 6 2.0 4 0.4 11 0.5 

Kansas 195 0.5 187 0.6 3 0.2 1 0.4 3 0.3 9 0.4 

Kentucky 526 1.4 508 1.5 12 0.6 2 0.7 3 0.3 15 0.6 

Louisiana 799 2.1 796 2.3 0 0.0 - - 2 0.2 8 0.3 

Maine 143 0.4 139 0.4 3 0.2 1 0.2 1 0.1 1 0.0 

Maryland 607 1.6 572 1.7 17 0.9 8 2.6 11 0.9 25 1.0 

Massachusetts 748 2.0 620 1.8 70 3.8 5 1.6 52 4.6 26 1.0 

Michigan 1,138 3.1 1,080 3.2 35 1.9 13 4.6 9 0.8 32 1.3 

Minnesota 392 1.1 335 1.0 33 1.8 13 4.5 10 0.9 15 0.6 

Mississippi 451 1.2 450 1.3 0 0.0 - - 0 0.0 6 0.3 

Missouri 675 1.8 655 1.9 9 0.5 6 2.0 6 0.5 14 0.6 

Montana 105 0.3 104 0.3 0 0.0 - - 0 0.0 1 0.0 

Nebraska 157 0.4 145 0.4 4 0.2 6 1.9 3 0.3 13 0.5 

Nevada 407 1.1 386 1.1 5 0.3 3 1.0 13 1.1 37 1.5 

New Hampshire 74 0.2 71 0.2 1 0.1 1 0.4 1 0.1 1 0.0 

New Jersey 703 1.9 605 1.8 51 2.8 0 0.2 47 4.1 61 2.5 

New Mexico 436 1.2 418 1.2 2 0.1 0 0.1 16 1.4 29 1.2 

New York 2,595 7.0 1,965 5.8 415 22.3 19 6.3 195 17.1 158 6.4 

North Carolina 1,264 3.4 1,243 3.7 7 0.4 2 0.5 11 1.0 68 2.7 

North Dakota 47 0.1 45 0.1 0 0.0 2 0.6 0 0.0 1 0.0 

Ohio 1,352 3.6 1,303 3.8 22 1.2 14 4.8 13 1.1 17 0.7 

Oklahoma 553 1.5 549 1.6 1 0.0 2 0.8 2 0.2 14 0.5 

Oregon 587 1.6 557 1.6 13 0.7 8 2.6 8 0.7 33 1.3 

Pennsylvania 1,726 4.6 1,668 4.9 5 0.3 30 10.2 23 2.0 44 1.8 
Table B.16 (continued) 

99

 

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 143 0.4 119 0.4 12 0.7 3 1.1 8 0.7 8 0.3 

South Carolina 594 1.6 592 1.7 1 0.1 - - 1 0.1 14 0.6 

South Dakota 80 0.2 77 0.2 0 0.0 2 0.7 0 0.0 2 0.1 

Tennessee 880 2.4 864 2.5 3 0.1 9 3.0 4 0.3 31 1.3 

Texas 3,361 9.0 3,110 9.2 89 4.8 34 11.5 128 11.2 526 21.3 

Utah 170 0.5 161 0.5 3 0.2 4 1.5 2 0.2 16 0.6 

Vermont 68 0.2 66 0.2 0 0.0 1 0.4 1 0.0 0 0.0 

Virgin Islands 23 0.1 20 0.1 2 0.1 0 0.1 1 0.1 1 0.0 

Virginia 669 1.8 633 1.9 25 1.3 3 0.9 8 0.7 20 0.8 

Washington 813 2.2 705 2.1 64 3.4 5 1.6 39 3.4 37 1.5 

West Virginia 302 0.8 300 0.9 2 0.1 - - 0 0.0 2 0.1 

Wisconsin 609 1.6 585 1.7 11 0.6 4 1.5 9 0.7 23 0.9 

Wyoming 26 0.1 26 0.1 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 1 0.0 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample. 
100

Table B.17. Distribution of noncitizen participants by age and by State 

 

Total 

noncitizen 

participants Children 

Non-elderly 

adults 

Elderly 

adults 

State 

Number 

(000) 

Number 

(000) Percent 

Number 

(000) Percent 

Number 

(000) Percent 

Totala 1,436 301 21.0 595 41.5 539 37.6 

Alabama 1 - - 1 100.0 - - 

Alaska 2 0 20.8 1 55.5 1 23.7 

Arizona 41 4 10.7 20 47.6 17 41.7 

Arkansas 3 1 43.6 0 12.3 1 44.1

California 263 46 17.4 143 54.2 74 28.3 

Colorado 10 2 16.4 4 41.5 4 42.1 

Connecticut 12 2 17.0 6 47.4 4 35.7 

Delaware 1 - - 0 23.8 1 76.2 

District of Columbia 2 0 16.9 1 31.0 1 52.1 

Florida 180 22 12.1 62 34.3 96 53.5 

Georgia 20 6 31.2 4 22.3 9 46.4 

Guam 2 0 8.8 1 58.6 1 32.6 

Hawaii 5 1 14.9 1 29.5 3 55.6 

Idaho 5 1 24.3 2 49.6 1 26.1 

Illinois 33 5 14.8 9 26.7 20 58.5 

Indiana 13 5 36.3 6 46.1 2 17.6 

Iowa 10 4 42.6 5 46.3 1 11.1 

Kansas 4 1 20.6 2 48.0 1 31.5 

Kentucky 5 1 25.3 4 65.7 0 9.1 

Louisiana 2 1 29.9 1 55.2 0 14.9 

Maine 1 0 34.5 1 55.3 0 10.2 

Maryland 18 3 14.8 8 44.8 7 40.4 

Massachusetts 57 13 22.7 18 31.2 26 46.1 

Michigan 23 7 33.1 11 49.7 4 17.3 

Minnesota 24 10 44.0 10 43.9 3 12.1 

Mississippi 0 - - 0 100.0 - - 

Missouri 11 5 42.4 4 37.3 2 20.3 

Montana 0 - - 0 67.8 0 32.2 

Nebraska 8 3 40.8 4 46.5 1 12.7 

Nevada 16 2 11.3 8 49.3 6 39.4 

New Hampshire 2 1 46.7 1 40.3 0 13.1 

New Jersey 47 11 23.5 14 29.3 22 47.2 

New Mexico 16 0 1.0 9 59.2 6 39.9 

New York 214 38 17.6 77 35.8 100 46.6 

North Carolina 13 1 4.6 6 46.4 6 49.0 

North Dakota 2 1 27.0 1 58.9 0 14.1 

Ohio 27 11 42.2 8 30.1 7 27.7 

Oklahoma 4 1 33.1 2 41.1 1 25.8 

Oregon 16 6 37.1 7 42.6 3 20.2 

Pennsylvania 53 16 30.3 24 46.1 13 23.6 

Rhode Island 12 4 35.4 4 33.4 4 31.2 

South Carolina 1 0 44.0 0 30.2 0 25.8 

South Dakota 2 1 57.5 1 35.7 0 6.8 

Tennessee 13 4 30.5 7 57.8 1 11.6 

Texas 162 33 20.4 67 41.2 62 38.3 

Utah 6 2 37.8 3 45.9 1 16.2 

Vermont 2 1 36.7 1 50.3 0 13.0 

Virgin Islands 1 0 4.6 1 72.2 0 23.3 

Virginia 11 4 32.8 5 45.6 2 21.7 

Washington 44 16 37.0 12 28.1 15 34.8 

West Virginia 0 - - 0 100.0 - - 

Wisconsin 13 3 20.3 7 50.6 4 29.1 

Wyoming 0 - - 0 100.0 - - 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample. 
APPENDIX B FOOTNOTES

103

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, 22,406 MFIP households 

and 575,336 SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits are 

excluded from this category. Thus, the average values are based on fewer households than 

the number of total SNAP households shown in Appendix Table A.1. 

c Because deductions are not used in their benefit determinations, 575,336 SSI-CAP 

households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits are excluded from this 

category. Thus, the average values are based on fewer households than the number of total 

SNAP households shown in Appendix Table A.1. 

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 

Quality Control data file. 

i Because this deduction is not used in their benefit determinations, 752,232 SSI-CAP 

households are excluded from this category. Thus, the average values are based on fewer 

households than the number of total SNAP households shown in Appendix Table A.1.

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 fiscal year 2019. 

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, 22,406 MFIP households 

and 575,336 SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits are 

excluded from this category. Thus, the average values are based on fewer households than 

the number of total SNAP households shown in Appendix Table A.1. 

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 Quality Control 

data but are not pure cash PA households. Most are typically eligible through broad-based 
104

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 2019 SNAP net income screen (see Appendix C). 

q Noncitizens may be inside or outside the SNAP unit. 

– No sample data in this category. 

n.a. Not applicable.
APPENDIX C 

FISCAL YEAR 2019 SNAP PARAMETERS

107

Table C.1. 2018 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 $12,140 $15,180 $13,960 

2 16,460 20,580 18,930

3 20,780 25,980 23,900

4 25,100 31,380 28,870

5 29,420 36,780 33,840

6 33,740 42,180 38,810

7 38,060 47,580 43,780 

8 42,380 52,980 48,750 

Each additional member +4,320 +5,400 +4,970 

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 2019 SNAP gross and net monthly income eligibility 

standards. 

Table C.2. SNAP maximum allowable gross monthly income eligibility standards in fiscal year 2019 

Household size (individuals) 

Contiguous United States, 

Guam, and the Virgin Islands Alaska Hawaii 

1 $1,316 $1,645 $1,513

2 1,784 2,230 2,051

3 2,252 2,815 2,590

4 2,720 3,400 3,128

5 3,188 3,985 3,666

6 3,656 4,570 4,205

7 4,124 5,155 4,743

8 4,592 5,740 5,282

Each additional member +468 +585 +539

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

Note: The fiscal year 2019 SNAP gross monthly income limits were based on the 2018 poverty guidelines issued by 

HHS (see Appendix Table C.1). FNS derived the fiscal year 2019 gross income limits by multiplying the 2018 

poverty guidelines by 130 percent, dividing the results by 12, and then rounding up to the nearest dollar. 
108

Table C.3. SNAP maximum allowable net monthly income eligibility standards in fiscal year 2019 

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

Note: The fiscal year 2019 SNAP net monthly income limits were based on the 2018 poverty guidelines issued by HHS 

(see Appendix Table C.1). FNS derived the fiscal year 2019 net income limits by dividing the 2018 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 the 

contiguous United States and outlying areas in fiscal year 2019 

Deduction 

Contiguous 

United States Alaska Hawaii Guam Virgin Islands 

Standard deduction . . . . . 

1 to 2 people $164 $281 $232 $331 $145

3 people 164 281 232 331 145

4 people 174 281 232 348 174

5 people 204 281 234 408 204

6 or more people 234 292 269 467 234

Maximum excess shelter 

expense deduction 552 881 743 647 435

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

Notes: The Homeless Household Shelter Deduction was $147.55. 

 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. 

Household size (individuals) 

Contiguous United States, 

Guam, and the Virgin Islands Alaska Hawaii 

1 $1,012 $1,265 $1,164

2 1,372 1,715 1,578

3 1,732 2,165 1,992

4 2,092 2,615 2,406

5 2,452 3,065 2,820

6 2,812 3,515 3,235

7 3,172 3,965 3,649

8 3,532 4,415 4,063 

Each additional member +360 +450 +415
109

Table C.5. Value of maximum monthly SNAP benefit in the contiguous United States and outlying areas in 

fiscal year 2019 

Household size 

(individuals) 

Contiguous 

United States 

Alaska 

Urban 

Alaska 

Rural I 

Alaska 

Rural II Hawaii Guam 

Virgin 

Islands 

1 $192 $232 $295 $360 $358 $283 $247

2 353 425 542 660 656 520 454 

3 505 609 776 945 940 745 650

4 642 773 986 1,200 1,193 946 825 

5 762 918 1,171 1,425 1,417 1,123 980

6 914 1,102 1,405 1,711 1,701 1,348 1,176 

7 1,011 1,218 1,553 1,891 1,880 1,490 1,300

8 1,155 1,392 1,775 2,161 2,148 1,703 1,485 

Each additional 

member +144 +174 +222 +270 +269 +213 +186 

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 2018 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 the contiguous United States and outlying areas in 

fiscal year 2019 

Household size 

(individuals)

Contiguous 

United 

States 

Alaska 

Urban 

Alaska 

Rural I 

Alaska 

Rural II Hawaii Guam 

Virgin 

Islands 

1 to 2 people $15 $19 $24 $29 $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

113

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 

(from the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) of 

approximately 55,461 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 depend upon the size of a State’s caseload and 

generally range from approximately 300 to 1,200 reviews. 

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.39

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. 

DATA EDITING

The estimates in this report are derived from the fiscal year 2019 SNAP QC data file, an 

edited version of the raw data file generated by the Quality Control System. The raw fiscal year 

2019 data are made up of monthly samples from October 2018 through September 2019. 

Households with an incomplete Quality Control review or those found ineligible for SNAP 

benefits were dropped from the edited data file.40 Of the 55,461 sample cases in the raw data file, 

3,574 were determined to be not subject to review. Of those cases subject to review, 7,570 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 926 households were found either ineligible for 

SNAP or eligible for SNAP but ineligible for a positive benefit and thus were dropped from the 

39 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.

40 For detailed information on the editing and weighting of data, see Technical Documentation for the Fiscal Year 

2019 SNAP QC Database and QC Minimodel (Cronquist et al. 2020). Available at https://snapqcdata.net/. 
114

data file.41 An additional 132 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 2019 SNAP QC file is 43,258 (Appendix Table D.1). Appendix 

Table D.2 shows the distribution of these unweighted households by State. 

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

file 

 Fiscal year 

2019 SNAP QC 

sample 

Percentage of 

cases 

sampled 

Percentage of 

cases subject 

to review 

Number of cases sampled 55,461 100.0 n.a. 

Cases not subject to review 3,574 6.4 n.a. 

Cases deselected to correct for oversampling 0 0.0 n.a. 

Cases subject to review 51,888 93.6 100.0 

Incomplete cases 7,570 13.6 14.6 

Cases completed 44,318 79.9 85.4 

Not eligible for SNAP 635 1.1 1.2 

Not eligible for a positive benefit 292 0.5 0.6 

Eligible for a positive benefit 43,391 78.2 83.6 

Dropped due to unresolved inconsistencies 133 0.2 0.3 

SNAP households in the final file 43,258 78.0 83.4 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample. 

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 

to total cases subject to review provides an indication of the magnitude of any potential bias. For 

fiscal year 2019, the completion rate was 85 percent, 1 percentage point lower than in fiscal year 

2018. 

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 2019 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 

41 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. 
115

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 132 records in the raw data file. These 132 

records were therefore dropped from the edited data file. 
116

Table D.2. Unweighted distribution of participating households by State 

 SNAP households 

State Number Percent 

Total 43,258 100.0 

Alabama 1,009 2.3 

Alaska 400 0.9 

Arizona 809 1.9 

Arkansas 925 2.1 

California 964 2.2 

Colorado 815 1.9 

Connecticut 887 2.1 

Delaware 461 1.1 

District of Columbia 906 2.1 

Florida 896 2.1 

Georgia 937 2.2 

Guam 267 0.6 

Hawaii 620 1.4 

Idaho 986 2.3 

Illinois 768 1.8 

Indiana 853 2.0 

Iowa 901 2.1 

Kansas 908 2.1 

Kentucky 1,073 2.5 

Louisiana 866 2.0 

Maine 979 2.3 

Maryland 589 1.4 

Massachusetts 948 2.2 

Michigan 871 2.0 

Minnesota 1,026 2.4 

Mississippi 956 2.2 

Missouri 869 2.0 

Montana 677 1.6 

Nebraska 924 2.1 

Nevada 883 2.0 

New Hampshire 610 1.4 

New Jersey 733 1.7 

New Mexico 910 2.1 

New York 919 2.1 

North Carolina 964 2.2 

North Dakota 469 1.1 

Ohio 892 2.1 

Oklahoma 1,063 2.5 

Oregon 812 1.9 

Pennsylvania 810 1.9 

Rhode Island 946 2.2 

South Carolina 1,108 2.6 

South Dakota 688 1.6 

Tennessee 1,030 2.4 

Texas 824 1.9 

Utah 967 2.2 

Vermont 644 1.5 

Virgin Islands 190 0.4 

Virginia 647 1.5 

Washington 869 2.0 

West Virginia 810 1.9 

Wisconsin 1,077 2.5 

Wyoming 303 0.7 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample. 
117

WEIGHTING

The estimates for fiscal year 2019 in this report are based on a sample of 43,258 valid 

observations. 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) to 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.

42 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. In response to a government shutdown, 

FNS issued a blanket waiver on January 10, 2019, to allow States to issue February SNAP 

benefits early. FNS then waived SNAP regulations and exempted February cases from QC 

review requirements. As a result, 21 States were missing data in February, and February samples 

in an additional 15 States were removed from the edited SNAP QC data file because of small 

sample sizes. Estimates for these 36 States are weighted across 11 months, instead of 12 months 

as in all other States, as a consequence of the missing or dropped samples.43 Appendix Table D.3 

compares the Quality Control System’s sample-based estimates to aggregate program 

participation data for fiscal year 2019. 

The fiscal year 2019 weighting methodology is similar to that used for the fiscal year 2000 

through fiscal year 2018 SNAP QC data files.44 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. 

42 The adjusted total number of households and benefits are higher than official Program Operations data figures by 

about 2 and 5 percent, respectively.

43 For detailed information on the editing and weighting of data for these States, see Technical Documentation for 

the Fiscal Year 2019 SNAP QC Database and QC Minimodel (Cronquist et al. 2020). Available at 

https://snapqcdata.net/. 

44 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.
118

Table D.3. Comparison of program data to edited SNAP QC data file

 Fiscal year 2019 

Average monthly value Program data

Program data 

with 

adjustments 

for 

incomplete 

dataa

Adjustments 

for disaster 

assistance b

Adjustments 

for ineligible 

households

Edited SNAP 

QC data file

Number of households 17,964,076 19,174,239 18,974 353,265 18,802,000 

Number of participants 35,702,472 38,113,268 45,827 865,035 37,202,406 

Value of benefits (dollars) 4,635,156,910 4,635,156,912 8,516,408 226,050,653 4,400,589,851 

Average household size 1.99 1.99 2.42 2.45 1.98 

Average benefit per person 

(dollars) 

129.83 121.62 - 261.32 118.29 

Average benefit per household 

(dollars) 

258.02 241.74 - 639.89 234.05 

Sources: Fiscal year 2019 Program Operations Data and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control data 

file. 

a In fiscal year 2019, in certain months for some States, we imputed household and participant totals and adjusted the 

benefit totals in response to incomplete Program Operations data. As a result, these values, used for weighting the fiscal 

year 2019 QC data file, do not match FNS administrative records. For detailed information on the imputation of values, see 

Technical Documentation for the Fiscal Year 2019 SNAP QC Database and QC Minimodel (Cronquist et al. 2020). Available 

at https://snapqcdata.net/.

b 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.

COMPARISON TO REPORTED DATA

Appendix Table D.4 compares the reported and calculated values of selected variables for 

fiscal year 2019. 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. 
119

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

 Households with: 

Variable 

All 

households 

Earned 

income 

Elderly 

individuals Children 

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities 

Average gross income (dollars) . . . . . 

Calculated 872 1410 934 1,094 1,054 

Reported 873 1411 934 1,095 1,054 

Average net income (dollars)a. . . . . 

Calculated 398 663 440 526 500 

Reported 384 641 429 507 487

Average total deduction (dollars)b. . . . . 

Calculated 578 796 572 667 591

Reported 572 797 566 662 587

Average SNAP benefit (dollars)c. . . . . 

Calculated 234 291 120 387 177

Reported 234 292 120 386 178

Percentage with zero gross income . . . . . 

Calculated 18.5 0.0 6.8 14.8 0.1 

Reported 18.6 0.1 6.8 15.0 0.1 

Percentage with zero net income . . . . . 

Calculated 35.1 19.8 19.1 33.2 13.8 

Reported 39.6 22.7 26.6 35.7 18.9 

Percentage with minimum benefit . . . . . 

Calculated 10.3 8.0 21.2 2.1 13.7 

Reported 10.0 7.4 20.9 1.9 13.2 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control data file. 

a Because net income is not used in their benefit determination, 22,406 households participating in MFIP and 575,336 

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, 575,336 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 

123

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.45 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. 

45 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 fiscal year 2019 

n = 43, 258

. Sample sizes for selected demographic subgroups for fiscal year 2019 are shown in the sample size 

column of Appendix Table E.1. For subgroups not shown in Appendix Table E.1, the sample size can be 

approximated by multiplying the total sample size (43,258) by the ratio of the subgroup population size to the total 

population size (N). For example, in fiscal year 2019, 

N = 18,802, 000

 and there were 5,289,000 elderly households 

(households with at least one or more elderly individuals). Thus, the approximate sample size for elderly households 

in fiscal year 2019 would be calculated as

(5, 289,000/18,802,000) (43, 258) 12,168  =

. In this case, the approximation 

can be compared to the true sample size of households with elderly individuals of 11,483, as shown in Appendix 

Table E.1. 
124

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 fiscal year 2019 are shown 

in Appendix Table E.1. These standard errors can be used to compute confidence intervals for 

the estimated number of households with a particular characteristic.46 For example, the estimated 

number of SNAP households that receive the minimum benefit is 1,938,000 (Appendix Table 

A.1) and the corresponding standard error is 38,395 (Appendix Table E.1). The 95 percent 

confidence interval thus extends from 1,862,000 to 2,015,000.47

For standard errors not shown in Appendix Table E.1, the approximate standard error (SE) of 

an estimated number of households for fiscal year 2019 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 Table E.2. 

The design effect reflects the loss of precision due to the different sampling rates in different 

strata of the SNAP QC sample. It is the ratio of the variance computed by the bootstrap method 

(Appendix Table E.1) to the naive variance.48 When the population subgroup (for example, 

households with an elderly individual) is listed in Appendix Table E.2 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 Table E.2 is used. When neither the subgroup nor the characteristic is listed, 

use the average square root of the design effect for all SNAP households, 1.64. 

For example, to estimate the standard error of the number of households 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, 1,008,000 households with elderly individuals have zero net 

income. 

46 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. 

47 Calculated as: 

(1,938,000 (2 38,395)) 1,862,000 −  =

 and 

(1,938,000 (2 38,395)) 2,015,000 +  = . 

48 The variance and naive variance are the standard error and naive standard error squared, respectively. 
125

The next step is to calculate the naive standard error. Using Equations (1) and (2), the value 

is 19,369.

49 Multiplying 19,369 by the square root of the design effect (d), 1.7, from Appendix 

Table E.2 yields an estimated standard error of 32,935.

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 shows that, of the 7,420,000 households with children, 

1,101,000 (14.8 percent) have no gross income. The standard error 

( ) SN

of the number of 

households with children with no gross income is 29,691 (Appendix Table E.1). To calculate 

P

S

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, 7,420,000 

households with children. The resulting standard error of the percentage estimate is 0.4 

percentage points, and the corresponding 95 percent confidence interval extends from 14.0 to 

15.6 percent around the point estimate of 14.8 percent. 

Equation (4) can also be applied to standard errors not shown in Appendix Table E.1. First, 

calculate the adjusted naive standard error of the number of households using Equation (3). 

Then, divide the resulting standard error by the size of the population that forms the base of the 

percentage. Returning to an earlier example—of the 5,289,000 households with elderly 

individuals, 1,008,000 (19.1 percent) have zero net income. Dividing the adjusted naive standard 

error (calculated above as 19,369) by 5,289,000 yields an adjusted naive standard error of the 

percentage estimate of 0.4 percentage points. 

STANDARD ERRORS OF ESTIMATED MEANS

The standard errors for selected estimated means for fiscal year 2019 are provided in 

Appendix Table E.3. For example, the standard error of the mean gross income for all SNAP 

households in fiscal year 2019 is $3.98 (Appendix Table E.3) and the mean itself is $872 

(Appendix Table A.2). Therefore, a 95 percent confidence interval extends from approximately 

$864 to $880.

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 

49 Equation (1): 

[(1, 008, 000 / 5, 289, 000) (1 (1, 008, 000 / 5, 289, 000)) (5, 289, 000 11, 483)]/[(11, 483 1) 5, 289, 000] 0.00366  −  − −  =

 Equation (2):

5,289,000 0.00366 19,369  = , 

where 5,289,000 is the estimated population of elderly households, 1,008,000 is the estimated population of elderly 

households with zero net income, 11,483 is the sample size of elderly households (Appendix Table E.1), and 19,369

is the standard error. 
126

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 Table E.3 can be obtained from Appendix 

Table E.4, which shows for each variable in Appendix Table E.3 the average, minimum, and 

maximum value of that variable’s standard error as a percentage of the variable’s mean value. 

These three values are shown for all SNAP households and for selected subgroups. The standard 

errors in Appendix Table E.4 incorporate design effects. 
127

Table E.1. Standard errors of estimated numbers of SNAP households 

 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 62.17 84.82 38.39 72.45 57.89 84.58 62.72 52.41 43,258 18,802 

With elderly 

individuals 

20.53 32.97 30.52 18.98 57.89 16.03 15.00 9.80 11,483 5,289 

Without elderly 

individuals 

58.73 74.57 28.50 70.71 0.00 82.50 61.20 51.81 31,775 13,513 

With children 29.69 42.38 13.29 68.68 16.03 84.58 62.72 32.11 16,795 7,420 

With school-age 

children 

25.91 38.00 12.24 53.63 15.00 62.72 62.72 29.83 13,410 5,984 

Without children 56.07 79.64 36.58 37.72 57.17 0.00 0.00 43.53 26,463 11,382 

With earnings 0.00 34.53 22.21 72.45 18.98 68.68 53.63 19.33 12,100 5,384 

With non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities 0.86 21.02 21.40 19.33 9.80 32.11 29.83 52.41 10,108 3,959 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample. 

Note: Standard errors were estimated using the bootstrap method. 
128

Table E.2. Square root of design effects (d) for standard errors of estimated numbers or percentages of SNAP households 

 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 1.77 1.97 1.40 1.77 1.42 1.91 1.49 1.42 1.64 

With elderly 

individuals 1.65 1.70 1.51 1.58 n.a. 1.68 1.64 1.57 1.62 

Without elderly 

individuals 1.84 2.00 1.58 1.93 n.a. 2.18 1.63 1.51 1.81 

With children 1.46 1.57 1.61 2.40 1.71 n.a. 2.77 1.57 1.87 

With school-age 

children 1.50 1.60 1.61 2.08 1.67 n.a. n.a. 1.54 1.67 

Without children 1.97 2.37 1.44 1.63 1.64 n.a. n.a. 1.44 1.75 

With earnings n.a. 1.77 1.68 n.a. 1.60 3.18 2.24 1.44 1.99 

With non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities 0.94 1.55 1.58 1.57 1.71 1.81 1.74 n.a. 1.56 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control 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. 
129

Table E.3. Standard errors of estimated means 

 

Gross 

income 

Net 

income Benefits 

All 

deductions 

Total 

resources 

Household 

size 

Certification 

period Earningsa TANFa SSIa

Shelter 

deductiona

All SNAP households 3.98 2.10 0.39 2.48 0.97 0.00 0.07 9.89 10.03 4.58 1.99 

With elderly 

individuals 

 6.62 6.10 1.39 4.81 1.41 0.01 0.16 37.69 46.87 7.40 4.63 

Without elderly 

individuals 

 5.02 2.79 0.96 3.03 1.21 0.01 0.06 10.40 10.26 6.12 2.15 

With children 7.81 6.34 2.79 4.13 2.09 0.03 0.04 14.09 10.23 13.06 2.73 

With school-age 

children 

 9.39 7.42 3.24 4.66 2.34 0.03 0.05 16.29 12.73 14.11 3.06 

Without children 6.16 4.47 0.76 2.86 0.78 0.00 0.10 17.23 47.19 4.75 2.88 

With earnings 10.08 8.81 2.42 4.47 2.29 0.02 0.06 9.89 21.15 15.83 3.03 

With non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities 7.53 7.07 2.19 5.09 1.43 0.02 0.16 34.15 13.20 6.07 4.89 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample. 

Note: Standard errors were estimated using the bootstrap method. 

a For households with a nonzero amount. 
130

Table E.4. Range of standard errors of mean amounts expressed as a percentage of the mean amount 

 

Standard error as 

percentage of the mean amount 

Number of households in base of mean (000) Averagea Lowestb Highestc

18,802 (All SNAP households) 1.0 0.1 4.5 

5,289 (Households with elderly individuals) 2.9 0.7 13.9 

7,420 (Households with children) 1.6 0.4 7.5 

5,384 (Households with earnings) 1.9 0.6 7.3 

3,959 (Households with non-elderly individuals with disabilities) 2.0 0.7 6.5 

Source: Fiscal year 2019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control 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

133
134
135
136
INDEX 

139

Able-bodied adults...................... See Non-elderly adults without disabilities and without children

Age..................................................3, 6, 7, 8, 15, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 

Tables A.1, A.2, A.14-A.16, A.23, A.24, A.26, A.29, B.5, B.14, B.15, B.17, E.1-E.3

Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill)...................................................3, 11, 33

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)...........................................11, 31, 33

Asset limit............................................................................................................See Resource limit

Assets, countable ....................................................................................................... See Resources

Asylees.......................................................................................................................................7, 36

Benefits.....1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 31, 33, 34, 35, 

36, 37, 38, 113, 114, 115, 117, Tables A.1, A.2, A.5-A.7, A.9-A.12, A.14, A.15, A.17-A.20, 

A.22, A.27-A.29, B.1, B.2, B.13, C.4-C.6, D.1, D.3, D.4, E.1-E.3

Maximum........................................................................2, 9, 10, 19, 26, 27, 28, 33, 35, 36, 114, 

Tables A.1, A.2, A.9-A.12, A.17, A.19, C.5, C.6

Minimum ..........................................................................................................9, 26, 27, 36, 124, 

Tables A.1, A.2, A.9, A.10, A.12, A.17, A.19, A.27, C.6, D.4, E.1, E.2

Prorated................................................................................................................................24, 25

Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE)......................................................................4, 31, 33

Categorically eligible households..................................................3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 33, 36, Table B.12

Certification period............................... 8, 9, 33, 35, Tables A.2, A.12, A.15, A.18, A.20, B.2, E.3

Child support income................................................................................... 17, 38, Tables A.6, A.7

Child support payment deduction..................................5, 33, 34, 38, Tables A.9-A.11, A.17-A.20

Children..3, 5, 7, 8, 15, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 125, Tables A.1-A.3, 

A.5, A.6, A.8-A.12, A.14-A.19, A.21-A.24, A.26, A.27, A.29, B.5, B14-B.17, D.4, E.1-E.4

Citizenship ............................ 7, 24, 25, 34, 35, 36, Tables A.1, A.2, A.22, A.23, A.27, B.16, B.17

Contributions ..................................................................................................... 38, Tables A.6, A.7

Countable resources..........................................................3, 6, 8, 33, 34, 36, Tables A.5, A.17, E.3
140

Deductions.................5, 6, 9, 10, 28, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 114, 115, Tables A.2, A.7, A.9-A.11,

A.15, A.17-A.20, A.28, B.2, B.4, B.8, C.4, D.4, E.3

Child support payment...............................................5, 33, 34, 38, Tables A.9-A.11, A.17-A.20

Dependent care ................................................................5, 34, 38, Tables A.9-A.11, A.17-A.20

Earned income .........................................................5, 34, 38, Tables A.9-A.11, A.17-A.20, B.8

Excess shelter expense............6, 10, 11, 34, 37, 38, Tables A.9-A.11, A.17-A.20, B.4, C.4, E.3

Homeless household shelter ..........................................................................6, 11, 34, Table C.4

Medical expense ........................................................5, 34, 35, 38, Tables A.9-A.11, A.17-A.20

Standard ....................................................................... 5, 10, 34, 37, 38, Tables A.17, A.19, C.4

Deemed income ........................................................................................... 34, 38, Tables A.6, A.7

Dependent care deduction....................................................5, 34, 38, Tables A.9-A.11, A.17-A.20

Deportees..................................................................................................... See Stay of deportation

Earned income ....................................................5, 6, 10, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 26, 33, 34, 38, 

Tables A.1, A.2, A.6-A.12, A.16-A.22, A.27, B.6-B.8, D.4, E.1, E.2

Earned income deduction ............................................5, 34, 38, Tables A.9-A.11, A.17-A.20, B.8

Educational loans................................................................................................. 4, Tables A.6, A.7

Elderly individuals................3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 15, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 34, 35, 36, 37, 

124, 125, Tables A.1-A.3, A.5, A.6, A.8-A.12, A.14-A.19, A.21-A.23, A.25-A.27, A.29, B.5, 

B.14, B.15, B.17, D.4, E.1-E.4

Elderly Simplified Applications Project (ESAP) ......................................................................9, 31

Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) ..........................................................................1, 10, 31, 34, 37

Energy assistance........................................................................................... 4, 38, Tables A.6, A.7

Entrant households........................................................................................... 34, Tables A.13, B.9

Excess shelter expense deduction.....................................................................6, 10, 11, 34, 37, 38, 

Tables A.9-A11, A.17-A.20, B.4, C.4, E.3 

Expedited service households...................................................................... 8, 34, Tables A.13, B.9

Gender............................................................................................ 23, 24, Tables A.23, A.24, A.29

General Assistance (GA) ....4, 31, 33, 34, 36, 38, Tables A.1, A.2, A.6-A.10, A.16-A.20, B.6, B.7
141

Gross income ......3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 33, 34, 38, 114, 

115, 125, Tables A.1-A.5, A.7, A.9, A.10, A.15-A.20, A.27, A.28, B.2, B.3, C.1, C.2, D.4, 

E.1-E.3

Gross income limit...............................................................................................3, 4, 33, Table C.2

Homeless household shelter deduction..............................................................6, 11, 34, Table C.4

Household composition ......................................................9, 15, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 35, 36, 

Tables A.1, A.2, A.5, A.9, A.10, A.14-A.17, A.19, A.26, B.5

Married head with children households........................17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 35, Tables A.14-A.16

Single adult with children households.................. 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 37, Tables A.14-A.16, B.5

Household head ............................................... 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 35, 36, Tables A.21, A.25, B.10

Household size .............. 5, 9, 10, 15, 17, 18, 23, 26, 27, 34, 35, 36, 37, 114, Tables A.2, A.4, A.5,

A.7, A.15, A.17-A.20, A.24, A.28, B.2, C.1-C.3, C.5, C.6, D3, E.3

Households, participating .............................................................................1, 16, 26, 36, 113, 117, 

Tables A.1-A.22, A.27, B.1, B.3-B.6, B.8, B.10, B.11, B.13, D.2, D.4

Income, monthly countable.....3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 15, 16, 18, 19, 21, 22, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 114, Tables 

A.1-A.12, A.15-A.22, A.27, A.28, B.2, B.3, B.6-B.8, C.1-C.3, D.4, E.1-E.3

Child support ........................................................................................... 17, 38, Tables A.6, A.7

 Earned .............................................................5, 6, 10, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 26, 33, 34, 38, 

Tables A.1, A.2, A.6-A.12, A.16-A.22, A.27, B.6-B.8, D.4, E.1, E.2

 General Assistance (GA) ..............................................................................4, 31, 33, 34, 36, 38, 

Tables A.1, A.2, A.6-A.10, A.16-A.20, B.6, B.7

 Gross ..3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 33, 34, 38, 114, 115, 125, 

Tables A.1-A.5, A.7, A.9, A.10, A.15-A.20, A.27, A.28, B.2, B.3, C.1, C.2, D.4, E.1-E.3

 Net ..........3, 4, 5, 9, 15, 18, 23, 26, 27, 28, 34, 35, 36, 38, 114, 115, 124, 125, Tables A.1-A.5, 

A.7, A.9, A.10, A.15, A.17-A.20, A.27, A.28, B.2, C.1, C.3, D.4, E.1-E.3

 Social Security ....................18, 19, 24, 35, 38, Tables A.1, A.2, A.6-A.10, A.16-A.20, B.6, B.7

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)......4, 8, 10, 11, 18, 19, 24, 31, 33, 35, 37, 38, Tables A.1, 

A.2, A.6-A.10, A.16-A.20, A.27, B.6, B.7, C.4, E.3

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) ............4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 17, 18, 21, 22, 26, 27, 

31, 33, 36, 37, 38, Tables A.1, A.2, A.6-A.10, A.12, A.16-A.22, A.27, B.6, B.7, E.3

Unearned..............................................................33, 38, Tables A.1, A.2, A.6-A.10, A.17-A.20

Initial certification households ..........................................................................8, 9, 35, Table A.13
142

Lawful permanent resident noncitizens.........................................................................7, 24, 35, 36

Married-head households..................................................17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 35, Tables A.14-A.16

Maximum benefit................................................................2, 9, 10, 19, 26, 27, 28, 33, 35, 36, 114, 

Tables A.1, A.2, A.9-A.12, A.17, A.19, C.5, C.6 

Medical deduction demonstrations............................................................................................5, 37

Medical expense deduction............................................5, 34, 35, 38, Tables A.9-A.11, A.17-A.20

Metropolitan households ............................................................................. 35, 37, Tables A.1, A.2 

Micropolitan households ............................................................................. 35, 37, Tables A.1, A.2 

Minimum benefit .................................................... 9, 26, 27, 36, 124, Tables A.1, A.2, A.9, A.10, 

A.12, A.17, A.19, A.27, C.6, D.4, E.1, E.2

Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP).......................................... 10, 36, Tables C.4, D.4

Net income ...3, 4, 5, 9, 15, 18, 23, 26, 27, 28, 34, 35, 36, 38, 114, 115, 124, 125, Tables A.1-A.5, 

A.7, A.9, A.10, A.15, A.17-A.20, A.27, A.28, B.2, C.1, C.3, D.4, E.1-E.3

Net income limit ......................................................................................................3, 36, Table C.3

Noncitizens................................. 7, 24, 34, 35, 36, Tables A.1, A.2, A.22, A.23, A.27, B.16, B.17

Asylees...................................................................................................................................7, 36

Lawful permanent resident noncitizens.....................................................................7, 24, 35, 36

Nonimmigrant visitors to the United States ..............................................................................36

Refugees ................................................................................ 7, 24, 36, Tables A.22, A.23, B.16

Stay of deportation.................................................................................................................7, 36

Non-elderly adults ..................17, 19, 20, 24, 26, 36, 37, 38, Tables A.23, A.25, A.26, A.29, B.15

Non-elderly adults without disabilities and without children.......17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 25, 26, 37, 38, 

Tables A.1, A.2, A.14-A.16, A.23, A.26, B.5, B.15

Non-elderly individuals with disabilities....19, 24, 37, Tables A.1-A.3, A.5, A.6, A.8-A.12, A.14-

A.19, A.21-A.23, A.26, A.27, B.5, B.15, D.4, E.1-E.4

Nonimmigrant visitors to the United States...................................................................................36

Nonparticipating household head ........................................................ 36, Tables A.21, A.22, A.25

Participants..................................................7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 17, 20, 24, 26, 34, 37, 38, 113, 117, 

Tables A.1, A.14, A.23-A.26, A.29, B.1, B.14-B.17 
143

Poverty guidelines....................................3, 4, 5, 15, 16, 26, 27, 33, 34, 36, Tables A.1-A.5, A.15, 

A.18, A.20, A.28, B.2, B.3, B.13, C.2, C.3

Poverty, individuals in.......................................................................11, 12, 13, 16, 17, Table B.13

Preschool-age children.......25, 36, Tables A.1, A.2, A.5, A.9, A.10, A.17-A.19, A.23, A.26, B.14

Prorated benefit........................................................................................................................24, 25

Pure Public Assistance (PA)............................................................................4, 31, 36, Table B.12

Race/Hispanic status............................................................................ 25, Tables A.21, A.23, B.10

Recertification............................................................................................................33, Table A.13

Refugees .................................................................................... 7, 24, 36, Tables A.22, A.23, B.16

Resource limit..............................................................................................................3, 4, 6, 33, 36

Rural ...................................................................................................36, Tables A.1, A.2, C.5, C.6

School-age children .................................................... 24, 25, 37, Tables A.1, A.2, A.5, A.9, A.10, 

A.17-A.19, A.23, B.14, E.1-E.3

Self-employment income......................................................................... 34, Tables A.6, A.7, A.25

Sex ..................................................................................................................................See Gender

Shelter deduction .................................................................. See Excess shelter expense deduction

Single adult with children households............................ 17, 18, 21, 23, 37, Tables A.14-A.16, B.5

Single-person households...............................................................3, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 35, 37, 

Tables A.4, A.5, A.14-A.17, A.19, A.24, C.1-C.6

Social Security .......................................................................................................18, 19, 24, 35, 38

Social Security Administration (SSA).....................................................................................10, 37

SSI-Combined Application Project (SSI-CAP).......................9, 10, 31, 34, 36, 37, 114, Table C.4

Standard deduction .......................................................... 5, 10, 34, 37, 38, Tables A.17, A.19, C.4

Standard error ............................................................................123, 124, 125, 126, Tables E.1-E.4

Standard utility allowance (SUA)..............................................................6, 10, 31, 37, Table B.11

State diversion payments...........................................................................................................4, 38

States.................................................1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 33, 34, 35, 37, 38, 113, 114, 117, 

Tables A.29, B.1-B.17, C.1-C.6, D.2 
144

Stay of deportation .....................................................................................................................7, 36 

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) ..............................4, 8, 10, 11, 18, 19, 24, 31, 33, 35, 37, 38, 

Tables A.1, A.2, A.6-A.10, A.16-A.20, A.27, B.6, B.7, C.4, E.3 

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) ....4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 17, 18, 21, 22, 26, 27, 31, 33, 

36, 37, 38, Tables A.1, A.2, A.6-A.10, A.12, A.16-A.22, A.27, B.6, B.7, E.3 

Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) ............................................................ 9, 31, 33, 35, 37, Tables A.24, C.5 

Unearned income .....................................................................................................................33, 38 

Unemployment income .................................................................................. 7, 38, Tables A.6, A.7 

Veterans' benefits ..................................................................................... 7, 35, 38, Tables A.6, A.7 

Wage supplementation ....................................................................................... 38, Tables A.6, A.7 

Wages ................................................................................................................ 34, Tables A.6, A.7 

Work registration ................................................................................................. 35, 38, Table A.25 

Work requirements and a time limit .......................................... 8, 9, 20, 33, 35, 37, 38, Table B.15 

Workers’ compensation ............................................................................... 35, 38, Tables A.6, A.7