United States Department of Agriculture

Characteristics of Supplemental

Nutrition Assistance Program 

Households: Fiscal Year 2017

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Report No. SNAP-18-CHAR

Nutrition Assistance Program Report Series

Office of Policy Support
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
February 2019

Supplemental Nutrition

Assistance Program

Report No. SNAP-18-CHAR

Characteristics of Supplemental

Nutrition Assistance Program 

Households: Fiscal Year 2017

Authors:

Kathryn Cronquist and Sarah Lauffer

Submitted by: Submitted to:

Mathematica Policy Research Office of Policy Support

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

Washington, DC 20002-4221 3101 Park Center Drive, Suite 1014

. Alexandria, VA 22302-1500

Project Director: Joshua Leftin Project Officer: Jenny Genser

This study was conducted under Contract Number 12-3198-18-F-0005 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 2017, 

by Kathryn Cronquist and Sarah Lauffer. Project Officer, Jenny Genser. Alexandria, VA, 2019.

United States Department of Agriculture

Kathryn Cronquist and Sarah Lauffer of Mathematica Policy Research 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 authors thank Joshua 

Leftin, Karen Cunnyngham, and Jacqueline Kauff for providing guidance and reviewing the 

report; Alma Vigil, Katherine Bencio, and Joel Smith for providing programming support; Kerry 

Schellenberger for providing research assistance; and Kimberly Ruffin for preparing the 

manuscript. The authors also thank Jenny Genser, Jordan Younes, Kathryn Law, Barbara 

Murphy, Herb Blassendale, Mary Rose Conroy, Jane Duffield, Robert Ek, Eyang Garrison, 

Sasha Gersten-Paal, Merrit Gillard, Sarah Goldberg, Arthur Hoffman, Michelle Johnson-Weider, 

Clay Jones, Eliot DeLaCruz Kriviski, Nick Manthos, Casey McConnell, Alice McKenney, 

Solomon Mezgebu, Susan Modine, Nadine Nichols, Morris Olitsky, Miles Patrie, Karen Patyk, 

Stephanie Proska, Shamon Studmire, Lisa Tarrant-Gilbert, and Tom Tinnin of FNS for providing 

guidance and program information.

February 2019

Authors: Kathryn Cronquist and Sarah Lauffer

Mathematica Project Director: Joshua Leftin

Mathematica Project Number: 50588.500

FNS Project Officer: Jenny Genser

FNS Contract Number: 12-3198-18-F-0005

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..................................................... 9

Minnesota Family Investment Program Households (MFIP).................................................. 10

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

PROGRAM CHANGES SINCE THE PREVIOUS FISCAL YEAR............................................................. 10

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

CHAPTER 3: CHARACTERISTICS OF SNAP HOUSEHOLDS AND 

PARTICIPANTS..........................................................................................................................13

THE POVERTY STATUS OF SNAP HOUSEHOLDS............................................................................ 13

HOUSEHOLDS WITH GREATER NEEDS............................................................................................ 14

Households with Children....................................................................................................... 14

Households with Elderly Individuals ...................................................................................... 16

Households with Non-Elderly Individuals with Disabilities................................................... 17

OTHER HOUSEHOLDS SERVED BY SNAP....................................................................................... 17

Single-Person Households....................................................................................................... 21

CHARACTERISTICS OF SNAP PARTICIPANTS ................................................................................. 21

CHANGES IN SNAP PARTICIPATION AND THE CHARACTERISTICS OF SNAP HOUSEHOLDS ......... 23

ACRONYMS AND DEFINITIONS...........................................................................................25
viii

APPENDIX A DETAILED TABLES OF SNAP HOUSEHOLD 

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

APPENDIX A FOOTNOTES........................................................................................................ 69

APPENDIX B DETAILED TABLES OF SNAP HOUSEHOLDS BY STATE....................75

APPENDIX B FOOTNOTES........................................................................................................ 95

APPENDIX C FISCAL YEAR 2017 SNAP PARAMETERS.................................................99

APPENDIX D SOURCE AND RELIABILITY OF ESTIMATES......................................105

APPENDIX E SAMPLING ERROR OF ESTIMATES .......................................................113

APPENDIX F DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENT........................................................123

INDEX.........................................................................................................................................129
ix

TABLES

REPORT

2.1. Major economic indicators, calendar years 2002 to 2017 .................................................12

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

of Federal poverty guidelines.............................................................................................14

3.2. Composition of households with select countable income types.......................................18

3.3. Percentage of households with countable income types by household composition.........19

3.4. Average values of selected characteristics by household composition .............................20

3.5. SNAP benefits of participants by selected demographic characteristics...........................22

3.6. Comparison of participating individuals with key SNAP household characteristics 

for fiscal years 2013 to 2017..............................................................................................23

3.7. Nominal and real values of selected characteristics, fiscal year 2016 and fiscal 

year 2017............................................................................................................................24

APPENDIX A

SUMMARY CHARATERISTICS

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

characteristic ......................................................................................................................37

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....................38

INCOME, POVERTY STATUS, AND RESOURCES

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

non-elderly individuals with disabilities by household characteristic ...............................39

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..............................................................................................................40

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 ...........................................41

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

non-elderly individuals with disabilities by type of countable income .............................42

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

participating households by type of countable income......................................................43

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

non-elderly individuals with disabilities by countable earned and unearned 

income amounts.................................................................................................................44
x

APPENDIX A (continued)

SNAP DEDUCTIONS

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

composition, countable income source, and SNAP benefit amount..................................46

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

composition, countable income source, and SNAP benefit amount..................................47

A.11. Distribution of participating households by selected household characteristics and 

amount of deduction ..........................................................................................................48

SNAP BENEFIT

A.12. Distribution of participating households by selected household characteristics and 

SNAP benefit amount, SNAP benefit as a percentage of the maximum benefit, 

and certification period ......................................................................................................50

HOUSEHOLD COMPOSITION

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

expedited service................................................................................................................51

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

composition........................................................................................................................52

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 .....................53

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

composition........................................................................................................................54

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

non-elderly individuals with disabilities by selected characteristics.................................55

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

children, elderly individuals, and non-elderly individuals with disabilities......................57

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

income by selected characteristics.....................................................................................58

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

countable earned and unearned income .............................................................................59

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

by race and Hispanic status of household head .................................................................60

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

selected characteristics.......................................................................................................61
xi

APPENDIX A (continued)

PARTICIPANTS

A.23. SNAP participants by gender and selected demographic characteristics ..........................62

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

household size....................................................................................................................63

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

participants by work registration status and employment status .......................................64

A.26. Work status of participants by age and household composition........................................65

COMPARISONS; FISCAL YEARS 1990 TO 2017

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

for fiscal years 1990 to 2017..............................................................................................66

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

characteristics for fiscal years 1990 to 2017......................................................................67

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

1990 to 2017 ......................................................................................................................68

APPENDIX B

B.1. Distribution of participating households, individuals, and benefits by State ....................77

B.2. Average values of selected characteristics by State...........................................................78

B.3. Distribution of participating households by poverty status and by State...........................79

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

State....................................................................................................................................80

B.5. Distribution of participating households by household composition and by State............81

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

by State...............................................................................................................................82

B.7. Average values of selected countable income sources by State ........................................83

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

State....................................................................................................................................84

B.9. Distribution of entrant households with and without expedited service by State..............85

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

head and by State ...............................................................................................................86

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

by State...............................................................................................................................87

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

status and by State..............................................................................................................88
xii

APPENDIX B (continued)

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

of SNAP benefits on the poverty status of SNAP households...........................................89

B.14. Distribution of participants by age and by State................................................................90

B.15. Distribution of participants by disability status and by State ............................................91

B.16. Distribution of participants by citizenship status and by State ..........................................92

B.17. Distribution of noncitizen participants by age and by State ..............................................94

APPENDIX C

C.1. 2016 Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) poverty income 

guidelines.........................................................................................................................101

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

year 2017..........................................................................................................................101

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

2017..................................................................................................................................102

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

deductions in the contiguous United States and outlying areas in fiscal year 2017 ........102

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

outlying areas in fiscal year 2017 ....................................................................................103

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

outlying areas in fiscal year 2017 ....................................................................................103

APPENDIX D

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

included in the edited file.................................................................................................108

D.2. Unweighted distribution of participating households by State ........................................110

D.3. Comparison of program data to edited SNAP QC data file.............................................111

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

participating households ..................................................................................................112

APPENDIX E

E.1. Standard errors of estimated numbers of SNAP households...........................................119

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

percentages of SNAP households....................................................................................120

E.3. Standard errors of estimated means.................................................................................121

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

amount..............................................................................................................................122
xiii

FIGURES

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

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

individuals at or below 130 percent of poverty, calendar years 1985 to 2017 ..................11

3.1 Effect of SNAP benefits on the poverty status of SNAP households................................15

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 2017 (October 2016 through September 

2017). It also presents an overview of SNAP eligibility requirements and benefit levels in fiscal 

year 2017. 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 2017, SNAP provided benefits to approximately 42.1 million people 

living in 20.8 million households each month across the United States. The total Federal cost of 

the program in fiscal year 2017 was $68.0 billion, $63.6 billion of which went to SNAP benefits 

and the remainder to program administration.1 The average monthly SNAP benefit across all 

participating households in fiscal year 2017 was $254.

2

CHARACTERISTICS OF SNAP HOUSEHOLDS AND PARTICIPANTS

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

Human Services (HHS), approximately 81 percent of SNAP households lived in poverty in fiscal 

year 2017. Thirty-eight percent of SNAP households had gross incomes less than or equal to half 

of the poverty guidelines; these households received 55 percent of all benefits. When the value of 

SNAP benefits is included as income, 10 percent of SNAP households would move above the 

poverty guidelines, and 12 percent would move from below half to above half of the poverty 

guidelines. 

The average SNAP household had gross monthly income of $837, and had net monthly 

income of $384. SNAP households received income from a variety of sources (Figure ES.1). The 

most common were earnings, Social Security, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. 

Nineteen percent of SNAP households had zero gross income in fiscal year 2017, down 1

percentage point from 20 percent in fiscal year 2016, and 36 percent had zero net income, down 

from 37 percent in fiscal year 2016.

 

1 The total cost of SNAP in fiscal year 2017 included $4.4 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.

2 These data are based on FNS administrative records. Participant counts and benefit costs derived from the SNAP 

Quality Control (SNAP QC) sample file differ slightly (see Appendix D for an explanation of the differences). The 

remainder of this summary presents data derived from the SNAP QC.
xvi

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

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

The majority of SNAP households (80 percent) included a child, elderly individual, or

individual with a disability. These households received 85 percent of all benefits. Likewise, the 

majority of SNAP participants were either children (44 percent), elderly adults (13 percent), or 

non-elderly adults with disabilities (11 percent). Over half (57 percent) of all participants, and 

nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of all adult participants, were female. More than two-thirds (69 

percent) of children were school age (age 5 to 17). In fiscal year 2017, the average SNAP 

household size was 2.0 people.

Households with children received an average monthly SNAP benefit of $392, 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 (59 percent) 

of SNAP households with children were single-adult households. Only 12 percent of these 

single-adult households with children received cash benefits from Temporary Assistance from 

Needy Families (TANF). More than half (55 percent) of all SNAP households with children had 

earned income. Among households with children, 46 percent of those with only one adult had 

earned income compared to 69 percent of those with multiple adults. Three percent of all 

households with children had both TANF and earned income.

The number of SNAP households with elderly individuals increased by 2 percent from fiscal 

year 2016 to fiscal year 2017 even as the total number of SNAP households decreased.

Households with elderly individuals received an average monthly SNAP benefit of $125, 

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 

$915, compared to $812 for households without elderly individuals. Eighty-two percent of SNAP 

households with elderly individuals consisted of an elderly individual living alone. These 
xvii

individuals received an average monthly benefit of $105, compared with an average monthly 

benefit of $211 for households with elderly individuals not living alone and $283 for households 

without any elderly individuals.

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 

2017, SNAP served an average of 42.1 million people each month, at a total annual cost of $68.0

billion, $63.6 billion of which went to SNAP benefits.3

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 Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, which may be redeemed for eligible 

food items at authorized retailers.

4 As of September 30, 2017, 258,789 retailers across the nation 

were authorized to accept SNAP benefits.

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. 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 2017. 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.

5

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

eligibility and benefits and how factors like 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 2017. 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 

 

3 The total cost of SNAP in fiscal year 2017 included $4.4 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.

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

any food sold for on-premise consumption.

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

earthquakes, floods, or other disaster emergencies. About 26,800 households received disaster assistance at some 

time during fiscal year 2017. 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

characteristics in Appendix B. Appendix C contains the fiscal year 2017 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. The chapter concludes with a summary of how program participation and 

costs were related to the economy in fiscal year 2017.

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

The Agricultural Act of 2014 (the 2014 Farm Bill) reauthorized SNAP in February 2014. 

This legislation largely maintained the basic eligibility guidelines as previously defined under the 

Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, 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 Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended, 

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).

6

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 under 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.

7 The 

incomes and countable resources of household members applying together for SNAP are 

aggregated to determine the household’s eligibility and benefit levels.

 

6 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.

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

guidelines annually for many assistance programs. See Appendix C for a list of the 2016 poverty guidelines.
4

Categorical Eligibility

Certain households that meet the eligibility requirements for 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. In addition, benefits for 

categorically eligible 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), 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 in-kind assistance, may also be 

categorically eligible for SNAP.

States may also adopt broad-based categorical eligibility (BBCE) policies. Through this 

option, States can choose to confer categorical eligibility for SNAP to households that receive a 

noncash TANF-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 poverty (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, five States (Idaho, 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 2017. In fiscal year 2017, 42 States and 

territories (including the District of Columbia, Guam, and the Virgin Islands) had a BBCE policy 

in effect.

Income Eligibility Standards

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

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

income and (2) net income.8 As defined in the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended, 

gross income includes most cash income (with the exception of specific types of income, such as 

loans) and excludes most noncash income or in-kind benefits (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 from the previous fiscal year ($2,633 per month for a family of four in the 

contiguous United States in fiscal year 2017). Households with elderly members or individuals 

with disabilities are not subject to the gross income standard. All households that are not

categorically eligible must have a monthly net income at or below 100 percent of the poverty 

guidelines from the previous fiscal year ($2,025 per month for a family of four in the contiguous 

 

8

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

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

chapter.
5

United States in fiscal year 2017). 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:9

 Standard deduction. Households receive a standard deduction based on location 

and household size. In fiscal year 2017, a household with one to three members 

living in the contiguous United States received a $157 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 so long as 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-ofpocket 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 2017, 20 States had medical deduction demonstration programs that used 

standard deduction amounts for households with medical expenses exceeding 

$35 but below a specified limit.10 Medical expenses reimbursed by insurance or 

government programs are not deductible in any State.

 Child support payment deduction. Households may deduct legally obligated 

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

choose to exclude child support payments from gross income rather than treat 

them as a deduction. In fiscal year 2017, 14 States excluded legally obligated 

child support payments from income, whereas 39 States treated child support 

payments as an income deduction.

 

9 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.

10 For detailed information on these demonstrations, see Technical Documentation for the Fiscal Year 2017 SNAP 

QC Database and QC Minimodel (Lauffer et al. 2018). Available at https://host76.mathematica-mpr.com/fns/.
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 2017 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 $517 in 

fiscal year 2017. 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. In fiscal year 2017, 29 States also 

opted for simplified homeless housing costs, which allow homeless households a 

deduction of $143 for shelter expenses.

Resources

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

Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended, the resource limits are indexed to inflation, 

rounded down to the nearest $250 increment. In fiscal year 2017, households not categorically 

eligible were permitted up to $2,250 in countable resources or up to $3,250 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 under 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.11 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 2017, over half of all States and territories had adopted rules 

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

value of additional vehicles.

 

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

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 lawful, permanent resident 

noncitizens. Some examples of lawful, permanent resident noncitizens who are eligible for 

SNAP benefits include:

 Those who have lived legally in the United States for five years or more from the date 

of entry

 Qualified children under 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 age 16 to 59 are subject to the program’s general work 

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

voluntarily quitting a job or reducing work hours, and participating in an employment and 

training program if referred to one by the State agency. Working age participants are subject to 

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

 Individuals determined to be mentally or physically unfit for employment

 Individuals employed 30 or more hours per week

 Individuals responsible for the care of a dependent child under age 6 or an 

incapacitated person

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

higher education

 Individuals complying with work requirements of TANF assistance programs 

 Individuals receiving unemployment compensation

 Individuals participating in a drug addiction or alcohol treatment program

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

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

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

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

period, unless they work or participate in qualifying education and training activities at least 20 

hours per week or comply with a workfare program.12 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 

 

12 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. 
8

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 allowed to provide 

discretionary exemptions for up to 15 percent of their SNAP caseload subject to the time limit.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

In general, when a household applies for SNAP benefits, State agencies are required to 

conduct an interview at initial certification and at least once every 12 months thereafter. 

Although all SNAP applicants have the option to appear in person for the interview, it became a 

State option during fiscal year 2017 to allow interviews to be conducted by telephone or online.13

In 2017, 44 States offered online applications, and 34 States allowed SNAP participants to 

recertify or renew their benefits online. All States must allow individuals to apply for SNAP 

benefits when they apply for TANF or SSI benefits.

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

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

households with extremely low income 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.

SNAP participants are required to appear periodically at their local SNAP office or 

participate in a telephone interview for recertification. The certification period varies with the 

likelihood of a change in a SNAP household’s financial circumstances. Certification periods can 

be as short as 3 months, as long as 24 months for households where all adult members are elderly 

or have a disability, or up to 36 months for households participating in an Elderly Simplified 

Application Project (ESAP).14 For participants in the SSI-Combined Application Project (SSICAP, described below), the certification period may be extended up to 48 months. In fiscal year 

2017, SNAP households were certified for benefits for an average of 14 months.

In addition to the State option for telephone and online interviews, as detailed above, States 

have other policy options and can receive administrative waivers to simplify other eligibility 

rules.15 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.

 

13 Prior to the implementation of the State option on May 8, 2017, States could apply for waivers that allowed 

interviews to be conducted by telephone or online.

14 This demonstration streamlines the application and recertification process for elderly households 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.

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

http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/state-options-report.
9

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 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 Thrifty Food Plan is a healthful and minimal-cost diet, with the 

cost adjusted for household size and composition.16 Maximum benefits are revised annually to 

reflect changes in the cost of foods in the plan. The maximum monthly benefit for a family of 

four in the contiguous United States was $649 in fiscal year 2017 (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.

17 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 2017, the minimum benefit for oneand two-person households in the contiguous United States was $16 (Appendix C).

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 (SSA), and States that 

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 2017, 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.18 In 

most cases, SSI-CAP participation was limited to one-person households consisting of an elderly 

 

16 See Thrifty Food Plan reports at http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/USDAFoodPlansCostofFood/reports for more 

information.

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

18 New Mexico ended its SSI-CAP demonstration in March 2014. However, SSI-CAP households could remain on 

the program through their certification period. The last SSI-CAP benefit was issued in June 2017. 
10

individual or an individual with a disability who receives SSI and has no earned income.19 In all 

SSI-CAP States except for Florida, Massachusetts, and Washington, these households received a 

standard SNAP benefit based on whether the State categorizes them as having “high” or “low” 

shelter expenses, as determined by the State. SSI-CAP households in Florida, Massachusetts, and 

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

utility allowance, and a standardized “high” or “low” shelter expense deduction. SSI-CAP 

households do not receive any other income deductions.

Minnesota Family Investment Program Households (MFIP)

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 2017.

SNAP BENEFIT ISSUANCE 

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

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

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

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

the time of the transaction. As of September 30, 2017, 258,789 retailers across the nation were 

authorized to accept SNAP benefits.

PROGRAM CHANGES SINCE THE PREVIOUS FISCAL YEAR 

Program changes in fiscal year 2017 included the following:

 Colorado and Oregon implemented standard medical deduction demonstration 

programs. 

 States now have the option to allow certification interviews to be conducted by 

telephone or online.

 

19 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.
11

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 year from 2001 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 44.2 million individuals in 

fiscal year 2016 to 42.1 million individuals in fiscal year 2017. Figure 2.1 illustrates the changes 

in SNAP participation from calendar year 1985 to 2017 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 can be seen in total SNAP costs, which peaked in fiscal year 2013 at $79.9 

billion, and have fallen steadily each year thereafter. Total SNAP costs declined from $70.9

billion in fiscal year 2016 to $68.0 billion in fiscal year 2017. The decrease in total SNAP costs

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

with lower average per-person benefits due to lower food prices and the expiration of the 

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) at the beginning of fiscal year 

2014.20 However, costs have continued to fall through fiscal year 2017. 

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

below 130 percent of poverty, calendar years 1985 to 2017

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 (CPS ASEC) by Decision Demographics, Arlington, VA.

a Annual values.

b Average monthly values.

 

20 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.
12

Table 2.1. Major economic indicators, calendar years 2002 to 2017

Calendar year

Economic 

indicator 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Inflation rate a 1.5 1.9 2.7 3.1 3.1 2.7 1.9 0.8 1.2 2.1 1.9 1.8 1.9 1.0 1.1 1.9

Interest rate b 6.5 5.7 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

Productivity 

increase c 4.3 3.9 3.0 2.2 1.1 1.6 1.0 3.6 3.3 -0.1 0.8 0.9 0.7 1.2 0.2 1.1

Real GDP 

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

SNAP 

participants f(000) 19,561 21,952 24,413 26,261 26,074 26,566 29,202 35,285 41,639 45,388 46,942 47,539 46,427 45,516 43,704 42,004

Unemployed 

individuals f (000) 8,375 8,770 8,140 7,579 6,991 7,073 8,948 14,295 14,808 13,739 12,499 11,457 9,599 8,288 7,751 6,973

Unemployment 

rate g 5.8 6.0 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 4.4

Individuals below 

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

Number in 

thousands 35,566 36,927 37,937 37,415 37,206 38,205 40,614 43,970 46,677 46,464 47,085 46,203 47,348 43,765 41,492 41,002

Percentage of 

total population 12.4 12.8 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 12.7

Individuals at or 

below 130 percent

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

Number in 

thousands 50,844 52,823 53,413 53,553 52,878 54,264 57,329 60,574 63,984 64,549 65,828 63,938 64,915 60,906 57,745 57,980

Percentage of 

total population 17.8 18.3 18.3 18.2 17.8 18.1 19.0 19.9 20.9 20.9 21.2 20.4 20.5 19.1 18.0 17.9

Sources: Inflation rate: Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis, National Income and Product Accounts. Interest rate: Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED). 

Productivity increase: Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Major Sector Productivity and Costs Index.” Real gross domestic product (GDP) increase: 

Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis, National Income and Product Accounts. SNAP participants: Food and Nutrition Service Fiscal Year Program 

Operations data. 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 CPS ASEC by Decision Demographics, Arlington, VA.

a Percentage change from preceding year in the implicit price deflator for Gross Domestic Product (GDP). 

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 GDP estimates. Thus, historical numbers in this table may differ from previous reports.

f Average monthly value.

g Unemployment rate for all civilian workers.
13

CHAPTER 3: CHARACTERISTICS OF SNAP

HOUSEHOLDS AND PARTICIPANTS

SNAP serves the nutritional needs of a broad spectrum of low-income Americans.21 In fiscal 

year 2017, SNAP provided benefits to an average of 41.5 million people living in 20.6 million 

households each month.

22 Most SNAP households (80 percent) included either a child (under 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 $245, had gross monthly income of 

$837, and net monthly income of $384.23 The average SNAP household size has declined over 

the years, from 2.6 individuals in 1990 to 2.0 individuals in fiscal year 2017 (Appendix Table 

A.28).

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 2016 to fiscal year 2017. 

THE POVERTY STATUS OF SNAP HOUSEHOLDS

SNAP provides benefits to households in need, most of which are living in poverty.

24 In 

fiscal year 2017, the average household had gross monthly income that was slightly less than 63 

percent of the poverty guidelines (Appendix Table A.2).25 Eighty-one percent of SNAP 

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

guidelines, 57 percent had gross monthly income that was less than or equal to 75 percent of the 

poverty guidelines, and 38 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 38 percent of all SNAP households 

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

fiscal year 2017 received 55 percent of all benefits. In contrast, the 19 percent of households with 

 

21 The information in this chapter and the estimates in Appendices A and B are based on a sample of 45,530

households from the Fiscal Year 2017 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.

22 The estimates of 41.5 million participants and 20.6 million households differ slightly from the number of SNAP 

participants and households in FNS administrative records (42.1 million and 20.8 million, respectively) because the 

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

assistance. These adjustments also affect household average monthly benefits, which are $245 in the SNAP QC data 

compared with $254 in FNS administrative records (Appendix D provides details).

23 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.

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

A.8.

25 See Appendix Table C.1 for the poverty guidelines.
14

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

(Table 3.1).

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.26 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 10 percent of participating households 

above the poverty guidelines. SNAP benefits affected a greater number of the poorest SNAP 

households, moving 12 percent of participating households above 50 percent of the poverty 

guidelines.

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

poverty guidelines

All households All benefits

Gross income as a percentage 

of Federal poverty guidelinesa Percentage

Cumulative 

percentage Percentage

Cumulative 

percentage

25 percent or less 27.2 27.2 35.3 35.3

26 to 50 percent 11.1 38.3 19.3 54.5

51 to 75 percent 18.4 56.7 20.1 74.6

76 to 100 percent 24.3 81.0 17.3 91.9

101 to 130 percent 12.7 93.7 6.7 98.6

131 percent or more 6.3 100.0 1.4 100.0

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

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

a Defined as the fiscal year 2017 SNAP net income screen (Appendix Table C.3).

HOUSEHOLDS WITH GREATER NEEDS

SNAP serves many households that include vulnerable individuals—children, elderly adults, 

and individuals with disabilities.27 In fiscal year 2017, 80 percent of all SNAP households—

which contained 89 percent of all participants—included a child, an elderly individual, or a nonelderly individual with a disability. These households received 85 percent of all SNAP benefits 

(Appendix Table A.14).

Households with Children

In fiscal year 2017, SNAP served an average of 8.6 million households with children each 

month, representing 42 percent of all SNAP households. Seventy-three percent of SNAP 

households with earned income contained children, whereas 55 percent of households with 

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

received TANF cash benefits and 3 percent received a combination of TANF and earnings 

(Appendix Table A.6). Among all households with children, nearly 1.6 million (18 percent) 

 

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

27 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. 
15

received child support (Appendix Table A.6). Compared with other SNAP households, those 

with children received a relatively high average SNAP benefit of $392 per month (Table 3.4), 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).

In fiscal year 2017, more than half (59 percent) of SNAP households with children were 

headed by single adults, accounting for 25 percent of all SNAP households (Table 3.3). Eighteen 

percent of SNAP households with children had a married head of household, accounting for 8 

percent of all SNAP households. The remaining SNAP households with children contained 

nonmarried multiple adults (10 percent) and children only (13 percent).

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

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Defined as the fiscal year 2017 SNAP net income screen (Appendix Table C.3).

The characteristics of households with children headed by a married couple varied 

considerably from those of households with children headed by a single adult in terms of 

earnings and TANF income. Of the 5.0 million SNAP households with children headed by a 

single adult, 46 percent had earned income and about 12 percent received TANF. In contrast, of 

the 1.6 million households with children headed by a married couple, 76 percent had earned 

income and 7 percent received TANF. Among households with children headed by a single

adult, 17 percent had zero gross income, whereas among married-head households with children, 

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

other hand, the characteristics of these households were more similar. Among households with 

children headed by a single adult, 12 percent received SSI and 10 percent received Social 

Security income. Among households with children headed by a married couple, 11 percent 

received SSI and 10 percent received Social Security income (Table 3.3).

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

than that of married-head households with children ($378 versus $449 because of the smaller 
16

size of single-adult households (Table 3.4). However, the benefit per person was higher for 

people in single-adult households with children than for people in married-head households with 

children ($127 versus $102), because single-adult households were poorer. Single-adult 

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

households with children ($911 versus $1,582).

Households with Elderly Individuals

In fiscal year 2017, SNAP served a monthly average of about 5.0 million households with 

elderly individuals (age 60 or older), compared with an average of 4.7 million households each 

month in fiscal year 2016. This increase is particularly notable, because the overall SNAP 

caseload dropped by 914,000 households during the same time period. As such, households with 

elderly individuals in fiscal year 2017 represented 24 percent of all SNAP households (Table 

3.2), up from 22 percent in fiscal year 2016 (Appendix Table A.27). Households with elderly 

individuals had an average household size of 1.2 people (Table 3.4).

In fiscal year 2017, the average SNAP benefit for households with elderly individuals was 

$125, compared to $283 for households without elderly individuals (Appendix Table A.2). 

SNAP households with elderly individuals tended to receive relatively small benefit amounts for 

two reasons. First, SNAP households with elderly individuals typically had higher average gross 

and net incomes, $915 and $440 respectively, when compared to households without elderly 

individuals, $812 and $368 respectively. Second, elderly SNAP recipients often lived alone and 

thus were eligible for smaller maximum benefit amounts than other households.28

In fiscal year 2017, 82 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 $105 per month, compared to $166 for multiperson households composed of 

only elderly individuals and $259 for multiperson 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 2017, 36 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. Nineteen percent of households with elderly individuals 

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

elderly individuals represented 39 percent of all SNAP households with SSI and 59 percent of all 

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

elderly individuals had no income (Table 3.3).

 

28 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.
17

Households with Non-Elderly Individuals with Disabilities

In fiscal year 2017, SNAP served a monthly average of 4.3 million households with nonelderly individuals with disabilities (Table 3.2).29 These households represented 21 percent of all 

SNAP households and received an average monthly SNAP benefit of $185 (Table 3.4).

Sixty-three 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 

$110 (Table 3.4). 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 $98. Sixty-six percent 

of households with non-elderly individuals with disabilities received SSI, and 52 percent 

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

with disabilities represented 62 percent of all SNAP households with SSI and 38 percent of all 

SNAP households with Social Security income (Table 3.2).

OTHER HOUSEHOLDS SERVED BY SNAP

Although the majority of SNAP households contained children, elderly individuals, or 

individuals with disabilities, in fiscal year 2017, 21 percent (4.2 million households) consisted 

solely of one or more non-elderly adults without disabilities and without children (Table 3.2). 

These households tended to be single-person households (93 percent) and had a very low average 

gross monthly income ($292). More than one-fourth of these households (29 percent) had earned 

income, whereas 57 percent had zero gross income. Households consisting solely of one or more 

non-elderly adults without disabilities received an average SNAP benefit of $183 per month 

(Tables 3.3 and 3.4).

Within this group, 3.0 million SNAP households (15 percent of all households) contained 

one or more adults age 18 to 49 without disabilities and without children. With some exceptions, 

these participants are subject to time-limited SNAP benefits unless they fulfill additional work 

requirements beyond the SNAP general work requirements. These households tended to be 

single-person households (84 percent). Fifty-two percent of these households had zero gross 

income and 31 percent had earned income (Table 3.3).

 

29 See definition on page 31 of this report for individuals with disabilities.
18

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 20,597 100.0 6,477 100.0 5,883 100.0 4,514 100.0 3,910 100.0 1,006 100.0 623 100.0

Children 8,588 41.7 4,739 73.2 806 13.7 973 21.6 1,180 30.2 968 96.3 128 20.6

Single-adult household 5,041 24.5 2,297 35.5 501 8.5 613 13.6 847 21.7 604 60.1 83 13.3

Multiple-adult household 2,451 11.9 1,695 26.2 298 5.1 331 7.3 213 5.4 193 19.2 36 5.7

Married-head 1,551 7.5 1,178 18.2 154 2.6 171 3.8 119 3.1 107 10.7 20 3.2

Other multiple-adult 900 4.4 518 8.0 144 2.5 160 3.6 94 2.4 86 8.5 15 2.5

Children only 1,097 5.3 746 11.5 7 0.1 29 0.6 120 3.1 172 17.1 10 1.6

Elderly individuals 4,955 24.1 365 5.6 3,481 59.2 1,768 39.2 310 7.9 42 4.1 164 26.3

Living alone 4,047 19.6 226 3.5 2,849 48.4 1,449 32.1 267 6.8 1 0.1 130 21.0

Not living alone 909 4.4 139 2.1 632 10.7 320 7.1 43 1.1 40 4.0 34 5.4

Non-elderly individuals 

with disabilities 4,289 20.8 494 7.6 2,226 37.8 2,811 62.3 2 0.0 156 15.5 143 22.9

Living alone 2,716 13.2 128 2.0 1,525 25.9 1,663 36.8 2 0.0 2 0.2 76 12.2

Not living alone 1,573 7.6 366 5.6 701 11.9 1,148 25.4 - - 154 15.3 67 10.8

Other householdsc 4,232 20.5 1,234 19.0 12 0.2 1 0.0 2,423 62.0 28 2.8 251 40.3

Single-person 3,929 19.1 1,046 16.2 2 0.0 1 0.0 2,350 60.1 25 2.5 247 39.7

Multiperson 303 1.5 187 2.9 11 0.2 0 0.0 73 1.9 3 0.3 4 0.6

Adults age 18 to 49 

without disabilities in 

childless householdsd 2,991 14.5 931 14.4 128 2.2 111 2.5 1,563 40.0 33 3.2 164 26.3

Living alone 2,521 12.2 715 11.0 1 0.0 1 0.0 1,494 38.2 25 2.5 153 24.6

Not living alone 471 2.3 216 3.3 127 2.2 110 2.4 69 1.8 8 0.8 11 1.7

Single-person 

households 10,995 53.4 1,573 24.3 4,378 74.4 3,114 69.0 2,666 68.2 81 8.1 456 73.2

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 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.
19

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 20,597 100.0 6,477 31.4 5,883 28.6 4,514 21.9 3,910 19.0 1,006 4.9 623 3.0

Children 8,588 41.7 4,739 55.2 806 9.4 973 11.3 1,180 13.7 968 11.3 128 1.5

Single-adult 

household 5,041 24.5 2,297 45.6 501 9.9 613 12.2 847 16.8 604 12.0 83 1.6

Multiple-adult 

household 2,451 11.9 1,695 69.2 298 12.2 331 13.5 213 8.7 193 7.9 36 1.5

Married-head 1,551 7.5 1,178 75.9 154 9.9 171 11.0 119 7.7 107 6.9 20 1.3

Other multipleadult 900 4.4 518 57.5 144 16.0 160 17.8 94 10.4 86 9.5 15 1.7

Children only 1,097 5.3 746 68.1 7 0.6 29 2.6 120 10.9 172 15.6 10 0.9

Elderly individuals 4,955 24.1 365 7.4 3,481 70.3 1,768 35.7 310 6.3 42 0.8 164 3.3

Living alone 4,047 19.6 226 5.6 2,849 70.4 1,449 35.8 267 6.6 1 0.0 130 3.2

Not living alone 909 4.4 139 15.3 632 69.6 320 35.2 43 4.7 40 4.5 34 3.7

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities 4,289 20.8 494 11.5 2,226 51.9 2,811 65.6 2 0.0 156 3.6 143 3.3

Living alone 2,716 13.2 128 4.7 1,525 56.2 1,663 61.2 2 0.1 2 0.1 76 2.8

Not living alone 1,573 7.6 366 23.2 701 44.5 1,148 73.0 - - 154 9.8 67 4.3

Other householdsc 4,232 20.5 1,234 29.1 12 0.3 1 0.0 2,423 57.2 28 0.7 251 5.9

Single-person 3,929 19.1 1,046 26.6 2 0.0 1 0.0 2,350 59.8 25 0.6 247 6.3

Multiperson 303 1.5 187 61.9 11 3.5 0 0.1 73 24.2 3 1.0 4 1.2

Adults age 18 to 49 

without disabilities 

in childless 

householdsd 2,991 14.5 931 31.1 128 4.3 111 3.7 1,563 52.2 33 1.1 164 5.5

Living alone 2,521 12.2 715 28.4 1 0.0 1 0.0 1,494 59.3 25 1.0 153 6.1

Not living alone 471 2.3 216 45.9 127 27.1 110 23.4 69 14.6 8 1.6 11 2.2

Single-person 

households 10,995 53.4 1,573 14.3 4,378 39.8 3,114 28.3 2,666 24.2 81 0.7 456 4.1

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 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.
20

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)

Monthly 

SNAP benefit 

(dollars)

Monthly SNAP 

benefit per 

person 

(dollars)b

Household 

size

(individuals)

Totala 837 384 245 122 2.0

Children 1,054 505 392 120 3.3

Single-adult household 911 421 378 127 3.0

Male adult 906 423 342 127 2.7

Female adult 912 421 380 127 3.0

Multiple-adult household 1,468 785 455 105 4.3

Married-head 1,582 853 449 102 4.4

Other multiple-adult 1,270 668 465 113 4.1

Children only 788 261 316 140 2.3

Elderly individuals 915 440 125 100 1.2

Living alone 836 371 105 105 1.0

Not living alone 1,266 716 211 91 2.3

Non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 1,022 496 185 102 1.8

Living alone 851 335 110 110 1.0

Not living alone 1,318 753 313 98 3.2

Other householdsc 292 103 183 168 1.1

Single-person 248 81 175 175 1.0

Multiperson 860 385 281 129 2.2

Single-person households 618 244 134 134 1.0

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Because net income is not used in their benefit determinations, 23,645 MFIP households and 627,138 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.
21

Single-Person Households

In fiscal year 2017, 53 percent of SNAP households were composed of a single person 

(Table 3.2).30 These households received an average monthly SNAP benefit of $134 (Table 3.4). 

A slight majority of these individuals (55 percent) were female (Appendix Table A.24), 37 

percent were elderly (Appendix Table A.17), and 25 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 (14 percent versus 31 percent) 

and a relatively high proportion had zero gross income (24 percent versus 19 percent) (Table 

3.3). Not surprisingly, given the high proportion of elderly individuals and individuals with 

disabilities making up single-person households, 40 percent and 28 percent of single-person 

households received Social Security income and SSI income, respectively (Table 3.3).

CHARACTERISTICS OF SNAP PARTICIPANTS

In fiscal year 2017, 44 percent of SNAP participants were children, and they received 

43 percent of prorated SNAP benefits (Table 3.5).31 More than two-thirds (69 percent) of 

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

non-elderly adults (age 18 to 59), and 13 percent were elderly individuals (age 60 or older).

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

Nearly 9 percent of SNAP participants were foreign born—4 percent were naturalized citizens, 1 

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

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

with noncitizen adults (Appendix Table A.23).

32

 

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

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

characteristic to total household size.

32 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.
22

Table 3.5. SNAP benefits of participants by selected demographic characteristics

Total participants Prorated benefitsa

Household composition

Number

(000) Percent

Number

(000) Percent

Total 41,491 100.0 5,050,556 100.0

Age . . .

Children 18,033 43.5 2,187,692 43.3

Preschool-age children 5,573 13.4 707,700 14.0

0 to 1 year 2,172 5.2 281,589 5.6

2 to 4 years 3,401 8.2 426,111 8.4

School-age children 12,460 30.0 1,479,992 29.3

5 to 7 years 3,404 8.2 416,785 8.3

8 to 11 years 4,188 10.1 501,455 9.9

12 to 15 years 3,414 8.2 394,527 7.8

16 to 17 years 1,453 3.5 167,224 3.3

Non-elderly adults (age 18 to 59) 18,011 43.4 2,314,532 45.8

Elderly adults (60 or older) 5,447 13.1 548,332 10.9

Citizenship . . . .

U.S.-born citizen 37,911 91.4 4,615,831 91.4

Naturalized citizen 1,779 4.3 212,655 4.2

Refugee 390 0.9 46,372 0.9

Other noncitizen 1,411 3.4 175,698 3.5

Citizen children living with noncitizen adultsb 3,418 8.2 441,520 8.7

Non-elderly individuals with disabilities 4,539 10.9 468,752 9.3

Children with disabilities 611 1.5 58,535 1.2

Non-elderly adults with disabilities 3,928 9.5 410,218 8.1

Adults age 18 to 49 without disabilities in 

childless householdsc 3,221 7.8 523,091 10.4

Race and Hispanic status

White, not Hispanic 14,847 35.8 1,761,086 34.9

African American, not Hispanic 10,555 25.4 1,305,801 25.9

Hispanic, any race 6,832 16.5 868,458 17.2

Asian, not Hispanic 1,308 3.2 172,155 3.4

Native American, not Hispanic 562 1.4 72,819 1.4

Multiple races reported, not Hispanic 403 1.0 52,327 1.0

Race unknown 6,984 16.8 817,910 16.2

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 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.
23

CHANGES IN SNAP PARTICIPATION AND THE CHARACTERISTICS OF SNAP HOUSEHOLDS

SNAP participation has steadily declined in recent years from 47.1 million participants in 

fiscal year 2013 to about 41.5 million participants in fiscal year 2017 (Table 3.6). Over the same 

period, the number of SNAP households decreased from 22.8 million to 20.6 million. The 

number of SNAP participants decreased by almost 5 percent from 2016 to 2017, and the number 

of SNAP households decreased by about 4 percent.

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

year 2017. The percentage of participants that were elderly increased, whereas the percentage 

that were non-elderly individuals with disabilities or adults age 18 to 49 without disabilities in 

childless households decreased. The percentage of participants that were children stayed 

relatively constant from fiscal year 2013 to fiscal year 2016, yet there was a more noticeable 

decrease from 2016 to 2017.

The economic condition of SNAP households changed in recent years. The percentage of 

households with zero gross income increased between fiscal year 2013 and fiscal year 2015 and

decreased from fiscal year 2015 to fiscal year 2017. The percentage of households with zero net 

income decreased from fiscal year 2013 to fiscal year 2017. The percentage of households with 

earned income increased between fiscal year 2013 and fiscal year 2016 before falling in 2017. 

Households with TANF income decreased from fiscal year 2013 to fiscal year 2017 (Table 3.6).

Table 3.6. Comparison of participating individuals with key SNAP household characteristics for fiscal years 2013 to 

2017

Fiscal year 

Characteristic 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Participants

Total (000) 47,098 45,874 45,184 43,539 41,491

Characteristic (percent)

Children 44.4 44.2 44.0 44.1 43.5

Elderly individuals 9.3 10.1 10.6 11.8 13.1

Non-elderly individuals 

with disabilities 12.0 11.9 11.7 10.7 10.9

Adults age 18 to 49 

without disabilities in 

childless households 10.5 10.3 10.2 8.8 7.8

Households

Total (000) 22,802 22,445 22,293 21,511 20,597

Characteristic (percent)

Zero gross income 21.5 21.9 22.2 20.4 19.0

Zero net income 39.4 40.6 39.6 37.2 35.7

Earned income 31.2 31.3 31.8 31.9 31.4

TANF income 6.5 6.1 5.8 5.1 4.9

Minimum benefit 5.2 6.4 7.2 8.1 8.8

Maximum benefit 40.7 41.9 41.1 38.5 37.2

Average gross income as 

a percentage of poverty 

guidelines 58.5 57.8 58.9 60.8 62.6

Average household size 2.07 2.04 2.03 2.02 2.01

Sources: Fiscal Years 2013 to 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control samples.
24

The average household gross income increased in real dollars by $6 from fiscal year 2016 to 

fiscal year 2017, from $831 to $837. The average household benefit decreased in real dollars, 

from $247 in fiscal year 2016 to $245 in fiscal year 2017, as net income per household increased 

in real dollars from $382 to $384 (Table 3.7).

Table 3.7. Nominal and real values of selected characteristics, fiscal year 2016 and fiscal year 2017

Fiscal year 

2016

Fiscal year 

2017

Characteristic

Nominal

value

Real value

(in fiscal year 

2017 dollars)

Nominal

value

Percentage 

change in 

nominal values

Percentage 

change in real 

values

Average gross income a . . . . .

Per household $814 $831 $837 +2.8 +0.7

Per person 479 489 501 +4.4 +2.3

Average net income a . . . . .

Per household 374 382 384 +2.8 +0.7

Per person 201 206 211 +4.9 +2.8

Average total deduction a 539 550 550 +2.1 0.0

Average household benefit b 249 247 245 -1.5 -0.6

Maximum household benefit 

for a family of four b,c 649 643 649 0.0 +0.9

Consumer price index (CPI) . . . . .

All items 238.9 . 243.9 +2.1 .

Food at home 240.4 . 238.2 -0.9 .

Sources: CPI-U average values: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nominal values: Fiscal Year 2016

and Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control samples.

a Real values are in constant fiscal year 2017 dollars. Fiscal year 2016 values were inflated by the change in the CPI-U for 

all items between fiscal year 2016 and fiscal year 2017 (+2.1 percent).

b Real values are in constant fiscal year 2017 dollars. Fiscal year 2016 values were deflated by the change in the CPI-U for 

food at home between fiscal year 2016 and fiscal year 2017 (-0.9 percent).

c The maximum benefit values were based on 100 percent of the cost of the Thrifty Food Plan in June 2016 for a family of

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

27

ACRONYMS

ARRA American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

BBCE Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility

CPI-U Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers

CPS ASEC Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement

EBT Electronic Benefit Transfer

FNS U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service

GA General Assistance

HHS U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

MFIP Minnesota Family Investment Program

PA Public Assistance

SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

SNAP QC Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control

SSA Social Security Administration

SSI Supplemental Security Income

SSI-CAP SSI-Combined Application Project

SUA Standard Utility Allowance

TANF Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

USDA U.S. Department of Agriculture

29

DEFINITIONS

Agricultural Act of 2014 (2014 Farm Bill).

This legislation, which reauthorized SNAP, 

was enacted on February 7, 2014. The bill 

maintained the program’s basic eligibility 

guidelines while reducing or eliminating the 

shelter expense deduction for some 

households with no energy costs and nominal 

energy assistance. The bill also provided 

additional SNAP funding for enhanced 

Employment and Training activities, and 

expanded antifraud efforts.

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 Effortfunded 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 

poverty. However, if the purpose of the 

program is to further workforce participation, 

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 under 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.
30

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 2017.) See also 

Deductions and Minnesota Family 

Investment Program. 

Elderly individuals. Adults age 60 or older.

Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT). Means 

of benefit delivery via Electronic Benefit 

Transfer card, similar to a debit card, used to 

purchase food at authorized retailers.

Entrant households. Households newly 

certified during fiscal year 2017 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 

estimate, 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. 

Some States allow homeless households to 

deduct $143 for estimated shelter expenses.

Household. Individuals who live in a 

residential unit and purchase and prepare 

food together. Spouses living together, and 

children under age 22 living with their 
31

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 under 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 that 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 singleperson 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 

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 
32

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 and month of benefit receipt in fiscal 

year 2017. 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 to 59.

Nonimmigrant visitors to the United 

States. Noncitizens who have been admitted 

for a specified period, including tourists, 

students, and foreign nationals with work 

permits.

Nonparticipating household head 

households. Households headed by someone 

ineligible for SNAP, such as an ineligible 

noncitizen.

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. 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 under 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 2017. 

Non-categorically eligible households with 

an elderly individual or individual with a 

disability were allowed up to $3,250 in 

countable resources. See also Countable 

resources.

Rural. Households whose SNAP application 

was processed at an agency not located in a 

Metropolitan Statistical Area or a 

Micropolitan Statistical Area.

School-age children. Children age 5 to 17.

Shelter deduction. See Excess shelter 

expense deduction.
33

Single adult with children households. 

Households with exactly one participating

person age 18 or older, no spouse, and at 

least one person under 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 FNS-SSA-State partnerships 

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 

assistance to low-income families with 

children.

Thrifty Food Plan (TFP). Market basket of 

goods based on an economical and nutritious 

diet, adjusted for household size and 

composition. The Center for Nutrition and 

Policy Promotion developed the TFP and 

updates the costs. The value of the preceding 

June’s TFP is used to determine maximum 

SNAP benefit amounts.

Time limits and additional work 

requirements for adults age 18 to 49 

without disabilities in childless households.

SNAP participants without disabilities age 18 

to 49 who do not live with a household 

member under the age of 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 or 

participate in a work program at least 20 

hours a week, or participate and comply with 

a workfare program. States can apply to 

waive this requirement in certain areas where 

there are insufficient jobs. 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 of time. In this 

report, all adults meeting this definition, 

regardless of exemption status, are identified 

as Adults Age 18 to 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. 
34

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 under age 16 or age 60 

and over, 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 under 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 30 hours a week 

or earning more than an amount equal 

to 30 hours times the minimum wage

 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, under Appendix A footnotes.

37

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 20,597 100.0 41,491 100.0 5,050,556 100.0

Household composition

Children 8,588 41.7 28,039 67.6 3,365,781 66.6

School-age 6,847 33.2 23,636 57.0 2,778,961 55.0

Preschool-age 4,205 20.4 14,820 35.7 1,806,958 35.8

No children 12,009 58.3 13,452 32.4 1,684,775 33.4

Elderly individuals 4,955 24.1 6,169 14.9 618,886 12.3

No elderly individuals 15,642 75.9 35,322 85.1 4,431,670 87.7

Non-elderly individuals with disabilities 4,289 20.8 7,749 18.7 791,764 15.7

No non-elderly individuals with disabilities 16,308 79.2 33,742 81.3 4,258,792 84.3

Adults age 18 to 49 without disabilities in 

childless householdsa 2,991 14.5 3,572 8.6 562,241 11.1

No adults age 18 to 49 without disabilities 

in childless households 17,605 85.5 37,919 91.4 4,488,315 88.9

Noncitizens 1,265 6.1 3,048 7.3 353,421 7.0

No noncitizens 19,332 93.9 38,443 92.7 4,697,135 93.0

Locality

Metropolitan 16,757 81.4 33,652 81.1 4,149,512 82.2

Micropolitanb 2,101 10.2 4,319 10.4 499,184 9.9

Rural 1,385 6.7 2,874 6.9 327,662 6.5

Unknown locality 355 1.7 645 1.6 74,197 1.5

Countable Income Source

Gross income 16,687 81.0 35,195 84.8 3,934,807 77.9

No gross income 3,910 19.0 6,296 15.2 1,115,749 22.1

Net income 12,587 61.1 27,873 67.2 2,655,980 52.6

No net income 7,359 35.7 12,923 31.1 2,297,780 45.5

Not applicablec 651 3.2 694 1.7 96,796 1.9

Earned income 6,477 31.4 18,358 44.2 1,916,667 37.9

No earned income 14,120 68.6 23,133 55.8 3,133,889 62.1

Unearned income 12,225 59.4 23,121 55.7 2,582,340 51.1

No unearned income 8,372 40.6 18,370 44.3 2,468,216 48.9

TANF 1,006 4.9 3,028 7.3 399,555 7.9

No TANF 19,591 95.1 38,463 92.7 4,651,001 92.1

GA 623 3.0 965 2.3 133,661 2.6

No GA 19,974 97.0 40,526 97.7 4,916,895 97.4

SSI 4,514 21.9 7,537 18.2 834,916 16.5

No SSI 16,083 78.1 33,954 81.8 4,215,640 83.5

Social Security 5,883 28.6 8,487 20.5 771,211 15.3

No Social Security 14,714 71.4 33,004 79.5 4,279,344 84.7

Gross countable income as a percentage 

of poverty guidelines

No gross income 3,910 19.0 6,296 15.2 1,115,749 22.1

25 percent or lessd 1,694 8.2 3,956 9.5 666,246 13.2

26 to 50 percent 2,277 11.1 6,349 15.3 972,002 19.2

51 to 75 percent 3,797 18.4 8,108 19.5 1,013,424 20.1

76 to 100 percent 5,009 24.3 8,808 21.2 873,984 17.3

101 to 130 percent 2,612 12.7 5,716 13.8 338,152 6.7

131 percent or greater 1,298 6.3 2,258 5.4 70,999 1.4

SNAP benefit

Minimum benefit 1,813 8.8 2,161 5.2 29,027 0.6

Maximum benefit 7,653 37.2 13,217 31.9 2,354,752 46.6

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
38

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 62.6 837 384 550 245 2.0 13.7

Household composition

Children 58.9 1,054 505 641 392 3.3 10.0

School-age 60.5 1,118 546 656 406 3.5 10.0

Preschool-age 55.6 1,051 499 647 430 3.5 9.8

No children 65.3 682 293 482 140 1.1 16.4

Elderly individuals 85.1 915 440 553 125 1.2 20.0

No elderly individuals 55.5 812 368 550 283 2.3 11.8

Non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 82.8 1,022 496 561 185 1.8 16.9

No non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 57.3 788 355 547 261 2.1 12.9

Adults age 18 to 49 without 

disabilities in childless 

householdsa 33.1 375 152 388 188 1.2 10.2

No adults age 18 to 49 without 

disabilities in childless 

households 67.6 915 425 579 255 2.2 14.3

Noncitizens 65.8 1,015 460 671 279 2.4 13.8

No noncitizens 62.4 825 379 542 243 2.0 13.7

Locality

Metropolitan 62.8 838 372 567 248 2.0 13.6

Micropolitanb 62.1 846 435 496 238 2.1 13.4

Rural 60.7 821 457 447 237 2.1 13.8

Unknown locality 64.2 812 380 514 209 1.8 19.4

Countable income source

Gross income 77.3 1,033 474 614 236 2.1 14.4

No gross income 0.0 0 0 276 285 1.6 10.8

Net income 87.6 1,198 609 590 211 2.2 14.0

No net income 20.0 239 0 485 312 1.8 11.2

Not applicablec 61.8 614 n.a. 66 149 1.1 36.6

Earned income 83.0 1,333 629 752 296 2.8 10.3

No earned income 53.3 609 267 454 222 1.6 15.3

Unearned income 77.0 960 453 557 211 1.9 16.1

No unearned income 41.6 658 286 540 295 2.2 10.3

TANF 48.7 832 363 535 397 3.0 11.2

No TANF 63.3 837 385 551 237 2.0 13.9

GA 53.1 649 234 531 215 1.5 14.5

No GA 62.9 843 389 551 246 2.0 13.7

SSI 75.1 907 412 532 185 1.7 20.1

No SSI 59.1 817 377 555 262 2.1 12.0

Social Security 93.7 1,052 522 561 131 1.4 17.9

No Social Security 50.2 751 329 546 291 2.2 12.1

SNAP benefit

Minimum benefit 130.6 1,395 1,002 393 16 1.2 15.8

Maximum benefit 22.3 260 0 485 308 1.7 12.2

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
39

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 20,597 100.0 8,588 100.0 4,955 100.0 4,289 100.0

Gross countable income 

$0 3,910 19.0 1,180 13.7 310 6.3 2 0.0

1 to 200 892 4.3 410 4.8 58 1.2 9 0.2

201 to 400 1,045 5.1 593 6.9 102 2.1 11 0.3

401 to 600 1,237 6.0 691 8.1 235 4.7 172 4.0

601 to 800 4,178 20.3 873 10.2 1,573 31.7 1,837 42.8

801 to 1,000 2,548 12.4 753 8.8 986 19.9 785 18.3

1,001 to 1,250 2,219 10.8 859 10.0 832 16.8 562 13.1

1,251 to 1,500 1,435 7.0 783 9.1 391 7.9 335 7.8

1,501 to 2,000 1,788 8.7 1,261 14.7 358 7.2 358 8.4

2,001 or greater 1,343 6.5 1,184 13.8 109 2.2 218 5.1

Net countable incomec

$0 7,359 35.7 2,867 33.4 844 17.0 567 13.2

1 to 200 2,691 13.1 1,033 12.0 754 15.2 716 16.7

201 to 400 2,602 12.6 833 9.7 884 17.8 833 19.4

401 to 600 2,314 11.2 811 9.4 798 16.1 783 18.2

601 to 800 1,467 7.1 706 8.2 454 9.2 358 8.3

801 to 1,000 1,143 5.5 586 6.8 362 7.3 287 6.7

1,001 to 1,250 937 4.6 610 7.1 240 4.8 182 4.2

1,251 or greater 1,433 7.0 1,120 13.0 221 4.5 359 8.4

Gross countable income as a 

percentage of poverty guidelines

No gross income 3,910 19.0 1,180 13.7 310 6.3 2 0.0

25 percent or lessd 1,694 8.2 1,028 12.0 96 1.9 37 0.9

26 to 50 percent 2,277 11.1 1,692 19.7 220 4.4 377 8.8

51 to 75 percent 3,797 18.4 1,694 19.7 906 18.3 1,386 32.3

76 to 100 percent 5,009 24.3 1,414 16.5 2,060 41.6 1,645 38.4

101 to 130 percent 2,612 12.7 1,175 13.7 851 17.2 591 13.8

131 percent or greater 1,298 6.3 405 4.7 512 10.3 251 5.8

Net countable income as a 

percentage of poverty guidelinesc

No net income 7,359 35.7 2,867 33.4 844 17.0 567 13.2

25 percent or lessd 4,266 20.7 2,051 23.9 1,032 20.8 1,109 25.9

26 to 50 percent 3,811 18.5 1,672 19.5 1,148 23.2 1,172 27.3

51 to 75 percent 2,625 12.7 1,221 14.2 821 16.6 759 17.7

76 to 100 percent 1,268 6.2 626 7.3 413 8.3 325 7.6

101 to 130 percent 421 2.0 100 1.2 209 4.2 95 2.2

131 percent or greater 195 0.9 29 0.3 90 1.8 57 1.3

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
40

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+

Household characteristic

Number

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Total 10,995 100.0 3,749 100.0 2,748 100.0 1,680 100.0 867 100.0 557 100.0

Gross countable income

$0 2,666 24.2 579 15.5 366 13.3 180 10.7 77 8.9 41 7.4

1 to 200 499 4.5 180 4.8 118 4.3 67 4.0 19 2.2 10 1.9

201 to 400 503 4.6 258 6.9 160 5.8 79 4.7 33 3.8 12 2.2

401 to 600 558 5.1 298 8.0 232 8.5 97 5.8 35 4.0 16 3.0

601 to 800 3,173 28.9 464 12.4 284 10.3 155 9.2 66 7.7 36 6.4

801 to 1,000 1,714 15.6 357 9.5 239 8.7 148 8.8 55 6.4 35 6.2

1,001 to 1,250 1,064 9.7 574 15.3 312 11.3 163 9.7 66 7.6 41 7.3

1,251 to 1,500 476 4.3 374 10.0 303 11.0 166 9.9 76 8.7 40 7.2

1,501 to 2,000 301 2.7 447 11.9 511 18.6 270 16.1 173 20.0 86 15.5

2,001 or greater 42 0.4 217 5.8 222 8.1 356 21.2 267 30.7 239 42.9

Net countable incomec

$0 4,450 40.5 1,359 36.2 849 30.9 433 25.8 174 20.1 94 16.8

1 to 200 1,569 14.3 469 12.5 351 12.8 180 10.7 83 9.5 39 7.0

201 to 400 1,649 15.0 403 10.7 303 11.0 157 9.4 50 5.8 39 7.0

401 to 600 1,327 12.1 427 11.4 295 10.8 157 9.3 74 8.6 34 6.0

601 to 800 640 5.8 312 8.3 254 9.2 143 8.5 69 7.9 49 8.8

801 to 1,000 388 3.5 291 7.8 240 8.7 119 7.1 69 7.9 37 6.6

1,001 to 1,250 214 1.9 199 5.3 222 8.1 161 9.6 90 10.4 52 9.2

1,251 or greater 127 1.2 282 7.5 228 8.3 327 19.5 257 29.6 213 38.1

Gross countable income as a 

percentage of poverty guidelines

No gross income 2,666 24.2 579 15.5 366 13.3 180 10.7 77 8.9 41 7.4

25 percent or lessd 680 6.2 363 9.7 310 11.3 192 11.4 87 10.0 62 11.1

26 to 50 percent 585 5.3 492 13.1 534 19.4 364 21.7 179 20.6 124 22.2

51 to 75 percent 1,896 17.2 717 19.1 517 18.8 338 20.1 198 22.9 131 23.5

76 to 100 percent 3,253 29.6 715 19.1 499 18.2 271 16.1 151 17.4 120 21.5

101 to 130 percent 1,202 10.9 510 13.6 412 15.0 276 16.4 146 16.9 67 11.9

131 percent or greater 713 6.5 373 10.0 110 4.0 60 3.5 29 3.3 13 2.3

Net countable income as a 

percentage of poverty guidelinesc

No net income 4,450 40.5 1,359 36.2 849 30.9 433 25.8 174 20.1 94 16.8

25 percent or lessd 2,028 18.4 757 20.2 693 25.2 429 25.6 209 24.1 150 26.9

26 to 50 percent 1,877 17.1 673 17.9 579 21.1 341 20.3 202 23.3 139 24.9

51 to 75 percent 1,157 10.5 484 12.9 405 14.7 286 17.0 184 21.2 109 19.6

76 to 100 percent 500 4.5 236 6.3 216 7.9 177 10.5 82 9.4 58 10.5

101 to 130 percent 245 2.2 145 3.9 0 0.0 10 0.6 15 1.7 6 1.0

131 percent or greater 107 1.0 88 2.3 - - 0 0.0 0 0.0 - -

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
41

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 20,597 100.0 837 384 62.6 27.4 427 245

Household composition

Children 8,588 41.7 1,054 505 58.9 27.1 421 392

School-age 6,847 33.2 1,118 546 60.5 28.5 428 406

Preschool-age 4,205 20.4 1,051 499 55.6 25.2 413 430

No children 12,009 58.3 682 293 65.3 27.6 433 140

Elderly individuals 4,955 24.1 915 440 85.1 40.0 557 125

No elderly individuals 15,642 75.9 812 368 55.5 23.7 384 283

Non-elderly individuals with disabilities 4,289 20.8 1,022 496 82.8 37.6 372 185

No non-elderly individuals with disabilities 16,308 79.2 788 355 57.3 24.8 443 261

Household size

1 person 10,995 53.4 618 244 62.4 24.7 423 134

2 people 3,749 18.2 890 413 66.6 30.9 444 246

3 people 2,748 13.3 1,002 451 59.6 26.8 407 377

4 people 1,680 8.2 1,229 628 60.6 31.0 388 464

5 people 867 4.2 1,500 827 63.2 34.9 411 527

6 people 343 1.7 1,698 992 62.5 36.5 532 635

7 people 135 0.7 1,796 1,025 58.5 33.3 534 726

8 or more people 79 0.4 2,026 1,284 54.9 34.5 679 904

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
42

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

disabilities by type of countable income

Households with:

Total 

households Children

Elderly 

individuals

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities

Type of income

Number 

(000)g Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Total 20,597 100.0 8,588 100.0 4,955 100.0 4,289 100.0

Countable earned income 6,477 31.4 4,739 55.2 365 7.4 494 11.5

Wages and salaries 5,612 27.2 4,247 49.4 269 5.4 428 10.0

Self-employment 969 4.7 588 6.9 99 2.0 70 1.6

Other earned income 43 0.2 20 0.2 3 0.1 3 0.1

Countable unearned income 12,225 59.4 4,236 49.3 4,494 90.7 4,283 99.9

TANF 1,006 4.9 968 11.3 42 0.8 156 3.6

GA 623 3.0 128 1.5 164 3.3 143 3.3

SSI 4,514 21.9 973 11.3 1,768 35.7 2,811 65.6

Social Security 5,883 28.6 806 9.4 3,481 70.3 2,226 51.9

Unemployment income 223 1.1 136 1.6 12 0.2 13 0.3

Veterans’ benefits 179 0.9 42 0.5 92 1.9 42 1.0

Workers’ compensation 44 0.2 17 0.2 11 0.2 13 0.3

Other government benefitsh 105 0.5 31 0.4 54 1.1 19 0.4

Household contributions 616 3.0 393 4.6 71 1.4 47 1.1

Households deemed income 7 0.0 6 0.1 0 0.0 0 0.0

Educational loans 3 0.0 2 0.0 - - 0 0.0

Child support enforcement 

payments 1,663 8.1 1,578 18.4 23 0.5 281 6.6

Foster care payments 6 0.0 6 0.1 2 0.0 1 0.0

Energy assistance income 3 0.0 1 0.0 2 0.0 0 0.0

Wage supplementation 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 - -

Other unearned incomei 728 3.5 240 2.8 389 7.9 62 1.4

TANF or GA 1,622 7.9 1,090 12.7 204 4.1 294 6.9

TANF and earned income 261 1.3 258 3.0 3 0.1 14 0.3

TANF and SSI 157 0.8 150 1.7 15 0.3 147 3.4

TANF or SSI or GA 5,766 28.0 1,865 21.7 1,865 37.6 2,834 66.1

(TANF or SSI or GA) and earned 

income 670 3.3 526 6.1 51 1.0 349 8.1

TANF and child support 68 0.3 67 0.8 3 0.1 24 0.6

SSI and Social Security 1,665 8.1 225 2.6 930 18.8 780 18.2

SSI or Social Security 8,732 42.4 1,554 18.1 4,319 87.2 4,257 99.3

SSI and earned income 387 1.9 261 3.0 43 0.9 348 8.1

GA and earned income 48 0.2 30 0.3 7 0.1 12 0.3

Earned income and child support 778 3.8 757 8.8 4 0.1 54 1.3

No countable income 3,910 19.0 1,180 13.7 310 6.3 2 0.0

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
43

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

countable income

Total households Average values

Type of income

Number 

(000)g Percent

Gross 

countable 

income 

(dollars)

Net 

countable 

income 

(dollars)e

Income 

source 

(dollars)j

Total 

deduction 

(dollars)f

SNAP 

benefit 

(dollars)

Household 

size 

(individuals)

Total 20,597 100.0 837 384 n.a. 550 245 2.0

Countable earned income 6,477 31.4 1,333 629 1,161 752 296 2.8

Wages and salaries 5,612 27.2 1,422 686 1,239 771 291 2.9

Self-employment 969 4.7 881 327 573 665 335 2.5

Other earned income 43 0.2 821 399 351 528 264 2.2

Countable unearned 

income 12,225 59.4 960 453 795 557 211 1.9

TANF 1,006 4.9 832 363 422 535 397 3.0

GA 623 3.0 649 234 223 531 215 1.5

SSI 4,514 21.9 907 412 578 532 185 1.7

Social Security 5,883 28.6 1,052 522 868 561 131 1.4

Unemployment income 223 1.1 1,222 721 891 531 243 2.6

Veterans’ benefits 179 0.9 1,183 707 571 505 153 1.8

Workers’ compensation 44 0.2 1,417 797 937 649 180 2.3

Other government benefitsh 105 0.5 1,224 651 427 607 170 1.9

Household contributions 616 3.0 713 272 303 536 340 2.4

Households deemed 

income 7 0.0 907 424 690 549 228 2.0

Educational loans 3 0.0 1,314 641 271 780 402 3.7

Child support enforcement 

payments 1,663 8.1 1,127 583 339 602 373 3.3

Foster care payments 6 0.0 1,344 897 751 454 277 3.3

Energy assistance income 3 0.0 1,536 1,045 341 492 105 2.0

Wage supplementation 0 0.0 1,071 531 742 691 738 4.3

Other unearned incomei 728 3.5 1,139 586 394 600 186 1.9

TANF or GA 1,622 7.9 760 312 347 534 327 2.4

TANF and earned income 261 1.3 1,277 641 1,211 671 358 3.3

TANF and SSI 157 0.8 1,275 751 1,054 532 325 3.3

TANF or SSI or GA 5,766 28.0 853 371 550 532 221 1.8

(TANF or SSI or GA) and 

earned income 670 3.3 1,523 843 1,418 708 301 3.3

TANF and child support 68 0.3 1,052 653 532 469 394 3.5

SSI and Social Security 1,665 8.1 915 435 856 508 148 1.5

SSI or Social Security 8,732 42.4 1,003 484 884 557 156 1.6

SSI and earned income 387 1.9 1,705 1,003 1,535 728 263 3.3

GA and earned income 48 0.2 1,532 808 1,271 742 287 3.1

Earned income and child 

support 778 3.8 1,616 873 1,533 763 316 3.5

No countable income 3,910 19.0 0 0 - 276 285 1.6

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
44

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 20,597 100.0 8,588 100.0 4,955 100.0 4,289 100.0

Countable earned income . . . . . . . .

$0 14,120 68.6 3,849 44.8 4,590 92.6 3,795 88.5

1 to 200 553 2.7 230 2.7 61 1.2 86 2.0

201 to 400 528 2.6 290 3.4 61 1.2 56 1.3

401 to 600 565 2.7 353 4.1 54 1.1 64 1.5

601 to 800 646 3.1 435 5.1 40 0.8 58 1.3

801 to 1000 691 3.4 479 5.6 38 0.8 52 1.2

1,001 to 1,250 831 4.0 605 7.0 40 0.8 51 1.2

1,251 to 1,500 707 3.4 565 6.6 22 0.4 43 1.0

1,501 to 2,000 1,054 5.1 933 10.9 32 0.6 57 1.3

2,001 or greater 902 4.4 849 9.9 19 0.4 27 0.6

Countable unearned income . . . . . . . .

$0 8,372 40.6 4,352 50.7 461 9.3 6 0.1

1 to 200 1,001 4.9 685 8.0 47 1.0 16 0.4

201 to 400 1,140 5.5 819 9.5 104 2.1 32 0.7

401 to 600 1,113 5.4 666 7.8 244 4.9 192 4.5

601 to 800 4,040 19.6 799 9.3 1,596 32.2 2,059 48.0

801 to 1000 2,012 9.8 395 4.6 975 19.7 811 18.9

1,001 to 1,250 1,465 7.1 309 3.6 809 16.3 555 12.9

1,251 to 1,500 723 3.5 245 2.9 349 7.0 300 7.0

1,501 or greater 730 3.5 318 3.7 370 7.5 318 7.4

Countable TANF income . . . . . . . .

$0 19,591 95.1 7,620 88.7 4,914 99.2 4,133 96.4

1 to 200 191 0.9 169 2.0 11 0.2 44 1.0

201 to 400 323 1.6 308 3.6 19 0.4 68 1.6

401 to 600 297 1.4 296 3.4 9 0.2 30 0.7

601 to 800 135 0.7 135 1.6 2 0.0 13 0.3

801 to 1000 47 0.2 47 0.5 0 0.0 0 0.0

1,001 or greater 13 0.1 13 0.1 - - 0 0.0

Countable GA income . . . . . . . .

$0 19,974 97.0 8,460 98.5 4,791 96.7 4,146 96.7

1 to 200 330 1.6 47 0.5 108 2.2 107 2.5

201 to 400 194 0.9 28 0.3 36 0.7 18 0.4

401 to 600 61 0.3 29 0.3 12 0.2 11 0.3

601 to 800 30 0.1 18 0.2 6 0.1 7 0.2

801 to 1000 5 0.0 5 0.1 0 0.0 - -

1,001 or greater 3 0.0 1 0.0 3 0.1 - -

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

$0 18,975 92.1 7,498 87.3 4,751 95.9 3,994 93.1

1 to 200 514 2.5 210 2.4 117 2.4 147 3.4

201 to 400 516 2.5 336 3.9 55 1.1 86 2.0

401 to 600 357 1.7 325 3.8 21 0.4 41 0.9

601 to 800 165 0.8 154 1.8 8 0.2 20 0.5

801 to 1000 53 0.3 52 0.6 0 0.0 1 0.0

1,001 or greater 15 0.1 13 0.2 3 0.1 0 0.0

Countable SSI . . . . . . . .

$0 16,083 78.1 7,615 88.7 3,187 64.3 1,477 34.4

1 to 200 755 3.7 60 0.7 437 8.8 323 7.5

201 to 400 556 2.7 85 1.0 294 5.9 276 6.4

401 to 600 522 2.5 106 1.2 236 4.8 295 6.9

601 to 800 2,185 10.6 574 6.7 597 12.1 1,606 37.4

801 to 1000 275 1.3 29 0.3 128 2.6 153 3.6

1,001 or greater 220 1.1 119 1.4 75 1.5 159 3.7
Table A.8 (continued)

45

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 1,408 6.8 334 3.9 373 7.5 1,044 24.3

Maximum for a two-person 

householdl 14 0.1 2 0.0 11 0.2 4 0.1

Countable Social Security . . . . . . . .

$0 14,714 71.4 7,782 90.6 1,474 29.7 2,063 48.1

1 to 200 113 0.5 47 0.5 46 0.9 37 0.9

201 to 400 434 2.1 81 0.9 256 5.2 143 3.3

401 to 600 784 3.8 131 1.5 428 8.6 314 7.3

601 to 800 1,351 6.6 134 1.6 816 16.5 504 11.8

801 to 1000 1,369 6.6 136 1.6 797 16.1 545 12.7

1,001 or greater 1,832 8.9 277 3.2 1,138 23.0 683 15.9

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

$0 17,157 83.3 6,264 72.9 4,306 86.9 3,818 89.0

1 to 200 1,263 6.1 759 8.8 291 5.9 200 4.7

201 to 400 893 4.3 652 7.6 146 2.9 119 2.8

401 to 600 503 2.4 375 4.4 87 1.8 66 1.5

601 to 800 290 1.4 209 2.4 40 0.8 26 0.6

801 to 1000 183 0.9 121 1.4 29 0.6 19 0.4

1,001 or greater 305 1.5 208 2.4 56 1.1 38 0.9

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
46

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 20,597 6,455 31.3 729 3.5 14,219 69.0 21.3 1,158 5.6 362 1.8

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

Children 8,588 4,734 55.1 727 8.5 6,464 75.3 35.2 103 1.2 163 1.9

School-age 6,847 3,841 56.1 538 7.9 5,300 77.4 34.9 90 1.3 131 1.9

Preschool-age 4,205 2,397 57.0 478 11.4 3,036 72.2 37.0 27 0.7 81 1.9

No children 12,009 1,721 14.3 2 0.0 7,755 64.6 9.7 1,055 8.8 200 1.7

Elderly individuals 4,955 363 7.3 2 0.0 3,727 75.2 0.2 797 16.1 44 0.9

No elderly individuals 15,642 6,091 38.9 727 4.6 10,492 67.1 28.8 361 2.3 319 2.0

Non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 4,289 481 11.2 62 1.4 3,432 80.0 0.1 385 9.0 129 3.0

No non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 16,308 5,973 36.6 668 4.1 10,786 66.1 28.1 773 4.7 233 1.4

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

Gross income 16,687 6,455 38.7 718 4.3 13,191 79.1 19.1 1,154 6.9 349 2.1

No gross income 3,910 - - 11 0.3 1,027 26.3 50.2 4 0.1 14 0.3

Net income 12,587 5,114 40.6 607 4.8 9,998 79.4 14.7 1,004 8.0 259 2.1

No net income 7,359 1,337 18.2 122 1.7 4,220 57.3 37.0 154 2.1 104 1.4

Not applicablec 651 4 0.7 - - - - - - - - -

Earned income 6,477 6,455 99.7 673 10.4 5,146 79.5 35.5 90 1.4 188 2.9

No earned income 14,120 - - 56 0.4 9,072 64.2 13.3 1,068 7.6 174 1.2

Unearned income 12,225 1,996 16.3 305 2.5 9,580 78.4 11.1 1,145 9.4 217 1.8

No unearned income 8,372 4,458 53.3 424 5.1 4,639 55.4 42.4 13 0.2 145 1.7

TANF 1,006 260 25.8 29 2.9 812 80.8 32.4 8 0.8 4 0.4

No TANF 19,591 6,195 31.6 700 3.6 13,407 68.4 20.6 1,150 5.9 358 1.8

GA 623 48 7.7 3 0.4 497 79.8 22.9 9 1.4 8 1.3

No GA 19,974 6,407 32.1 727 3.6 13,722 68.7 21.3 1,149 5.8 354 1.8

SSI 4,514 374 8.3 52 1.2 3,428 75.9 0.2 111 2.5 58 1.3

No SSI 16,083 6,081 37.8 677 4.2 10,790 67.1 28.0 1,047 6.5 304 1.9

Social Security 5,883 439 7.5 25 0.4 4,762 81.0 1.5 1,090 18.5 146 2.5

No Social Security 14,714 6,015 40.9 705 4.8 9,456 64.3 31.3 69 0.5 216 1.5

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

Minimum benefit 1,813 484 26.7 9 0.5 1,001 55.2 2.8 381 21.0 30 1.6

Maximum benefit 7,653 1,337 17.5 122 1.6 4,220 55.1 37.0 154 2.0 104 1.4

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
47

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 76 233 10 277 289 406 9 157 4 241

Household composition

Children 144 262 23 277 300 397 2 127 5 246

School-age 150 267 22 283 309 398 2 130 5 246

Preschool-age 155 272 33 289 283 391 1 125 5 249

No children 24 153 0 275 282 413 15 160 4 236

Elderly individuals 13 157 0 372 351 429 29 164 2 220

No elderly individuals 94 237 13 276 271 398 3 142 5 244

Non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 21 172 4 264 355 422 14 141 7 228

No non-elderly individuals 

with disabilities 90 238 12 278 273 401 8 165 4 248

Countable income source

Gross income 94 233 12 279 331 405 11 157 5 245

No gross income 0 - 0 158 114 419 0 175 1 140

Net income 111 271 13 266 287 361 12 149 5 226

No net income 16 86 5 330 294 513 4 209 4 277

Not applicablec 66 361 - - - - - - - -

Earned income 232 233 29 281 314 394 2 174 8 263

No earned income 0 - 1 226 278 413 12 155 3 217

Unearned income 35 201 8 287 335 410 16 157 4 235

No unearned income 133 247 14 269 224 399 0 176 4 250

TANF 44 172 5 160 329 398 1 131 1 169

No TANF 78 235 10 282 287 407 10 157 5 242

GA 17 210 0 103 343 420 2 131 4 275

No GA 78 233 10 277 288 406 9 157 4 240

SSI 18 185 4 273 344 402 5 179 2 146

No SSI 90 236 12 277 276 407 10 155 5 259

Social Security 12 151 1 325 354 423 30 154 6 233

No Social Security 101 239 14 275 264 398 1 200 4 246

SNAP benefit

Minimum benefit 74 277 1 236 128 233 28 135 4 259

Maximum benefit 16 86 5 330 294 513 4 209 4 277

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
48

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 20,597 100.0 8,588 100.0 4,955 100.0 4,289 100.0 6,477 100.0

Total deductionp

$0 to 156

r 290 1.4 64 0.7 33 0.7 13 0.3 2 0.0

157s 3,500 17.0 838 9.8 575 11.6 360 8.4 3 0.1

158 to 200 775 3.8 402 4.7 122 2.5 154 3.6 198 3.1

201 to 300 1,308 6.3 392 4.6 432 8.7 389 9.1 260 4.0

301 to 400 1,461 7.1 477 5.6 538 10.9 455 10.6 334 5.2

401 to 500 1,783 8.7 714 8.3 513 10.4 489 11.4 559 8.6

501 to 600 1,917 9.3 734 8.5 523 10.6 535 12.5 606 9.4

601 to 700 2,965 14.4 1,496 17.4 549 11.1 504 11.7 730 11.3

701 to 800 1,828 8.9 950 11.1 396 8.0 403 9.4 1,000 15.4

801 to 900 1,510 7.3 851 9.9 280 5.6 296 6.9 996 15.4

901 to 1,000 1,014 4.9 624 7.3 199 4.0 172 4.0 695 10.7

1,001 or greater 1,619 7.9 1,045 12.2 397 8.0 315 7.3 1,082 16.7

Earned income deductiont

$0 13,347 64.8 3,854 44.9 4,109 82.9 3,520 82.1 12 0.2

1 to 50 688 3.3 293 3.4 76 1.5 96 2.2 688 10.6

51 to 100 655 3.2 399 4.6 75 1.5 78 1.8 655 10.1

101 to 150 759 3.7 495 5.8 52 1.1 66 1.5 759 11.7

151 to 200 873 4.2 604 7.0 48 1.0 70 1.6 873 13.5

201 to 250 832 4.0 606 7.1 39 0.8 49 1.2 832 12.8

251 to 300 694 3.4 555 6.5 22 0.4 38 0.9 694 10.7

301 to 350 627 3.0 545 6.3 22 0.4 42 1.0 627 9.7

351 to 400 433 2.1 395 4.6 10 0.2 15 0.3 433 6.7

401 or greater 895 4.3 843 9.8 19 0.4 27 0.6 895 13.8

Dependent care deductionu

$0 19,048 92.5 7,838 91.3 4,469 90.2 3,940 91.9 5,788 89.4

1 to 50 58 0.3 58 0.7 0 0.0 7 0.2 48 0.7

51 to 100 102 0.5 102 1.2 1 0.0 9 0.2 90 1.4

101 to 150 92 0.4 92 1.1 - - 5 0.1 90 1.4

151 to 200 101 0.5 101 1.2 - - 10 0.2 92 1.4

201 to 250 74 0.4 74 0.9 - - 7 0.2 70 1.1

251 to 300 47 0.2 47 0.5 - - 4 0.1 43 0.7

301 to 350 52 0.3 52 0.6 - - 5 0.1 46 0.7

351 to 400 36 0.2 36 0.4 - - 2 0.0 35 0.5

401 or greater 169 0.8 168 2.0 1 0.0 12 0.3 158 2.4

Medical expense deductionu

$0 18,619 90.4 8,463 98.5 3,674 74.1 3,616 84.3 6,371 98.4

1 to 50 86 0.4 7 0.1 52 1.0 39 0.9 10 0.2
Table A.11 (continued)

49

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 100 377 1.8 42 0.5 251 5.1 132 3.1 30 0.5

101 to 150 241 1.2 27 0.3 166 3.3 80 1.9 18 0.3

151 to 200 226 1.1 19 0.2 160 3.2 72 1.7 14 0.2

201 to 250 93 0.4 1 0.0 64 1.3 29 0.7 5 0.1

251 to 300 38 0.2 2 0.0 29 0.6 11 0.3 1 0.0

301 or greater 98 0.5 5 0.1 75 1.5 23 0.5 12 0.2

Child support payment deductionv

$0 19,415 94.3 8,403 97.8 4,428 89.4 3,872 90.3 6,273 96.9

1 to 50 59 0.3 22 0.3 7 0.1 24 0.6 26 0.4

51 to 100 52 0.3 23 0.3 8 0.2 19 0.4 18 0.3

101 to 150 42 0.2 17 0.2 7 0.1 17 0.4 18 0.3

151 to 200 33 0.2 15 0.2 5 0.1 14 0.3 17 0.3

201 to 250 34 0.2 20 0.2 3 0.1 10 0.2 24 0.4

251 to 300 25 0.1 14 0.2 1 0.0 6 0.2 19 0.3

301 to 350 28 0.1 12 0.1 0 0.0 12 0.3 11 0.2

351 to 400 24 0.1 10 0.1 4 0.1 4 0.1 17 0.3

401 or greater 65 0.3 29 0.3 10 0.2 21 0.5 39 0.6

Excess shelter expense deductionv

$0 5,728 27.8 2,102 24.5 831 16.8 651 15.2 1,315 20.3

1 to 50 610 3.0 264 3.1 151 3.0 158 3.7 198 3.1

51 to 100 590 2.9 254 3.0 181 3.7 155 3.6 195 3.0

101 to 150 695 3.4 279 3.3 234 4.7 197 4.6 227 3.5

151 to 200 824 4.0 335 3.9 255 5.1 222 5.2 294 4.5

201 to 250 868 4.2 361 4.2 276 5.6 230 5.4 278 4.3

251 to 300 930 4.5 412 4.8 244 4.9 237 5.5 337 5.2

301 to 350 1,064 5.2 471 5.5 277 5.6 262 6.1 377 5.8

351 to 400 1,041 5.1 450 5.2 260 5.2 268 6.2 354 5.5

401 to 450 939 4.6 382 4.5 258 5.2 254 5.9 321 5.0

451 to 500 997 4.8 430 5.0 290 5.8 250 5.8 369 5.7

501 to 550x 3,677 17.9 2,460 28.6 264 5.3 247 5.8 1,969 30.4

551 to 600 407 2.0 68 0.8 203 4.1 206 4.8 35 0.5

601 or greater 1,575 7.6 297 3.5 834 16.8 746 17.4 190 2.9

No deduction 5,728 27.8 2,102 24.5 831 16.8 651 15.2 1,315 20.3

Deduction less than capy 8,882 43.1 3,789 44.1 2,515 50.7 2,311 53.9 3,073 47.4

Deduction equal to cap 3,031 14.7 2,276 26.5 7 0.1 2 0.1 1,826 28.2

Benefit less than maximum benefit 1,471 7.1 1,243 14.5 7 0.1 2 0.1 1,216 18.8

Benefit equal to maximum benefit 1,559 7.6 1,033 12.0 - - - - 610 9.4

Deduction greater than cap 2,306 11.2 399 4.6 1,205 24.3 1,119 26.1 248 3.8

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
50

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 20,597 100.0 8,588 100.0 4,955 100.0 4,289 100.0 6,477 100.0 1,006 100.0

SNAP benefit (dollars)

Minimum benefit or less

z 1,842 8.9 166 1.9 1,001 20.2 528 12.3 495 7.6 8 0.8

Greater than the minimum to 50 856 4.2 109 1.3 377 7.6 334 7.8 174 2.7 7 0.7

51 to 100 1,823 8.9 245 2.8 909 18.3 593 13.8 352 5.4 12 1.2

101 to 193 3,562 17.3 796 9.3 1,325 26.7 1,207 28.1 1,024 15.8 70 6.9

194aa 4,730 23.0 244 2.8 875 17.7 526 12.3 640 9.9 64 6.4

195 to 300 1,494 7.3 1,187 13.8 180 3.6 322 7.5 987 15.2 120 11.9

301 to 400 2,638 12.8 2,242 26.1 210 4.2 348 8.1 1,101 17.0 289 28.7

401 to 500 1,000 4.9 979 11.4 32 0.6 160 3.7 632 9.8 143 14.2

501 to 600 1,332 6.5 1,308 15.2 25 0.5 115 2.7 523 8.1 163 16.2

601 or greater 1,319 6.4 1,312 15.3 23 0.5 155 3.6 548 8.5 130 13.0

Benefit as a percentage of the 

maximum

Minimum 1,813 8.8 154 1.8 993 20.0 514 12.0 484 7.5 8 0.8

Less than 25 percenbb 1,388 6.7 550 6.4 469 9.5 466 10.9 550 8.5 22 2.2

25 to 50 percent 2,921 14.2 1,308 15.2 930 18.8 817 19.0 1,258 19.4 111 11.0

51 to 75 percent 3,361 16.3 1,710 19.9 874 17.6 1,007 23.5 1,465 22.6 177 17.6

76 to 99 percent 3,461 16.8 2,000 23.3 679 13.7 790 18.4 1,368 21.1 360 35.8

Maximum 7,653 37.2 2,867 33.4 1,009 20.4 696 16.2 1,351 20.9 328 32.6

Months in certification period

Average 14 n.a. 10 n.a. 20 n.a. 17 n.a. 10 n.a. 11 n.a

Median 12 n.a. 12 n.a. 13 n.a. 12 n.a. 12 n.a. 12 n.a

1 to 5 months 330 1.6 118 1.4 17 0.3 33 0.8 102 1.6 12 1.2

6 months 4,670 22.7 3,062 35.7 216 4.4 563 13.1 2,145 33.1 173 17.2

7 to 11 months 417 2.0 197 2.3 91 1.8 81 1.9 121 1.9 43 4.3

12 months 10,860 52.7 4,892 57.0 2,140 43.2 2,051 47.8 3,827 59.1 737 73.3

13 to 23 months 347 1.7 154 1.8 89 1.8 69 1.6 102 1.6 8 0.8

24 months 2,642 12.8 133 1.6 1,568 31.6 1,039 24.2 146 2.2 31 3.1

25 to 35 months 123 0.6 9 0.1 76 1.5 46 1.1 1 0.0 0 0.0

36 months 834 4.0 11 0.1 535 10.8 273 6.4 15 0.2 0 0.0

37 or more months 349 1.7 0 0.0 218 4.4 128 3.0 10 0.2 - -

Unknown 25 0.1 11 0.1 5 0.1 5 0.1 8 0.1 1 0.1

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
51

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 20,597 100.0 855 100.0 19,742 100.0

Initial certification 7,713 37.4 855 100.0 6,858 34.7

Eligible for and receiving expedited service 2,285 11.1 436 51.0 1,849 9.4

Eligible for but did not receive expedited service 321 1.6 31 3.7 290 1.5

Not eligible for expedited service 5,107 24.8 388 45.4 4,719 23.9

Recertification 12,884 62.6 n.a. n.a. 12,884 65.3

Eligible for and receiving expedited service 174 0.8 n.a. n.a. 174 0.9

Eligible for but did not receive expedited service 40 0.2 n.a. n.a. 40 0.2

Not eligible for expedited service 12,670 61.5 n.a. n.a. 12,670 64.2

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
52

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 20,597 100.0 41,491 100.0 5,050,556 100.0

Children, elderly individuals, or individuals 

with disabilities 16,365 79.5 36,902 88.9 4,277,548 84.7

Childrendd 8,588 41.7 28,039 67.6 3,365,781 66.6

Single-adult household 5,041 24.5 14,996 36.1 1,904,024 37.7

Male adult 348 1.7 939 2.3 118,986 2.4

Female adult 4,693 22.8 14,057 33.9 1,785,039 35.3

Multiple adult-household 2,451 11.9 10,573 25.5 1,115,298 22.1

Married-head 1,551 7.5 6,857 16.5 696,750 13.8

Other multiple-adult 900 4.4 3,716 9.0 418,548 8.3

Children only 1,097 5.3 2,470 6.0 346,458 6.9

Elderly individuals 4,955 24.1 6,169 14.9 618,886 12.3

Living alone 4,047 19.6 4,047 9.8 426,825 8.5

Living with only elderly individuals 466 2.3 935 2.3 77,618 1.5

Living with at least one non-elderly individual 442 2.1 1,187 2.9 114,444 2.3

Non-elderly individuals with disabilities 4,289 20.8 7,749 18.7 791,764 15.7

Living alone 2,716 13.2 2,716 6.5 299,372 5.9

Not living alone 1,573 7.6 5,033 12.1 492,392 9.7

Other householdsee 4,232 20.5 4,589 11.1 773,008 15.3

Single-person 3,929 19.1 3,929 9.5 688,061 13.6

Multiperson 303 1.5 659 1.6 84,947 1.7

Adults age 18 to 49 without disabilities in 

childless householdsa 2,991 14.5 3,572 8.6 562,241 11.1

Living alone 2,521 12.2 2,521 6.1 438,570 8.7

Not living alone 471 2.3 1,052 2.5 123,671 2.4

Single-person households 10,995 53.4 10,995 26.5 1,468,030 29.1

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
53

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 62.6 837 384 550 245 2.0 13.7

Children, elderly individuals, 

or individuals with disabilities 71.7 978 459 598 261 2.3 14.7

Childrendd 58.9 1,054 505 641 392 3.3 10.0

Single-adult household 54.9 911 421 585 378 3.0 10.0

Male adult 57.3 906 423 609 342 2.7 10.6

Female adult 54.7 912 421 583 380 3.0 10.0

Multiple adult-household 69.0 1,468 785 753 455 4.3 10.0

Married-head 73.3 1,582 853 794 449 4.4 9.9

Other multiple-adult 61.6 1,270 668 682 465 4.1 10.1

Children only 54.4 788 261 644 316 2.3 9.8

Elderly individuals 85.1 915 440 553 125 1.2 20.0

Living alone 84.4 836 371 538 105 1.0 20.9

Living with only elderly 

individuals 93.2 1,246 720 584 166 2.0 18.8

Living with at least one nonelderly individual 83.3 1,287 712 639 259 2.7 12.3

Non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 82.8 1,022 496 561 185 1.8 16.9

Living alone 85.8 851 335 544 110 1.0 19.8

Not living alone 77.6 1,318 753 589 313 3.2 11.7

Other householdsee 27.6 292 103 371 183 1.1 10.2

Single-person 25.0 248 81 353 175 1.0 10.1

Multiperson 61.7 860 385 608 281 2.2 10.3

Adults age 18 to 49 without 

disabilities in childless 

householdsa 33.1 375 152 388 188 1.2 10.2

Living alone 26.0 258 88 349 174 1.0 10.0

Not living alone 71.4 1,004 493 599 263 2.2 10.8

Single-person households 62.4 618 244 470 134 1.0 16.5

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
54

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 6,477 100.0 3,910 100.0 1,006 100.0 623 100.0 4,514 100.0 5,883 100.0

Children, elderly individuals, or 

individuals with disabilities 5,243 81.0 1,487 38.0 977 97.2 372 59.7 4,513 100.0 5,871 99.8

Childrendd 4,739 73.2 1,180 30.2 968 96.3 128 20.6 973 21.6 806 13.7

Single-adult household 2,297 35.5 847 21.7 604 60.1 83 13.3 613 13.6 501 8.5

Male adult 144 2.2 75 1.9 51 5.0 6 1.0 40 0.9 49 0.8

Female adult 2,153 33.2 772 19.8 553 55.0 76 12.3 573 12.7 452 7.7

Multiple adult-household 1,695 26.2 213 5.4 193 19.2 36 5.7 331 7.3 298 5.1

Married-head 1,178 18.2 119 3.1 107 10.7 20 3.2 171 3.8 154 2.6

Other multiple-adult 518 8.0 94 2.4 86 8.5 15 2.5 160 3.6 144 2.5

Children only 746 11.5 120 3.1 172 17.1 10 1.6 29 0.6 7 0.1

Elderly individuals 365 5.6 310 7.9 42 4.1 164 26.3 1,768 39.2 3,481 59.2

Living alone 226 3.5 267 6.8 1 0.1 130 21.0 1,449 32.1 2,849 48.4

Living with only elderly individuals 35 0.5 23 0.6 0 0.0 16 2.6 171 3.8 349 5.9

Living with at least one non-elderly 

individual 104 1.6 20 0.5 40 4.0 17 2.7 149 3.3 283 4.8

Non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 494 7.6 2 0.0 156 15.5 143 22.9 2,811 62.3 2,226 37.8

Living alone 128 2.0 2 0.0 2 0.2 76 12.2 1,663 36.8 1,525 25.9

Not living alone 366 5.6 - - 154 15.3 67 10.8 1,148 25.4 701 11.9

Other householdsee 1,234 19.0 2,423 62.0 28 2.8 251 40.3 1 0.0 12 0.2

Single-person 1,046 16.2 2,350 60.1 25 2.5 247 39.7 1 0.0 2 0.0

Multiperson 187 2.9 73 1.9 3 0.3 4 0.6 0 0.0 11 0.2

Adults age 18 to 49 without 

disabilities in childless 

householdsa 931 14.4 1,563 40.0 33 3.2 164 26.3 111 2.5 128 2.2

Living alone 715 11.0 1,494 38.2 25 2.5 153 24.6 1 0.0 1 0.0

Not living alone 216 3.3 69 1.8 8 0.8 11 1.7 110 2.4 127 2.2

Single-person households 1,573 24.3 2,666 68.2 81 8.1 456 73.2 3,114 69.0 4,378 74.4

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
55

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 20,597 100.0 8,588 100.0 6,847 100.0 4,205 100.0 4,955 100.0 4,289 100.0

Household composition

Children 8,588 41.7 8,588 100.0 6,847 100.0 4,205 100.0 180 3.6 1,201 28.0

School-age 6,847 33.2 6,847 79.7 6,847 100.0 2,464 58.6 159 3.2 1,087 25.3

Preschool-age 4,205 20.4 4,205 49.0 2,464 36.0 4,205 100.0 40 0.8 404 9.4

Elderly individuals 4,955 24.1 180 2.1 159 2.3 40 1.0 4,955 100.0 104 2.4

Non-elderly individuals with disabilities 4,289 20.8 1,201 14.0 1,087 15.9 404 9.6 104 2.1 4,289 100.0

Countable income source

Gross income 16,687 81.0 7,408 86.3 6,054 88.4 3,529 83.9 4,645 93.7 4,287 100.0

No gross income 3,910 19.0 1,180 13.7 793 11.6 676 16.1 310 6.3 2 0.0

Net income 12,587 61.1 5,699 66.4 4,744 69.3 2,719 64.6 3,714 74.9 3,517 82.0

No net income 7,359 35.7 2,867 33.4 2,087 30.5 1,476 35.1 844 17.0 567 13.2

Not applicablec 651 3.2 22 0.3 17 0.2 11 0.3 397 8.0 205 4.8

Earned income 6,477 31.4 4,739 55.2 3,845 56.2 2,400 57.1 365 7.4 494 11.5

Unearned income 12,225 59.4 4,236 49.3 3,567 52.1 1,865 44.4 4,494 90.7 4,283 99.9

TANF 1,006 4.9 968 11.3 731 10.7 501 11.9 42 0.8 156 3.6

GA 623 3.0 128 1.5 107 1.6 49 1.2 164 3.3 143 3.3

SSI 4,514 21.9 973 11.3 892 13.0 338 8.0 1,768 35.7 2,811 65.6

Social Security 5,883 28.6 806 9.4 718 10.5 231 5.5 3,481 70.3 2,226 51.9

Countable resources 833 4.0 420 4.9 345 5.0 199 4.7 206 4.2 192 4.5

Deductions

Total deduction 19,950 96.9 8,570 99.8 6,833 99.8 4,198 99.8 4,558 92.0 4,083 95.2

Standard deduction 19,946 96.8 8,566 99.7 6,830 99.8 4,194 99.7 4,558 92.0 4,083 95.2

Earned income deduction 6,455 31.3 4,734 55.1 3,841 56.1 2,397 57.0 363 7.3 481 11.2

Dependent care deduction 729 3.5 727 8.5 538 7.9 478 11.4 2 0.0 62 1.4

Medical expense deduction 1,158 5.6 103 1.2 90 1.3 27 0.7 797 16.1 385 9.0

Child support payment deduction 362 1.8 163 1.9 131 1.9 81 1.9 44 0.9 129 3.0

Excess shelter expense deduction 14,219 69.0 6,464 75.3 5,300 77.4 3,036 72.2 3,727 75.2 3,432 80.0

SNAP benefit (dollars)

Minimum benefit or lessz 1,842 8.9 166 1.9 127 1.8 48 1.2 1,001 20.2 528 12.3

Greater than the minimum to 100 2,679 13.0 354 4.1 272 4.0 145 3.5 1,286 26.0 928 21.6

101 to 200 8,365 40.6 1,094 12.7 828 12.1 418 10.0 2,210 44.6 1,746 40.7

201 to 300 1,421 6.9 1,133 13.2 913 13.3 473 11.3 169 3.4 309 7.2

Greater than 300 6,289 30.5 5,841 68.0 4,708 68.8 3,119 74.2 289 5.8 778 18.1

Minimum benefit 1,813 8.8 154 1.8 114 1.7 46 1.1 993 20.0 514 12.0

Maximum benefit 7,653 37.2 2,867 33.4 2,087 30.5 1,476 35.1 1,009 20.4 696 16.2
Table A.17 (continued)

56

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 10,995 53.4 305 3.6 199 2.9 106 2.5 4,047 81.7 2,716 63.3

2 people 3,749 18.2 2,535 29.5 1,658 24.2 1,014 24.1 745 15.0 664 15.5

3 people 2,748 13.3 2,659 31.0 2,125 31.0 1,265 30.1 91 1.8 391 9.1

4 people 1,680 8.2 1,665 19.4 1,475 21.5 881 21.0 38 0.8 259 6.0

5 people 867 4.2 866 10.1 839 12.3 539 12.8 14 0.3 147 3.4

6 or more people 557 2.7 557 6.5 550 8.0 398 9.5 20 0.4 112 2.6

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
57

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 837 1,054 1,118 1,051 915 1,022

Net incomee 384 505 546 499 440 496

Earned income 365 721 751 776 58 98

Unearned income 472 333 367 275 858 924

TANF 21 49 47 54 3 12

GA 7 5 5 4 6 5

SSI 127 81 94 60 178 414

Social Security 248 81 90 46 622 453

Countable income as a percentage 

of poverty guidelines (percent)

Gross income 62.6 58.9 60.5 55.6 85.1 82.8

Net incomee 26.5 27.1 28.5 25.2 36.8 35.8

Deductions (dollars)

Total deductionf 550 641 656 647 553 561

Earned income deduction

All householdsn 76 144 150 155 13 21

Households with deduction 233 262 267 272 157 172

Dependent care deduction

All householdso 10 23 22 33 0 4

Households with deduction 277 277 283 289 372 264

Medical expense deduction

All householdso 9 2 2 1 29 14

Households with deduction 157 127 130 125 164 141

Child support payment deduction

All householdsp 4 5 5 5 2 7

Households with deduction 241 246 246 249 220 228

Excess shelter expense deduction

All householdsp 289 300 309 283 351 355

Households with deduction 406 397 398 391 429 422

SNAP benefit (dollars) 245 392 406 430 125 185

Household size (individuals) 2.0 3.3 3.5 3.5 1.2 1.8

Certification period (months) 13.7 10.0 10.0 9.8 20.0 16.9

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
58

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 20,597 100.0 6,477 100.0 12,225 100.0 1,006 100.0 623 100.0

Household 

composition . . . . . . . . . .

Children 8,588 41.7 4,739 73.2 4,236 34.6 968 96.3 128 20.6

School-age 6,847 33.2 3,845 59.4 3,567 29.2 731 72.7 107 17.1

Preschool-age 4,205 20.4 2,400 37.0 1,865 15.3 501 49.8 49 7.8

Elderly individuals 4,955 24.1 365 5.6 4,494 36.8 42 4.1 164 26.3

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities 4,289 20.8 494 7.6 4,283 35.0 156 15.5 143 22.9

Countable income 

source . . . . . . . . . .

Gross income 16,687 81.0 6,477 100.0 12,225 100.0 1,006 100.0 623 100.0

No gross incomeff 3,910 19.0 - - - - - - - -

Net income 12,587 61.1 5,119 79.0 9,267 75.8 656 65.2 319 51.3

No net income 7,359 35.7 1,342 20.7 2,437 19.9 328 32.6 289 46.5

Not applicablec 651 3.2 15 0.2 521 4.3 22 2.2 14 2.2

Earned income 6,477 31.4 6,477 100.0 2,015 16.5 261 26.0 48 7.8

Unearned income 12,225 59.4 2,015 31.1 12,225 100.0 1,006 100.0 623 100.0

TANF 1,006 4.9 261 4.0 1,006 8.2 1,006 100.0 7 1.1

GA 623 3.0 48 0.7 623 5.1 7 0.7 623 100.0

SSI 4,514 21.9 387 6.0 4,514 36.9 157 15.6 217 34.9

Social Security 5,883 28.6 446 6.9 5,883 48.1 82 8.2 113 18.1

Deductions . . . . . . . . . .

Total deduction 19,950 96.9 6,466 99.8 11,708 95.8 987 98.1 609 97.8

Standard deduction 19,946 96.8 6,461 99.8 11,704 95.7 983 97.8 609 97.8

Earned income 

deduction 6,455 31.3 6,455 99.7 1,996 16.3 260 25.8 48 7.7

Dependent care 

deduction 729 3.5 673 10.4 305 2.5 29 2.9 3 0.4

Medical expense 

deduction 1,158 5.6 90 1.4 1,145 9.4 8 0.8 9 1.4

Child support payment 

deduction 362 1.8 188 2.9 217 1.8 4 0.4 8 1.3

Excess shelter 

expense deduction 14,219 69.0 5,146 79.5 9,580 78.4 812 80.8 497 79.8

SNAP benefit (dollars) . . . . . . . . . .

Minimum benefit or 

lessz 1,842 8.9 495 7.6 1,594 13.0 8 0.8 26 4.3

Greater than the 

minimum to 100 2,679 13.0 526 8.1 2,220 18.2 19 1.9 64 10.2

101 to 200 8,365 40.6 1,710 26.4 4,538 37.1 139 13.9 395 63.5

201 to 300 1,421 6.9 941 14.5 812 6.6 115 11.4 24 3.9

Greater than 300 6,289 30.5 2,805 43.3 3,062 25.0 725 72.1 113 18.1

Minimum benefit 1,813 8.8 484 7.5 1,570 12.8 8 0.8 24 3.9

Maximum benefit 7,653 37.2 1,351 20.9 2,731 22.3 328 32.6 301 48.3

Household size . . . . . . . . . .

1 person 10,995 53.4 1,573 24.3 7,090 58.0 81 8.1 456 73.2

2 people 3,749 18.2 1,473 22.7 2,181 17.8 338 33.6 79 12.6

3 people 2,748 13.3 1,488 23.0 1,361 11.1 286 28.5 42 6.8

4 people 1,680 8.2 976 15.1 876 7.2 171 17.0 27 4.4

5 people 867 4.2 580 8.9 418 3.4 83 8.3 8 1.3

6 or more people 557 2.7 387 6.0 299 2.4 46 4.6 11 1.8

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
59

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 837 1,333 960 832 649

Net incomee 384 629 453 363 234

Earned income 365 1,161 165 219 81

Unearned income 472 172 795 613 568

TANF 21 15 35 422 3

GA 7 2 11 1 223

SSI 127 37 214 115 206

Social Security 248 54 418 53 119

Countable income as a percentage of poverty 

guidelines (percent)

Gross income 62.6 83.0 77.0 48.7 53.1

Net incomee 26.5 37.2 33.2 19.3 16.7

Deductions (dollars)

Total deductionf 550 752 557 535 531

Earned income deduction

All householdsn 76 232 35 44 17

Households with deduction 233 233 201 172 210

Dependent care deduction

All householdso 10 29 8 5 0

Households with deduction 277 281 287 160 103

Medical expense deduction

All householdso 9 2 16 1 2

Households with deduction 157 174 157 131 131

Child support payment deduction

All householdsp 4 8 4 1 4

Households with deduction 241 263 235 169 275

Excess shelter expense deduction

All householdsp 289 314 335 329 343

Households with deduction 406 394 410 398 420

SNAP benefit (dollars) 245 296 211 397 215

Household size (individuals) 2.0 2.8 1.9 3.0 1.5

Certification period (months) 13.7 10.3 16.1 11.2 14.5

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
60

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 headgg

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 

headhh

Total Households

Number (000) 20,597 7,947 5,108 2,363 601 243 164 2,907 1,264

Row percent 100.0 38.6 24.8 11.5 2.9 1.2 0.8 14.1 6.1

Households with:

Children

Number (000) 8,588 2,746 2,102 1,023 180 116 71 1,124 1,226

Row percent 100.0 32.0 24.5 11.9 2.1 1.3 0.8 13.1 14.3

Elderly individuals

Number (000) 4,955 2,048 1,038 677 300 37 46 797 12

Row percent 100.0 41.3 20.9 13.7 6.0 0.8 0.9 16.1 0.3

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities

Number (000) 4,289 1,934 1,227 329 52 41 32 634 40

Row percent 100.0 45.1 28.6 7.7 1.2 0.9 0.7 14.8 0.9

Countable earned 

income

Number (000) 6,477 2,196 1,493 785 188 72 61 815 867

Row percent 100.0 33.9 23.0 12.1 2.9 1.1 0.9 12.6 13.4

Countable TANF 

income

Number (000) 1,006 240 272 181 18 15 6 88 186

Row percent 100.0 23.8 27.1 18.0 1.8 1.5 0.5 8.8 18.5

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
61

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) 20,597 18,891 1,460 185 1,086 392 1,150

Percent 100.0 91.7 7.1 0.9 5.3 1.9 5.6

Average SNAP benefit 

(dollars) 245 251 238 319 272 429 349

Households with:

Children

Number (000) 8,588 8,434 467 99 444 392 1,150

Row percent 100.0 98.2 5.4 1.2 5.2 4.6 13.4

Elderly individuals

Number (000) 4,955 3,807 799 31 477 21 5

Row percent 100.0 76.8 16.1 0.6 9.6 0.4 0.1

Non-elderly individuals 

with disabilities

Number (000) 4,289 4,158 127 16 102 44 38

Row percent 100.0 96.9 3.0 0.4 2.4 1.0 0.9

Countable earned 

income

Number (000) 6,477 6,167 457 87 473 307 872

Row percent 100.0 95.2 7.1 1.3 7.3 4.7 13.5

Countable TANF 

income

Number (000) 1,006 978 30 23 25 23 174

Row percent 100.0 97.3 3.0 2.3 2.5 2.3 17.3

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
62

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

Total participants Female participants Male participants

Participant characteristic

Number

(000) Percentii

Number

(000) Percentii

Number

(000) Percentii

Total 41,491 100.0 23,714 57.2 17,777 42.8

Age

Child 18,033 43.5 8,926 21.5 9,107 21.9

Preschool-age 5,573 13.4 2,773 6.7 2,800 6.7

School-age 12,460 30.0 6,153 14.8 6,307 15.2

Non-elderly adult 18,011 43.4 11,428 27.5 6,583 15.9

18 to 35 years 8,475 20.4 5,784 13.9 2,691 6.5

36 to 59 years 9,536 23.0 5,644 13.6 3,892 9.4

Elderly individual 5,447 13.1 3,360 8.1 2,088 5.0

Citizenship

U.S.-born citizen 37,911 91.4 21,584 52.0 16,328 39.4

Naturalized citizen 1,779 4.3 1,116 2.7 663 1.6

Refugee 390 0.9 204 0.5 185 0.4

Other noncitizen 1,411 3.4 810 2.0 602 1.4

Citizen children living with 

noncitizen adultsjj 3,418 8.2 1,676 4.0 1,742 4.2

Non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 4,539 10.9 2,388 5.8 2,151 5.2

Children with disabilities 611 1.5 205 0.5 406 1.0

Non-elderly adults with 

disabilities 3,928 9.5 2,183 5.3 1,745 4.2

Adults age 18 to 49 without 

disabilities in childless 

householdsa 3,221 7.8 1,503 3.6 1,718 4.1

Race and Hispanic statusgg

White, not Hispanic 14,847 35.8 8,494 20.5 6,352 15.3

African American, not Hispanic 10,555 25.4 6,165 14.9 4,390 10.6

Hispanic, any race 6,832 16.5 3,787 9.1 3,045 7.3

Asian, not Hispanic 1,308 3.2 739 1.8 569 1.4

Native American, not Hispanic 562 1.4 306 0.7 256 0.6

Multiple races reported, not 

Hispanic 403 1.0 228 0.6 175 0.4

Race unknown 6,984 16.8 3,994 9.6 2,990 7.2

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
63

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 41,491 10,995 7,498 8,243 6,721 4,337 2,061 944 692

Children under age 12

1 or younger 2,172 51 425 635 484 299 159 62 57

2 to 3 years 2,289 41 450 629 534 351 159 66 59

4 to 5 years 2,301 37 403 667 534 354 164 91 52

6 to 8 years 3,289 45 494 874 787 588 297 124 79

9 to 11 years 3,115 59 395 817 760 566 307 117 94

Females 23,714 6,017 4,715 4,913 3,765 2,338 1,095 500 370

1 or younger 1,043 21 207 317 216 132 86 38 27

2 to 3 years 1,166 26 235 322 262 176 86 33 27

4 to 5 years 1,171 19 197 349 267 183 82 44 28

6 to 8 years 1,598 26 224 452 367 304 135 55 36

9 to 11 years 1,537 32 215 393 360 273 144 66 54

12 to 13 years 895 9 117 254 214 146 87 42 27

14 to 18 years 1,756 46 323 445 445 256 113 66 63

19 to 50 years 9,023 1,763 2,104 2,180 1,536 841 348 146 106

51 to 70 years 4,121 2,908 892 187 92 25 11 4 2

71 or older 1,402 1,168 202 13 5 3 3 7 1

Males 17,777 4,978 2,783 3,330 2,956 1,999 965 444 322

1 or younger 1,129 30 219 318 268 167 73 24 30

2 to 3 years 1,123 15 215 307 272 175 73 33 32

4 to 5 years 1,130 18 206 318 266 171 82 46 24

6 to 8 years 1,691 19 270 422 420 285 162 69 43

9 to 11 years 1,578 27 181 424 400 292 163 51 40

12 to 13 years 937 18 113 270 217 181 79 33 27

14 to 18 years 1,777 43 294 501 419 259 120 87 54

19 to 50 years 4,586 2,143 437 618 600 433 194 91 69

51 to 70 years 3,102 2,231 574 144 90 34 17 8 3

71 or older 726 434 274 8 4 1 3 1 0

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
64

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 20,597 100.0 41,491 100.0 18,011 100.0

Work registration status

Work registrant 4,101 19.9 5,576 13.4 5,214 28.9

Mandatory Employment and Training program 

participant 1,201 5.8 1,538 3.7 1,525 8.5

Voluntary Employment and Training program 

participant 233 1.1 337 0.8 294 1.6

Not Employment and Training program 

participant 2,667 13.0 3,701 8.9 3,394 18.8

Exempt 15,158 73.6 35,811 86.3 12,701 70.5

For disability 5,797 28.1 6,784 16.3 4,243 23.6

For reason other than disability 9,361 45.4 29,027 70.0 8,458 47.0

Nonregistrant, should have registered 69 0.3 94 0.2 91 0.5

Nonparticipating household headhh 1,264 6.1 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.

Unknown 5 0.0 10 0.0 5 0.0

Employment and Training program status

Total participating in Employment and Training 

programkk 1,348 6.5 3,964 9.6 1,545 8.6

Not participating in Employment and Training 

program 17,982 87.3 37,520 90.4 16,462 91.4

Nonparticipating household headhh 1,264 6.1 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.

Unknown 3 0.0 7 0.0 4 0.0

Employment status

Total employed 4,849 23.5 6,060 14.6 5,718 31.7

Self-employed, farming 2 0.0 6 0.0 6 0.0

Self-employed, nonfarming 616 3.0 777 1.9 691 3.8

Migrant farm labor 1 0.0 1 0.0 1 0.0

Non-migrant farm labor 1 0.0 1 0.0 1 0.0

Active-duty military service 0 0.0 1 0.0 1 0.0

Employed by other 4,231 20.5 5,275 12.7 5,019 27.9

Unemployed and looking for work 3,272 15.9 4,287 10.3 4,122 22.9

Not in labor force and not looking for work 11,208 54.4 31,137 75.0 8,166 45.3

Nonparticipating household headhh 1,264 6.1 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.

Unknown 4 0.0 8 0.0 5 0.0

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
65

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 23,458 100.0 5,861 25.0 18.9 13.1 4.8 1,139

Age and household 

composition

Non-elderly adults without 

disabilities (age 18 to 59) 14,083 60.0 5,390 38.3 30.2 21.2 7.7 1,186

Living with children 9,031 38.5 4,034 44.7 37.3 27.6 10.7 1,314

Living with preschool-age 

children 4,597 19.6 2,021 44.0 36.7 27.3 11.4 1,360

Living in childless 

households 5,051 21.5 1,357 26.9 17.5 9.8 2.4 804

Age 18 to 49 living in 

childless households 3,221 13.7 897 27.8 18.8 10.3 2.2 819

Non-elderly adults with 

disabilities 3,928 16.7 169 4.3 1.2 0.4 0.1 432

Elderly adults (60 or older) 5,447 23.2 302 5.5 2.5 1.4 0.5 689

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
66

Table A.27. Comparison of participating households with key SNAP household characteristics for fiscal years 1990 to 2017

Percentage of households with:

Time period

Total 

households 

(000)

Zero 

gross 

income

Zero 

net 

incomell

Minimum 

benefit

Elderly 

individuals Children

Non-elderly 

individuals 

with 

disabilitiesmm

AFDCnn/

TANF

Earned 

income SSI

Any 

noncitizen

Fiscal year 1990 7,811 7.4 19.3 5.0 18.1 60.3 8.9 42.0 19.0 19.6 10.3

Fiscal year 1991 8,863 8.3 20.5 4.1 16.5 60.4 9.0 40.5 19.8 18.6 11.8

Fiscal year 1992 10,059 9.6 21.9 3.6 15.4 62.2 9.5 39.5 20.2 18.4 10.4

Fiscal year 1993 10,791 9.7 23.7 4.0 15.5 62.1 10.7 39.4 20.6 19.4 11.6

Fiscal year 1994 11,091 10.2 23.8 4.5 15.8 61.1 12.5 38.1 21.4 21.4 10.7

Fiscal year 1995 10,883 9.7 25.0 4.3 16.0 59.7 18.9 38.3 21.4 22.6 10.7

Fiscal year 1996 10,552 10.2 24.9 4.5 16.2 59.5 20.2 36.6 22.5 24.1 10.5

Fiscal year 1997 9,452 9.2 22.7 6.6 17.6 58.3 22.3 34.6 24.2 26.5 8.4

Fiscal year 1998 8,246 8.8 20.8 8.3 18.2 58.3 24.4 31.4 26.3 28.1 4.3

Fiscal year 1999 7,670 8.5 20.6 9.7 20.1 55.7 26.4 27.3 26.8 30.2 6.0

Fiscal year 2000 7,335 8.4 20.1 10.9 21.0 53.9 27.5 25.8 27.2 31.7 6.4

Fiscal year 2001 7,450 9.4 22.2 11.2 20.4 53.6 27.7 23.1 27.0 31.8 5.4

Fiscal year 2002 8,201 10.5 24.3 10.7 18.7 54.1 27.0 20.9 28.0 29.5 5.2

Fiscal year 2003 8,971 12.7 27.7 7.0 17.1 55.1 22.1 17.2 27.5 26.3 5.4

Fiscal year 2004 10,069 13.1 29.7 5.9 17.3 54.3 22.7 16.2 28.5 26.8 6.2

Fiscal year 2005 10,852 13.7 30.0 5.2 17.1 53.7 23.0 14.5 29.1 26.4 6.2

Fiscal year 2006 11,313 14.1 31.0 6.2 17.9 52.0 23.1 13.0 29.5 26.8 6.1

Fiscal year 2007 11,561 14.7 31.4 6.6 17.8 51.0 23.8 12.1 29.6 27.7 5.7

Fiscal year 2008 12,464 16.2 33.6 6.7 18.5 50.6 22.6 10.6 28.9 26.2 5.6

Fiscal year 2009 14,981 17.6 36.0 4.1 16.6 49.9 21.2 9.7 29.4 23.6 5.9

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

Source: Fiscal Years 1990 to 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control samples.

Note: Fiscal year analysis files were not developed for the years before 1989. The fiscal year 2003 through fiscal year 2017 estimates differ methodologically from estimates for 

earlier years and, in some cases, from estimates presented in reports prior to 2009. 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. Beginning with the fiscal year 2009 report, we also incorporated corrected 

SNAP Program Operations data from Missouri for every fiscal year from 2003 to 2008. 
67

Table A.28. Comparison of average nominal and real values of key SNAP household characteristics for fiscal years 1990 to 2017

 

Gross income 

(dollars)

Net income 

(dollars)ll

Total deduction 

(dollars)oo

SNAP benefit 

(dollars) Gross income as 

a percentage of 

poverty guidelines 

(percent)

Household size 

Time period (individuals)

Nominal 

value

Real 

valuepp

Nominal 

value

Real 

valuepp

Nominal 

value

Real 

valuepp

Nominal 

value

Real 

valueqq

Fiscal year 1990 453 845 251 468 225 420 150 270 59 2.6

Fiscal year 1991 464 831 253 453 235 421 162 284 58 2.6

Fiscal year 1992 478 831 258 448 250 435 170 296 57 2.6

Fiscal year 1993 490 827 258 435 262 442 170 289 56 2.6

Fiscal year 1994 507 834 268 441 272 448 168 278 57 2.5

Fiscal year 1995 514 822 265 424 283 453 172 275 56 2.5

Fiscal year 1996 528 821 275 427 287 446 174 269 57 2.5

Fiscal year 1997 558 848 299 454 291 442 169 255 58 2.4

Fiscal year 1998 584 874 321 480 294 440 165 244 60 2.4

Fiscal year 1999 603 883 338 495 299 438 162 235 62 2.4

Fiscal year 2000 620 878 355 503 298 422 158 224 63 2.3

Fiscal year 2001 624 859 353 486 311 428 163 224 62 2.3

Fiscal year 2002 633 863 355 484 324 442 173 235 61 2.3

Fiscal year 2003 608 806 317 420 346 459 192 255 57 2.3

Fiscal year 2004 634 818 312 403 382 493 197 252 58 2.3

Fiscal year 2005 644 804 316 395 390 487 209 262 58 2.3

Fiscal year 2006 668 808 323 391 410 496 208 257 59 2.3

Fiscal year 2007 684 804 325 382 430 506 212 251 59 2.2

Fiscal year 2008 693 785 329 373 441 499 222 247 58 2.2

Fiscal year 2009 711 808 329 374 471 535 272 301 58 2.2

Fiscal year 2010 731 817 336 376 491 549 287 317 57 2.2

Fiscal year 2011 744 813 338 369 508 555 281 300 59 2.1

Fiscal year 2012 755 806 343 366 512 546 274 282 60 2.1

Fiscal year 2013 758 796 344 361 522 548 271 276 59 2.1

Fiscal year 2014 759 784 335 346 538 556 253 254 58 2.0

Fiscal year 2015 786 810 354 365 529 545 254 250 59 2.0

Fiscal year 2016 814 831 374 382 539 550 249 247 61 2.0

Fiscal year 2017 837 837 384 384 550 550 245 245 63 2.0

Sources: CPI-U values: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nominal values: Fiscal Years 1990 to 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality 

Control samples.

Note: The fiscal year 2003 through fiscal year 2017 estimates differ methodologically from estimates for earlier years and, in some cases, from estimates presented in reports 

prior to 2009. 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. Beginning with the fiscal year 2009 report, we also incorporated corrected SNAP Program Operations data from Missouri for every fiscal year from 2003 

to 2008.
68

Table A.29. Comparison of number of SNAP participants by gender and age for fiscal years 1990 to 2017

Time period

Total

participants

(000)

Female 

participants

(000)

Male 

participants

(000)

Children

(age 0 to 17)

(000)

Non-elderly 

adults

(age 18 to 59)

(000)

Elderly 

individuals

(age 60 or 

older)

(000)

Fiscal year 1990 20,440 12,169 8,265 10,143 8,245 1,574

Fiscal year 1991 22,988 13,679 9,300 11,967 9,397 1,624

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 17,091 10,198 6,891 8,765 6,623 1,702

Fiscal year 2001 17,297 10,347 6,949 8,841 6,789 1,660

Fiscal year 2002 19,041 11,269 7,769 9,712 7,636 1,687

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

Source: Fiscal Years 1990 to 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control samples.

Notes: The fiscal year 2003 through fiscal year 2017 estimates differ methodologically from estimates for earlier years and, in 

some cases, from estimates presented in prior reports. Under the current methodology, the weighting of the SNAP QC data 

reflects adjustments to FNS’s 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. Beginning with the fiscal year 2009 report, we also incorporated corrected SNAP Program 

Operations data from Missouri for every fiscal year from 2003 to 2008. Additionally, beginning with the fiscal year 2014 

report, we used revised versions of the fiscal year 2007 through fiscal year 2012 SNAP QC data files that better reflect 

State BBCE and vehicle rules and newly identify non-elderly individuals with a disability, similar to the SNAP QC files since 

fiscal year 2013. As a result, totals for these years may vary slightly from those printed in the fiscal year reports.

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

71

APPENDIX A FOOTNOTES

a With some exceptions, adult SNAP participants age 18 to 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 23,645 MFIP households and 627,138

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 guideline does not include households with no gross or no net income.

e Because net income is not used in their benefit determinations, 23,645 MFIP households 

and 627,138 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, 627,138 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 over households with 

income from that source.

k The fiscal year 2017 maximum monthly SSI benefit for one person was $733 from October 

through December 2016 and $735 from January through September 2017. This row 

tabulates the number of households in which at least one person received the applicable 

maximum SSI benefit.

l The fiscal year 2017 maximum monthly SSI benefit for two individuals was $1,100 from 

October through December 2016 and $1,103 from January through September 2017. 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.

n Because this deduction is not used in their benefit determinations, 795,786 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.
72

o Because this deduction is not used in their benefit determinations, 23,645 MFIP households 

and 795,786 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, 23,645 MFIP households 

and 627,138 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 ($0-156)” row contains MFIP households, which do not receive a 

standard deduction, and households in the Virgin Islands, which receive a standard 

deduction of $138 for one- and two-person households and $140 for three-person 

households.

s

$157 is the standard deduction 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 The excess shelter expense deduction cap for households without elderly or disabled 

members is $517.

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 

2017 minimum benefit values.

aa $194 is the maximum monthly SNAP benefit 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 Individuals with missing age were assigned child or adult status based on their relationship 

to the household head.
73

ee

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

non-elderly individuals with disabilities.

ff 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.

gg Codes to allow reporting of multiple races were implemented beginning in April 2007. We 

have grouped the codes to form general race and 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 and ethnicity is 

voluntary and was missing for 17 percent of participants in fiscal year 2017. As a result, 

fiscal year 2017 race and ethnicity distributions are not comparable to distributions for years 

prior to fiscal year 2007.

hh 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.

ii Percentage of total participants.

jj Noncitizens may be inside or outside the SNAP unit.

kk Employment and training may be provided through SNAP or other programs.

ll Beginning in 2004, net income is not calculated for MFIP households or SSI-CAP 

households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits.

mm 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 over age 59. In 

1995, that definition changed to households with at least one member under age 65 who 

received SSI, or at least one member age 18 to 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 

under the age of 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 the definition on page 31

of this report for Individuals with disabilities).

nn AFDC refers to Aid to Families with Dependent Children.
74

oo Some of the changes in average total deductions and average net income between 2003 and 

2004 may be attributable to two items in the SNAP QC data file development process. First, 

we revised the way certain deductions are calculated to correct for inconsistencies and data 

entry errors. Second, given that deductions are not used in their benefit determination, SSICAP participants in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits are excluded from the 

average total deduction calculation beginning in 2004.

pp Real values are in constant fiscal year 2017 dollars adjusted by changes in the Consumer 

Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for all items.

qq Real values are in constant fiscal year 2017 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, under Appendix B footnotes.

77

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 20,597 100.0 41,491 100.0 5,050,556 100.0

Alabama 372 1.8 794 1.9 94,529 1.9

Alaska 38 0.2 86 0.2 15,413 0.3

Arizona 382 1.9 852 2.1 104,887 2.1

Arkansas 165 0.8 375 0.9 41,170 0.8

California 1,963 9.5 4,054 9.8 534,607 10.6

Colorado 219 1.1 452 1.1 56,466 1.1

Connecticut 233 1.1 404 1.0 52,130 1.0

Delaware 68 0.3 139 0.3 15,684 0.3

District of Columbia 70 0.3 122 0.3 15,642 0.3

Florida 1,685 8.2 3,174 7.6 381,240 7.5

Georgia 746 3.6 1,600 3.9 200,295 4.0

Guam 15 0.1 45 0.1 8,390 0.2

Hawaii 85 0.4 166 0.4 38,987 0.8

Idaho 74 0.4 170 0.4 19,083 0.4

Illinois 969 4.7 1,865 4.5 233,010 4.6

Indiana 285 1.4 651 1.6 73,542 1.5

Iowa 169 0.8 357 0.9 37,156 0.7

Kansas 107 0.5 231 0.6 26,034 0.5

Kentucky 303 1.5 639 1.5 74,655 1.5

Louisiana 426 2.1 922 2.2 113,213 2.2

Maine 90 0.4 173 0.4 17,886 0.4

Maryland 356 1.7 674 1.6 78,696 1.6

Massachusetts 443 2.2 761 1.8 93,448 1.9

Michigan 718 3.5 1,346 3.2 156,135 3.1

Minnesota 217 1.1 434 1.0 47,806 0.9

Mississippi 243 1.2 533 1.3 60,230 1.2

Missouri 338 1.6 726 1.8 87,206 1.7

Montana 57 0.3 118 0.3 13,484 0.3

Nebraska 77 0.4 173 0.4 19,523 0.4

Nevada 223 1.1 435 1.0 50,031 1.0

New Hampshire 45 0.2 90 0.2 9,113 0.2

New Jersey 406 2.0 814 2.0 92,022 1.8

New Mexico 211 1.0 453 1.1 52,844 1.0

New York 1,592 7.7 2,870 6.9 380,490 7.5

North Carolina 718 3.5 1,325 3.2 168,730 3.3

North Dakota 25 0.1 52 0.1 6,315 0.1

Ohio 736 3.6 1,479 3.6 179,492 3.6

Oklahoma 270 1.3 593 1.4 70,313 1.4

Oregon 384 1.9 665 1.6 79,010 1.6

Pennsylvania 948 4.6 1,829 4.4 213,830 4.2

Rhode Island 96 0.5 156 0.4 20,506 0.4

South Carolina 335 1.6 715 1.7 85,812 1.7

South Dakota 41 0.2 92 0.2 11,648 0.2

Tennessee 505 2.5 1,029 2.5 127,588 2.5

Texas 1,621 7.9 3,850 9.3 447,227 8.9

Utah 81 0.4 202 0.5 23,062 0.5

Vermont 42 0.2 76 0.2 9,201 0.2

Virgin Islands 13 0.1 26 0.1 4,505 0.1

Virginia 353 1.7 741 1.8 87,209 1.7

Washington 518 2.5 924 2.2 111,272 2.2

West Virginia 167 0.8 331 0.8 36,970 0.7

Wisconsin 340 1.6 678 1.6 68,984 1.4

Wyoming 14 0.1 32 0.1 3,835 0.1

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
78

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 62.6 837 384 550 245 2.0 13.7

Alabama 59.6 803 393 489 254 2.1 16.0

Alaska 49.5 912 461 639 410 2.3 7.7

Arizona 49.6 737 366 467 274 2.2 10.5

Arkansas 58.1 818 473 400 250 2.3 18.7

California 51.3 735 309 565 272 2.1 13.3

Colorado 61.3 815 350 578 257 2.1 12.4

Connecticut 71.3 899 303 721 224 1.7 17.1

Delaware 69.2 933 468 532 230 2.0 15.1

District of Columbia 52.7 636 326 491 223 1.7 15.9

Florida 66.9 866 380 553 226 1.9 9.6

Georgia 56.3 767 363 482 269 2.1 8.0

Guam 59.5 1,035 569 585 551 3.0 12.1

Hawaii 59.8 930 526 453 458 2.0 11.4

Idaho 65.4 942 451 577 258 2.3 9.3

Illinois 57.7 759 342 494 240 1.9 11.7

Indiana 60.2 859 448 476 258 2.3 11.8

Iowa 68.7 948 522 504 219 2.1 7.7

Kansas 62.6 870 430 527 244 2.2 15.9

Kentucky 49.4 690 395 388 246 2.1 15.2

Louisiana 53.9 748 358 451 266 2.2 18.0

Maine 85.0 1,104 497 658 198 1.9 12.1

Maryland 64.6 844 404 528 221 1.9 10.6

Massachusetts 77.7 957 336 731 211 1.7 18.8

Michigan 67.7 859 419 526 218 1.9 15.8

Minnesota 68.7 909 489 522 220 2.0 13.5

Mississippi 57.4 785 438 417 248 2.2 19.2

Missouri 60.4 823 381 528 258 2.1 17.1

Montana 65.0 889 425 568 238 2.1 15.6

Nebraska 62.7 897 439 548 252 2.2 9.6

Nevada 58.6 793 426 444 224 2.0 7.7

New Hampshire 78.7 1,064 500 637 203 2.0 7.5

New Jersey 75.1 985 435 613 227 2.0 16.0

New Mexico 56.6 793 401 468 250 2.1 15.1

New York 78.9 984 359 792 239 1.8 20.2

North Carolina 60.3 757 349 504 235 1.8 8.8

North Dakota 65.3 874 373 608 256 2.1 8.1

Ohio 63.3 829 375 546 244 2.0 13.0

Oklahoma 54.9 763 397 456 261 2.2 15.8

Oregon 68.8 858 379 573 206 1.7 12.2

Pennsylvania 75.5 976 410 670 226 1.9 19.6

Rhode Island 71.2 851 283 721 214 1.6 17.1

South Carolina 57.1 776 379 472 257 2.1 8.8

South Dakota 60.2 848 343 642 284 2.3 13.8

Tennessee 50.8 674 343 399 253 2.0 11.9

Texas 54.9 826 439 536 276 2.4 12.5

Utah 55.4 874 454 507 285 2.5 7.5

Vermont 87.1 1,103 349 909 219 1.8 16.8

Virgin Islands 48.3 672 382 346 359 2.1 11.7

Virginia 57.1 765 395 445 247 2.1 15.4

Washington 63.6 820 353 567 215 1.8 15.9

West Virginia 61.9 813 446 451 221 2.0 17.0

Wisconsin 77.9 1,028 540 567 203 2.0 11.8

Wyoming 55.3 787 399 489 277 2.3 8.4

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
79

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 20,597 3,910 19.0 3,971 19.3 8,806 42.8 3,910 19.0

Alabama 372 60 16.1 77 20.8 178 47.8 57 15.2

Alaska 38 11 28.1 9 25.1 13 34.1 5 12.7

Arizona 382 100 26.2 89 23.2 141 36.9 52 13.6

Arkansas 165 26 15.8 35 21.2 85 51.4 19 11.6

California 1,963 508 25.9 618 31.5 502 25.6 334 17.0

Colorado 219 37 16.9 48 22.1 93 42.6 41 18.5

Connecticut 233 45 19.3 31 13.2 94 40.5 63 27.0

Delaware 68 10 14.6 15 22.6 24 35.9 18 26.9

District of Columbia 70 20 28.9 15 21.7 25 35.5 10 13.9

Florida 1,685 287 17.1 275 16.3 772 45.8 351 20.8

Georgia 746 166 22.2 157 21.1 309 41.4 114 15.2

Guam 15 3 17.0 5 31.3 4 28.1 4 23.6

Hawaii 85 11 13.3 20 23.0 43 50.5 11 13.2

Idaho 74 10 13.0 13 18.2 39 52.4 12 16.4

Illinois 969 265 27.4 139 14.4 396 40.9 168 17.4

Indiana 285 47 16.5 51 18.0 141 49.5 46 16.0

Iowa 169 26 15.3 32 18.6 71 41.9 41 24.1

Kansas 107 18 16.6 17 16.0 52 49.1 20 18.3

Kentucky 303 84 27.6 54 17.7 139 46.0 27 8.8

Louisiana 426 89 20.8 86 20.3 206 48.4 45 10.5

Maine 90 6 6.6 8 9.2 46 51.0 30 33.2

Maryland 356 72 20.3 63 17.8 143 40.2 77 21.7

Massachusetts 443 58 13.0 59 13.2 205 46.2 122 27.5

Michigan 718 137 19.0 102 14.3 320 44.6 159 22.1

Minnesota 217 15 6.7 61 28.0 91 41.9 51 23.3

Mississippi 243 42 17.1 50 20.6 121 49.7 31 12.6

Missouri 338 61 17.9 60 17.8 166 49.1 51 15.1

Montana 57 12 21.1 8 14.3 25 43.4 12 21.1

Nebraska 77 12 15.6 14 18.1 38 49.2 13 17.2

Nevada 223 55 24.8 40 18.0 85 38.3 42 18.9

New Hampshire 45 5 11.0 4 8.7 24 52.4 13 27.9

New Jersey 406 31 7.7 68 16.7 212 52.3 95 23.4

New Mexico 211 40 18.9 45 21.4 97 45.8 29 13.9

New York 1,592 107 6.7 305 19.1 790 49.6 390 24.5

North Carolina 718 162 22.5 139 19.4 286 39.9 130 18.2

North Dakota 25 4 16.7 5 19.9 10 39.4 6 23.9

Ohio 736 129 17.5 120 16.3 364 49.4 123 16.7

Oklahoma 270 56 20.6 56 20.8 126 46.7 32 11.8

Oregon 384 77 20.1 64 16.6 135 35.1 108 28.2

Pennsylvania 948 113 11.9 126 13.3 454 47.9 255 26.9

Rhode Island 96 18 18.7 11 11.3 44 46.5 23 23.6

South Carolina 335 62 18.5 67 20.0 160 47.8 46 13.6

South Dakota 41 9 21.7 6 15.3 19 45.7 7 17.3

Tennessee 505 125 24.7 104 20.5 224 44.4 53 10.4

Texas 1,621 402 24.8 329 20.3 625 38.6 265 16.3

Utah 81 18 22.5 17 20.5 34 42.6 12 14.4

Vermont 42 4 8.4 5 12.7 18 43.8 15 35.2

Virgin Islands 13 2 18.5 5 42.2 3 25.8 2 13.6

Virginia 353 62 17.5 78 22.0 171 48.4 43 12.1

Washington 518 104 20.0 95 18.4 211 40.7 108 20.9

West Virginia 167 33 19.5 27 16.4 79 47.4 28 16.6

Wisconsin 340 55 16.2 39 11.4 143 42.0 103 30.4

Wyoming 14 3 21.3 2 16.6 7 51.1 2 10.9

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
80

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 14,219 69.0 3,031 14.7 622 780 406

Alabama 258 69.3 27 7.3 487 600 312

Alaska 24 63.6 3 8.2 552 700 417

Arizona 221 57.8 48 12.6 461 672 332

Arkansas 96 58.5 7 4.1 409 520 255

California 1,451 73.9 533 27.1 645 826 423

Colorado 166 75.5 44 20.0 689 813 434

Connecticut 191 81.8 59 25.3 903 1,076 584

Delaware 45 66.5 10 13.9 603 788 381

District of Columbia 62 88.0 3 3.9 519 523 329

Florida 1,236 73.3 221 13.1 638 791 404

Georgia 468 62.7 67 8.9 491 690 357

Guam 5 33.5 0 1.1 265 428 212

Hawaii 37 44.1 2 2.6 368 530 280

Idaho 57 77.1 11 15.0 633 722 365

Illinois 614 63.3 97 10.0 524 753 382

Indiana 185 64.9 24 8.4 513 657 341

Iowa 113 66.8 18 10.4 541 640 322

Kansas 81 76.0 12 10.9 562 637 331

Kentucky 170 56.0 13 4.1 381 555 279

Louisiana 266 62.5 32 7.6 474 661 333

Maine 74 82.5 12 13.0 835 926 482

Maryland 222 62.3 54 15.0 585 763 390

Massachusetts 386 87.0 84 18.9 906 1,017 546

Michigan 457 63.6 86 12.0 574 754 416

Minnesota 137 62.8 27 12.4 587 794 418

Mississippi 126 52.0 12 4.7 411 524 272

Missouri 241 71.2 36 10.7 530 648 339

Montana 39 69.5 9 16.8 642 785 428

Nebraska 59 75.6 11 13.8 629 715 368

Nevada 129 57.8 18 8.1 473 692 336

New Hampshire 34 75.8 8 16.7 805 881 487

New Jersey 314 77.4 82 20.1 753 858 451

New Mexico 135 63.7 20 9.6 480 628 321

New York 1,101 69.1 371 23.3 1,011 1,068 564

North Carolina 464 64.7 96 13.4 524 691 371

North Dakota 18 74.9 5 19.4 655 773 429

Ohio 522 70.9 108 14.7 627 778 429

Oklahoma 187 69.4 23 8.5 484 621 306

Oregon 283 73.6 63 16.5 652 816 418

Pennsylvania 807 85.1 201 21.2 832 900 481

Rhode Island 86 89.6 29 30.4 872 943 541

South Carolina 190 56.9 24 7.1 432 588 312

South Dakota 28 68.6 10 23.2 702 880 483

Tennessee 284 56.3 26 5.1 397 603 299

Texas 1,037 64.0 198 12.2 530 708 354

Utah 53 65.4 11 13.8 560 739 348

Vermont 41 97.6 13 30.2 1,166 1,170 637

Virgin Islands 6 44.9 1 4.7 245 350 169

Virginia 230 65.1 29 8.1 466 572 296

Washington 418 80.6 73 14.1 659 778 399

West Virginia 110 65.8 10 5.9 505 621 332

Wisconsin 247 72.6 52 15.2 691 805 393

Wyoming 9 64.4 2 12.8 516 645 355

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
81

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 to 

49 without 

disabilities in 

childless 

householdse

State

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Totala 8,588 41.7 4,955 24.1 4,289 20.8 5,041 24.5 2,991 14.5

Alabama 177 47.6 79 21.3 92 24.7 122 32.9 47 12.7

Alaska 16 42.9 7 18.3 5 12.6 8 22.4 9 24.5

Arizona 176 45.9 75 19.6 49 12.9 100 26.2 70 18.2

Arkansas 83 50.2 30 18.1 51 31.0 56 33.8 13 7.6

California 1,012 51.6 279 14.2 54 2.8 406 20.7 434 22.1

Colorado 93 42.6 54 24.7 39 17.7 59 26.7 28 12.8

Connecticut 73 31.5 64 27.4 54 23.4 47 20.0 40 17.3

Delaware 31 45.2 14 20.5 12 17.6 21 31.2 9 13.8

District of Columbia 21 29.4 18 26.3 15 21.9 14 20.7 14 20.6

Florida 649 38.5 517 30.7 344 20.4 337 20.0 166 9.9

Georgia 342 45.9 152 20.3 168 22.6 244 32.7 115 15.4

Guam 9 62.0 3 18.1 0 2.3 3 18.1 2 13.5

Hawaii 29 33.8 26 30.7 14 16.8 15 17.5 12 14.0

Idaho 37 49.5 14 18.6 20 27.4 20 26.7 8 10.2

Illinois 361 37.2 213 21.9 168 17.3 234 24.1 217 22.4

Indiana 140 49.1 55 19.2 84 29.3 87 30.5 26 9.0

Iowa 72 42.3 30 17.8 41 24.3 44 25.8 30 17.7

Kansas 48 44.8 21 19.8 31 29.0 25 23.5 10 9.1

Kentucky 127 42.0 59 19.4 87 28.8 78 25.6 54 17.8

Louisiana 190 44.6 91 21.2 103 24.2 147 34.4 69 16.2

Maine 31 33.9 28 30.7 33 36.5 15 16.2 5 6.1

Maryland 138 38.7 92 25.9 70 19.7 91 25.7 55 15.5

Massachusetts 139 31.3 143 32.3 134 30.3 90 20.4 59 13.2

Michigan 256 35.7 153 21.3 197 27.5 160 22.3 144 20.0

Minnesota 85 39.0 52 24.1 51 23.7 47 21.8 28 12.8

Mississippi 120 49.6 49 20.3 61 25.1 77 31.6 21 8.6

Missouri 152 45.0 65 19.3 99 29.2 104 30.6 35 10.2

Montana 23 40.4 13 22.3 14 24.3 13 23.7 9 15.1

Nebraska 37 48.0 15 19.4 18 23.7 22 28.4 9 11.7

Nevada 86 38.4 45 20.4 36 16.3 45 20.4 57 25.6

New Hampshire 18 40.6 10 21.4 19 41.8 11 24.6 3 6.5

New Jersey 172 42.5 135 33.2 80 19.8 87 21.4 29 7.1

New Mexico 93 44.2 38 18.0 37 17.5 54 25.5 45 21.2

New York 477 30.0 608 38.2 364 22.9 265 16.7 195 12.3

North Carolina 289 40.3 161 22.4 140 19.5 181 25.2 98 13.7

North Dakota 11 44.3 6 25.5 5 20.8 7 29.4 3 12.0

Ohio 290 39.4 169 23.0 209 28.3 183 24.9 87 11.9

Oklahoma 126 46.9 55 20.6 65 24.3 76 28.3 35 13.1

Oregon 115 29.9 97 25.2 73 19.0 56 14.5 86 22.3

Pennsylvania 343 36.2 276 29.1 286 30.2 212 22.4 114 12.0

Rhode Island 28 29.0 26 27.1 26 27.6 18 19.2 17 17.6

South Carolina 162 48.4 80 23.9 68 20.2 120 35.7 31 9.3

South Dakota 19 46.2 8 18.9 11 26.1 12 29.6 6 13.6

Tennessee 205 40.7 95 18.7 126 24.9 140 27.6 92 18.2

Texas 898 55.4 372 22.9 274 16.9 532 32.8 121 7.5

Utah 43 53.3 12 15.2 16 19.4 23 28.4 11 13.2

Vermont 13 30.0 13 31.9 13 31.7 8 19.2 4 10.5

Virgin Islands 6 46.5 3 25.4 0 3.3 3 27.0 3 20.4

Virginia 156 44.2 88 24.8 81 22.8 103 29.3 36 10.1

Washington 166 32.1 124 23.9 114 22.0 94 18.1 109 21.0

West Virginia 61 36.4 40 23.7 49 29.4 34 20.1 27 16.3

Wisconsin 136 40.1 83 24.3 82 24.1 87 25.7 45 13.3

Wyoming 7 49.8 3 22.7 3 21.3 4 31.8 1 9.3

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
82

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 6,477 31.4 623 3.0 4,514 21.9 5,883 28.6 1,006 4.9

Alabama 121 32.6 0 0.1 85 22.8 121 32.6 7 1.9

Alaska 11 30.1 9 24.3 5 13.4 8 20.0 4 10.7

Arizona 137 35.8 - - 65 17.0 70 18.2 9 2.4

Arkansas 49 29.6 0 0.1 50 30.4 50 30.2 2 0.9

California 757 38.6 84 4.3 - - 261 13.3 386 19.7

Colorado 66 30.1 27 12.3 40 18.2 59 26.9 15 7.0

Connecticut 64 27.7 15 6.3 49 21.0 80 34.1 13 5.4

Delaware 24 35.6 6 8.1 11 15.6 17 25.2 3 4.9

District of 

Columbia 10 14.7 0 0.6 17 24.0 19 27.4 10 14.4

Florida 496 29.5 6 0.4 417 24.8 560 33.2 33 1.9

Georgia 218 29.3 1 0.1 157 21.1 216 28.9 13 1.8

Guam 7 46.2 1 6.5 - - 3 18.9 1 6.1

Hawaii 30 34.8 5 5.7 21 25.1 25 29.7 3 3.5

Idaho 28 37.7 11 15.1 19 25.1 23 30.8 3 3.7

Illinois 307 31.7 17 1.8 186 19.1 237 24.4 30 3.1

Indiana 92 32.4 0 0.1 73 25.6 87 30.5 4 1.6

Iowa 69 40.7 0 0.1 35 21.0 47 27.8 8 4.6

Kansas 34 32.2 - - 28 26.2 36 33.7 4 3.4

Kentucky 71 23.3 0 0.1 83 27.3 82 27.1 10 3.4

Louisiana 124 29.0 1 0.3 126 29.7 116 27.2 1 0.2

Maine 26 28.8 28 31.3 26 28.5 46 51.2 4 4.6

Maryland 96 26.9 17 4.9 85 23.9 97 27.1 17 4.9

Massachusetts 87 19.7 21 4.8 141 31.7 170 38.3 32 7.2

Michigan 240 33.5 2 0.3 168 23.4 223 31.0 18 2.6

Minnesota 76 35.0 18 8.2 54 24.8 60 27.4 22 10.2

Mississippi 72 29.5 - - 69 28.3 74 30.7 7 2.7

Missouri 99 29.3 1 0.3 89 26.3 108 31.8 15 4.4

Montana 17 30.2 0 0.7 11 20.1 19 33.0 3 5.2

Nebraska 28 36.7 5 6.4 18 23.3 23 29.4 3 4.0

Nevada 76 34.2 - - 39 17.3 51 22.9 8 3.8

New Hampshire 13 28.7 8 18.5 12 27.7 20 43.6 1 2.2

New Jersey 121 29.9 14 3.4 116 28.6 137 33.8 14 3.4

New Mexico 76 35.7 2 0.9 37 17.6 51 24.2 13 6.3

New York 455 28.6 179 11.2 546 34.3 575 36.1 63 4.0

North Carolina 229 31.9 1 0.1 144 20.1 199 27.8 8 1.2

North Dakota 7 28.7 0 1.7 4 18.2 9 36.8 1 4.3

Ohio 221 30.0 14 1.9 206 27.9 233 31.6 27 3.7

Oklahoma 81 29.9 65 23.9 62 23.0 78 29.1 7 2.6

Oregon 126 32.9 2 0.4 67 17.5 118 30.7 20 5.2

Pennsylvania 301 31.7 1 0.1 266 28.1 376 39.7 39 4.1

Rhode Island 21 22.5 0 0.3 26 26.8 35 36.9 3 3.6

South Carolina 110 32.9 - - 73 21.9 99 29.6 11 3.4

South Dakota 13 31.8 0 0.4 11 26.0 12 28.6 2 5.0

Tennessee 129 25.5 - - 123 24.3 145 28.7 24 4.7

Texas 580 35.8 1 0.1 290 17.9 352 21.7 26 1.6

Utah 31 37.8 1 0.6 14 17.6 17 20.7 3 4.1

Vermont 11 26.7 1 1.6 11 26.3 20 48.0 3 7.8

Virgin Islands 4 35.6 0 3.5 0 0.2 3 22.3 1 5.1

Virginia 107 30.3 0 0.1 96 27.2 101 28.4 21 5.9

Washington 137 26.4 50 9.7 117 22.5 148 28.6 18 3.5

West Virginia 40 23.8 3 1.7 50 29.7 55 32.7 2 1.4

Wisconsin 126 37.1 3 0.8 74 21.7 111 32.6 8 2.2

Wyoming 4 28.3 0 1.6 3 23.4 4 31.5 0 2.3

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
83

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

Average countable values (dollars)g

State Earned income GA SSI Social Security TANFh

Total 1,161 223 578 868 422

Alabama 1,079 190 537 813 190

Alaska 1,415 331 527 841 598

Arizona 1,214 - 559 787 203

Arkansas 1,135 185 583 764 147

California 1,076 238 - 991 543

Colorado 1,169 291 561 889 393

Connecticut 1,215 177 594 943 467

Delaware 1,378 95 619 938 291

District of Columbia 1,179 357 594 800 326

Florida 1,270 156 536 870 290

Georgia 1,126 155 577 865 269

Guam 1,685 136 - 870 194

Hawaii 1,333 343 520 790 480

Idaho 1,270 51 542 783 116

Illinois 1,082 104 577 886 383

Indiana 1,165 65 640 817 192

Iowa 1,214 22 525 834 363

Kansas 1,229 - 548 813 283

Kentucky 1,113 225 602 769 239

Louisiana 1,046 463 554 730 225

Maine 1,413 11 524 913 395

Maryland 1,252 197 595 887 578

Massachusetts 1,375 302 646 968 437

Michigan 1,072 200 602 939 372

Minnesotah 1,224 195 642 850 1

Mississippi 1,118 - 533 758 133

Missouri 1,195 189 535 807 219

Montana 1,313 637 496 846 603

Nebraska 1,183 96 528 831 329

Nevada 1,153 - 595 895 350

New Hampshire 1,387 161 538 906 625

New Jersey 1,313 202 526 862 343

New Mexico 1,152 339 527 821 343

New York 1,185 359 626 850 562

North Carolina 1,067 129 538 910 220

North Dakota 1,269 357 490 850 258

Ohio 1,058 252 569 850 354

Oklahoma 1,080 39 564 816 227

Oregon 1,132 353 565 966 450

Pennsylvania 1,124 205 618 917 325

Rhode Island 1,215 200 572 905 394

South Carolina 1,083 - 524 802 244

South Dakota 1,221 307 539 783 414

Tennessee 995 - 532 799 173

Texas 1,240 141 584 828 202

Utah 1,314 333 592 799 410

Vermont 1,346 141 569 1,003 489

Virgin Islands 1,125 191 605 772 221

Virginia 1,073 182 535 780 301

Washington 1,319 97 599 872 446

West Virginia 1,200 307 603 861 290

Wisconsin 1,254 432 658 974 471

Wyoming 1,136 537 456 737 454

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
84

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 6,477 31.4 1,161 76 233

Alabama 121 32.6 1,079 70 215

Alaska 11 30.1 1,415 85 283

Arizona 137 35.8 1,214 87 244

Arkansas 49 29.6 1,135 67 227

California 757 38.6 1,076 83 215

Colorado 66 30.1 1,169 70 233

Connecticut 64 27.7 1,215 67 243

Delaware 24 35.6 1,378 98 275

District of Columbia 10 14.7 1,179 35 235

Florida 496 29.5 1,270 77 254

Georgia 218 29.3 1,126 66 225

Guam 7 46.2 1,685 156 337

Hawaii 30 34.8 1,333 93 266

Idaho 28 37.7 1,270 96 254

Illinois 307 31.7 1,082 68 216

Indiana 92 32.4 1,165 75 233

Iowa 69 40.7 1,214 99 242

Kansas 34 32.2 1,229 79 245

Kentucky 71 23.3 1,113 53 223

Louisiana 124 29.0 1,046 61 209

Maine 26 28.8 1,413 81 282

Maryland 96 26.9 1,252 70 250

Massachusetts 87 19.7 1,375 59 275

Michigan 240 33.5 1,072 73 214

Minnesota 76 35.0 1,224 90 295

Mississippi 72 29.5 1,118 74 223

Missouri 99 29.3 1,195 70 239

Montana 17 30.2 1,313 79 262

Nebraska 28 36.7 1,183 87 236

Nevada 76 34.2 1,153 79 230

New Hampshire 13 28.7 1,387 80 277

New Jersey 121 29.9 1,313 79 262

New Mexico 76 35.7 1,152 82 230

New York 455 28.6 1,185 86 239

North Carolina 229 31.9 1,067 70 213

North Dakota 7 28.7 1,269 73 254

Ohio 221 30.0 1,058 63 211

Oklahoma 81 29.9 1,080 65 216

Oregon 126 32.9 1,132 74 227

Pennsylvania 301 31.7 1,124 73 225

Rhode Island 21 22.5 1,215 54 242

South Carolina 110 32.9 1,083 76 216

South Dakota 13 31.8 1,221 83 250

Tennessee 129 25.5 995 51 199

Texas 580 35.8 1,240 96 248

Utah 31 37.8 1,314 99 263

Vermont 11 26.7 1,346 72 269

Virgin Islands 4 35.6 1,125 80 225

Virginia 107 30.3 1,073 66 214

Washington 137 26.4 1,319 83 264

West Virginia 40 23.8 1,200 57 240

Wisconsin 126 37.1 1,254 93 250

Wyoming 4 28.3 1,136 64 227

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
85

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 855 436 51.0 31 3.7 388 45.4

Alabama 11 5 50.7 0 3.7 5 45.7

Alaska 2 1 45.7 0 8.5 1 45.8

Arizona 31 13 42.4 1 3.2 17 54.4

Arkansas 9 2 26.8 0 3.3 6 69.9

California 67 46 69.0 - - 21 31.0

Colorado 16 12 74.5 1 3.8 3 21.7

Connecticut 6 4 72.3 - - 2 27.7

Delaware 3 1 49.6 0 6.0 1 44.4

District of Columbia 2 2 63.0 0 3.3 1 33.7

Florida 77 38 49.9 - - 38 50.1

Georgia 17 10 61.4 1 4.4 6 34.2

Guam 0 0 33.0 0 9.8 0 57.2

Hawaii 3 1 30.4 - - 2 69.6

Idaho 5 2 47.0 0 1.2 3 51.8

Illinois 28 15 51.7 1 3.3 13 45.0

Indiana 14 5 40.2 1 8.2 7 51.6

Iowa 8 2 31.3 1 14.6 4 54.1

Kansas 4 2 42.5 0 6.2 2 51.3

Kentucky 20 9 45.2 1 3.6 10 51.2

Louisiana 18 4 24.7 1 5.6 12 69.7

Maine 1 1 53.0 0 7.0 1 40.0

Maryland 19 9 48.4 1 4.3 9 47.3

Massachusetts 18 10 55.5 3 14.2 5 30.3

Michigan 22 16 72.3 1 3.2 5 24.5

Minnesota 8 5 65.4 0 3.0 2 31.6

Mississippi 6 3 41.6 0 3.3 3 55.1

Missouri 18 11 65.5 1 4.0 5 30.4

Montana 3 1 30.6 0 2.4 2 67.1

Nebraska 4 2 39.0 0 6.7 2 54.3

Nevada 16 9 59.6 - - 6 40.4

New Hampshire 2 1 45.9 - - 1 54.1

New Jersey 13 6 44.4 2 15.6 5 40.0

New Mexico 13 8 61.0 - - 5 39.0

New York 56 38 67.4 - - 18 32.6

North Carolina 25 12 47.0 - - 13 53.0

North Dakota 1 1 44.9 0 3.4 1 51.7

Ohio 14 7 47.8 1 5.9 7 46.3

Oklahoma 16 7 45.4 0 1.7 8 52.8

Oregon 16 9 59.6 1 4.2 6 36.2

Pennsylvania 43 24 57.0 1 2.5 17 40.5

Rhode Island 2 1 54.8 0 7.7 1 37.5

South Carolina 15 3 18.3 1 6.7 11 75.0

South Dakota 2 1 62.8 0 2.9 1 34.3

Tennessee 22 10 44.3 3 14.3 9 41.4

Texas 115 42 36.7 5 4.5 68 58.9

Utah 3 2 52.2 0 2.7 1 45.1

Vermont 1 1 65.9 0 4.2 0 29.9

Virgin Islands 0 - - - - 0 100.0

Virginia 7 3 40.3 0 6.1 4 53.6

Washington 13 6 44.8 1 8.1 6 47.1

West Virginia 4 1 30.3 1 12.8 2 56.9

Wisconsin 17 10 60.1 0 1.5 7 38.4

Wyoming 1 1 57.4 - - 0 42.6

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
86

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 7,947 38.6 5,108 24.8 2,363 11.5 1,008 4.9 4,171 20.2

Alabama 156 42.1 198 53.2 5 1.4 2 0.4 11 2.9

Alaska 12 32.5 2 4.7 0 0.9 18 48.3 5 13.6

Arizona 154 40.3 39 10.2 110 28.7 56 14.5 24 6.2

Arkansas 95 57.7 59 35.7 3 1.6 1 0.5 7 4.5

California 563 28.7 246 12.5 582 29.7 132 6.7 440 22.4

Colorado 39 17.7 6 2.7 22 10.2 8 3.6 144 65.8

Connecticut 102 43.8 46 19.9 57 24.2 4 1.6 24 10.4

Delaware 8 12.1 7 10.3 0 0.6 0 0.1 53 77.0

District of Columbia 0 0.7 65 92.6 2 2.3 1 0.9 2 3.5

Florida 570 33.8 458 27.2 495 29.4 26 1.5 136 8.1

Georgia 252 33.8 431 57.8 14 1.9 16 2.2 32 4.3

Guam 0 0.6 0 0.2 0 0.0 12 76.7 3 22.4

Hawaii 20 23.5 1 1.3 1 1.6 40 47.1 23 26.6

Idaho 62 83.9 1 1.5 5 7.2 2 2.4 4 5.0

Illinois 332 34.2 246 25.4 45 4.7 21 2.2 326 33.6

Indiana 187 65.7 73 25.7 10 3.7 5 1.7 9 3.3

Iowa 90 53.3 20 11.6 3 2.0 4 2.2 53 31.0

Kansas 40 37.3 10 9.8 5 4.6 2 1.9 50 46.5

Kentucky 241 79.6 46 15.3 4 1.3 4 1.4 7 2.4

Louisiana 123 28.9 220 51.7 3 0.7 6 1.4 74 17.3

Maine 85 94.0 2 2.1 0 0.1 2 1.9 2 1.9

Maryland 121 34.0 188 52.9 12 3.4 17 4.8 18 5.0

Massachusetts 245 55.3 64 14.4 89 20.0 28 6.3 18 4.0

Michigan 307 42.8 232 32.3 19 2.6 9 1.3 150 20.9

Minnesota 76 35.0 38 17.6 5 2.4 19 8.5 79 36.6

Mississippi 62 25.6 127 52.2 2 0.7 2 0.7 51 20.8

Missouri 210 62.0 103 30.5 3 0.8 5 1.6 17 5.1

Montana 37 65.9 1 1.2 1 1.9 9 16.1 8 14.9

Nebraska 43 55.6 14 17.5 4 5.6 4 5.3 12 16.1

Nevada 90 40.5 49 22.2 47 21.1 18 7.9 18 8.2

New Hampshire 32 72.0 1 1.8 1 2.0 1 1.3 10 22.9

New Jersey 117 28.8 92 22.7 73 18.1 45 11.1 78 19.2

New Mexico 62 29.4 4 1.8 68 32.4 28 13.2 49 23.2

New York 515 32.3 442 27.8 398 25.0 157 9.8 80 5.0

North Carolina 303 42.2 331 46.1 9 1.2 22 3.0 53 7.5

North Dakota 16 64.7 1 5.3 0 1.6 6 26.3 1 2.1

Ohio 469 63.8 231 31.4 - - 15 2.1 21 2.8

Oklahoma 161 59.6 37 13.9 10 3.8 32 11.8 29 10.8

Oregon 296 77.1 15 3.8 8 2.0 21 5.5 44 11.5

Pennsylvania 521 55.0 280 29.6 4 0.4 120 12.6 23 2.4

Rhode Island 51 53.2 11 11.7 20 20.7 4 3.9 10 10.6

South Carolina 129 38.5 185 55.3 7 2.0 1 0.4 12 3.7

South Dakota 18 44.8 2 4.0 1 1.4 14 33.9 7 15.9

Tennessee 92 18.2 60 11.9 - - 2 0.3 352 69.7

Texas 132 8.1 161 9.9 192 11.8 18 1.1 1,119 69.0

Utah 56 68.7 2 2.8 1 1.3 5 5.8 17 21.5

Vermont 30 71.3 0 1.0 0 0.7 1 3.2 10 23.7

Virgin Islands 0 1.9 10 77.3 1 10.5 0 2.8 1 7.5

Virginia 167 47.2 148 41.8 8 2.2 12 3.4 19 5.3

Washington 91 17.6 12 2.4 10 1.9 16 3.0 389 75.0

West Virginia 156 93.1 7 4.3 - - 1 0.5 3 2.1

Wisconsin 196 57.7 82 24.0 2 0.6 18 5.2 43 12.6

Wyoming 11 81.2 0 2.6 1 4.0 1 10.2 0 1.9

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
87

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 20,597 12,966 63.0 1,588 7.7 5,392 26.2

Alabama 372 271 72.9 11 2.9 90 24.2

Alaska 38 14 37.8 14 37.6 9 24.6

Arizona 382 210 54.9 33 8.5 138 36.0

Arkansas 165 94 57.3 8 4.7 63 38.0

California 1,963 1,373 69.9 56 2.9 534 27.2

Colorado 219 140 63.6 31 14.2 49 22.2

Connecticut 233 185 79.3 5 2.3 43 18.4

Delaware 68 41 60.1 3 3.8 25 36.0

District of Columbia 70 68 97.0 1 0.8 2 2.1

Florida 1,685 1,075 63.8 154 9.1 455 27.0

Georgia 746 448 60.1 28 3.7 270 36.2

Guam 15 0 0.2 8 50.4 8 49.4

Hawaii 85 0 0.6 39 46.4 45 53.0

Idaho 74 53 70.9 9 11.8 13 17.2

Illinois 969 489 50.4 82 8.5 398 41.1

Indiana 285 175 61.4 8 2.7 102 35.8

Iowa 169 106 62.8 25 14.6 38 22.6

Kansas 107 77 72.2 9 8.5 21 19.3

Kentucky 303 175 57.7 11 3.6 110 36.3

Louisiana 426 262 61.5 16 3.9 145 34.0

Maine 90 63 70.2 14 15.8 13 14.0

Maryland 356 171 48.1 48 13.6 122 34.3

Massachusetts 443 331 74.6 52 11.8 60 13.6

Michigan 718 391 54.5 96 13.4 217 30.3

Minnesota 217 112 51.6 27 12.2 55 25.3

Mississippi 243 149 61.5 4 1.8 63 25.9

Missouri 338 236 69.6 26 7.8 76 22.6

Montana 57 36 63.8 5 8.9 15 27.3

Nebraska 77 51 66.2 10 12.8 16 21.0

Nevada 223 111 49.7 14 6.5 98 43.8

New Hampshire 45 23 50.1 12 26.8 10 23.1

New Jersey 406 251 62.0 32 7.8 121 29.9

New Mexico 211 127 60.0 17 7.8 68 32.1

New York 1,592 924 58.1 178 11.2 127 8.0

North Carolina 718 445 62.0 39 5.5 212 29.6

North Dakota 25 17 67.5 2 8.7 6 23.8

Ohio 736 490 66.6 39 5.4 207 28.1

Oklahoma 270 178 66.0 17 6.4 74 27.5

Oregon 384 268 69.8 25 6.4 92 23.8

Pennsylvania 948 810 85.4 17 1.8 96 10.2

Rhode Island 96 83 86.8 - - 13 13.2

South Carolina 335 185 55.2 3 0.8 126 37.7

South Dakota 41 25 61.1 1 3.0 12 28.5

Tennessee 505 273 54.1 19 3.7 213 42.2

Texas 1,621 1,004 62.0 139 8.6 354 21.8

Utah 81 45 55.3 9 10.8 27 34.0

Vermont 42 41 98.8 0 0.8 0 0.4

Virgin Islands 13 - - 0 1.8 12 98.2

Virginia 353 190 53.8 40 11.3 120 33.9

Washington 518 333 64.3 93 17.9 92 17.8

West Virginia 167 118 70.7 6 3.5 43 25.8

Wisconsin 340 219 64.5 52 15.3 69 20.2

Wyoming 14 8 58.8 1 8.0 5 33.3

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
88

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 20,597 18,788 91.2 4,508 21.9 14,279 69.3

Alabama 372 371 99.9 62 16.7 310 83.3

Alaska 38 11 30.0 10 27.8 1 2.2

Arizona 382 382 99.9 56 14.7 326 85.2

Arkansas 165 37 22.2 34 20.6 3 1.7

California 1,963 1,963 100.0 416 21.2 1,546 78.8

Colorado 219 219 100.0 62 28.3 157 71.7

Connecticut 233 233 100.0 54 23.3 179 76.7

Delaware 68 68 100.0 14 20.9 54 79.1

District of Columbia 70 70 100.0 21 29.6 49 70.4

Florida 1,685 1,685 100.0 346 20.5 1,339 79.5

Georgia 746 746 100.0 108 14.5 637 85.5

Guam 15 15 100.0 2 10.4 14 89.6

Hawaii 85 85 100.0 25 29.6 60 70.4

Idaho 74 74 100.0 15 19.7 59 80.3

Illinois 969 969 100.0 165 17.0 805 83.0

Indiana 285 53 18.6 50 17.6 3 1.0

Iowa 169 169 100.0 31 18.4 138 81.6

Kansas 107 26 24.2 25 23.2 1 1.0

Kentucky 303 303 100.0 60 19.7 243 80.3

Louisiana 426 91 21.3 86 20.1 5 1.1

Maine 90 90 100.0 26 28.8 64 71.2

Maryland 356 356 100.0 94 26.5 262 73.5

Massachusetts 443 443 100.0 156 35.2 287 64.8

Michigan 718 718 100.0 134 18.6 584 81.4

Minnesota 217 217 100.0 88 40.3 130 59.7

Mississippi 243 243 100.0 52 21.5 191 78.5

Missouri 338 99 29.3 79 23.5 20 5.8

Montana 57 57 100.0 11 19.2 46 80.8

Nebraska 77 77 100.0 17 21.7 61 78.3

Nevada 223 223 100.0 35 15.6 188 84.4

New Hampshire 45 30 65.8 11 25.3 18 40.5

New Jersey 406 406 100.0 117 28.7 289 71.3

New Mexico 211 211 100.0 42 20.1 169 79.9

New York 1,592 1,592 100.0 599 37.6 993 62.4

North Carolina 718 718 100.0 121 16.8 597 83.2

North Dakota 25 25 100.0 5 18.9 20 81.1

Ohio 736 736 100.0 181 24.6 555 75.4

Oklahoma 270 270 100.0 52 19.4 217 80.6

Oregon 384 384 100.0 71 18.5 313 81.5

Pennsylvania 948 948 100.0 219 23.1 729 76.9

Rhode Island 96 96 100.0 23 24.2 73 75.8

South Carolina 335 335 100.0 60 17.8 275 82.2

South Dakota 41 12 28.7 9 22.4 3 6.3

Tennessee 505 113 22.4 105 20.9 8 1.5

Texas 1,621 1,621 100.0 213 13.1 1,408 86.9

Utah 81 17 21.6 13 16.3 4 5.3

Vermont 42 42 100.0 12 28.7 30 71.3

Virgin Islands 13 13 100.0 1 7.1 12 92.9

Virginia 353 98 27.7 93 26.3 5 1.4

Washington 518 518 100.0 132 25.5 386 74.5

West Virginia 167 167 100.0 38 22.9 129 77.1

Wisconsin 340 340 100.0 56 16.3 284 83.7

Wyoming 14 3 20.3 3 19.5 0 0.8

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
89

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 38.3 42.8 19.0 26.8 44.4 28.8 -11.5 1.6 9.8

Alabama 36.9 47.8 15.2 25.4 51.5 23.1 -11.6 3.7 7.9

Alaska 53.2 34.1 12.7 34.1 43.5 22.4 -19.1 9.4 9.7

Arizona 49.4 36.9 13.6 38.8 40.6 20.7 -10.7 3.6 7.0

Arkansas 37.0 51.4 11.6 23.7 58.0 18.3 -13.4 6.6 6.7

California 57.4 25.6 17.0 36.8 39.9 23.3 -20.5 14.3 6.3

Colorado 38.9 42.6 18.5 26.1 47.4 26.5 -12.9 4.9 8.0

Connecticut 32.5 40.5 27.0 24.5 35.6 39.9 -8.0 -5.0 12.9

Delaware 37.3 35.9 26.9 26.8 39.0 34.2 -10.4 3.1 7.3

District of Columbia 50.6 35.5 13.9 36.8 45.2 18.0 -13.8 9.6 4.1

Florida 33.4 45.8 20.8 23.2 46.9 29.9 -10.2 1.1 9.1

Georgia 43.3 41.4 15.2 31.3 45.4 23.4 -12.0 3.9 8.1

Guam 48.3 28.1 23.6 27.7 31.7 40.6 -20.6 3.7 16.9

Hawaii 36.3 50.5 13.2 14.3 56.9 28.9 -22.0 6.4 15.6

Idaho 31.2 52.4 16.4 21.3 49.9 28.8 -9.9 -2.6 12.5

Illinois 41.7 40.9 17.4 32.2 41.0 26.8 -9.6 0.1 9.4

Indiana 34.5 49.5 16.0 24.6 50.2 25.1 -9.8 0.8 9.1

Iowa 34.0 41.9 24.1 23.2 45.6 31.2 -10.7 3.7 7.0

Kansas 32.7 49.1 18.3 23.5 51.1 25.4 -9.1 2.0 7.1

Kentucky 45.3 46.0 8.8 34.9 51.4 13.7 -10.4 5.5 4.9

Louisiana 41.1 48.4 10.5 29.4 52.3 18.3 -11.7 3.9 7.8

Maine 15.8 51.0 33.2 9.7 45.6 44.8 -6.1 -5.5 11.6

Maryland 38.1 40.2 21.7 28.1 44.0 27.9 -10.0 3.8 6.2

Massachusetts 26.3 46.2 27.5 19.1 37.7 43.2 -7.2 -8.5 15.7

Michigan 33.3 44.6 22.1 24.9 42.6 32.5 -8.4 -2.0 10.4

Minnesota 34.7 41.9 23.3 28.3 39.4 32.2 -6.4 -2.5 8.9

Mississippi 37.7 49.7 12.6 26.8 54.9 18.3 -11.0 5.2 5.7

Missouri 35.8 49.1 15.1 25.3 50.9 23.8 -10.5 1.8 8.7

Montana 35.5 43.4 21.1 25.9 44.9 29.2 -9.6 1.5 8.1

Nebraska 33.7 49.2 17.2 24.4 47.2 28.4 -9.3 -2.0 11.3

Nevada 42.8 38.3 18.9 33.9 40.0 26.1 -8.9 1.7 7.2

New Hampshire 19.7 52.4 27.9 13.2 46.3 40.5 -6.5 -6.1 12.6

New Jersey 24.3 52.3 23.4 13.9 52.9 33.1 -10.4 0.7 9.7

New Mexico 40.3 45.8 13.9 30.1 48.5 21.4 -10.2 2.8 7.5

New York 25.9 49.6 24.5 12.8 35.9 51.3 -13.1 -13.7 26.8

North Carolina 41.9 39.9 18.2 31.5 44.6 23.9 -10.4 4.7 5.7

North Dakota 36.6 39.4 23.9 24.5 43.2 32.3 -12.2 3.7 8.4

Ohio 33.9 49.4 16.7 24.2 50.5 25.3 -9.7 1.1 8.6

Oklahoma 41.5 46.7 11.8 31.3 50.1 18.6 -10.1 3.4 6.7

Oregon 36.7 35.1 28.2 28.1 36.1 35.8 -8.6 1.0 7.6

Pennsylvania 25.2 47.9 26.9 16.2 47.3 36.5 -9.0 -0.5 9.6

Rhode Island 30.0 46.5 23.6 22.3 44.3 33.4 -7.6 -2.2 9.8

South Carolina 38.5 47.8 13.6 28.4 50.3 21.2 -10.1 2.5 7.6

South Dakota 37.0 45.7 17.3 28.6 42.8 28.6 -8.3 -2.9 11.3

Tennessee 45.2 44.4 10.4 34.4 48.6 17.0 -10.8 4.2 6.6

Texas 45.1 38.6 16.3 32.6 42.7 24.7 -12.5 4.1 8.3

Utah 43.0 42.6 14.4 31.3 44.1 24.6 -11.7 1.5 10.2

Vermont 21.1 43.8 35.2 12.6 28.4 59.0 -8.5 -15.4 23.9

Virgin Islands 60.7 25.8 13.6 40.7 36.7 22.6 -20.0 10.9 9.1

Virginia 39.5 48.4 12.1 27.3 53.4 19.3 -12.2 5.0 7.2

Washington 38.4 40.7 20.9 28.5 41.7 29.8 -9.9 1.0 8.9

West Virginia 35.9 47.4 16.6 26.6 49.5 24.0 -9.4 2.0 7.3

Wisconsin 27.6 42.0 30.4 21.2 36.1 42.7 -6.4 -5.9 12.3

Wyoming 37.9 51.1 10.9 28.4 54.6 17.1 -9.6 3.4 6.2

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
90

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 5,573 13.4 12,460 30.0 18,033 43.5 18,011 43.4 5,447 13.1

Alabama 105 13.2 253 31.9 358 45.1 353 44.5 83 10.5

Alaska 12 13.5 25 29.2 37 42.7 42 48.8 7 8.6

Arizona 131 15.4 264 31.0 396 46.4 372 43.7 84 9.9

Arkansas 58 15.6 123 32.8 182 48.4 162 43.3 31 8.3

California 616 15.2 1,411 34.8 2,027 50.0 1,705 42.1 322 8.0

Colorado 61 13.5 152 33.6 213 47.0 180 39.7 60 13.2

Connecticut 43 10.7 92 22.6 135 33.4 197 48.7 73 18.0

Delaware 20 14.1 42 30.3 62 44.3 62 44.6 15 11.1

District of Columbia 15 12.7 28 23.0 43 35.7 59 48.9 19 15.5

Florida 391 12.3 898 28.3 1,289 40.6 1,326 41.8 558 17.6

Georgia 225 14.0 516 32.3 741 46.3 694 43.4 165 10.3

Guam 9 19.1 17 37.8 26 57.0 16 34.8 4 8.2

Hawaii 23 14.1 44 26.3 67 40.5 70 42.0 29 17.5

Idaho 24 14.1 58 34.1 82 48.1 73 43.1 15 8.8

Illinois 237 12.7 536 28.7 773 41.4 850 45.6 242 13.0

Indiana 89 13.7 220 33.7 309 47.4 285 43.9 57 8.7

Iowa 51 14.1 108 30.1 158 44.3 166 46.6 33 9.2

Kansas 32 14.0 73 31.5 105 45.5 104 44.9 22 9.6

Kentucky 84 13.1 174 27.3 258 40.4 317 49.7 63 9.9

Louisiana 128 13.8 297 32.2 425 46.0 401 43.5 97 10.5

Maine 19 11.0 40 23.4 59 34.4 83 48.2 30 17.4

Maryland 91 13.5 199 29.5 290 43.1 285 42.3 99 14.6

Massachusetts 76 9.9 180 23.7 256 33.6 346 45.5 159 20.9

Michigan 163 12.1 354 26.3 517 38.4 667 49.6 162 12.0

Minnesota 60 13.8 135 31.0 194 44.8 183 42.1 57 13.1

Mississippi 69 13.0 188 35.3 257 48.3 224 42.0 52 9.7

Missouri 93 12.8 234 32.2 327 45.0 329 45.3 71 9.7

Montana 14 12.0 34 28.5 48 40.4 57 48.3 13 11.2

Nebraska 28 16.2 54 31.5 82 47.6 74 42.8 17 9.6

Nevada 59 13.6 124 28.6 184 42.2 200 46.0 51 11.8

New Hampshire 10 11.2 25 28.3 35 39.4 44 48.9 10 11.7

New Jersey 118 14.5 266 32.7 384 47.2 278 34.1 152 18.7

New Mexico 63 13.9 133 29.5 196 43.4 215 47.5 41 9.1

New York 306 10.7 676 23.6 982 34.2 1,193 41.6 695 24.2

North Carolina 176 13.3 373 28.2 549 41.5 607 45.8 169 12.7

North Dakota 8 16.2 15 28.3 23 44.5 22 42.6 7 12.8

Ohio 203 13.8 409 27.6 612 41.4 689 46.6 178 12.1

Oklahoma 83 14.0 181 30.4 264 44.4 271 45.6 59 10.0

Oregon 68 10.2 153 23.0 221 33.2 338 50.9 106 15.9

Pennsylvania 210 11.5 467 25.6 677 37.0 853 46.6 299 16.3

Rhode Island 15 9.8 35 22.4 50 32.2 77 49.7 28 18.1

South Carolina 100 14.0 244 34.1 344 48.1 286 40.1 85 11.9

South Dakota 15 16.4 28 30.5 43 46.9 41 44.3 8 8.8

Tennessee 146 14.2 300 29.1 445 43.3 484 47.1 99 9.6

Texas 632 16.4 1,429 37.1 2,061 53.5 1,365 35.4 424 11.0

Utah 35 17.4 69 34.5 105 51.9 83 41.2 14 6.9

Vermont 8 10.5 17 21.7 25 32.2 36 47.8 15 20.0

Virgin Islands 4 15.4 8 29.7 12 45.0 11 41.8 3 13.2

Virginia 111 15.0 219 29.5 330 44.5 315 42.5 96 13.0

Washington 105 11.4 248 26.8 353 38.2 439 47.5 132 14.3

West Virginia 38 11.4 81 24.4 118 35.8 169 51.2 43 13.1

Wisconsin 89 13.1 200 29.5 289 42.6 298 44.0 91 13.4

Wyoming 5 14.0 11 33.8 15 47.8 13 41.8 3 10.5

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
91

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 to 

49 without 

disabilities in 

childless 

householdse

Adults age 18 to 

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 611 1.5 3,928 9.5 4,539 10.9 3,221 7.8 8,492 20.5

Alabama 12 1.5 83 10.5 95 12.0 53 6.7 181 22.8

Alaska 1 0.8 4 5.0 5 5.8 10 11.9 21 24.3

Arizona 4 0.5 48 5.6 52 6.1 77 9.0 187 21.9

Arkansas 12 3.2 44 11.7 56 15.0 13 3.6 88 23.6

California - - 54 1.3 54 1.3 460 11.3 852 21.0

Colorado 3 0.6 37 8.3 40 8.9 29 6.4 88 19.6

Connecticut 7 1.7 50 12.3 57 14.0 43 10.5 76 18.8

Delaware 2 1.7 11 7.6 13 9.3 10 7.1 31 22.2

District of Columbia 3 2.1 14 11.3 16 13.4 15 12.6 22 18.0

Florida 70 2.2 293 9.2 363 11.4 184 5.8 636 20.0

Georgia 25 1.6 152 9.5 177 11.1 123 7.7 338 21.1

Guam - - 0 0.8 0 0.8 2 5.3 11 23.7

Hawaii 1 0.4 14 8.4 15 8.8 12 7.4 32 19.5

Idaho 2 1.3 19 11.3 21 12.6 8 4.7 42 24.7

Illinois 30 1.6 148 8.0 178 9.5 230 12.3 358 19.2

Indiana 12 1.9 79 12.1 91 14.0 29 4.4 150 23.1

Iowa 5 1.5 38 10.7 44 12.3 32 9.0 78 22.0

Kansas 4 1.6 29 12.7 33 14.3 11 4.6 53 22.8

Kentucky 13 2.1 82 12.8 95 14.9 60 9.4 145 22.6

Louisiana 25 2.7 89 9.6 113 12.3 76 8.3 181 19.7

Maine 2 1.1 33 19.1 35 20.3 6 3.7 37 21.5

Maryland 14 2.1 60 8.9 74 11.0 56 8.4 127 18.8

Massachusetts 14 1.8 127 16.7 141 18.6 62 8.2 135 17.7

Michigan 24 1.8 183 13.6 207 15.4 153 11.4 261 19.4

Minnesota 5 1.1 48 11.0 53 12.1 28 6.5 87 20.1

Mississippi 13 2.5 51 9.6 65 12.1 23 4.4 121 22.8

Missouri 6 0.8 97 13.4 103 14.2 38 5.2 161 22.1

Montana 1 1.0 13 11.1 14 12.1 10 8.2 28 23.7

Nebraska 3 1.5 17 10.0 20 11.5 10 5.9 40 23.4

Nevada 6 1.3 33 7.5 38 8.8 61 13.9 81 18.5

New Hampshire 1 1.3 19 21.0 20 22.3 3 3.5 19 21.3

New Jersey 7 0.8 75 9.3 82 10.1 30 3.7 136 16.7

New Mexico 2 0.5 36 8.0 39 8.5 51 11.2 106 23.4

New York 46 1.6 339 11.8 385 13.4 217 7.6 480 16.7

North Carolina 16 1.2 129 9.7 144 10.9 102 7.7 271 20.5

North Dakota 0 0.7 5 9.7 5 10.4 3 6.2 12 23.4

Ohio 15 1.0 202 13.7 218 14.7 92 6.2 315 21.3

Oklahoma 10 1.7 60 10.0 70 11.7 38 6.4 147 24.8

Oregon 7 1.0 72 10.8 78 11.7 91 13.7 126 19.0

Pennsylvania 47 2.6 269 14.7 316 17.3 120 6.6 365 20.0

Rhode Island 2 1.4 25 16.2 27 17.6 18 11.6 25 15.9

South Carolina 14 2.0 56 7.9 70 9.8 32 4.5 156 21.9

South Dakota 2 1.9 10 10.4 11 12.3 6 6.6 22 23.4

Tennessee 16 1.5 117 11.3 132 12.9 102 9.9 210 20.4

Texas 70 1.8 224 5.8 293 7.6 131 3.4 847 22.0

Utah 2 1.0 15 7.4 17 8.3 11 5.7 49 24.3

Vermont 1 1.8 13 17.2 14 18.9 5 6.3 14 18.6

Virgin Islands - - 0 1.6 0 1.6 3 10.4 6 23.9

Virginia 9 1.2 76 10.2 85 11.5 44 6.0 159 21.4

Washington 7 0.8 111 12.0 118 12.8 114 12.4 160 17.4

West Virginia 4 1.1 50 15.0 53 16.1 32 9.5 72 21.7

Wisconsin 15 2.2 72 10.7 88 12.9 48 7.1 140 20.6

Wyoming 0 0.8 3 8.4 3 9.2 1 4.1 8 24.8

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
92

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 41,491 100.0 37,911 100.0 1,779 100.0 390 100.0 1,411 100.0 3,418 100.0

Alabama 794 1.9 788 2.1 3 0.2 - - 3 0.2 24 0.7

Alaska 86 0.2 81 0.2 2 0.1 1 0.2 2 0.1 3 0.1

Arizona 852 2.1 778 2.1 30 1.7 6 1.7 38 2.7 97 2.8

Arkansas 375 0.9 373 1.0 0 0.0 - - 1 0.1 14 0.4

California 4,054 9.8 3,471 9.2 299 16.8 46 11.7 239 17.0 857 25.1

Colorado 452 1.1 420 1.1 13 0.7 5 1.2 14 1.0 43 1.3

Connecticut 404 1.0 371 1.0 19 1.1 2 0.5 13 0.9 20 0.6

Delaware 139 0.3 134 0.4 2 0.1 0 0.0 3 0.2 7 0.2

District of Columbia 122 0.3 118 0.3 2 0.1 - - 2 0.1 4 0.1

Florida 3,174 7.6 2,552 6.7 336 18.9 66 17.0 219 15.5 240 7.0

Georgia 1,600 3.9 1,531 4.0 25 1.4 18 4.5 26 1.9 112 3.3

Guam 45 0.1 42 0.1 2 0.1 - - 2 0.1 10 0.3

Hawaii 166 0.4 152 0.4 9 0.5 - - 5 0.4 12 0.3

Idaho 170 0.4 162 0.4 2 0.1 3 0.7 3 0.2 7 0.2

Illinois 1,865 4.5 1,744 4.6 65 3.7 7 1.9 48 3.4 128 3.7

Indiana 651 1.6 632 1.7 4 0.2 9 2.4 6 0.4 23 0.7

Iowa 357 0.9 339 0.9 7 0.4 9 2.3 2 0.2 18 0.5

Kansas 231 0.6 223 0.6 2 0.1 3 0.7 3 0.2 14 0.4

Kentucky 639 1.5 620 1.6 5 0.3 8 1.9 6 0.4 12 0.4

Louisiana 922 2.2 917 2.4 2 0.1 1 0.4 2 0.2 16 0.5

Maine 173 0.4 167 0.4 3 0.2 2 0.5 1 0.1 1 0.0

Maryland 674 1.6 633 1.7 16 0.9 8 2.1 17 1.2 43 1.3

Massachusetts 761 1.8 634 1.7 73 4.1 6 1.4 48 3.4 29 0.9

Michigan 1,346 3.2 1,274 3.4 36 2.0 18 4.5 18 1.2 46 1.3

Minnesota 434 1.0 375 1.0 31 1.7 22 5.8 5 0.4 26 0.8

Mississippi 533 1.3 532 1.4 - - - - 1 0.1 6 0.2

Missouri 726 1.8 714 1.9 6 0.3 1 0.3 6 0.4 15 0.4

Montana 118 0.3 116 0.3 0 0.0 1 0.1 1 0.0 1 0.0

Nebraska 173 0.4 159 0.4 3 0.1 9 2.4 2 0.2 14 0.4

Nevada 435 1.0 392 1.0 15 0.8 6 1.6 23 1.6 58 1.7

New Hampshire 90 0.2 84 0.2 2 0.1 3 0.7 1 0.1 1 0.0

New Jersey 814 2.0 678 1.8 87 4.9 3 0.8 47 3.3 126 3.7

New Mexico 453 1.1 431 1.1 3 0.2 1 0.4 16 1.2 31 0.9

New York 2,870 6.9 2,186 5.8 390 21.9 29 7.4 266 18.8 239 7.0

North Carolina 1,325 3.2 1,306 3.4 7 0.4 1 0.4 10 0.7 102 3.0

North Dakota 52 0.1 48 0.1 1 0.0 3 0.8 0 0.0 1 0.0

Ohio 1,479 3.6 1,431 3.8 15 0.8 20 5.0 14 1.0 19 0.5

Oklahoma 593 1.4 586 1.5 2 0.1 4 0.9 2 0.2 23 0.7

Oregon 665 1.6 630 1.7 16 0.9 5 1.4 13 0.9 42 1.2

Pennsylvania 1,829 4.4 1,787 4.7 2 0.1 19 5.0 20 1.4 44 1.3
Table B.16 (continued)

93

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 156 0.4 134 0.4 12 0.7 0 0.0 10 0.7 10 0.3

South Carolina 715 1.7 708 1.9 1 0.0 5 1.3 1 0.1 28 0.8

South Dakota 92 0.2 87 0.2 1 0.1 3 0.9 1 0.1 3 0.1

Tennessee 1,029 2.5 1,008 2.7 10 0.6 0 0.1 11 0.8 34 1.0

Texas 3,850 9.3 3,543 9.3 125 7.0 11 2.9 171 12.1 606 17.7

Utah 202 0.5 189 0.5 5 0.3 4 1.1 3 0.2 19 0.6

Vermont 76 0.2 72 0.2 1 0.1 2 0.4 1 0.0 1 0.0

Virgin Islands 26 0.1 21 0.1 3 0.2 0 0.0 2 0.1 2 0.1

Virginia 741 1.8 694 1.8 23 1.3 8 2.0 16 1.1 37 1.1

Washington 924 2.2 835 2.2 55 3.1 3 0.7 31 2.2 108 3.2

West Virginia 331 0.8 331 0.9 0 0.0 - - 0 0.0 1 0.0

Wisconsin 678 1.6 649 1.7 7 0.4 8 2.1 14 1.0 41 1.2

Wyoming 32 0.1 32 0.1 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
94

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 1,801 319 17.7 900 50.0 582 32.3

Alabama 3 0 11.3 2 46.4 1 42.3

Alaska 3 1 27.1 1 53.2 1 19.7

Arizona 45 6 12.7 23 52.0 16 35.2

Arkansas 1 - - 1 85.0 0 15.0

California 285 41 14.5 167 58.6 76 26.8

Colorado 19 3 18.2 7 37.8 8 44.0

Connecticut 15 2 10.4 4 30.2 9 59.4

Delaware 3 1 26.7 1 38.8 1 34.5

District of Columbia 2 0 3.2 1 58.0 1 38.8

Florida 285 48 16.7 160 56.0 78 27.3

Georgia 44 13 30.0 21 48.2 10 21.8

Guam 2 0 10.7 1 38.0 1 51.3

Hawaii 5 1 12.6 2 32.8 3 54.6

Idaho 6 2 29.3 3 53.8 1 16.8

Illinois 56 7 12.1 25 45.6 23 42.2

Indiana 15 6 39.3 8 50.7 2 10.0

Iowa 11 4 37.8 6 54.5 1 7.7

Kansas 6 1 25.5 3 60.3 1 14.2

Kentucky 14 5 37.3 7 53.5 1 9.2

Louisiana 4 1 23.9 2 62.1 1 14.0

Maine 3 1 40.1 2 57.0 0 2.9

Maryland 25 9 36.7 9 38.2 6 25.1

Massachusetts 53 9 16.7 20 37.6 24 45.7

Michigan 35 10 27.5 20 57.2 5 15.3

Minnesota 28 11 39.7 14 50.0 3 10.2

Mississippi 1 1 66.7 0 33.3 - -

Missouri 7 0 5.6 4 64.1 2 30.3

Montana 1 0 36.4 1 56.7 0 6.9

Nebraska 11 3 30.8 6 51.8 2 17.3

Nevada 29 6 21.9 15 51.2 8 26.9

New Hampshire 4 2 39.2 2 45.4 1 15.4

New Jersey 50 12 24.8 23 46.5 14 28.7

New Mexico 18 1 6.4 9 51.9 7 41.8

New York 295 40 13.7 118 40.1 136 46.2

North Carolina 12 1 8.8 5 45.0 5 46.2

North Dakota 4 1 41.5 2 58.5 - -

Ohio 33 8 23.8 20 60.5 5 15.7

Oklahoma 6 1 19.0 3 46.6 2 34.4

Oregon 19 1 6.7 11 57.8 7 35.4

Pennsylvania 39 9 22.3 18 45.4 13 32.3

Rhode Island 10 3 32.3 4 42.7 3 24.9

South Carolina 6 4 55.7 2 33.5 1 10.8

South Dakota 5 2 39.5 2 52.6 0 7.9

Tennessee 11 5 41.5 4 36.7 2 21.8

Texas 182 13 7.1 94 51.3 76 41.6

Utah 8 2 30.0 4 48.4 2 21.7

Vermont 2 1 40.1 1 46.5 0 13.4

Virgin Islands 2 1 27.6 1 59.2 0 13.2

Virginia 24 9 37.9 7 28.1 8 34.0

Washington 33 2 4.6 21 64.0 10 31.4

West Virginia 0 - - 0 100.0 - -

Wisconsin 22 8 36.4 10 42.5 5 21.1

Wyoming 0 - - 0 100.0 - -

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
APPENDIX B FOOTNOTES

97

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, 23,645 MFIP households 

and 627,138 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, 627,138 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 over households with a shelter deduction.

e With some exceptions, adult SNAP participants age 18 to 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 over 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, 795,786 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 and ethnicity categories. Reporting of 

race and ethnicity is voluntary and was missing for 17 percent of participants in fiscal year 

2017. As a result, race and ethnicity distributions for fiscal year 2017 are not comparable to 

distributions for years prior to fiscal year 2007.

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, 23,645 MFIP households 

and 627,138 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.
98

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 

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 2017 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 2017 SNAP PARAMETERS

101

Table C.1. 2016 Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) poverty income guidelines

Household size 

(individuals)

Contiguous United States,

Guam, and the Virgin Islands Alaska Hawaii

1 $11,880 $14,840 $13,670 

2 16,020 20,020 18,430

3 20,160 25,200 23,190

4 24,300 30,380 27,950

5 28,440 35,560 32,710

6 32,580 40,740 37,470

7 36,730 45,920 42,230

8 40,890 51,120 47,010

Each additional member +4,160 +5,200 +4,780

Source: 81 Federal Register 4036, January 25, 2016.

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 2017 SNAP gross and net monthly 

income eligibility standards.

Table C.2. SNAP maximum allowable gross monthly income eligibility standards in fiscal year 2017

Household size (individuals)

Contiguous United States, 

Guam, and the Virgin Islands Alaska Hawaii

1 $1,287 $1,608 $1,481

2 1,736 2,169 1,997

3 2,184 2,730 2,513

4 2,633 3,292 3,028

5 3,081 3,853 3,544

6 3,530 4,414 4,060

7 3,980 4,975 4,575

8 4,430 5,538 5,093

Each additional member +451 +564 +518

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Note: The fiscal year 2017 SNAP gross monthly income limits were based on the 2016 poverty guidelines issued 

by HHS (see Appendix Table C.1). FNS derived the fiscal year 2017 gross income limits by multiplying the 

2016 poverty guidelines by 130 percent, dividing the results by 12, and then rounding up to the nearest 

dollar. 
102

Table C.3. SNAP maximum allowable net monthly income eligibility standards in fiscal year 2017

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Note: The fiscal year 2017 SNAP net monthly income limits were based on the 2016 poverty guidelines issued by 

HHS (see Appendix Table C.1). FNS derived the fiscal year 2017 net income limits by dividing the 2016

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 2017

Deduction Contiguous 

United States Alaska Hawaii Guam

Virgin 

Islands

Standard deduction . . . . .

1 to 2 people $157 $268 $221 $315 $138

3 people 157 268 221 315 140

4 people 168 268 221 337 168

5 people 197 268 227 394 197

6 or more people 226 282 260 451 226

Maximum excess shelter 

expense deduction 517 826 697 607 408

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Notes: The Homeless Household Shelter Deduction was $143.

Certain State-specific programs did not apply all Federal SNAP deductions in the benefit calculation. Only 

the earnings deduction was used in the benefit calculation for MFIP households. No deductions were used 

for SSI-CAP households with standardized benefits. States with 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 $990 $1,237 $1,140

2 1,335 1,669 1,536

3 1,680 2,100 1,933

4 2,025 2,532 2,330

5 2,370 2,964 2,726

6 2,715 3,395 3,123

7 3,061 3,827 3,520

8 3,408 4,260 3,918

Each additional member +347 +434 +399
103

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

fiscal year 2017

Household size 

(individuals)

Contiguous 

United States

Alaska 

Urban

Alaska 

Rural I

Alaska 

Rural II Hawaii Guam

Virgin 

Islands

1 $194 $237 $302 $368 $354 $287 $250

2 357 435 554 675 650 526 459

3 511 622 794 966 931 753 657

4 649 790 1,008 1,227 1,182 957 835

5 771 939 1,197 1,457 1,404 1,136 991

6 925 1,127 1,437 1,749 1,685 1,364 1,189

7 1,022 1,245 1,588 1,933 1,862 1,507 1,315

8 1,169 1,423 1,815 2,209 2,128 1,723 1,503

Each additional 

member +146 +178 +227 +276 +266 +215 +188

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 

2016 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 2017

Household size 

(individuals)

Contiguous 

United 

States

Alaska 

Urban

Alaska 

Rural I

Alaska 

Rural II Hawaii Guam

Virgin 

Islands

1 to 2 people $16 $19 $24 $29 $28 $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

107

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 55,462 participating SNAP households and a separate State samples 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.33

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 2017 SNAP QC data file, an 

edited version of raw data files generated by the Quality Control System. The raw fiscal year 

2017 data are made up of monthly samples from October 2016 through September 2017. 

Households with an incomplete Quality Control review or those found ineligible for SNAP 

benefits were dropped from the edited data file. In addition, households from Rhode Island in 

June, July, and August, and households from the Virgin Islands in July were dropped from the 

edited data file to account for incomplete data as a result of computer systems issues and natural 

disasters, respectively.34 Of the 55,462 sample cases in the raw data file, 2,886 were determined

to be not subject to review (Appendix Table D.1). Of those cases subject to review, 6,200 did not 

 

33 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.

34 For detailed information on the editing and weighting of data for Rhode Island and the Virgin Islands, see 

Technical Documentation for the Fiscal Year 2017 SNAP QC Database and QC Minimodel (Lauffer et al. 2018). 

Available at https://host76.mathematica-mpr.com/fns/. 
108

undergo a complete review because the household failed to cooperate, could not be located, or all 

members had died or moved. An additional 786 households were found either ineligible for 

SNAP or eligible for SNAP but ineligible for a positive benefit and thus were dropped from the 

data file.

35 An additional 59 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 2017 SNAP QC file is 45,530. 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 

2017 SNAP 

QC sample

Percentage of 

cases 

sampled

Percentage of 

cases subject 

to review

Number of cases sampled 55,462 100.0 n.a.

Cases not subject to review 2,886 5.2 n.a.

Cases deselected to correct for oversampling 1 0.0 n.a.

Cases subject to review 52,575 94.8 100.0

Incomplete cases 6,200 11.2 11.8

Cases completed 46,375 83.6 88.2

Not eligible for SNAP 574 1.0 1.1

Not eligible for a positive benefit 212 0.4 0.4

Eligible for a positive benefit 45,589 82.2 86.7

Dropped due to unresolved inconsistencies 59 0.1 0.1

SNAP households in the final file 45,530 82.1 86.6

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 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 2017, the completion rate was 88 percent, 3 percentage points lower than in fiscal 

year 2016. 

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 2017 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 

 

35 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 over-issuance equal to 

or greater than the recorded benefit.
109

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 59 records in the raw data file. These 59

records were therefore dropped from the edited data file.
110

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

SNAP households

State Number Percent

Total 45,530 100.0

Alabama 1,060 2.3

Alaska 554 1.2

Arizona 797 1.8

Arkansas 1,074 2.4

California 861 1.9

Colorado 798 1.8

Connecticut 858 1.9

Delaware 763 1.7

District of Columbia 916 2.0

Florida 989 2.2

Georgia 988 2.2

Guam 455 1.0

Hawaii 729 1.6

Idaho 1,007 2.2

Illinois 1,041 2.3

Indiana 940 2.1

Iowa 950 2.1

Kansas 946 2.1

Kentucky 1,200 2.6

Louisiana 820 1.8

Maine 910 2.0

Maryland 776 1.7

Massachusetts 968 2.1

Michigan 914 2.0

Minnesota 1,031 2.3

Mississippi 1,013 2.2

Missouri 871 1.9

Montana 778 1.7

Nebraska 894 2.0

Nevada 995 2.2

New Hampshire 667 1.5

New Jersey 798 1.8

New Mexico 964 2.1

New York 919 2.0

North Carolina 997 2.2

North Dakota 479 1.1

Ohio 988 2.2

Oklahoma 1,017 2.2

Oregon 939 2.1

Pennsylvania 835 1.8

Rhode Island 681 1.5

South Carolina 980 2.2

South Dakota 719 1.6

Tennessee 1,019 2.2

Texas 1,010 2.2

Utah 874 1.9

Vermont 689 1.5

Virgin Islands 202 0.4

Virginia 740 1.6

Washington 950 2.1

West Virginia 850 1.9

Wisconsin 970 2.1

Wyoming 347 0.8

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
111

WEIGHTING

The estimates for fiscal year 2017 in this report are based on a sample of 45,530 valid

observations. The sample records have been weighted to match SNAP Program Operations totals 

after adjustment to remove households ineligible for benefits as well as those receiving benefits 

issued through the SNAP disaster assistance program, as these households are not included in the 

SNAP QC data file.

36 The weighting procedure matches to SNAP Program Operations totals for 

(1) the monthly number of participating households by State and stratum, (2) the monthly 

number of participants by State, and (3) the monthly total benefits issued by State.

37 Appendix 

Table D.3 compares the Quality Control System sample-based estimates to aggregate program 

participation data for fiscal year 2017.

The fiscal year 2017 weighting methodology is similar to that used for the fiscal year 2003 

through fiscal year 2016 SNAP QC data files.38 However, it differs from the weighting 

methodology used in the development of the SNAP QC data files prior to fiscal year 2003. 

SNAP QC data files before fiscal year 2003 are weighted to match the monthly number of SNAP 

households by State and stratum, unadjusted for ineligible households or the disaster assistance 

program.

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

Fiscal year 2017

Average monthly value Program data

Adjustments 

for disaster 

assistance a

Adjustments 

for ineligible 

households

Edited SNAP 

QC data file

Number of households 20,836,042 26,844 212,314 20,596,884

Number of participants 42,123,374 75,496 556,940 41,490,938

Value of benefits (dollars) 5,300,305,762 60,431,643 189,318,172 5,050,555,947

Average household size 2.02 2.81 2.62 2.01

Average benefit per person (dollars) 125.83 - 339.93 121.73

Average benefit per household (dollars) 254.38 - 891.69 245.21

Sources: Fiscal Year 2017 Program Operations Data and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality 

Control data file.

a Adjustments are made for households and individuals who received disaster SNAP assistance only. 

Adjustments are made to benefits for disaster SNAP benefits issued to disaster SNAP households as well as 

replacement benefits issued to qualifying ongoing SNAP households. As a result, the average disaster SNAP 

benefit per person cannot be calculated from the information in this table.

 

36 The adjusted total number of households and benefits are lower than Program Operations data figures by about 1 

and 5 percent, respectively.

37 Estimates for Rhode Island and the Virgin Islands are weighted across 9 months, instead of 12 months as in all 

other states. For detailed information on the editing and weighting of data for Rhode Island and the Virgin Islands, 

see Technical Documentation for the Fiscal Year 2017 SNAP QC Database and QC Minimodel (Lauffer et al. 

2018). Available at https://host76.mathematica-mpr.com/fns/. 

38 The fiscal year 2003 and fiscal year 2004 SNAP QC data files were previously weighted to match the disasterand error-adjusted 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.
112

COMPARISON TO REPORTED DATA

Appendix Table D.4 compares the reported and calculated values of selected variables for 

fiscal year 2017. Reported values and averages reflect those in the SNAP QC data file before any 

editing has taken place. Calculated values and averages are based on the edited data file used for 

this report. 

Table D.4. 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 837 1,333 915 1,054 1,022

Reported 837 1,333 915 1,054 1,022

.Average net income (dollars) a. . . . .

Calculated 384 629 440 505 496

Reported 379 620 432 498 495

.Average total deduction (dollars) b. . . . .

Calculated 550 752 553 641 561

Reported 549 753 551 639 560

.Average SNAP benefit (dollars)c. . . . .

Calculated 245 296 125 392 185

Reported 245 296 125 390 184

.Percentage with zero gross income . . . . .

Calculated 19.0 0.0 6.3 13.7 0.0

Reported 19.1 0.1 6.3 13.9 0.0

.Percentage with zero net income . . . . .

Calculated 35.7 20.7 17.0 33.4 13.2

Reported 38.9 21.7 24.4 34.6 17.0

Percentage with minimum benefit . . . . .

Calculated 8.8 7.5 20.0 1.8 12.0

Reported 8.5 7.0 19.5 1.7 11.6

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control data file.

a Because net income is not used in their benefit determination, 23,645 households participating in MFIP and 627,138

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, 627,138 SSI-CAP households in States that use 

standardized SSI-CAP benefits are excluded from this comparison.

c Reported benefit adjusted for reported over-issuance errors, under-issuance errors, and partial benefits received in 

the initial certification month.
APPENDIX E

SAMPLING ERROR OF ESTIMATES

115

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.39 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.

 

39 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 2017 

n  45,530

. Sample sizes for selected demographic subgroups for fiscal year 2017 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 (45,530) by the ratio of the subgroup population size to the total 

population size (

N

). For example, in fiscal year 2017, 

N  20,597,000

and there were 4,955,000 elderly 

households (households with at least one or more elderly individuals). Thus, the approximate sample size for elderly 

households in fiscal year 2017 would be calculated as

(4,955,000/20,597,000) (45,530) 10,953 x 

. In this case, 

the approximation can be compared to the true sample size of households with elderly individuals of 10,395, as 

shown in Appendix Table E.1.
116

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 2017 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.40 For example, the estimated 

number of SNAP households that receive the minimum benefit is 1,813,000 (Appendix Table 

A.1) and the corresponding standard error is 38,938 (Appendix Table E.1). The 95 percent 

confidence interval thus extends from 1,735,000 to 1,891,000.41

For standard errors not shown in Appendix Table E.1, the approximate standard error (

E

S

) 

of an estimated number of households for fiscal year 2017 can be calculated using Equation (3):

(3)

E N S S d  ,

where 

N

S

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.42 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, 1.44.

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, 844,000 households with elderly individuals have zero net 

income. 

 

40 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.

41 Calculated as: 

(1,813,000 (2 38,938)) 1,735,000   x

and 

(1,813,000 (2 38,938)) 1,891,000   x .

42 The variance and naive variance are the standard error and naive standard error squared, respectively.
117

The next step is to calculate the naive standard error. Using Equations (1) and (2), the value 

is 18,256.43 Multiplying 18,256 by the square root of the design effect (d), 1.58, from Appendix 

Table E.2 yields an estimated standard error of 28,934.

STANDARD ERRORS OF ESTIMATED PERCENTAGES

Comparing Equations (1) and (2), it is apparent that the standard error of an estimated 

percentage of households, 

p S

, is equal to the standard error of the corresponding count of 

households, 

N

S

, 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 8,588,000 households with children, 

1,180,000 (13.7 percent) have no gross income. The standard error (

N S

) of the number of 

households with children with no gross income is 32,684 (Appendix Table E.1). To calculate 

p S ,

the standard error of the corresponding percentage estimate, simply divide 

N S

by the number of 

households in the population that forms the base of the percentage—in this case, 8,588,000 

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 13.0 to 

14.5 percent around the point estimate of 13.7 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 4,955,000 households with elderly 

individuals, 844,000 (17.0 percent) have zero net income. Dividing the adjusted naive standard 

error (calculated above as 18,256) by 4,955,000 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 2017 are provided in 

Appendix Table E.3. For example, the standard error of the mean gross income for all SNAP 

households in fiscal year 2017 is $2.80 (Appendix Table E.3) and the mean itself is $837 

(Appendix Table A.2). Therefore, a 95 percent confidence interval extends from approximately 

$831 to $843.

 

43 Equation (1): 

[(844,000/4,955,000) (1 (844,000/4,955,000 x x x     )) (4,955,000 10,395)]/[(10,395 1) 4,955,000] 0.00368

Equation (2):

4,955,000 0.00368 18,256 x  ,

where 4,955,000 is the estimated population of elderly households, 844,000 is the estimated population of elderly 

households with zero net income, 10,395 is the sample size of elderly households (Appendix Table E.1), and 18,256

is the standard error.
118

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 

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.
119

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

Schoolage 

children

Non-elderly 

individuals 

with 

disabilities

Sample 

size

Estimated 

population 

(000)

All SNAP households 59.13 75.95 38.94 65.24 59.93 63.55 57.37 55.20 45,530 20,597

With elderly 

individuals 17.35 28.96 29.39 21.22 59.93 12.94 12.25 10.20 10,395 4,955

Without elderly 

individuals 58.94 70.12 28.65 65.39 0.00 64.75 57.99 54.41 35,135 15,642

With children 32.68 45.31 13.16 55.72 12.94 63.55 57.37 30.40 19,023 8,588

With school-age 

children 26.70 39.92 11.80 49.73 12.25 57.37 57.37 29.63 15,108 6,847

Without children 51.92 69.84 37.42 38.54 58.09 0.00 0.00 46.82 26,507 12,009

With earnings 0.00 36.45 24.87 65.24 21.22 55.72 49.73 22.03 14,027 6,477

With non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities 1.14 21.77 21.27 22.03 10.20 30.40 29.63 55.20 10,510 4,289

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

Note: Standard errors were estimated using the bootstrap method.
120

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

Schoolage 

children

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities

Average 

square root 

of design 

effect

All SNAP 

households 1.56 1.64 1.42 1.46 1.45 1.34 1.26 1.41 1.44

With elderly 

individuals 1.47 1.58 1.51 1.67 n.a. 1.42 1.43 1.47 1.51

Without elderly 

individuals 1.68 1.70 1.54 1.61 n.a. 1.56 1.40 1.47 1.57

With children 1.52 1.54 1.59 1.80 1.45 n.a. 2.29 1.41 1.66

With school-age 

children 1.50 1.56 1.66 1.80 1.46

n.a. n.a.

1.46 1.57

Without children 1.68 1.96 1.47 1.49 1.61 n.a. n.a. 1.45 1.61

With earnings n.a. 1.64 1.73 n.a. 1.68 2.30 1.85 1.52 1.79

With non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities 1.39 1.54 1.56 1.65 1.59 1.62 1.63 n.a. 1.57

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 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.
121

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 2.80 2.03 0.38 2.30 0.58 0.00 0.06 8.47 8.60 4.23 1.92

With elderly 

individuals 6.87 6.10 1.52 5.11 1.51 0.01 0.15 32.51 25.20 7.27 4.96

Without elderly 

individuals 3.66 2.73 0.81 2.55 0.62 0.01 0.05 9.00 8.92 5.28 1.85

With children 7.87 6.90 2.16 3.51 0.97 0.03 0.03 11.93 8.72 10.81 2.42

With school-age 

children 9.79 8.50 2.58 3.83 1.18 0.03 0.03 14.16 10.54 11.50 2.76

Without children 5.13 3.87 0.78 2.88 0.71 0.00 0.09 15.80 20.47 4.67 2.87

With earnings 8.94 8.26 2.15 3.83 1.21 0.02 0.05 8.47 16.56 16.36 2.73

With non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities 7.08 7.35 2.15 4.40 1.20 0.02 0.16 28.72 12.65 5.21 4.15

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

Note: Standard errors were estimated using the bootstrap method.

a For households with a nonzero amount.
122

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

20,597 (All SNAP households) 0.9 0.2 3.4

4,955 (Households with elderly individuals) 2.4 0.7 7.8

8,588 (Households with children) 1.3 0.3 4.7

6,477 (Households with earnings) 1.7 0.5 5.2

4,289 (Households with non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities) 2.0 0.7 7.2

Source: Fiscal Year 2017 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

125

(Page 1)
126

(Page 2)
127

(Page 3)
128

(Page 4)
INDEX

131

INDEX

Page(s)

Able-bodied adults....................(see Non-elderly adults without disabilities and without children)

Age..................................................................................................3, 6, 7, 13, 16-19, 21-23, 29-34,

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 Act of 2014 (2014 Farm Bill) ...............................................................................3, 29

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)...........................................11, 27, 29 

Asset limit......................................................................................................... (see Resource limit) 

Assets, countable...................................................................................................... (see Resources) 

Asylees.......................................................................................................................................7, 32

Benefits....................................................................1-11, 13-17, 20-24, 29-34, 107-109, 111, 116, 

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, 16, 23, 24, 29, 31-33, 108, 

Tables A.1, A.2, A.8-A.12, A.17, A.19, C.5, C.6 

Minimum........................................................................................................ 9, 23, 31, 32, 116, 

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..............................................................................................................................21, 22

Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE)..................................................4, 27, 29, Table A.29

Categorically eligible households....................................................... 3, 4, 6, 9, 29, 32, Table B.12

Certification period (see also Expedited service, Recertification)......................................8, 29, 31, 

Tables A.2, A.12, A.15, A.18, A.20, B.2, E.3 

Child support income .................................................................................. 15, 34, Tables A.6, A.7

Child support payment deduction ...................................... 5, 29, 33, Tables A.9-A.11, A.17-A.20

Children........................................ 3, 5, 7, 13-23, 29-34, 117, 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 (see also Noncitizen)............................................................................ 7, 21, 22, 30-32, 

Tables A.1, A.2, A.22, A.23, A.27, B.16, B.17

Contributions...................................................................................................... 34, Tables A.6, A.7

Countable resources..........................................................3, 6, 8, 29, 30, 32, Tables A.5, A.17, E.3
132

Deductions .......................................... 5, 6, 9, 10, 24, 29-33, 108-109, 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, 29, 33, Tables A.9-A.11, A.17-A.20

Dependent care...............................................................5, 30, 33, Tables A.9-A.11, A.17-A.20

Earned income .......................................................5, 30, 33, Tables A.9-A.11, A.17-A.20, B.8

Excess shelter expense .........6, 10, 29, 30, 32, 33, Tables A.9-A.11, A.17-A.20, B.4, C.4, E.3

Medical expense.............................................................5, 31, 33, Tables A.9-A.11, A.17-A.20

Standard ................................................................................. 5, 10, 33, Tables A.17, A.19, C.4

Deemed income ........................................................................................... 30, 34, Tables A.6, A.7

Dependent care deduction....................................................5, 30, 33, Tables A.9-A.11, A.17-A.20

Deportees ...................................................................................................(see Stay of deportation)

Earned income .................................................................... 6, 10, 14, 15, 17-19, 21, 23, 29, 30, 33,

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, 30, 33, Tables A.9-A.11, A.17-A.20, B.8

Educational loans................................................................................................. 4, Tables A.6, A.7

Elderly individuals ................3-6, 8, 9, 13, 14, 16-23, 30-33, 116, 117, 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

Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT)...........................................................................1, 10, 27, 30, 33

Energy assistance ..................................................................................... 4, 29, 34, Tables A.6, A.7

Entrant households........................................................................................... 30, Tables A.13, B.9

Excess shelter expense deduction .....................................................................6, 10, 29, 30, 32, 33, 

Tables A.9-A.11, A.17-A.20, B.4, C.4, E.3

Expedited service households...................................................................... 8, 30, Tables A.13, B.9

Gender................................................................................................. 21, Tables A.23, A.24, A.29

General Assistance (GA) ......................................................................4, 18, 19, 27, 29, 30, 32, 34, 

Tables A.1, A.2, A.6-A.10, A.16-A.20, B.6, B.7

Gross income .........................3-6, 8-10, 13-21, 23, 24, 29, 30, 33, 108, 109, 117, 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...................................................................................................4, 30, Table C.2

Homeless household shelter estimate ......................................................................6, 30, Table C.4
133

Household composition ...........................................................................................9, 13-22, 30-33, 

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............................ 15, 16, 18-20, 31, Tables A.14-A.16

Single adult with children households.......................15, 16, 18-20, 33, Tables A.14-A.16, B.5

Household head......................................................................... 15, 31-32, Tables A.21, A.25, B.10

Household size.................................5, 9, 10, 13, 15, 16, 20, 23, 30-33, 108, 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, 13, 14, 32, 107, 111, 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....................... 3-6, 8-10, 13-21, 23, 24, 27, 29-34, 108, 109, 116, 117, 

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.......................................................................................... 15, 34, Tables A.6, A.7

Earned ........................................................................... 6, 10, 14, 15, 17-19, 21, 23, 29, 30, 33, 

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, 18, 19, 27, 29, 30, 32, 34, 

Tables A.1, A.2, A.6-A.10, A.16-A.20, B.6, B.7

Gross................................3-6, 8-10, 13-21, 23, 24, 29, 30, 33, 108, 109, 117, 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 ................................ 3-5, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 24, 30-33, 108, 109, 116, 117, 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 .................. 15-17, 21, 31, 34, Tables A.1, A.2, A.6-A.10, A.16-A.20, B.6, B.7

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)........ 4, 8-10, 15-19, 21, 27, 29-34, 108, 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 to Needy Families (TANF) .......... 4, 6-8, 10, 14, 15, 18, 19, 23, 27, 29, 

32-34, Tables A.1, A.2, A.6-A.10, A.12, A.16-A.22, A.27, B.6, B.7, E.3

Unearned............................................................29, 34, Tables A.1, A.2, A.6-A.10, A.17-A.20

Initial certification households...........................................................................8, 9, 31, Table A.13

Lawful permanent resident noncitizens......................................................................... 7, 21, 31-32

Married-head households......................................................... 15-16, 18-20, 31, Tables A.14-A.16

Maximum benefit...................................................................... 2, 9, 10, 16, 23, 24, 29, 31-33, 108, 

Tables A.1, A.2, A.8-A.12, A.17, A.19, C.5, C.6 

Medical expense deduction..................................................5, 31, 33, Tables A.9-A.11, A.17-A.20

Medical deduction demonstrations......................................................................................5, 10, 33

Metropolitan households.............................................................................. 31, 32, Tables A.1, A.2 
134

Micropolitan households.............................................................................. 31, 32, Tables A.1, A.2 

Minimum benefit .................................................... 9, 23, 31, 32, 116, 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, 27, 30, 32, 108, Tables C.4, D.4

Net income .......................... 3-5, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 24, 30-33, 108, 109, 116, 117, 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, 32, Table C.3

Noncitizens ..................................7, 21, 22, 30-32, Tables A.1, A.2, A.22, A.23, A.27, B.16, B.17

Asylees.................................................................................................................................7, 32

Lawful permanent resident noncitizens................................................................... 7, 21, 31-32

Nonimmigrant visitors to the United States.........................................................................7, 32

Refugees......................................................................... 7, 21, 22, 32, Tables A.22, A.23, B.16

Stay of deportation...............................................................................................................7, 32

Non-elderly adults ..........................................17, 21, 22, 32, Tables A.23, A.25, A.26, A.29, B.15

Non-elderly adults without disabilities and without children ........................ 17-19, 22, 23, 33, 34, 

Tables A.1, A.2, A.14-A.16, A.23, A.26, B.5, B.15

Non-elderly individuals with disabilities....................13, 14, 17-23, 33, 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...............................................................................7, 32

Nonparticipating household head ........................................................ 32, Tables A.21, A.22, A.25 

Participants.............................................................................7-14, 17, 21-23, 30, 33, 34, 107, 111, 

Tables A.1, A.14, A.23-A.26, A.29, B.1, B.14-B.17 

Poverty, individuals in ......................................................................................... 11-15, Table B.13

Poverty guidelines....................................................3, 4, 13, 14, 23, 30, 32, Tables A.1-A.5, A.15, 

A.18, A.20, A.28, B.2, B.3, B.13, C.2, C.3

Preschool-age children.......22, 32, Tables A.1, A.2, A.5, A.9, A.10, A.17-A.19, A.23, A.26, B.14

Prorated benefit........................................................................................................................21, 22

Pure Public Assistance (PA)..................................................................................4, 32, Table B.12

Race/Hispanic status............................................................................ 22, Tables A.21, A.23, B.10

Recertification........................................................................................................8, 29, Table A.13

Refugees............................................................................... 7, 21, 22, 32, Tables A.22, A.23, B.16

Resource limit ................................................................................................................3, 4, 6, 8, 32
135

Rural....................................................................................................32, Tables A.1, A.2, C.5, C.6

School-age children ................................................... 21, 22, 32, 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 ......................................................................... 30, Tables A.6, A.7, A.25

Sex ................................................................................................................................(see Gender) 

Shelter deduction .................................................................(see Excess shelter expense deduction)

Single adult with children households.............................15, 16, 18-20, 33, Tables A.14-A.16, B.5

Single-person households....... 3, 16-21, 31, 33, Tables A.4, A.5, A.14-A.17, A.19, A.24, C.1-C.6

Social Security ....................... 15-17, 21, 31, 34, Tables A.1, A.2, A.6- A.10, A.16-A.20, B.6, B.7

Social Security Administration (SSA).................................................................................9, 27, 33

SSI-Combined Application Project (SSI-CAP)....................... 8-10, 27, 30, 32, 33, 108, Table C.4

Standard deduction....................................................................... 5, 10, 33, Tables A.17, A.19, C.4

Standard error............................................................................................. 115-118, Tables E.1-E.4

Standard utility allowance (SUA)..............................................................6, 10, 27, 33, Table B.11

State diversion payments ...........................................................................................................4, 34

States.......................... 1, 4-10, 29-31, 33, 34, 107, 108, 111, Tables A.29, B.1-B.17, C.1-C.6, D.2 

Stay of deportation.....................................................................................................................7, 32

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)..........................................4, 8-10, 15-19, 21, 27, 29-34, 108, 

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 to Needy Families (TANF) .....4, 6-8, 10, 14, 15, 18, 19, 23, 27, 29, 32-34, 

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, 29, 31, 33, Tables A.24, C.5

Unearned income .....................................................29, 34, Tables A.1, A.2, A.6-A.10, A.17-A.20

Unemployment income.................................................................................. 7, 34, Tables A.6, A.7

Veterans’ benefits .................................................................................... 7, 31, 34, Tables A.6, A.7

Wage supplementation....................................................................................... 34, Tables A.6, A.7

Wages................................................................................................................. 30, Tables A.6, A.7

Work registration ...........................................................................................31, 33, 34, Table A.25

Work requirements and a time limit ................................................7, 8, 17, 31, 33, 34, Table B.15

Workers’ compensation ............................................................................... 31, 34, Tables A.6, A.7