United States

Department of

Agriculture

Nutrition Assistance Program Report Series

The Office of Policy Support

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

Characteristics of Supplemental 

Nutrition 

Households: Fiscal Year 20

Food and 

Nutrition 

Service 

Nutrition Assistance Program Report Series

Policy Support

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Report No. SNAP

Characteristics of Supplemental 

Nutrition Assistance Program 

Households: Fiscal Year 20

February 

Nutrition Assistance Program Report Series

Report No. SNAP-14-CHAR 

Characteristics of Supplemental 

Assistance Program 

Households: Fiscal Year 2012 

February 2014
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United States

Department of

Agriculture

Characteristics of Supplemental 

Nutrition Assistance Program 

Households: Fiscal Year 20

Authors:

Kelsey Farson Gray and Esa Eslami

Submitted by:

Mathematica Policy Research

1100 1st Street, N.E., 12th Floor

Washington, D.C. 20002-4221

Project Director: Karen Cunnyngham

This study was conducted under Contract 

Nutrition Service. 

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

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

Suggested Citation:

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

Characteristics of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Households: Fiscal Year 20

Kelsey Farson Gray and Esa Eslami

Food and 

Nutrition 

Service 

February

Supplemental Nutrition 

Assistance Program

Report No. SNAP

Characteristics of Supplemental 

Nutrition Assistance Program 

Households: Fiscal Year 20

Eslami

Submitted to:

Office of Policy Support 

12th Floor USDA, Food and Nutrition Service

3101 Park Center Drive, Suite 

Alexandria, VA 22302-1500

Karen Cunnyngham Project Officer: Jenny Genser

This study was conducted under Contract Number AG-3198-K-13-0006 with the Food and 

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

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

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

Characteristics of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Households: Fiscal Year 20

Esa Eslami. Project Officer, Jenny Genser. Alexandria, VA: 

February 2014

Supplemental Nutrition 

Assistance Program

Report No. SNAP-14-CHAR

 

Characteristics of Supplemental 

Nutrition Assistance Program 

Households: Fiscal Year 2012 

USDA, Food and Nutrition Service

Suite 1014 

1500

Jenny Genser

with the Food and 

Office of Policy Support, 

Characteristics of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Households: Fiscal Year 2012, by 

Project Officer, Jenny Genser. Alexandria, VA: 2014. 
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
v 

This report was prepared by Kelsey Farson Gray and Esa Eslami of Mathematica Policy 

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

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

Karen Cunnyngham, Carole Trippe, Joshua Leftin, and Ronette Briefel for providing guidance and 

reviewing the report; Katherine Bencio, Kai Filion, Daisy Ewell, and Joel Smith for providing 

programming support; and Felita Buckner for preparing the manuscript. The authors also thank 

Jenny Genser, Kelly Kinnison, Kathryn Law, Michael DePiro, Moira Johnston, Nick Manthos, and 

Jackie Windfeldt of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service for providing 

guidance and program information. 

Authors: Kelsey Farson Gray and Esa Eslami 

Mathematica Project Director: Karen Cunnyngham 

Mathematica Project Number: 40202.400 

FNS Project Officer: Jenny Genser 

FNS Contract Number: AG-3198-K-13-0006

 February 2014 
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vii

CONTENTS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nonfinancial Eligibility Standards.............................................................6

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

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

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

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

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

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

3 CHARACTERISTICS OF SNAP HOUSEHOLDS AND PARTICIPANTS ....................13

The Poverty Status of SNAP Households.......................................................13

Households with Special Needs....................................................................14

Households with Children......................................................................16

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

Households with Disabled Nonelderly Individuals ..................................20

Other Households Served by SNAP.........................................................20

Single-Person Households......................................................................20

Characteristics of SNAP Participants.............................................................21

Changes in the Economic Conditions of SNAP Households ...........................21

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

APPENDIX A: DETAILED TABLES OF SNAP HOUSEHOLD CHARACTERISTICS..................33

APPENDIX B: DETAILED TABLES OF SNAP HOUSEHOLDS BY STATE..............................65

APPENDIX C: FISCAL YEAR 2012 SNAP PARAMETERS ..................................................85

APPENDIX D: SOURCE AND RELIABILITY OF ESTIMATES ..............................................93

APPENDIX E: SAMPLING ERROR OF ESTIMATES.........................................................101

APPENDIX F: DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENT........................................................111

APPENDIX G: PREVIOUS REPORTS IN THIS SERIES......................................................117

INDEX......................................................................................................................121
ix

TABLES

TEXT TABLES

2.1 Major Economic Indicators, Calendar Years 1997–2012 .........................12

3.1 Distribution of Households and Their Benefits by Countable 

Income as a Percentage of Poverty Guideline, Fiscal Year 2012..............15

3.2 Household Composition and Selected Characteristics of 

Participating Households, Fiscal Year 2012............................................18

3.3 Average Values of Selected Characteristics by Household 

Composition, Fiscal Year 2012 ..............................................................19

3.4 SNAP Benefits of Participants by Selected Demographic 

Characteristics, Fiscal Year 2012 ...........................................................22

3.5 Nominal and Real Values of Selected Characteristics, Fiscal Year 

2011 and Fiscal Year 2012 ....................................................................23

APPENDIX A TABLES

Summary Characteristics 

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

by Household Composition, Locality, Countable Income Source, 

and SNAP Benefit Amount......................................................................35

A.2 Average Gross Countable Income as a Percentage of Poverty 

Guideline, Gross and Net Countable Income, Total Deduction, SNAP 

Benefit, Household Size, and Certification Period of Participating 

Households by Household Composition, Locality, Countable 

Income Source, and SNAP Benefit Amount .............................................36

Income, Poverty Status, and Resources

A.3 Distribution of Participating Households with Children, Elderly 

Individuals, and Disabled Nonelderly Individuals by Amount of 

Gross and Net Countable Income, Countable Resources, and Gross 

and Net Countable Income as a Percentage of Poverty Guideline............37

A.4 Distribution of Participating Households by Household Size and 

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

and Net Income as a Percentage of Poverty Guideline ............................38
x

APPENDIX A TABLES (continued)

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

Countable Income as a Percentage of Poverty Guideline, Average 

Countable Resources, and Average Benefit of Participating 

Households by Household Composition and Size...................................39

A.6 Distribution of Participating Households with Children, Elderly 

Individuals, and Disabled Nonelderly Individuals by Type of 

Countable Income .................................................................................40

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

Size of Participating Households by Type of Countable Income..............41

A.8 Distribution of Participating Households with Children, Elderly 

Individuals, and Disabled Nonelderly Individuals by Countable 

Earned and Unearned Income Amounts..................................................42

SNAP Deductions

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

Household Composition, Countable Income Source, and SNAP 

Benefit Amount......................................................................................44

A.10 Average Values of Deductions of Participating Households by 

Household Composition, Countable Income Source, and SNAP 

Benefit Amount......................................................................................45

A.11 Distribution of Participating Households by Selected Household 

Characteristics and Amount of Deduction..............................................46

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.................48

Household Composition

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

Action and Expedited Service.................................................................49

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

by Household Composition....................................................................50

A.15 Average Gross Countable Income as a Percentage of Poverty 

Guideline, Gross and Net Countable Income, Total Deduction, SNAP 

Benefit, Household Size, and Certification Period of Participating 

Households by Household Composition.................................................51
xi

APPENDIX A TABLES (continued)

A.16 Distribution of Participating Households by Countable Income Type 

and Household Composition..................................................................52

A.17 Distribution of Participating Households with Children, Elderly 

Individuals, and Disabled Nonelderly Individuals by Selected 

Characteristics.......................................................................................53

A.18 Average Values of Selected Characteristics for Participating 

Households with Children, Elderly Individuals, and Disabled 

Nonelderly Individuals ...........................................................................54

A.19 Distribution of Participating Households with Countable Earned 

and Unearned Income by Selected Characteristics..................................55

A.20 Average Values of Selected Characteristics for Participating 

Households with Countable Earned and Unearned Income .....................56

A.21 Distribution of Participating Households with Selected Household 

Characteristics by the Race/Hispanic Status of the Household Head.......57

A.22 Distribution of Participating Households by Presence of a 

Household Member with Selected Characteristics...................................58

Participants

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

Characteristic ........................................................................................59

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

and Household Size...............................................................................60

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

Adult Participants by Work Registration Status and Employment 

Status....................................................................................................61

Survey Comparisons: Fiscal Years 1989 to 2012

A.26 Comparison of Participating Households with Key SNAP Household 

Characteristics for Fiscal Years 1989 to 2012 ........................................62

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

Household Characteristics for Fiscal Years 1989 to 2012.......................63

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

for Fiscal Years 1989 to 2012................................................................64
xii

APPENDIX B TABLES

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

by State .................................................................................................67

B.2 Average Values of Selected Characteristics by State ...............................68

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

State......................................................................................................69

B.4 Distribution of Participating Households by Shelter-Related 

Characteristics and by State...................................................................70

B.5 Distribution of Participating Households by Household 

Composition and by State......................................................................71

B.6 Distribution of Participating Households by Selected Countable 

Income Sources and by State .................................................................72

B.7 Average Values of Selected Countable Income Sources by State .............73

B.8 Distribution of Participating Households by Earnings-Related 

Characteristics and by State...................................................................74

B.9 Distribution of Entrant Households with and without Expedited 

Service by State .....................................................................................75

B.10 Distribution of Participating Households by Race/Hispanic Status of 

Household Head and by State ................................................................76

B.11 Distribution of Participating Households by Use of Standard Utility 

Allowance and by State..........................................................................77

B.12 Distribution of Participating Categorically Eligible Households by 

Public Assistance Status and by State.....................................................78

B.13 Distribution of Participating Households by Poverty Status and by 

State, and Effect of SNAP Benefits on the Poverty Status of SNAP 

Households ...........................................................................................79

B.14 Distribution of Participants by Age and by State.....................................80

B.15 Distribution of Participants by Disability Status and by State..................81

B.16 Distribution of Participants by Citizenship Status and by State...............82

B.17 Distribution of Noncitizen Participants by Age and by State ...................83
xiii

APPENDIX C TABLES

C.1 Fiscal Year 2011 HHS Poverty Income Guidelines ...................................87

C.2 SNAP Maximum Allowable Gross Monthly Income Eligibility

Standards in Fiscal Year 2012................................................................88

C.3 SNAP Maximum Allowable Net Monthly Income Eligibility Standards 

in Fiscal Year 2012 ................................................................................89

C.4 Value of Standard, and Maximum Excess Shelter Expense 

Deductions in the Contiguous United States and Outlying Areas in 

Fiscal Year 2012....................................................................................90

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

States and Outlying Areas in Fiscal Year 2012........................................91

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

States and Outlying Areas in Fiscal Year 2012........................................92

APPENDIX D TABLES

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

Included in the Edited File, Fiscal Year 2012 ..........................................96

D.2 Unweighted Distribution of Participating Households by State ...............97

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

Year 2012..............................................................................................98

D.4 Comparison of Calculated and Reported Values for Selected 

Variables of Participating Households, Fiscal Year 2012.........................99

APPENDIX E TABLES

E.1 Standard Errors of Estimated Numbers of SNAP Households, Fiscal 

Year 2012............................................................................................106

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

Numbers or Percentages of SNAP Households, Fiscal Year 2012 ..........107

E.3 Standard Errors of Estimated Means, Fiscal Year 2012 .........................108

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

Percentage of the Mean Amount, Fiscal Year 2012...............................109
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xv

FIGURES

2.1 SNAP Participants, Unemployed Individuals, Individuals in Poverty, 

and Individuals at or Below 130 Percent of Poverty, 1985-2012 .............11

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

Fiscal Year 2012....................................................................................15
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xvii

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) serves as the foundation of America’s 

national nutrition safety net. It is the nation’s first line of defense against food insecurity and offers a 

powerful tool to improve nutrition among low-income individuals. SNAP is the largest of the 15 

domestic food and nutrition assistance programs administered by the U.S. Department of 

Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). This report describes the characteristics 

of SNAP households and participants nationwide in fiscal year 2012 (October 2011 through 

September 2012). It also presents an overview of SNAP eligibility requirements and benefit levels in 

fiscal year 2012. The appendices provide detailed tabulations of household and participant 

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

sampling error associated with the estimates presented in the report.

SNAP Participation and Costs

In an average month in fiscal year 2012, SNAP provided benefits to 46.6 million people living 

in more than 22.3 million households across the United States. The total federal cost of the Program 

in fiscal year 2012 was $78.4 billion, $74.6 billion of which went to SNAP benefits and the 

remainder to program administration. The average monthly SNAP benefit for all participating 

households in fiscal year 2012 was $278.

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

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

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

this summary draws on data from the SNAP QC file.

Characteristics of SNAP Households and Participants

In fiscal year 2012, approximately 82 percent of SNAP households lived in poverty, as 

measured by the federal poverty guideline issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human 

Services (HHS) (Appendix C); 42 percent of SNAP households had gross income less than or equal 

to half of the poverty guideline and received 55 percent of all benefits. With the value of SNAP 

benefits included as income, 13 percent of SNAP households would move above the poverty 

guideline, and 14 percent would move from below half to above half of the poverty guideline.

Twenty percent of SNAP households had zero gross income in fiscal year 2012, the same 

percentage as in fiscal year 2011. The percentage of households with zero net income decreased 

slightly from 39 to 38 percent. Thirty-one percent of SNAP households had earned income, 20 

percent received Supplemental Security Income (SSI), 23 percent received Social Security income, 9

percent received Child Support Enforcement payments, 7 percent received support from Temporary 

Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), and 5 percent received Unemployment Income.

Seventy-five percent of SNAP households included a child, an elderly person, or a disabled 

person, and these households received 82 percent of all benefits. Households with children received 

an average monthly SNAP benefit of $413, reflecting their larger average household size. The 

average household with children had 3.2 people, compared with an average of 1.1 people for 

households without children. A majority (57 percent) of SNAP households with children were 

single-adult households. Only 17 percent of these single-adult households with children received 

cash benefits from TANF. More than half (51 percent) of all SNAP households with children had 
xviii

earned income; 41 percent of single-adult households with children and 70 percent of married-head 

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

TANF and earned income.

Households with elderly individuals received an average monthly SNAP benefit of $139, 

reflecting their smaller-than-average size (1.3 people) and higher-than-average income compared to 

other SNAP participants. Eighty-one percent of SNAP households with elderly individuals consisted 

of an elderly person living alone. These individuals received an average monthly benefit of $119,

compared with an average monthly benefit of $226 for households with elderly individuals not living 

alone and $302 for households without any elderly individuals.

In fiscal year 2012, 46 percent of all SNAP participants were nonelderly adults and 9 percent 

were elderly. About 61 percent of nonelderly adults were women, as were 65 percent of elderly 

adults. Forty-five percent of all participants were children, remaining unchanged from fiscal year 

2011. About 67 percent of the children were of school age, up one percentage point from fiscal year 

2011.
1

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

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

nutrition assistance safety net. 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, as amended by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, PL 110-246). SNAP is the 

largest of the 15 domestic food and nutrition assistance programs administered by the U.S. 

Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). According to FNS 

administrative records, during fiscal year 2012, SNAP served approximately 46.6 million people in an 

average month at a total annual cost of $78.4 billion, $74.6 billion of which went to SNAP benefits.1

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, and the benefits may be redeemed for 

eligible food items. As of September 30, 2012, there were 246,565 stores across the nation 

authorized to accept SNAP benefits.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Using SNAP household data collected for quality control purposes, FNS publishes this annual 

report describing the characteristics of the SNAP population (Appendix G lists report titles) and 

uses the data for additional analyses. This report presents a picture of households and individuals 

participating in SNAP in fiscal year 2012. The remainder of this report draws on data for 

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

information about those who received disaster assistance in fiscal year 2012 or ineligible households 

that were issued benefits mistakenly.

2

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

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

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

participating in SNAP in fiscal year 2012. We present detailed national tables of SNAP household 

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

in Appendix B. We provide the fiscal year 2012 SNAP eligibility standards and maximum benefit 

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

 1 The total cost of SNAP in fiscal year 2012 included $3.8 billion in other costs, including the federal share of State 

administrative costs, nutrition education, employment and training programs, electronic benefit transfer (EBT) systems, 

program evaluation and modernization, program access, and health and nutrition pilot projects.

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

earthquakes, floods, or other disaster emergencies. About 812,000 people received disaster assistance at some time in 

fiscal year 2012. This number is calculated internally by Mathematica based on information provided by FNS, individual 

State reports, and direct contact with States. See Appendix D for more information on adjustments made to the data 

used for this report.
2

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

estimates. The data collection instrument used to collect the SNAP Quality Control (SNAP QC) 

data, which forms the basis of this report, appears in Appendix F, and a list of the reports in this 

series for earlier years is in Appendix G.
3

CHAPTER 2: AN OVERVIEW OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION 

ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

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

in response to economic and demographic trends and legislative changes to SNAP. In this chapter,

we explain SNAP eligibility requirements, application procedures, benefit computation, and benefit 

issuance. We conclude with a summary of program participation and costs, as well as a discussion on

how the costs were related to the economy in fiscal year 2012.

Program Eligibility Requirements

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

standards for SNAP. It defines a SNAP “household” and categories of households eligible for 

benefits. It also sets gross and net income limits, a resource limit, and various nonfinancial criteria

for eligibility. The legislation provides for exceptions to the eligibility criteria in certain high-cost 

areas, such as Alaska and Hawaii, and to certain individuals, such as those who are categorically 

eligible, elderly, or with disabilities.3

Furthermore, States have options to simplify certain eligibility rules. For example, States may 

waive recertification interviews for elderly and disabled individuals with no income, set requirements 

for reporting financial circumstances within various timeframes, and determine penalties for failing 

to comply with work requirement programs. These options allow States greater flexibility to adapt to 

the needs of eligible populations within their State. 

The Household

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

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

household member are aggregated to determine eligibility and benefits. Generally, individuals who 

live together in a residential unit but do not purchase and prepare food together may apply as 

separate household units; their income and countable resources are considered separately in 

eligibility and benefit determinations. However, spouses must apply together and parents must apply 

together with their children under age 22, even if the children have a spouse or child of their own. 

Individuals who are elderly and disabled and cannot purchase and prepare food because of a 

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

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

Human Services (HHS) poverty guidelines.

4

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

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

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

an annuity under the Railroad Retirement Act and is (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.

4 The Secretary of HHS establishes the federal poverty guidelines annually for many assistance programs. See 

Appendix C for a list of the fiscal year 2011 poverty guidelines and a description of how they are determined.
4

Categorical Eligibility

Certain households are categorically eligible for SNAP. This status eliminates certain 

verification requirements, such as the need to document household assets. Like other SNAP 

participants, the level of benefits that they receive is based on their income. A household is 

categorically eligible through pure public assistance (PA) status if each of its members receives

Supplemental Security Income (SSI), cash Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), or 

General Assistance (GA). Benefits for these categorically eligible households are determined under 

the same rules that apply to other eligible SNAP households.

A broader interpretation of existing categorical eligibility rules was implemented on November 

21, 2000, requiring States to confer categorical eligibility on families receiving or certified as eligible 

to receive benefits or services, such as employment assistance, child care, or transportation 

assistance, that are at least 50 percent funded by TANF or Maintenance of Effort (MOE) funds. In 

addition, States have the option of conferring categorical eligibility on families receiving or certified 

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

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

service, and the State determines whether the entire household benefits. If the purpose of the 

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

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

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

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

Many States have broad programs that provide a TANF/MOE-funded noncash benefit to 

confer categorical eligibility for SNAP on a large number of households. These policies are known 

as broad-based categorical eligibility (BBCE) policies. States have flexibility in setting the criteria for 

receiving the TANF/MOE-funded noncash benefit, but most apply only a gross income eligibility

limit—between 130 and 200 percent of SNAP poverty guidelines—and have eliminated the asset 

test. The number of States (including the District of Columbia, Guam, and the Virgin Islands) 

implementing BBCE policies has increased from 39 States in fiscal year 2010 to 42 in fiscal year

2011, and to 43 by the end of fiscal year 2012. All 43 States had BBCE policies in effect throughout 

all of fiscal year 2012, including Nebraska, the most recent State to implement BBCE. New 

Hampshire’s BBCE policy applies only to households with children. In States without BBCE 

policies, households participating in more narrowly targeted noncash TANF-funded programs may 

also be categorically eligible for SNAP.

Income Eligibility Standards

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

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

standard and a net income standard.5 As defined in the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as 

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

such as loans) and excludes most noncash income or in-kind benefits. A household not categorically 

eligible and not including an elderly or disabled member must have a monthly gross income that is at 

 5 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

or below 130 percent of the poverty guideline ($2,422 per month for a family of four in the 

contiguous United States in fiscal year 2012) to be eligible for SNAP. Households with elderly or 

disabled members are not subject to the gross income standard. 

Net income is determined by subtracting deductions permitted under SNAP from monthly 

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

net monthly income:6

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

household size. In fiscal year 2012, a household with one to three members in the 

contiguous United States received a $147 deduction; larger households received a larger 

standard deduction. The standard deductions for outlying States and territories vary with 

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

The standard deductions are indexed annually to inflation.

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

percent of the combined earnings of household members.

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

members work, seek employment, or attend school. 

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

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

household members. By the end of FY 2012, 12 States had implemented medical 

deduction demonstration programs that use standard deduction amounts for households 

with medical expenses exceeding $35 but below a specified limit.7 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. 

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

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

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

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

contiguous United States for households without elderly or disabled members was $459

in fiscal year 2012. The amount is indexed to inflation. The limits on the excess shelter 

expense deduction for outlying States and territories vary with price differences between 

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

 6 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.

7 For detailed information on these demonstrations, see Technical Documentation for the Fiscal Year 2012 SNAP QC 

Database and QC Minimodel.
6

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

percent of their adjusted income. Some States also allow homeless households a 

deduction of $143 for shelter costs.

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

of the poverty guidelines ($1,863 for a family of four in the contiguous United States in fiscal year 

2012). Most categorically eligible households are not subject to the net income limit. The gross and 

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

(Appendix C).

Resources

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

the 2008 Farm Bill, the resource limits are indexed to inflation, rounded to the nearest $250 

increment. In fiscal year 2012, households not categorically eligible were permitted up to $2,000 in 

countable resources or, if at least one household member was elderly or disabled, up to $3,250. Prior 

to fiscal year 2012, the resource limit for households with at least one elderly or disabled household 

member was $3,000. Countable resources included 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. However, some types of property were not counted, such 

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

used to earn income. Most categorically eligible households were not subject to SNAP resource 

limits.

Vehicles with equity below $1,500 are excluded from the asset test. Vehicles used as homes, to 

produce income, to transport physically disabled household members, or to transport fuel or water 

are also excluded. Otherwise, for one vehicle per adult and any vehicle used by a teenager in the 

household to drive to work or school, any fair market value in excess of $4,650 is counted toward 

the resource limit. Of the household’s remaining vehicles, the higher of (1) any fair market value in 

excess of $4,650 or (2) any equity is counted.

8

States are allowed to use TANF vehicle rules in place of SNAP rules if the TANF rules are less 

restrictive. By September 2012, all but four States or territories (Delaware, North Dakota, Virgin 

Islands, and Washington) aligned their vehicle rules for non-categorically eligible households with 

those of other programs. Twenty-nine States had adopted rules that exclude all vehicles from the 

asset test. These changes were intended to make it easier for low-income workers to keep a vehicle 

and still receive SNAP benefits.

Nonfinancial Eligibility Standards

The Program’s nonfinancial eligibility standards restrict the participation of certain students, 

strikers, individuals who are institutionalized, fleeing felons, drug felons, unauthorized immigrants, 

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

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

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

registration requirements and time limits on benefit receipt.9

The following groups of legally resident noncitizens are eligible for SNAP benefits, provided 

they meet SNAP’s other eligibility requirements:

• Those who have lived legally in the United States for five years or more

• Those under age 18

• Those receiving disability benefits

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

• Those who are members of the U.S. Armed Forces, veterans, or dependents of a service 

member or veteran

• Those with at least 40 quarters of work history

Nondisabled nonelderly adults living in households without children can receive benefits only if 

they work or participate in qualifying work-related activities. With certain exceptions, those who do

not meet these work requirements are restricted to three months of SNAP benefits in any 36-month 

period.10 Participants age 18 to 49 are subject to these provisions unless they are in one of the 

following categories:

• Individuals who are disabled

• Individuals who have been determined to be mentally or physically unfit for employment

• Pregnant women

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

• Relatives or other caretakers of dependent children

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

meet work registration requirements by doing the following:

• Working at least 20 hours per week

• Complying with work requirements under another public assistance or work program

• Participating in a drug or alcohol rehabilitation program

• Participating in a work experience program

 9 States may waive the time limit in geographic areas or statewide if the area has an unemployment rate that

exceeds 10 percent or does not have a sufficient number of jobs to provide employment.

10 These nondisabled nonelderly adults living in households without children could be exempt from the work 

requirements if they live in a waiver area (e.g., because of a high unemployment rate) or have been granted a 

discretionary exemption by the State. Only 15 percent of the State’s caseload may receive a discretionary exemption.
8

Application Procedures

When a household applies for SNAP benefits, State agencies are required to conduct a face-toface interview at initial certification and at least once every 12 months thereafter. Elderly or disabled 

individuals and those with transportation problems may be interviewed by telephone or at home. All 

SNAP applicants have the option to appear in person at their local SNAP office but, as online 

applications for SNAP and State waivers for the face-to-face interview requirement proliferate, 

applicants increasingly also have the choice to complete their application without visiting the SNAP 

office. As of November 2011, 47 States had been granted waivers, either statewide or for select 

regions, of the requirement that households receive a face-to-face interview. These States provide 

the option of a telephone interview, either at initial certification, recertification, or both. Also as of

August 2012, 35 States offered statewide online applications and three more offered online 

applications in parts of the State. All States must allow individuals to apply for SNAP benefits when 

they apply for TANF or SSI benefits.

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

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

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

expedited SNAP eligibility verification procedures, allowing people to receive SNAP benefits within 

seven days 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 gross income equal 

to or 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. The certification period may be as long as 24 

months for households where all members are elderly or disabled and up to 48 months for 

households participating in Supplemental Security Income Combined Application Project (SSI-CAP)

demonstrations. In fiscal year 2012, SNAP households were certified for benefits for an average of 

12 months.

Benefit Computation

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

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

household size and location. The maximum benefit to which a household is entitled has been 

historically based on 100 percent of the cost of the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) for a family of four in 

June of the previous year, adjusted for household size and geographic areas outside of the 

contiguous United States. The TFP is a healthful and minimal-cost diet, with the cost adjusted for 

household size and composition.11 Maximum benefits are usually revised annually to reflect changes 

in the cost of foods in the TFP.

 11 See Thrifty Food Plan, 2006, at http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/Publications/FoodPlans/MiscPubs/

TFP2006Report.pdf, for more information. 
9

However, as specified in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), the 

maximum benefit was set to 113.6 percent of the June 2008 TFP beginning in April 2009. As 

specified in subsequent legislation, this provision will expire on October 31, 2013, when the 

maximum benefit again is scheduled to be based on 100 percent of the cost of the TFP in the 

preceding June. In fiscal year 2012, the maximum monthly benefit for a family of four in the 

contiguous United States was $668 (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 deductable expenses equal or exceed its gross 

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

first month.12 All eligible one- and two-person households are guaranteed a minimum benefit except 

during the initial month of participation. The 2008 Farm Bill increased the minimum benefit for 

one- and two-person households in October 2008, from $10 to 8 percent of the maximum benefit 

for a one-person household. In fiscal year 2012, the minimum benefit for one- and two-person 

households in the contiguous United States was $16.

13

SSI-CAP and MFIP Households

Through their participation in the Supplemental Security Income Combined Application 

Project (SSI-CAP), some households with SSI benefits receive SNAP benefits that are subject to a 

method of computation different from other SNAP households. SSI-CAP is a joint FNS-Social 

Security Administration (SSA) and State project that streamlines the SNAP application process for 

certain households eligible for SSI (also making them categorically eligible for SNAP). Throughout

fiscal year 2012, 18 States were operating SSI-CAP demonstrations: Arizona, Florida, Kentucky, 

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

North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, and Washington. In 

most cases, SSI-CAP is limited to one-person households consisting of an elderly or disabled person 

who receives SSI and has no earned income.14 In 15 of the States (Arizona, Kentucky, Louisiana, 

Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, 

Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Virginia), SSI-CAP households receive a 

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

shelter expenses, as determined by the State. In three of the States (Florida, Massachusetts, and 

Washington), SSI-CAP households receive a SNAP benefit based on gross income, the standard 

 12 SNAP households will not receive benefits in the first month if the amount of prorated benefits would be less 

than $10.

13 Table C.6 presents minimum benefit values for the other States and territories for fiscal year 2012.

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

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

Carolina, South Dakota, and Texas, a household may have earned income and still be eligible for SSI-CAP benefits. In 

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

individual must meet the eligibility criteria to be treated as a member of the same household; in Texas, married couples 

may participate but are treated as separate households.
10

deduction, a standard utility allowance (SUA), and a standardized “high” or “low” shelter expense

deduction. SSI-CAP households are not subject to any other income deductions.

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

TANF are subject to a different benefit computation method than other SNAP households. MFIP 

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

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

possibly 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 a 38 percent earnings deduction but are not subject to other income deductions.

SNAP Benefit Issuance

In fiscal year 2012, as in previous years, all 50 States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and the 

U.S. Virgin Islands operated Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) systems. All EBT systems were 

online and permitted participants to receive a debit card, similar to a bank card, for use in purchasing 

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

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

account at the time of the transaction.

Program Changes Since the Previous Fiscal Year

In fiscal year 2012, Nebraska adopted a BBCE policy for the first time, and Michigan and 

Pennsylvania restricted their policies by adding an asset test. Michigan’s policy allows for one vehicle 

per household to be excluded before subjecting households to an asset test, and Pennsylvania set an 

asset limit of $9,000 for households containing at least one elderly or disabled individual and a 

$5,500 asset limit for all other households.

Also during fiscal year 2012, Arkansas, Missouri, and Virginia implemented medical deduction 

demonstration programs, which use a standard deduction amount for households with medical 

expenses below a specified limit. The demonstration programs simplify the application process for 

qualifying households and may slightly increase eligibility and benefit amounts.

SNAP Participation and Costs

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

substantially during the early 1990s. As illustrated in Figure 2.1, the number increased by 37 percent 

from fiscal year 1990 to fiscal year 1994. After peaking at 28.0 million in March 1994, the number of 

eligible SNAP participants declined steadily through 2000 but began to rise in 2001 and increased 

each year through 2012, except for a slight dip in 2007. Average monthly participation increased 

from 17.2 million individuals in fiscal year 2000 to 46.6 million in fiscal year 2012. Fluctuations in 

the number of SNAP participants in the last 16 years have broadly tracked major economic 

indicators (Table 2.1).

Total SNAP costs increased from $75.7 billion in fiscal year 2011 to $78.4 billion in fiscal year 

2012, largely as a result of the increase in SNAP participants.
11

Figure 2.1. SNAP Participants, Unemployed Individuals, Individuals in Poverty, and Individuals at or 

Below 130 Percent of Poverty, 1985-2012

a Annual values. Source: Special tabulations of the Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic 

Supplement (CPS ASEC) by Decision Demographics, Arlington, VA, September, 2013.

bAverage monthly values. Source: Food and Nutrition Service Program Operations data.

cAverage monthly values. Source: Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

'85 '86 '87 88 '89 '90 '91 '92 '93 '94 '95 '96 '97 '98 '99 '00 '01 '02 '03 '04 '05 '06 '07 '08 '09 '10 '11 '12

Year

Individuals at or Below 130 Percent of Povertya

SNAP Participantsb

Unemployed Individualsc

Millions

Individuals in Povertya
12

Table 2.1. Major Economic Indicators, Calendar Years 1997–2012

Calendar Year

Economic Indicator 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Inflation Ratea 1.8 1.1 1.5 2.2 2.3 1.6 2.1 2.8 3.3 3.2 2.9 2.2 0.9 1.3 2.1 1.8

Interest Rateb 7.3 6.5 7.1 7.6 7.1 6.5 5.7 5.6 5.2 5.6 5.6 5.6 5.3 4.9 4.6 3.7

Productivity Increasec 1.7 3.0 3.5 3.5 3.0 4.5 3.8 2.8 1.8 0.9 1.4 0.7 3.0 3.0 0.3 0.6

Real GDP Increased,e 4.5 4.4 4.8 4.1 1.1 1.8 2.5 3.5 3.1 2.7 1.9 -0.3 -3.1 2.4 1.8 2.2

SNAP Participantsf

(in Thousands) 22,850 19,787 18,183 17,163 17,315 19,094 21,250 23,807 25,560 26,612 26,313 28,221 33,490 40,302 44,709 46,609

Unemployed 

Individualsf

(in Thousands) 6,739 6,210 5,880 5,692 6,801 8,378 8,774 8,149 7,591 7,001 7,078 8,924 14,265 14,825 13,746 12,497

Unemployment Rateg 4.9 4.5 4.2 4.0 4.7 5.8 6.0 5.5 5.1 4.6 4.6 5.8 9.3 9.6 8.9 8.1

Individuals Below 

Poverty Line

Number in 

Thousands 36,394 35,278 34,005 32,491 33,905 35,566 36,927 37,937 37,415 37,206 38,205 40,614 43,970 46,677 46,464

 

47,085

Percentage of Total 

Population 13.5 13.0 12.3 11.6 12.0 12.4 12.8 13.0 12.7 12.5 12.8 13.5 14.5 15.2 15.0 15.1

Individuals at or 

Below 130 Percent of 

Poverty Line 

Number in 

Thousands 51,433 49,302 48,905 46,974 49,061 50,844 52,823 53,413 53,553 52,878 54,264 57,329 60,574 63,984 64,549 65,828

Percentage of Total 

Population 19.1 18.1 17.7 16.8 17.4 17.8 18.3 18.3 18.2 17.8 18.1 19.0 19.9 20.9 20.9 21.2

Sources:

Inflation Rate: Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis, National Income and Product Accounts.

Interest Rate: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

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 Program Operations data.

Unemployed Individuals: Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Unemployment Rate: Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Individuals Below Poverty Line: Special tabulations of the Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement (CPS ASEC) by Decision Demographics, 

Arlington, VA, September, 2013.

Individuals Below 130 Percent of Poverty Line: Special tabulations of the Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement (CPS ASEC) by Decision 

Demographics, Arlington, VA, September, 2013. 

a Percentage change from preceding year in the implicit price deflator for 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.15 In an 

average month in fiscal year 2012, SNAP provided benefits to 46.0 million people living in 22.0

million households.16 The vast majority of SNAP households (82 percent) lived in poverty, 

according to the federal poverty guidelines for program eligibility in fiscal year 2012. Most SNAP 

households (75 percent) included a child (under age 18), an elderly individual (age 60 and over), or a 

disabled nonelderly individual. The average SNAP household received a monthly benefit of $274, 

had gross monthly income of $755, net monthly income of $343, and was entitled to a total 

deduction of $512 per month.

17,18 The average household size was 2.1 people. 

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

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

from fiscal year 2011 to fiscal year 2012. Table 3.1 and Figure 3.1 show the poverty status of 

participants and the effect of SNAP benefits on poverty among participating households; Tables 3.2

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

composition; Table 3.4 depicts the demographic characteristics of participants; and Table 3.5

compares the change in constant 2012 dollars since 2011 in average income, deductions, and 

benefits for participating households.

The Poverty Status of SNAP Households

SNAP provides benefits to households in need.19 In fiscal year 2012, the gross monthly income 

of 82 percent of SNAP households was less than or equal to 100 percent of the federal poverty 

guideline (Table 3.1).20 The gross monthly income of 57 percent of all SNAP households was less 

 15 The information in this chapter and the estimates in Appendices A and B are based on a sample of 50,027

households that participated in SNAP in fiscal year 2012. The sample was drawn from SNAP households in the 50 

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

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

which replaced SNAP in July 1982, and the Northern Mariana Islands participates in another block grant program 

instead of SNAP.

16 The estimates of 46.0 million participants and 22.0 million households differ slightly from the number of SNAP 

participants and households in FNS administrative records (46.6 million people and 22.3 million households) 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 $274 in the SNAP QC data, 

compared with $278 in FNS administrative records (Appendix D provides details).

17 Because net income is not used in benefit determination for households participating in MFIP and households 

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

households.

18 The average total deduction estimate reflects the entire deduction to which households are entitled. Because 

households may not deduct more than their gross income, the estimate is greater than households’ average deduction. 

With deductions not used in their benefit determination, SSI-CAP households with standardized benefits are excluded 

from the estimate.

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

A.8.

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

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

households was less than or equal to 50 percent of the guideline (Table 3.1). The average household 

had income that was slightly less than 60 percent of the poverty guideline (Table A.2).

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

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

monthly income less than or equal to 50 percent of the poverty guideline in fiscal year 2012 received 

55 percent of all benefits. In contrast, the 18 percent of households with a gross monthly income 

over the poverty guideline received only 9 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.

21 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 13 percent of participating households above the poverty 

guideline. SNAP benefits had an even greater impact on the poorest SNAP households, moving 14

percent above 50 percent of the poverty guideline.

Households with Special Needs

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

elderly, and disabled people. 22 In fiscal year 2012, 75 percent of all SNAP households, containing 87 

percent of all participants, included a child, an elderly person, or a disabled nonelderly person. These 

households received 82 percent of all SNAP benefits (Table A.14).

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

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

A.23 for more details on these households.
15

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

Poverty Guideline, Fiscal Year 2012

Gross Income as a Percentage of 

Poverty Guidelinea

All Households All Benefits

Percentageb Cumulative 

Percentage Percentageb Cumulative Percentage

25% or less....................................... 29.1 29.1 34.1 34.1

26–50%............................................. 12.7 41.7 20.5 54.7

51–75%............................................. 15.3 57.0 18.7 73.3

76–100% .......................................... 25.5 82.5 18.0 91.3

101–130% ........................................ 12.3 94.8 7.1 98.5

131% or more .................................. 5.2 100.0 1.5 100.0

Source: Fiscal Year 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Defined as the fiscal year 2012 SNAP net income screen (Appendix Table C.3).

b Percentages may not add to 100 due to rounding.

Figure 3.1. Effect of SNAP Benefits on the Poverty Status of SNAP Households, Fiscal Year 2012

Source: Fiscal Year 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

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

a Defined as the fiscal year 2012 SNAP net income screen (Appendix Table C.3).

41.7% 40.8%

17.5%

27.3%

42.0%

30.6%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

50% or less 51–100% 101% or more

Distribution of 

Households in 

Relation to Poverty 

Guidelinea

Gross Income as a Percentage of Poverty Guidelinea

Based on Cash 

Only

Based on Cash 

and SNAP Benefits
16

Households with Children

In each month of fiscal year 2012, SNAP served approximately 10.0 million households with 

children, representing 45 percent of all SNAP households. Seventy-three percent of all SNAP 

households with earnings contained children, and 51 percent of all households with children had 

earned income (Table 3.2). Fifteen percent of all households with children received TANF cash 

benefits, and 4 percent received a combination of TANF and earnings (Table A.6). Compared with 

other SNAP households, those with children received a relatively high average SNAP benefit of 

$413 per month (Table 3.3), in large part because the household size among SNAP households with 

children (3.2 people) was larger than the average household size among all SNAP households (2.1

people).

In fiscal year 2012, single adults headed more than half (57 percent) of all SNAP households 

with children, accounting for 26 percent of all SNAP households (Table 3.2). Approximately 8

percent of all SNAP households included a married head of household and children, accounting for 

19 percent of all SNAP households with children.

Of the 5.7 million single-adult SNAP households with children, about 968,000 (17 percent) 

received TANF, 2.3 million (41 percent) had earnings, 668,000 (12 percent) received SSI, and 

530,000 (9 percent) received Social Security. Of the 1.9 million married-head households with 

children, 1.3 million (70 percent) had earned income, 206,000 (11 percent) received SSI, 183,000 (10 

percent) received Social Security, and 154,000 (8 percent) received TANF (Table 3.2).

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

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

households with children was lower than that of married-head households with children ($396

versus $482) because of the smaller size of single-adult households (Table 3.3). However, the benefit 

per person was higher for people in single-adult households with children than for people in 

married-head households with children ($137 versus $110) because single-adult households were 

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

married-head households with children ($828 versus $1,474).

Among all households with children, 1.9 million (19 percent) received child support and 1.2

million (12 percent) had no countable income (Table A.6).

Households with Elderly Individuals

In each month of fiscal year 2012, SNAP served an average of more than 3.8 million 

households with elderly individuals (age 60 and over). These households represent more than 17

percent of all SNAP households (Table 3.2), close to a 1 percentage point increase from fiscal year 

2011. Households with elderly individuals had an average household size of 1.3 people (Table 3.3).

In fiscal year 2012, the average SNAP benefit for SNAP households with elderly individuals was 

$139, compared to $302 for households without elderly individuals (Table A.2). Elderly SNAP 

recipients tended to receive relatively small benefit amounts for two reasons. First, they typically had 

higher average gross and net incomes than other households. Households with elderly individuals 

had average gross and net incomes of $855 and $399, compared to $735 and $332 for households 
17

without elderly individuals. Second, elderly SNAP recipients usually lived alone and thus were 

eligible for smaller maximum benefit amounts than other households.23 In fiscal year 2012, 81

percent of all SNAP households with elderly individuals were single-person households (Table 3.2). 

Elderly SNAP recipients who lived alone received an average SNAP benefit of $119 per month, 

compared to $176 for multi-person households composed of only elderly individuals, and $268 for 

multi-person households with both elderly and nonelderly individuals (Table A.15). The average size 

of households with elderly individuals not living alone was 2.4 people (Table 3.3).

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

although others may live in the same residential unit.
Table 3.2. Household Composition and Selected Characteristics of Participating Households, Fiscal Year 2012

Households With:

All Households Households With Countable:

Number

(000)

Percent

Earned Income Social Security SSI Zero Gross Income TA

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Totala ..................................... 22,046 100.0 6,909 100.0 5,142 100.0 4,452 100.0 4,515 100.0 1,572 

Children ............................... 9,984 45.3 5,063 73.3 903 17.6 1,170 26.3 1,221 27.0 1,536  Single-Adult Household ..... 5,651 25.6 2,303 33.3 530 10.3 668 15.0 859 19.0 968  Multiple-Adult Household .. 3,014 13.7 1,909 27.6 348 6.8 442 9.9 231 5.1 314  Married Head Household 1,857 8.4 1,298 18.8 183 3.6 206 4.6 130 2.9 154  Other Multiple-Adult

Household ....................... 1,157 5.2 611 8.8 165 3.2 237 5.3 101 2.2 160 

 Children Only ..................... 1,318 6.0 851 12.3 25 0.5 60 1.3 131 2.9 254 Elderly Individuals ............. 3,799 17.2 242 3.5 2,625 51.0 1,488 33.4 250 5.5 40 

 Living Alone ....................... 3,074 13.9 129 1.9 2,142 41.7 1,213 27.2 228 5.0 1  Not Living Alone ................ 725 3.3 114 1.6 482 9.4 275 6.2 22 0.5 39 Disabled Nonelderly

Individuals ..................... 4,409 20.0 448 6.5 2,273 44.2 3,048 68.5 0 0.0 286 

 Living Alone ....................... 2,567 11.6 95 1.4 1,472 28.6 1,637 36.8 0 0.0 1  Not Living Alone ................ 1,841 8.4 353 5.1 801 15.6 1,411 31.7 – – 285 Other Householdsb .............. 5,527 25.1 1,473 21.3 46 0.9 – – 3,050 67.5 27 

 Single-Person Household .... 5,024 22.8 1,177 17.0 32 0.6 – – 2,950 65.3 23  Multi-Person Household ..... 503 2.3 296 4.3 14 0.3 – – 100 2.2 4 Single-Person Households .. 11,081 50.3 1,667 24.1 3,660 71.2 2,850 64.0 3,233 71.6 93 

 Source: Fiscal Year 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

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

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

– No sample households are found in this category.

18
Table 3.3. Average Values of Selected Characteristics by Household Composition, Fiscal Year 2012

Households With:

Average Values

Gross Monthly

Countable

Income

(Dollars)

Net Monthly

Countable

Income

(Dollars)a

Monthly

SNAP Benefit

(Dollars)

Monthly

SNAP Benefit

Per Person

(Dollars)b

Household

Size

(Persons)

Total ............................................................ 755 343 274 130 2.1

Children ...................................................... 966 468 413 129 3.2

 Single-Adult Household ............................. 828 382 396 137 2.9

 Male Adult .............................................. 746 325 362 139 2.6

 Female Adult ........................................... 836 387 399 133 3.0

 Multiple-Adult Household ......................... 1,363 746 485 113 4.3

 Married Head Household ........................ 1,474 817 482 110 4.4

 Other Multiple-Adult Household ............ 1,184 633 491 120 4.1

 Children Only ............................................. 647 201 321 153 2.1

Elderly Individuals ..................................... 855 399 139 107 1.3

 Living Alone .............................................. 772 325 119 119 1.0

 Not Living Alone ....................................... 1,206 682 226 94 2.4

Disabled Nonelderly Individuals .............. 977 484 213 112 1.9

 Living Alone .............................................. 794 302 120 120 1.0

 Not Living Alone ....................................... 1,233 718 342 104 3.3

Other Householdsc ..................................... 283 97 192 175 1.1

 Single-Person Household ........................... 232 72 182 182 1.0

 Multi-Person Household ............................ 788 347 297 135 2.2

Single-Person Households ......................... 519 190 150 150 1.0

 Source: Fiscal Year 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Because net income is not used in their benefit determinations, 32,326 MFIP households and 502,953 SSI-CAP households in

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

b This column is calculated by dividing the average monthly SNAP benefit by the average SNAP household size. In previous

reports, this column was calculated by first calculating per-capita benefits at the household level by dividing the household benefit by

the household size and then taking the average of all per-capita benefits.

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

19
20

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

In fiscal year 2012, 39 percent of all SNAP households with elderly individuals received SSI, 69

percent received Social Security income, and 86 percent received income from at least one of those 

sources (Tables 3.2 and A.6). Twenty-two percent of households with elderly individuals received 

both SSI and Social Security income, remaining unchanged from fiscal year 2011 (Table A.6). SNAP 

households with elderly individuals represented 33 percent of all SNAP households with SSI and 51

percent of all SNAP households with Social Security income (Table 3.2). Nearly 7 percent of 

households with elderly individuals had no income (Table A.6).

Households with Disabled Nonelderly Individuals

In fiscal year 2012, SNAP served a monthly average of 4.4 million households with disabled 

nonelderly individuals (Table 3.2).24 These households represented 20 percent of all SNAP 

households and received an average monthly SNAP benefit of $213 (Table 3.3).

About 58 percent of SNAP households with disabled nonelderly individuals were single-person 

households (Table 3.2). Households with a disabled nonelderly individual living alone received a 

lower average monthly SNAP benefit than did those with disabled nonelderly individuals not living 

alone ($120 compared with $342) (Table 3.3). Again, the difference in benefits between the two 

groups mostly reflects differences in average household size. Disabled nonelderly individuals who 

did not live alone resided in households with an average of 3.3 individuals and a per-person benefit 

of $104, versus a per-person benefit of $120 for those living alone. Sixty-nine percent of households 

with disabled nonelderly individuals received SSI, and almost 52 percent received Social Security 

income (Table 3.2). SNAP households with disabled nonelderly individuals represented 68 percent 

of all SNAP households with SSI and 44 percent of all SNAP households with Social Security 

income (Table 3.2).

Other Households Served by SNAP

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

disabled individuals. In fiscal year 2012, 25 percent of all SNAP households (5.5 million households)

consisted solely of one or more nonelderly, nondisabled adults with no children (Table 3.2). These 

households tended to be single-person households (91 percent). In addition, 6 percent received GA, 

representing the largest category (51 percent) of all households receiving GA. These households had 

a very low average gross monthly income ($283), and 3.1 million (55 percent) had zero gross income 

(Tables 3.2 and 3.3). Households consisting solely of one or more nonelderly, nondisabled adults 

received an average SNAP benefit of $192 per month (Table 3.3). 

Single-Person Households

Of all SNAP households in fiscal year 2012, 11.1 million (50 percent) were single-person 

households (Table 3.2).25 These households received an average monthly SNAP benefit of $150

(Table 3.3). A slight majority of these individuals (52 percent) were female (Table A.24), 28 percent 

 24 We identify households with a disabled nonelderly member as households with (1) nonelderly SSI recipients; (2) 

a medical expense deduction and no elderly individuals; or (3) nonelderly adults who work fewer than 30 hours a week

and receive Social Security, veterans benefits, or workers’ compensation.

25 These individuals apply for SNAP benefits for themselves only. Other people may live in the household.
21

were elderly, and 23 percent were disabled nonelderly individuals (Table 3.2). Compared with all 

SNAP households, a relatively small proportion of SNAP participants living alone had earned 

income (15 versus 31 percent), and a relatively high proportion had zero gross income (29 versus 20

percent) (Table 3.2). By comparison, 48 percent of all multi-person households had earned income, 

and 12 percent had zero gross income (Tables A.4 and A.19, calculated by subtracting the number of 

one-person households from the number of total households). Not surprisingly, given the high 

proportion of elderly and disabled individuals making up single-person households, 26 and 33

percent of single-person households received SSI and Social Security income, respectively (Table 

3.2).

Characteristics of SNAP Participants

In fiscal year 2012, 45 percent of SNAP participants were children, and they received 44 percent 

of prorated SNAP benefits (Table 3.4). More than two-thirds (67 percent) of children served by 

SNAP were school age (age 5 to 17). Forty-six percent of participants were nonelderly adults (age 18 

to 59), and 9 percent were elderly adults (age 60 or older). 

Sixty-one percent of nonelderly adults and 65 percent of elderly adults were female (Table 

A.23). Seven percent of SNAP participants were foreign-born—3 percent were naturalized citizens, 

less than 1 percent were refugees, and 3 percent were other noncitizens (legal permanent residents 

and other eligible noncitizens). More than 8 percent of all SNAP participants were citizen children 

living with noncitizens.26

Changes in the Economic Conditions of SNAP Households

The average household gross income decreased slightly in real dollars from fiscal year 2011 to 

fiscal year 2012, from $762 to $755 in fiscal year 2012, while average household net income 

decreased by $2 to $343 during the same period (Table 3.5). 

The percentage of households with zero gross income increased by nearly 1 percentage point 

from fiscal year 2011 to 21 percent, while the percentage of households with zero net income 

decreased slightly from 39 percent in fiscal year 2011 to 38 percent in fiscal year 2012 (Table A.1). 

The percentage of households with earnings remained at 31 percent and that of households with 

TANF income decreased by about 1 percentage point to 7 percent in fiscal year 2012.

The average household benefit decreased in real dollars, from $291 in fiscal year 2011 to $274

in fiscal year 2012, even as net income per household decreased slightly from $345 to $343 (Table 

3.5). The decrease in average household benefit is likely due to the fact that, under ARRA, the 

maximum benefit remained at the same nominal level―113.6 percent of the June 2008 TFP. 

Subsequent legislation has specified that this provision will expire on October 31, 2013, when the 

maximum benefit again will be based on 100 percent of the cost of the TFP in the preceding June.

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

and did not participate.
Table 3.4. SNAP Benefits of Participants by Selected Demographic Characteristics, Fiscal Year 2012

Participant Characteristic

Total Participants Prorated Benefitsa

Number

(000)

Percent Dollars

(000)

Percent

Total .............................................. 46,022 100.0 6,046,191 100.0

Age

Children ......................................... 20,500 44.5 2,644,671 43.7

 Preschool Age Children ............... 6,770 14.7 916,428 15.2

 0-1 ............................................. 2,492 5.4 343,962 5.7

 2-4 ............................................. 4,279 9.3 572,467 9.5

 School Age Children ................... 13,730 29.8 1,728,243 28.6

 5-7 ............................................. 3,914 8.5 508,898 8.4

 8-11 ........................................... 4,485 9.7 566,584 9.4

 12-15 ......................................... 3,732 8.1 459,734 7.6

 16-17 ......................................... 1,599 3.5 193,027 3.2

 Nonelderly Adults (18-59) .......... 21,367 46.4 2,936,807 48.6

 Elderly Adults (60 or more) ........ 4,154 9.0 464,713 7.7

Citizenship

 U.S. Born Citizen ........................ 42,697 92.8 5,597,782 92.6

 Naturalized Citizen ...................... 1,587 3.4 217,981 3.6

 Refugee ........................................ 338 0.7 41,644 0.7

 Other Noncitizen ......................... 1,400 3.0 188,784 3.1

Citizen Children Living with

Noncitizensb ............................ 3,828 8.3 533,268 8.8

Disabled Nonelderly Individuals 5,456 11.9 591,652 9.8

 Disabled Children ........................ 1,067 2.3 104,118 1.7

 Disabled Nonelderly Adults ........ 4,390 9.5 487,534 8.1

Nondisabled Adults Age 18-49 in

Childless Householdsc ........... 4,794 10.4 820,699 13.6

 Source: Fiscal Year 2012 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 unit.

c These participants are subject to work requirements and a time limit. For this report, we incorporated a

newly-developed methodology to better identify nondisabled individuals when defining these participants.

See Technical Documentation for the Fiscal Year 2012 SNAP QC Database and QC Minimodel for details. 

22
23

Table 3.5. Nominal and Real Values of Selected Characteristics, Fiscal Year 2011 and Fiscal Year 2012

Fiscal Year 2011 Fiscal Year 

2012

Percentage 

Change in 

Nominal 

Values 

Percentage 

Change in

Real

Characteristic Values

Nominal 

Value

Real Value 

(in 2012

dollars)

Nominal 

Value

Average Gross Incomea

Per Household $744 $762 $755 +1.5 -0.9

Per Person 409 419 425 +3.9 +1.5

Average Net Incomea

Per Household 338 346 343 +1.4 -1.0

Per Person 165 169 173 +4.8 +2.4

Average Total Deductiona 508 520 512 +0.8 -1.5

Average Household Benefitb 281 291 274 -2.3 -5.8

Maximum Household Benefit 

for a Family of Fourb,c 668 693 668 0.0 -3.6

Consumer Price Index (CPI)

All Items 223.1 228.5 +2.4

Food at Home 222.9 231.1 +3.7

Source of CPI-U average values: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Source of nominal values: Fiscal year 2011 and fiscal year 2012 SNAP QC samples.

a Real values are in constant 2012 dollars. Fiscal year 2011 values were inflated by the change in the CPI-U for 

all items between 2011 and 2012 (+2.4 percent).

b Real values are in constant 2012 dollars. Fiscal year 2011 value was inflated by the change in the CPI-U for 

food at home between 2011 and 2012 (+3.7 percent).

c Maximum benefit for a family of four living in the 48 contiguous States or the District of Columbia.
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ACRONYMS AND DEFINITIONS
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27

ARRA American Recovery and 

Reinvestment Act of 2009

BBCE Broad-Based Categorical

 Eligibility

EBT Electronic Benefit Transfer

FNS U.S. Department of Agriculture, 

Food and Nutrition Service

GA General Assistance

HHS U.S. Department of Health and 

Human Services

MFIP Minnesota Family Investment 

Program

MOE Maintenance of Effort

PA Public Assistance

SNAP Supplemental Nutrition 

Assistance Program

SNAP QC Supplemental Nutrition 

Assistance Program Quality 

Control

SSA U.S. Social Security 

Administration

SSI Supplemental Security Income

SSI-CAP SSI Combined Application 

Project

SUA Standard Utility Allowance

TANF Temporary Assistance to Needy 

Families

TFP Thrifty Food Plan

USDA U.S. Department of Agriculture

DEFINITIONS

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 

2009 (ARRA). This legislation took effect on 

April 1, 2009. It temporarily increased the 

maximum benefit to 113.6 percent of the June 

2008 TFP and held it at that level thereafter. As 

specified in subsequent legislation, the increase 

will expire on October 31, 2013, when the 

maximum benefit again will be based on 100 

percent of the cost of the TFP in the preceding 

June. 

Asylees. Noncitizens granted political asylum. 

In the tables in this report, the term “refugee” 

includes refugees, asylees, and deportees.

Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility 

(BBCE). Policy under which most households 

receive a TANF/MOE-funded noncash service 

that makes the households categorically eligible 

for SNAP. The noncash service is usually in the 

form of a brochure or handout that provides 

information on State-provided assistance and 

services. Households meeting State-determined 

eligibility criteria receive this information upon 

application or recertification for SNAP.

Categorically Eligible Households. 

Households in which all members receive or are 

authorized to receive TANF, SSI, or GA 

benefits. Includes households receiving cash or 

noncash benefits or services that are at least 50 

percent funded by TANF or MOE funds. Some 

States also confer categorical eligibility based on 

benefits or services that are less than 50 percent 

funded by TANF/MOE and on households 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 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.

ACRONYMS AND DEFINITIONS

ACRONYMS
28

Child Support Payment Deduction. 

Deduction for households with legally obligated 

child support payments made to or for a nonhousehold member. 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 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 lumpsum payments. Such resources also include some 

nonliquid resources, although the family home, 

certain family vehicles, and business tools or 

property are not counted. See also Resource Limit.

Deductions. Allowable deductions from a 

household’s gross monthly income to arrive at 

SNAP net monthly income. The deductions 

shown in the tables are those to which 

households were entitled. (MFIP and SSI-CAP 

participants are subject to different rules.) Some 

of the deductions may not have been used 

before a household reached zero net income 

status, however. Thus, total deductions to which 

a household is entitled do not equal the 

difference between gross and net income 

amounts. See also Child Support Payment Deduction,

Dependent Care Deduction, Earned Income Deduction,

Excess Shelter Expense Deduction, Medical Deduction,

Minnesota Family Investment Program, SSI-Combined 

Application Project, Standard Deduction, and Total 

Deduction.

Deemed Income. Individual sponsors of 

certain noncitizens may be subject to sponsorto-noncitizen deeming, which counts the 

sponsor’s income and resources as part of the 

noncitizen’s own income and resources when 

determining eligibility for SNAP.

Dependent Care Deduction. Deduction 

received by SNAP households for expenses 

involved in caring for dependents while other

household members work, seek employment, or 

attend school. See also Appendix C and 

Deductions.

Deportees. Noncitizens granted a stay of 

deportation. In the tables in this report, the term 

“refugee” includes refugees, asylees, and 

deportees.

Disabled Individual. An individual under age 

60 who receives federal or state payments for the 

disabled or blind, a disability retirement benefit 

from a governmental agency, or an annuity 

under the Railroad Retirement Act; and is either 

eligible for Medicare or is considered to be 

disabled based on the SSI rules. A disabled 

veteran, or a permanently disabled spouse or 

child of a veteran receiving veteran’s benefits, is 

also considered to be disabled for SNAP 

purposes. 

Earned Income. Includes wages, salaries, selfemployment, 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 are 

entitled to a 38 percent earned income 

deduction.) See also Deductions and Minnesota 

Family Investment Program. 

Elderly Individuals. Adults age 60 or older.

Electronic Benefit Transfer. Means of benefit 

delivery via electronic debit card, similar to a 

bank card, used to purchase food at authorized 

retail stores.

Entrant Households. Households newly 

certified during fiscal year 2012 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 
29

shelter deduction for households without elderly 

or disabled members. See also Appendix C and 

Deductions and Homeless Household Shelter Estimate.

Expedited Service Households. Households 

with gross income equal to or less than $150 and 

countable resources equal to or less than $100, 

or those with migrant or seasonal farm workers 

with countable resources equal to or less than 

$100, are eligible for expedited SNAP eligibility 

verification procedures. A State agency must 

review each SNAP application and conduct an 

eligibility interview within seven days of 

application submission. Eligible households 

receive SNAP benefits within this time frame.

Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 

(2008 Farm Bill). Most recent legislation 

authorizing SNAP. Most SNAP provisions in 

this legislation, which reauthorized the SNAP 

program, became effective on October 1, 2008. 

SNAP provisions included increases in the 

minimum benefit for one- and two-person 

households and to the standard deduction, 

elimination of the cap on the dependent care 

deduction, and exclusion of most education and 

retirement accounts from countable resources 

when determining SNAP eligibility. It also 

indexed the resource limits to inflation, adjusting 

them to the nearest $250 increment each fiscal 

year.

Gross Income. Total monthly countable 

income of a household in dollars, before 

applying deductions.

Gross Income Limit. SNAP monthly gross 

income eligibility standards, determined by 

household size; equal to 130 percent of HHS 

poverty guidelines. See also Appendix C and 

Countable Income.

Homeless Household Shelter Estimate. 

Some States allow homeless households to 

deduct $143 for shelter expenses.

Household. Individuals who live in a residential 

unit and purchase and prepare food together.

Households with Children. Households with 

at least one member under age 18.

Households with Disabled Nonelderly 

Individuals. Households with (1) nonelderly 

SSI recipients; (2) a medical expense deduction 

and no elderly individuals; or (3) nonelderly 

adults who work fewer than 30 hours a week and 

receive Social Security, veteran’s benefits, or 

workers’ compensation.

Households with Elderly Individuals. 

Households with at least one member age 60 or 

older.

Individuals Living Alone. Individuals who 

reside in one-person SNAP households 

(although other nonparticipating individuals may 

live in the same residence).

Initial Certification Households. Includes 

both households certified for the first time 

within the current certification period and 

previously certified households that have not 

received benefits for at least 30 days.

Lawful Permanent Residents. Noncitizens 

lawfully admitted for permanent resident status. 

Married-Head Households. Households with 

a spouse of the household head.

Maximum Benefit. From October 2011

through September 2012, the maximum benefit 

was based on 113.6 percent of the cost of the 

TFP in June 2008 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 Deduction. Deduction available to 

households with elderly or disabled members, 

equal to all unreimbursed medical expenses 

incurred by the elderly or disabled person that 

exceed $35. See also Deductions.

Medical Deduction Demonstrations. State 

programs that use a standard deduction amount 

for households with medical expenses below a 

specified limit. 

Metropolitan Households. Households whose 

SNAP application was processed at an agency in 
30

a Census Bureau-defined Metropolitan Statistical 

Area (MSA). An MSA has at least one urbanized 

area with population of 50,000 or more and 

includes adjacent territory with a high degree of 

social and economic integration with the core, as 

measured by commuting ties.

Micropolitan Households. Households whose

SNAP application was processed at an agency in 

a Census Bureau-defined Micropolitan Statistical 

Area. A Micropolitan Statistical Area has at least 

one urban cluster of at least 10,000 but less than 

50,000 population and includes adjacent territory 

with a high degree of social and economic 

integration with the core, as measured by 

commuting ties.

Minimum Benefit. From October 2011

through September 2012, the minimum benefit 

for all one- and two-person units was equal to 8 

percent of the maximum benefit for a oneperson household. Because it is derived from the 

maximum benefit, the minimum benefit also 

varies by geographic region. See also 

Appendix C.

Minnesota Family Investment Program 

(MFIP). Minnesota’s cash assistance program, 

which calculates SNAP benefits for participating 

households as a component separate from the 

cash assistance calculation within the same grant.

Net Income. Total monthly countable income 

of a household in dollars, after applying 

deductions. Net income is not calculated for 

MFIP households or SSI-CAP households in 

Arizona, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, 

Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Mexico, 

New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South 

Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Virginia.

Net Income Limit. SNAP monthly net income 

eligibility standard, determined by household 

size, equal to 100 percent of the HHS poverty 

guidelines. See also Appendix C.

Noncitizen. In this report, “noncitizen” refers 

to individuals residing in the United States who 

are not natural-born or naturalized citizens. 

These include legal permanent residents, 

refugees, asylees, deportees, and unauthorized 

aliens. Legal noncitizens are subject to additional 

nonfinancial eligibility criteria (see Chapter 2). 

Unauthorized aliens are not eligible to receive 

SNAP benefits but they may be nonparticipating 

members of SNAP units.

Nonelderly Adults. Adults ages 18 to 59.

Nonimmigrant Visitors to the United States. 

Noncitizens who have been admitted for a 

specified period, including tourists, students, and 

foreign nationals with work permits.

Nonparticipating Household Head 

Households. Households headed by someone 

ineligible for SNAP, such as an ineligible 

noncitizen.

Poverty Guidelines. The poverty guidelines 

used by FNS are issued by HHS. They are 

developed on the basis of the poverty thresholds 

issued by the Census Bureau. Dividing the 

guidelines by 12 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 the tables in this report, the term “refugee” 

includes refugees, asylees, and deportees. 

Resource Limit. For all non-categorically 

eligible households without an elderly or 

disabled person, the resource limit was $2,000 in 

fiscal year 2012. Households with an elderly or 

disabled person were allowed up to $3,250 in 

countable resources. See also Countable Resources.

Rural. A household is considered rural if the 

county in which its local SNAP agency is located 

is not in a Metropolitan Statistical Area or a 

Micropolitan Statistical Area.

School-Age Children. Children ages 5 to 17.

Shelter Deduction. See Excess Shelter Expense 

Deduction.
31

Single Adult with Children Households. 

Households with exactly one person age 18 or 

older, no spouse, and at least one person under 

age 18.

Single-Person Households. Households with 

exactly one person.

SSI-Combined Application Project (SSICAP). Joint FNS-SSA-State partnerships with a 

goal of streamlining the procedures for 

providing SNAP benefits to certain households 

eligible for SSI.

Standard Deduction. Deduction received by all 

households, which varies by area and household 

size to reflect price differences among areas. See 

also Appendix C and Deductions.

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.

Thrifty Food Plan (TFP). Market basket of 

goods based on an economical and nutritious 

diet, adjusted for household size and 

composition. Used to determine maximum 

SNAP benefit amounts.

Total Deduction. Includes child support 

payment, dependent care, earned income, excess 

shelter expense, medical, and standard 

deductions to which SNAP households are 

entitled. In some cases, the total deduction 

exceeds the amount deducted from gross 

income because net income may not be less than 

zero. See also Deductions. 

Unearned Income. Includes TANF, GA, SSI, 

Social Security, unemployment benefits, veterans 

benefits, workers’ compensation, other 

government benefits, contributions, deemed 

income, education loans, child support, wage 

supplementations, energy assistance, State 

diversion payments, and other unearned income.

Work Registration. Many nonelderly 

nondisabled SNAP participants are required to 

register for work with their welfare office or 

State unemployment agency and must agree to 

accept any suitable job offered to them. 

Individuals exempt from SNAP work 

registration rules include the following:

• All individuals under age 16 or age 50 and 

over, and some individuals age 16 and 17

• Individuals responsible for the care of a 

dependent child under age 6 or the care 

of an incapacitated person

• Individuals physically or mentally unfit for 

work

• Individuals complying with work 

requirements of other assistance 

programs

• Students enrolled at least half-time in a 

school, training program, or institution of 

higher education

• Regular participants in a drug addiction or 

alcohol treatment program 

• Individuals working 30 hours a week or 

earning more than an amount equal to 30 

hours times the minimum wage

Work Requirements and a Time Limit. 

SNAP participants age 18 to 49 who are not 

disabled (often referred to as “able-bodied”) and 

do not have any dependents in their household 

are subject to work requirements to receive 

SNAP benefits for more than 3 months in a 36-

month period. They may be exempt from the 

work requirement if they work at least 20 hours 

per week, participate in a qualifying work 

program, receive a work exemption, or live in a 

location that qualifies for a waiver due to 

insufficient jobs. In this report, all adults meeting 

this definition, regardless of exemption status,

are identified as Nondisabled Adults age 18–49 

in Childless Households.
This page has been left blank for double-sided copying.
APPENDIX A

DETAILED TABLES OF SNAP HOUSEHOLD CHARACTERISTICS
This page has been left blank for double-sided copying.
Table A.1. Distribution of Participating Households, Individuals, and Benefits by Household Composition, Locality, Countable

Income Source, and SNAP Benefit Amount

Household Characteristic

SNAP Households

Participants in Households

with Household

Characteristic

Monthly SNAP Benefits

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Dollars

(000)

Percent

Total ................................................................................................ 22,046 100.0 46,022 100.0 6,046,191 100.0

Household Composition

 Children .......................................................................................... 9,984 45.3 32,367 70.3 4,125,752 68.2

 School Age ................................................................................... 7,599 34.5 26,376 57.3 3,284,597 54.3

 Preschool Age .............................................................................. 5,134 23.3 17,615 38.3 2,292,820 37.9

 No Children .................................................................................... 12,063 54.7 13,655 29.7 1,920,439 31.8

 Elderly Individuals ......................................................................... 3,799 17.2 4,779 10.4 528,373 8.7

 No Elderly Individuals ................................................................... 18,248 82.8 41,242 89.6 5,517,819 91.3

 Disabled Nonelderly Individuals ................................................... 4,409 20.0 8,570 18.6 936,989 15.5

 No Disabled Nonelderly Individuals ............................................. 17,638 80.0 37,451 81.4 5,109,202 84.5

 Nondisabled Adults Age 18-49 in Childless Householdsa ............ 4,382 19.9 5,234 11.4 875,221 14.5

 No Nondisabled Adults Age 18-49 in Childless Households ........ 17,665 80.1 40,787 88.6 5,170,970 85.5

 Noncitizens .................................................................................... 1,250 5.7 3,279 7.1 411,197 6.8

 No Noncitizens ............................................................................... 20,796 94.3 42,742 92.9 5,634,994 93.2

Locality

 Metropolitan ................................................................................... 17,550 79.6 36,454 79.2 4,858,989 80.4

 Micropolitanb ................................................................................. 2,543 11.5 5,445 11.8 680,201 11.3

 Rural ............................................................................................... 1,615 7.3 3,508 7.6 432,144 7.1

Countable Income Source

 Gross Income ................................................................................. 17,531 79.5 39,097 85.0 4,755,125 78.6

 No Gross Income ........................................................................... 4,515 20.5 6,924 15.0 1,291,066 21.4

 Net Income ..................................................................................... 13,050 59.2 30,937 67.2 3,291,638 54.4

 No Net Income ............................................................................... 8,461 38.4 14,499 31.5 2,662,151 44.0

 Not Applicablec ............................................................................. 535 2.4 586 1.3 92,402 1.5

 Earned Income ............................................................................... 6,909 31.3 19,486 42.3 2,232,711 36.9

 No Earned Income ......................................................................... 15,137 68.7 26,535 57.7 3,813,480 63.1

 Unearned Income ........................................................................... 12,824 58.2 26,616 57.8 3,232,481 53.5

 No Unearned Income ..................................................................... 9,222 41.8 19,406 42.2 2,813,710 46.5

 TANF Income ................................................................................ 1,572 7.1 4,854 10.5 687,081 11.4

 No TANF Income .......................................................................... 20,474 92.9 41,168 89.5 5,359,110 88.6

 GA Income ..................................................................................... 708 3.2 1,038 2.3 156,200 2.6

 No GA Income ............................................................................... 21,338 96.8 44,983 97.7 5,889,991 97.4

 SSI .................................................................................................. 4,452 20.2 8,045 17.5 940,150 15.5

 No SSI ............................................................................................ 17,594 79.8 37,977 82.5 5,106,041 84.5

 Social Security Income .................................................................. 5,142 23.3 7,899 17.2 785,046 13.0

 No Social Security Income ............................................................ 16,904 76.7 38,123 82.8 5,261,145 87.0

Gross Countable Income as a Percentage of Poverty Guideline

 No Income ...................................................................................... 4,515 20.5 6,924 15.0 1,291,066 21.4

 >0-50% ........................................................................................... 4,686 21.3 12,287 26.7 2,013,127 33.3

 51-100 ............................................................................................ 8,984 40.7 18,535 40.3 2,217,804 36.7

 101-130 .......................................................................................... 2,717 12.3 6,076 13.2 431,379 7.1

 131+ ............................................................................................... 1,144 5.2 2,198 4.8 92,816 1.5

SNAP Benefit

 Minimum Benefit ........................................................................... 1,060 4.8 1,252 2.7 16,981 0.3

 Maximum Benefit .......................................................................... 8,764 39.8 14,817 32.2 2,725,271 45.1

 Source: Fiscal Year 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a These participants are subject to work requirements and a time limit. For this report, we incorporated a newly-developed methodology to better

identify nondisabled individuals when defining these participants. See Technical Documentation for the Fiscal Year 2012 SNAP QC Database and QC

Minimodel for details. 

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 MFIP households or SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits.

35
Table A.2. Average Gross Countable Income as a Percentage of Poverty Guideline, Gross and Net Countable Income, Total

Deduction, SNAP Benefit, Household Size, and Certification Period of Participating Households by Household Composition, Locality,

Countable Income Source, and SNAP Benefit Amount

Household Characteristic

Total Households Average Values

Number

(000)

Percent

Gross

Countable

Income as a

Percentage

of Poverty

Guideline

(Percent)

Gross

Countable

Income

(Dollars)

Net

Countable

Income

(Dollars)a

Total

Deduction

(Dollars)b

SNAP

Benefit

(Dollars)

Household

Size

(Individuals)

Certification

Period

(Months)

Total ............................................................ 22,046 100.0 59.5 755 343 512 274 2.1 12.6

Household Composition

 Children ...................................................... 9,984 45.3 58.7 966 468 583 413 3.2 9.6

 School Age ............................................... 7,599 34.5 60.4 1,032 516 593 432 3.5 9.6

 Preschool Age .......................................... 5,134 23.3 55.7 954 446 597 447 3.4 9.5

 No Children ................................................ 12,063 54.7 60.2 581 235 451 159 1.1 15.0

 Elderly Individuals ..................................... 3,799 17.2 86.2 855 399 521 139 1.3 19.8

 No Elderly Individuals ............................... 18,248 82.8 54.0 735 332 511 302 2.3 11.1

 Disabled Nonelderly Individuals ............... 4,409 20.0 83.2 977 484 529 213 1.9 16.1

 No Disabled Nonelderly Individuals ......... 17,638 80.0 53.6 700 309 508 290 2.1 11.7

 Nondisabled Adults Age 18-49 in

Childless Householdsc ........................... 4,382 19.9 31.3 325 121 385 200 1.2 9.5

 No Nondisabled Adults Age 18-49 in

Childless Households ............................. 17,665 80.1 66.6 862 400 545 293 2.3 13.3

 Noncitizens ................................................ 1,250 5.7 63.8 943 435 613 329 2.6 12.2

 No Noncitizens ........................................... 20,796 94.3 59.3 744 338 506 271 2.1 12.6

Locality

 Metropolitan ............................................... 17,550 79.6 59.2 749 327 527 277 2.1 12.5

 Micropolitand ............................................. 2,543 11.5 61.1 785 402 469 267 2.1 12.2

 Rural ........................................................... 1,615 7.3 60.0 772 418 430 268 2.2 12.4

Countable Income Source

 Gross Income ............................................. 17,531 79.5 74.9 950 434 571 271 2.2 13.2

 No Gross Income ....................................... 4,515 20.5 0.0 0 0 289 286 1.5 10.0

 Net Income ................................................. 13,050 59.2 85.2 1,112 565 546 252 2.4 12.8

 No Net Income ........................................... 8,461 38.4 18.6 207 0 461 315 1.7 10.8

 Not Applicable ........................................... 535 2.4 80.0 731 – 56 173 1.1 37.0

 Earned Income ........................................... 6,909 31.3 80.7 1,203 556 694 323 2.8 9.6

 No Earned Income ..................................... 15,137 68.7 49.9 551 243 426 252 1.8 14.0

 Unearned Income ....................................... 12,824 58.2 74.3 891 423 520 252 2.1 14.7

 No Unearned Income ................................. 9,222 41.8 39.0 566 237 502 305 2.1 9.7

 TANF Income ............................................ 1,572 7.1 46.3 733 313 477 437 3.1 11.0

 No TANF Income ...................................... 20,474 92.9 60.6 757 345 515 262 2.0 12.7

 GA Income ................................................. 708 3.2 50.4 555 209 486 221 1.5 14.1

 No GA Income ........................................... 21,338 96.8 59.8 762 348 513 276 2.1 12.5

 SSI .............................................................. 4,452 20.2 77.4 887 421 508 211 1.8 19.4

 No SSI ........................................................ 17,594 79.8 55.0 722 326 513 290 2.2 10.9

 Social Security Income .............................. 5,142 23.3 93.4 988 492 530 153 1.5 17.2

 No Social Security Income ........................ 16,904 76.7 49.3 685 299 507 311 2.3 11.2

SNAP Benefit

 Minimum Benefit ....................................... 1,060 4.8 136.6 1,331 965 366 16 1.2 14.8

 Maximum Benefit ...................................... 8,764 39.8 20.9 227 0 462 311 1.7 11.7

 Source: Fiscal Year 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Because net income is not used in their benefit determinations, 32,326 MFIP households and 502,953 SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized

SSI-CAP benefits are excluded from this column. Thus, the average values are based on fewer households than the number shown in the Total Households

column.

b Because deductions are not used in their benefit determinations, 502,953 SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits are

excluded from this column. Thus, the average values are based on fewer households than the number shown in the Total Households column.

c These participants are subject to work requirements and a time limit. For this report, we incorporated a newly-developed methodology to better identify

nondisabled individuals when defining these participants. See Technical Documentation for the Fiscal Year 2012 SNAP QC Database and QC Minimodel for

details. 

d 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.

– Not Applicable.

36
Table A.3. Distribution of Participating Households with Children, Elderly Individuals, and Disabled Nonelderly Individuals by

Amount of Gross and Net Countable Income, Countable Resources, and Gross and Net Countable Income as a Percentage of Poverty

Guideline

Household Characteristic

Total Households Households with:

Number

(000)

Percent

Children Elderly Individuals Disabled Nonelderly

Individuals

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Total .................................................. 22,046 100.0 9,984 100.0 3,799 100.0 4,409 100.0

Gross Countable Income

 $0 ..................................................... 4,515 20.5 1,221 12.2 250 6.6 0 0.0

 1-199 ............................................... 947 4.3 384 3.8 39 1.0 4 0.1

 200-399 ........................................... 1,459 6.6 893 8.9 74 1.9 18 0.4

 400-599 ........................................... 1,625 7.4 1,034 10.4 176 4.6 169 3.8

 600-799 ........................................... 4,772 21.6 1,204 12.1 1,489 39.2 2,081 47.2

 800-999 ........................................... 2,324 10.5 923 9.2 649 17.1 729 16.5

 1,000-1,249 ..................................... 2,281 10.3 1,082 10.8 615 16.2 566 12.8

 1,250-1,499 ..................................... 1,466 6.6 974 9.8 270 7.1 350 7.9

 1,500-1,999 ..................................... 1,635 7.4 1,329 13.3 181 4.8 308 7.0

 2,000+ ............................................. 1,022 4.6 941 9.4 57 1.5 184 4.2

Net Countable Income

 $0 ..................................................... 8,461 38.4 3,172 31.8 713 18.8 562 12.8

 1-199 ............................................... 3,025 13.7 1,340 13.4 583 15.4 765 17.4

 200-399 ........................................... 2,810 12.7 1,124 11.3 698 18.4 869 19.7

 400-599 ........................................... 2,497 11.3 1,061 10.6 653 17.2 799 18.1

 600-799 ........................................... 1,570 7.1 887 8.9 376 9.9 404 9.2

 800-999 ........................................... 1,104 5.0 699 7.0 234 6.2 271 6.1

 1,000+ ............................................. 2,045 9.3 1,667 16.7 242 6.4 534 12.1

 Not Applicablea ............................... 535 2.4 33 0.3 300 7.9 203 4.6

Countable Resources

 Categorically Eligibleb .................... 20,131 91.3 9,062 90.8 3,560 93.7 4,117 93.4

 $0 ..................................................... 1,138 5.2 536 5.4 76 2.0 137 3.1

 1-500 ............................................... 568 2.6 285 2.9 104 2.7 113 2.6

 501-1,000 ........................................ 115 0.5 57 0.6 27 0.7 20 0.5

 1,001-2,000 ..................................... 83 0.4 40 0.4 23 0.6 18 0.4

 2,001-3,250 ..................................... 11 0.1 3 0.0 8 0.2 4 0.1

Gross Countable Income as a

Percentage of Poverty Guideline

 No Gross Income ............................ 4,515 20.5 1,221 12.2 250 6.6 0 0.0

 >0-25% ............................................ 1,890 8.6 1,133 11.4 59 1.6 25 0.6

 26-50 ............................................... 2,796 12.7 2,184 21.9 127 3.3 355 8.1

 51-75 ............................................... 3,362 15.3 2,061 20.6 462 12.2 1,028 23.3

 76-100 ............................................. 5,621 25.5 1,671 16.7 1,844 48.5 2,117 48.0

 101-125 ........................................... 2,400 10.9 1,143 11.4 614 16.2 586 13.3

 126-130 ........................................... 318 1.4 149 1.5 73 1.9 67 1.5

 131-150 ........................................... 651 3.0 273 2.7 193 5.1 146 3.3

 151+ ................................................ 493 2.2 149 1.5 177 4.6 86 1.9

Net Countable Income as a

Percentage of Poverty Guideline

 No Net Income ................................ 8,461 38.4 3,172 31.8 713 18.8 562 12.8

 >0-25% ............................................ 4,536 20.6 2,513 25.2 714 18.8 1,093 24.8

 26-50 ............................................... 4,005 18.2 2,031 20.3 873 23.0 1,203 27.3

 51-75 ............................................... 2,765 12.5 1,401 14.0 696 18.3 833 18.9

 76-100 ............................................. 1,271 5.8 663 6.6 335 8.8 376 8.5

 101-125 ........................................... 329 1.5 142 1.4 107 2.8 104 2.4

 126-130 ........................................... 24 0.1 7 0.1 10 0.3 4 0.1

 131-150 ........................................... 68 0.3 15 0.2 34 0.9 13 0.3

 151+ ................................................ 53 0.2 7 0.1 17 0.4 17 0.4

 Not Applicablea ............................... 535 2.4 33 0.3 300 7.9 203 4.6

 Source: Fiscal Year 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Net income is not used in the benefit determinations of MFIP households or SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits.

b Categorically eligible households have no countable resources since the program does not consider resources in their eligibility determinations. However, in

fiscal year 2012, five states (Idaho, Michigan, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, and Texas) use asset limits between $5,000 and $25,000 when determining eligibility. 

37
Table A.4. Distribution of Participating Households by Household Size and Amount of Countable Gross and Net Income, Resources, and

Gross and Net Income as a Percentage of Poverty Guideline

Household

Characteristic

Total Households Household Size

Number

(000)

Percent

1 2 3 4 5 6+

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Total .............................. 22,046 100.0 11,081 100.0 4,246 100.0 3,109 100.0 1,999 100.0 946 100.0 664 100.0

Gross Countable

Income

 $0 ................................. 4,515 20.5 3,233 29.2 599 14.1 397 12.8 182 9.1 67 7.1 37 5.6

 1-199 ............................ 947 4.3 562 5.1 190 4.5 111 3.6 53 2.6 22 2.3 10 1.4

 200-399 ........................ 1,459 6.6 656 5.9 417 9.8 219 7.0 104 5.2 41 4.3 23 3.4

 400-599 ........................ 1,625 7.4 636 5.7 454 10.7 299 9.6 159 8.0 47 5.0 30 4.5

 600-799 ........................ 4,772 21.6 3,410 30.8 612 14.4 404 13.0 206 10.3 85 9.0 54 8.1

 800-999 ........................ 2,324 10.5 1,274 11.5 460 10.8 328 10.5 172 8.6 52 5.5 38 5.8

 1,000-1,249 .................. 2,281 10.3 870 7.8 649 15.3 385 12.4 219 11.0 106 11.2 52 7.9

 1,250-1,499 .................. 1,466 6.6 289 2.6 445 10.5 322 10.4 211 10.5 124 13.1 74 11.2

 1,500-1,999 .................. 1,635 7.4 134 1.2 318 7.5 501 16.1 385 19.3 191 20.2 106 16.0

 2,000+ .......................... 1,022 4.6 17 0.1 102 2.4 143 4.6 310 15.5 211 22.3 240 36.2

Net Countable Income

 $0 ................................. 8,461 38.4 5,251 47.4 1,540 36.3 941 30.3 451 22.6 177 18.7 101 15.2

 1-199 ............................ 3,025 13.7 1,627 14.7 610 14.4 431 13.9 224 11.2 76 8.1 57 8.5

 200-399 ........................ 2,810 12.7 1,546 14.0 540 12.7 368 11.8 202 10.1 96 10.2 58 8.7

 400-599 ........................ 2,497 11.3 1,243 11.2 518 12.2 366 11.8 218 10.9 106 11.2 45 6.8

 600-799 ........................ 1,570 7.1 518 4.7 394 9.3 309 10.0 210 10.5 86 9.1 52 7.8

 800-999 ........................ 1,104 5.0 244 2.2 286 6.7 267 8.6 177 8.8 84 8.9 45 6.8

 1,000-1,199 .................. 725 3.3 79 0.7 174 4.1 186 6.0 152 7.6 78 8.3 55 8.2

 1,200+ .......................... 1,320 6.0 64 0.6 173 4.1 231 7.4 361 18.1 241 25.4 251 37.7

 Not Applicablea ........... 535 2.4 510 4.6 11 0.3 8 0.3 3 0.2 1 0.1 1 0.2

Countable Resources

 Categorically Eligibleb 20,131 91.3 10,193 92.0 3,896 91.8 2,820 90.7 1,781 89.1 846 89.4 596 89.8

 $0 ................................. 1,138 5.2 561 5.1 201 4.7 171 5.5 120 6.0 47 5.0 38 5.7

 1-500 ............................ 568 2.6 236 2.1 115 2.7 87 2.8 69 3.5 41 4.3 20 3.0

 501-1,000 ..................... 115 0.5 47 0.4 20 0.5 18 0.6 16 0.8 6 0.7 7 1.1

 1,001-2,000 .................. 83 0.4 36 0.3 13 0.3 12 0.4 13 0.7 6 0.6 3 0.5

 2,001-3,000 .................. 10 0.0 7 0.1 1 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 1 0.1 – –

Gross Countable

Income as a Percentage

of Poverty Guideline

 No Gross Income ......... 4,515 20.5 3,233 29.2 599 14.1 397 12.8 182 9.1 67 7.1 37 5.6

 >0-25% ........................ 1,890 8.6 750 6.8 413 9.7 329 10.6 221 11.1 98 10.4 79 11.9

 26-50 ............................ 2,796 12.7 638 5.8 704 16.6 673 21.7 425 21.3 191 20.2 164 24.7

 51-75 ............................ 3,362 15.3 1,091 9.8 860 20.2 624 20.1 402 20.1 243 25.7 143 21.6

 76-100 .......................... 5,621 25.5 3,630 32.8 776 18.3 503 16.2 384 19.2 197 20.9 131 19.7

 101-125 ........................ 2,400 10.9 1,023 9.2 532 12.5 403 13.0 256 12.8 99 10.5 86 12.9

 126-130 ........................ 318 1.4 140 1.3 66 1.6 50 1.6 33 1.6 22 2.3 7 1.0

 131-150 ........................ 651 3.0 311 2.8 149 3.5 85 2.7 75 3.7 22 2.3 11 1.6

 151+ ............................. 493 2.2 266 2.4 147 3.5 44 1.4 22 1.1 6 0.7 6 0.9

Net Countable Income

as a Percentage of

Poverty Guideline

 No Net Income ............ 8,461 38.4 5,251 47.4 1,540 36.3 941 30.3 451 22.6 177 18.7 101 15.2

 >0-25% ........................ 4,536 20.6 1,872 16.9 917 21.6 788 25.4 513 25.6 263 27.8 183 27.5

 26-50 ............................ 4,005 18.2 1,687 15.2 802 18.9 667 21.4 463 23.1 230 24.3 157 23.7

 51-75 ............................ 2,765 12.5 1,115 10.1 539 12.7 449 14.4 351 17.6 166 17.5 146 21.9

 76-100 .......................... 1,271 5.8 443 4.0 282 6.6 224 7.2 172 8.6 90 9.5 59 8.9

 101-125 ........................ 329 1.5 125 1.1 88 2.1 33 1.0 46 2.3 19 2.0 17 2.6

 126-130 ........................ 24 0.1 13 0.1 11 0.3 ––––––––

 131-150 ........................ 68 0.3 31 0.3 37 0.9 – – 0 0.0 – – 0 0.0

 151+ ............................. 53 0.2 34 0.3 19 0.4 ––––––––

 Not Applicablea ........... 535 2.4 510 4.6 11 0.3 8 0.3 3 0.2 1 0.1 1 0.2

 Source: Fiscal Year 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Net income is not used in the benefit determinations of MFIP households or SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits.

b Categorically eligible households have no countable resources since the program does not consider resources in their eligibility determinations. However, in fiscal

year 2012, five states (Idaho, Michigan, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, and Texas) use asset limits between $5,000 and $25,000 when determining eligibility. 

– No sample households in this category.

38
Table A.5. Average Gross and Net Countable Income, Average Gross and Net Countable Income as a Percentage of Poverty Guideline,

Average Countable Resources, and Average Benefit of Participating Households by Household Composition and Size

Household Characteristic

Total Households Average Values

Number

(000)

Percent

Gross

Countable

Income

(Dollars)

Net Countable

Income

(Dollars)a

Gross

Countable

Income as a

Percentage of

Poverty

Guideline

(Percent)

Net Countable

Income as a

Percentage of

Poverty

Guideline

(Percent)a

Countable

Resources

Over

Households

with

Countable

Resources

(Dollars)

SNAP Benefit

(Dollars)

Total ......................................................... 22,046 100.0 755 343 59.5 25.5 388 274

Household Composition

 Children .................................................. 9,984 45.3 966 468 58.7 27.3 392 413

 School Age ........................................... 7,599 34.5 1,032 516 60.4 29.1 401 432

 Preschool Age ...................................... 5,134 23.3 954 446 55.7 24.7 401 447

 No Children ............................................ 12,063 54.7 581 235 60.2 23.9 384 159

 Elderly Individuals ................................. 3,799 17.2 855 399 86.2 39.0 504 139

 No Elderly Individuals ........................... 18,248 82.8 735 332 54.0 22.8 358 302

 Disabled Nonelderly Individuals ............ 4,409 20.0 977 484 83.2 38.0 373 213

 No Disabled Nonelderly Individuals ...... 17,638 80.0 700 309 53.6 22.4 391 290

Household Size

 1 .............................................................. 11,081 50.3 519 190 57.1 20.9 385 150

 2 .............................................................. 4,246 19.3 780 345 63.6 28.1 351 269

 3 .............................................................. 3,109 14.1 918 425 59.4 27.5 393 400

 4 .............................................................. 1,999 9.1 1,173 614 62.9 32.9 408 486

 5 .............................................................. 946 4.3 1,363 754 62.4 34.5 405 570

 6 .............................................................. 412 1.9 1,542 903 61.6 36.1 440 686

 7 .............................................................. 152 0.7 1,718 1,062 60.8 37.6 497 742

 8+ ............................................................ 100 0.5 2,009 1,245 60.4 37.3 597 922

 Source: Fiscal Year 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Because net income is not used in their benefit determinations, 32,326 MFIP households and 502,953 SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized

SSI-CAP benefits are excluded from this column. Thus, the average values are based on fewer households than the number shown in the Total Households column.

39
Table A.6. Distribution of Participating Households with Children, Elderly Individuals, and Disabled Nonelderly Individuals by Type of

Countable Income

Type of Income

Total Households Households with:

Number

(000)a Percent

Children Elderly Individuals Disabled Nonelderly

Individuals

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Total .................................................................... 22,046 100.0 9,984 100.0 3,799 100.0 4,409 100.0

Countable Earned Income ................................ 6,909 31.3 5,063 50.7 242 6.4 448 10.2

 Wages and Salaries ........................................... 6,057 27.5 4,541 45.5 185 4.9 395 9.0

 Self-Employment .............................................. 954 4.3 617 6.2 54 1.4 53 1.2

 Other Earned Income ........................................ 46 0.2 18 0.2 7 0.2 4 0.1

Countable Unearned Income ........................... 12,824 58.2 5,477 54.9 3,457 91.0 4,407 100.0

 TANF ................................................................ 1,572 7.1 1,536 15.4 40 1.1 286 6.5

 General Assistance ............................................ 708 3.2 123 1.2 144 3.8 135 3.1

 Supplemental Security Income ......................... 4,452 20.2 1,170 11.7 1,488 39.2 3,048 69.1

 Social Security .................................................. 5,142 23.3 903 9.0 2,625 69.1 2,273 51.5

 Unemployment Income ..................................... 1,093 5.0 649 6.5 40 1.0 65 1.5

 Veterans’ Benefits ............................................. 168 0.8 38 0.4 83 2.2 38 0.9

 Workers’ Compensation ................................... 44 0.2 29 0.3 4 0.1 12 0.3

 Other Government Benefitsb ............................. 139 0.6 42 0.4 64 1.7 38 0.9

 Household Contributions .................................. 625 2.8 411 4.1 49 1.3 53 1.2

 Household Deemed Income .............................. 25 0.1 17 0.2 6 0.1 2 0.0

 Educational Loans ............................................. 3 0.0 3 0.0 0 0.0 1 0.0

 Child Support Enforcement Payments .............. 2,009 9.1 1,924 19.3 24 0.6 333 7.6

 State Diversion Payments ................................. 3 0.0 2 0.0 0 0.0 1 0.0

 Energy Assistance Income ................................ 2 0.0 1 0.0 0 0.0 1 0.0

 Wage Supplementation ..................................... 2 0.0 1 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0

 Other Unearned Incomec .................................. 646 2.9 260 2.6 270 7.1 80 1.8

 TANF or GA Income ........................................ 2,270 10.3 1,648 16.5 184 4.8 413 9.4

 TANF and Earnings .......................................... 361 1.6 357 3.6 3 0.1 25 0.6

 TANF and SSI ................................................... 273 1.2 266 2.7 20 0.5 261 5.9

 TANF or SSI or GA .......................................... 6,260 28.4 2,515 25.2 1,572 41.4 3,088 70.0

 (TANF or SSI or GA) and Earnings ................. 753 3.4 606 6.1 44 1.2 353 8.0

 TANF and Child Support .................................. 143 0.7 143 1.4 1 0.0 32 0.7

 SSI and Social Security ..................................... 1,716 7.8 281 2.8 829 21.8 940 21.3

 SSI or Social Security ....................................... 7,878 35.7 1,793 18.0 3,284 86.4 4,381 99.4

 SSI and Earnings ............................................... 376 1.7 249 2.5 37 1.0 350 7.9

 GA and Earnings ............................................... 52 0.2 32 0.3 5 0.1 13 0.3

 Earnings and Child Support .............................. 879 4.0 864 8.7 5 0.1 69 1.6

No Countable Income ....................................... 4,515 20.5 1,221 12.2 250 6.6 0 0.0

 Source: Fiscal Year 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a The sum of individual income sources does not add to the total because households can receive income from more than one source.

b Examples of other government benefits include Black Lung Benefits, Railroad Retirement payments, and USDA payments to farmers.

c Examples of other unearned income include alimony, foster care payments, and dividends and interest payments.

40
Table A.7. Average Income, Total Deduction, SNAP Benefit, and Household Size of Participating Households by Type of Countable

Income

Type of Income

Total Households Average Values

Number

(000)a Percent

Gross

Countable

Income

(Dollars)

Net

Countable

Income

(Dollars)b

Income

Source

(Dollars)c

Total

Deduction

(Dollars)d

SNAP

Benefit

(Dollars)

Household

Size

(Individuals)

Total .................................................................... 22,046 100.0 755 343 - 512 274 2.1

Countable Earned Income ................................ 6,909 31.3 1,203 556 1,040 694 323 2.8

 Wages and Salaries ........................................... 6,057 27.5 1,276 603 1,105 710 318 2.9

 Self-Employment .............................................. 954 4.3 777 277 503 605 371 2.6

 Other Earned Income ........................................ 46 0.2 750 302 274 590 246 1.8

Countable Unearned Income ........................... 12,824 58.2 891 423 738 520 252 2.1

 TANF ................................................................ 1,572 7.1 733 313 395 477 437 3.1

 General Assistance ............................................ 708 3.2 555 209 215 486 221 1.5

 Supplemental Security Income ......................... 4,452 20.2 887 421 552 508 211 1.8

 Social Security .................................................. 5,142 23.3 988 492 789 530 153 1.5

 Unemployment Income ..................................... 1,093 5.0 1,082 603 828 502 271 2.6

 Veterans’ Benefits ............................................. 168 0.8 1,110 619 540 519 170 1.9

 Workers’ Compensation ................................... 44 0.2 1,256 741 828 547 228 2.5

 Other Government Benefitse ............................. 139 0.6 1,111 655 409 495 196 2.1

 Household Contributions .................................. 625 2.8 662 255 267 497 355 2.4

 Household Deemed Income .............................. 25 0.1 1,327 911 1,002 464 223 2.0

 Educational Loans ............................................. 3 0.0 1,222 567 215 729 295 2.7

 Child Support Enforcement Payments .............. 2,009 9.1 1,064 554 328 556 405 3.4

 State Diversion Payments ................................. 3 0.0 1,083 466 200 653 394 3.1

 Energy Assistance Income ................................ 2 0.0 1,339 492 467 882 275 2.5

 Wage Supplementation ..................................... 2 0.0 616 296 214 480 188 1.4

 Other Unearned Incomef ................................... 646 2.9 1,006 506 369 560 228 2.0

 TANF or GA Income ........................................ 2,270 10.3 676 279 341 479 370 2.6

 TANF and Earnings .......................................... 361 1.6 1,079 528 1,003 576 398 3.3

 TANF and SSI ................................................... 273 1.2 1,182 718 981 468 372 3.5

 TANF or SSI or GA .......................................... 6,260 28.4 797 351 516 498 262 2.0

 (TANF or SSI or GA) and Earnings ................. 753 3.4 1,345 741 1,239 628 336 3.2

 TANF and Child Support .................................. 143 0.7 974 513 574 486 463 3.7

 SSI and Social Security ..................................... 1,716 7.8 872 416 809 489 172 1.5

 SSI or Social Security ....................................... 7,878 35.7 956 469 827 527 181 1.7

 SSI and Earnings ............................................... 376 1.7 1,631 991 1,432 663 278 3.4

 GA and Earnings ............................................... 52 0.2 1,423 776 1,198 677 284 2.8

 Earnings and Child Support .............................. 879 4.0 1,500 799 1,397 714 359 3.5

No Countable Income ....................................... 4,515 20.5 0 0 0 289 286 1.5

 Source: Fiscal Year 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a The sum of individual income sources does not add to the total because households can receive income from more than one source.

b Because net income is not used in their benefit determinations, 32,326 MFIP households and 502,953 SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized

SSI-CAP benefits are excluded from this column. Thus, the average values are based on fewer households than the number shown in the Total Households column.

c Average value of specified source over households with income from source.

d Because deductions are not used in their benefit determinations, 502,953 SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits are excluded

from this column. Thus, the average values are based on fewer households than the number shown in the Total Households column.

e Examples of other government benefits include Black Lung Benefits, Railroad Retirement payments, and USDA payments to farmers.

f Examples of other unearned income include alimony, foster care payments, and dividends and interest payments.

41
Table A.8. Distribution of Participating Households with Children, Elderly Individuals, and Disabled Nonelderly Individuals by

Countable Earned and Unearned Income Amounts

Household Characteristic

Total Households Households with:

Number

(000)

Percent

Children Elderly Individuals Disabled Nonelderly

Individuals

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Total ................................... 22,046 100.0 9,984 100.0 3,799 100.0 4,409 100.0

Countable Earned Income

 $0 ...................................... 15,137 68.7 4,920 49.3 3,556 93.6 3,961 89.8

 1-199 ................................. 654 3.0 286 2.9 53 1.4 93 2.1

 200-399 ............................. 661 3.0 407 4.1 30 0.8 58 1.3

 400-599 ............................. 705 3.2 472 4.7 33 0.9 58 1.3

 600-799 ............................. 810 3.7 529 5.3 40 1.1 55 1.2

 800-999 ............................. 781 3.5 527 5.3 23 0.6 47 1.1

 1,000-1,249 ....................... 962 4.4 724 7.2 25 0.6 38 0.9

 1,250-1,499 ....................... 737 3.3 629 6.3 15 0.4 36 0.8

 1,500-1,999 ....................... 949 4.3 866 8.7 12 0.3 37 0.8

 2,000+ ............................... 652 3.0 622 6.2 11 0.3 27 0.6

Countable Unearned

Income

 $0 ...................................... 9,222 41.8 4,507 45.1 341 9.0 2 0.0

 1-199 ................................. 1,056 4.8 675 6.8 40 1.0 10 0.2

 200-399 ............................. 1,552 7.0 1,130 11.3 76 2.0 24 0.6

 400-599 ............................. 1,409 6.4 962 9.6 176 4.6 202 4.6

 600-799 ............................. 4,440 20.1 1,008 10.1 1,510 39.8 2,284 51.8

 800-999 ............................. 1,696 7.7 525 5.3 641 16.9 738 16.7

 1,000-1,249 ....................... 1,417 6.4 461 4.6 595 15.7 548 12.4

 1,250-1,499 ....................... 665 3.0 326 3.3 246 6.5 314 7.1

 1,500+ ............................... 590 2.7 389 3.9 173 4.6 287 6.5

Countable TANF Income

 $0 ...................................... 20,474 92.9 8,448 84.6 3,759 98.9 4,123 93.5

 1-199 ................................. 282 1.3 272 2.7 14 0.4 89 2.0

 200-399 ............................. 591 2.7 569 5.7 16 0.4 121 2.8

 400-599 ............................. 453 2.1 450 4.5 4 0.1 42 1.0

 600-799 ............................. 189 0.9 189 1.9 5 0.1 16 0.4

 800-999 ............................. 36 0.2 36 0.4 0 0.0 10 0.2

 1,000+ ............................... 21 0.1 20 0.2 1 0.0 8 0.2

Countable GA Income

 $0 ...................................... 21,338 96.8 9,861 98.8 3,654 96.2 4,274 96.9

 1-199 ................................. 370 1.7 54 0.5 95 2.5 111 2.5

 200-399 ............................. 252 1.1 28 0.3 31 0.8 16 0.4

 400-599 ............................. 51 0.2 20 0.2 14 0.4 5 0.1

 600-799 ............................. 19 0.1 13 0.1 4 0.1 3 0.1

 800-999 ............................. 7 0.0 7 0.1 0 0.0 0 0.0

 1,000+ ............................... 9 0.0 1 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0

Countable TANF or GA

Income

 $0 ...................................... 19,776 89.7 8,336 83.5 3,615 95.2 3,995 90.6

 1-199 ................................. 642 2.9 315 3.2 109 2.9 192 4.3

 200-399 ............................. 843 3.8 597 6.0 46 1.2 138 3.1

 400-599 ............................. 504 2.3 470 4.7 19 0.5 47 1.1

 600-799 ............................. 208 0.9 202 2.0 9 0.2 19 0.4

 800-999 ............................. 44 0.2 44 0.4 0 0.0 10 0.2

 1,000+ ............................... 30 0.1 21 0.2 1 0.0 8 0.2

See footnotes at end of table.

42
Table A.8. Distribution of Participating Households with Children, Elderly Individuals, and Disabled Nonelderly Individuals by

Countable Earned and Unearned Income Amounts — Continued

Household Characteristic

Total Households Households with:

Number

(000)

Percent

Children Elderly Individuals Disabled Nonelderly

Individuals

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Countable SSI

 $0 ...................................... 17,594 79.8 8,813 88.3 2,311 60.8 1,360 30.9

 1-199 ................................. 813 3.7 83 0.8 399 10.5 423 9.6

 200-399 ............................. 562 2.5 76 0.8 278 7.3 303 6.9

 400-599 ............................. 482 2.2 131 1.3 172 4.5 317 7.2

 600-799 ............................. 2,234 10.1 675 6.8 533 14.0 1,727 39.2

 800-999 ............................. 96 0.4 45 0.5 26 0.7 74 1.7

 1,000+ ............................... 265 1.2 160 1.6 79 2.1 205 4.7

 Maximum for 1 Persona .... 1,090 4.9 208 2.1 268 7.1 824 18.7

Countable Social Security

 $0 ...................................... 16,904 76.7 9,081 91.0 1,174 30.9 2,136 48.5

 1-199 ................................. 147 0.7 94 0.9 29 0.8 72 1.6

 200-399 ............................. 462 2.1 117 1.2 217 5.7 199 4.5

 400-599 ............................. 861 3.9 146 1.5 445 11.7 364 8.3

 600-799 ............................. 1,396 6.3 184 1.8 687 18.1 664 15.1

 800-999 ............................. 1,092 5.0 126 1.3 586 15.4 481 10.9

 1,000+ ............................... 1,185 5.4 236 2.4 660 17.4 494 11.2

Other Countable

Unearned Income

 $0 ...................................... 17,573 79.7 6,864 68.7 3,277 86.3 3,816 86.5

 1-199 ................................. 1,273 5.8 804 8.1 230 6.0 209 4.7

 200-399 ............................. 1,121 5.1 849 8.5 111 2.9 168 3.8

 400-599 ............................. 692 3.1 506 5.1 65 1.7 85 1.9

 600-799 ............................. 493 2.2 327 3.3 40 1.1 48 1.1

 800-999 ............................. 307 1.4 201 2.0 24 0.6 28 0.6

 1,000+ ............................... 579 2.6 429 4.3 51 1.3 53 1.2

 Source: Fiscal Year 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a The fiscal year 2012 maximum monthly SSI benefit for one person was $674 from October through December 2011, and $698 from January through

September, 2012. This row tabulates the number of households in which at least one person received the applicable maximum SSI benefit. 

43
Table A.9. Distribution of Participating Households by Type of Deduction and Household Composition, Countable Income Source, and

SNAP Benefit Amount

Household Characteristic

Total Households Type of Deduction

Number

(000)

Percent

Earned Income Dependent Care Excess Shelter Medical Child Support

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Percent

with

Maximuma

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Total ....................................... 22,046 100.0 6,889 31.2 833 3.8 15,666 71.1 28.1 970 4.4 435 2.0

Household Composition

 Children ................................ 9,984 100.0 5,058 50.7 832 8.3 7,793 78.1 38.7 104 1.0 200 2.0

 School Age ......................... 7,599 100.0 3,845 50.6 578 7.6 5,997 78.9 38.3 91 1.2 149 2.0

 Preschool Age .................... 5,134 100.0 2,742 53.4 601 11.7 3,959 77.1 40.3 29 0.6 114 2.2

 No Children .......................... 12,063 100.0 1,831 15.2 1 0.0 7,873 65.3 17.5 866 7.2 236 2.0

 Elderly Individuals ............... 3,799 100.0 238 6.3 2 0.0 2,847 75.0 0.1 608 16.0 22 0.6

 No Elderly Individuals ......... 18,248 100.0 6,651 36.5 831 4.6 12,819 70.2 34.3 362 2.0 414 2.3

 Disabled Nonelderly

Individuals ........................ 4,409 100.0 440 10.0 35 0.8 3,537 80.2 0.2 377 8.6 137 3.1

 No Disabled Nonelderly

Individuals ........................ 17,638 100.0 6,449 36.6 798 4.5 12,129 68.8 36.2 593 3.4 298 1.7

Countable Income Source

 Gross Income ........................ 17,531 100.0 6,889 39.3 827 4.7 14,098 80.4 25.1 968 5.5 418 2.4

 No Gross Income .................. 4,515 100.0 – – 6 0.1 1,568 34.7 55.1 2 0.0 18 0.4

 Net Income ........................... 13,050 100.0 5,390 41.3 679 5.2 10,484 80.3 19.2 849 6.5 308 2.4

 No Net Income ..................... 8,461 100.0 1,492 17.6 154 1.8 5,182 61.3 46.1 121 1.4 127 1.5

 Not Applicableb .................... 535 100.0 7 1.3 – – – – – – – – –

 Earned Income ...................... 6,909 100.0 6,889 99.7 774 11.2 5,672 82.1 40.1 68 1.0 219 3.2

 No Earned Income ................ 15,137 100.0 – – 59 0.4 9,994 66.0 21.3 902 6.0 216 1.4

 Unearned Income ................. 12,824 100.0 2,186 17.0 350 2.7 10,183 79.4 17.9 963 7.5 269 2.1

 No Unearned Income ........... 9,222 100.0 4,703 51.0 484 5.2 5,483 59.5 47.0 7 0.1 166 1.8

 TANF Income ...................... 1,572 100.0 360 22.9 41 2.6 1,277 81.2 36.5 17 1.1 9 0.6

 No TANF Income ................. 20,474 100.0 6,529 31.9 793 3.9 14,389 70.3 27.3 953 4.7 426 2.1

 GA Income ........................... 708 100.0 52 7.4 2 0.3 565 79.7 34.6 6 0.8 6 0.9

 No GA Income ..................... 21,338 100.0 6,837 32.0 831 3.9 15,101 70.8 27.8 964 4.5 429 2.0

 SSI ........................................ 4,452 100.0 365 8.2 32 0.7 3,378 75.9 0.2 100 2.2 60 1.3

 No SSI .................................. 17,594 100.0 6,524 37.1 801 4.6 12,288 69.8 35.7 870 4.9 375 2.1

 Social Security Income ......... 5,142 100.0 377 7.3 23 0.4 4,165 81.0 2.5 909 17.7 142 2.8

 No Social Security Income ... 16,904 100.0 6,512 38.5 810 4.8 11,501 68.0 37.3 61 0.4 293 1.7

SNAP Benefit

 Minimum Benefit ................. 1,060 100.0 260 24.5 4 0.4 601 56.7 2.4 255 24.1 21 1.9

 Maximum Benefit ................ 8,764 100.0 1,495 17.1 154 1.8 5,194 59.3 46.1 121 1.4 127 1.4

 Source: Fiscal Year 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Percentage of households with deduction that receive the maximum.

b Net income is not used in the benefit determinations of MFIP households or SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits.

– No sample households in this category.

44
Table A.10. Average Values of Deductions of Participating Households by Household Composition, Countable Income Source, and SNAP

Benefit Amount

Household Characteristic

Total

Households

(000)

Average Amount of Deduction

(Dollars)

Earned Incomea Dependent Careb Excess Shelterc Medicalb Child Supportc

All

Households

With

Deduction

All

Households

With

Deduction

All

Households

With

Deduction

All

Households

With

Deduction

All

Households

With

Deduction

Total ................................ 22,046 67 208 10 250 273 374 7 154 5 235

Household Composition

 Children ......................... 9,984 119 234 21 250 281 359 2 146 5 261

 School Age .................. 7,599 123 243 19 254 286 361 2 142 5 261

 Preschool Age ............. 5,134 128 240 30 257 275 355 1 145 6 280

 No Children ................... 12,063 22 138 0 367 265 389 12 155 4 214

 Elderly Individuals ........ 3,799 10 143 0 352 333 410 29 161 1 180

 No Elderly Individuals .. 18,248 78 211 12 250 261 366 3 144 6 238

 Disabled Nonelderly

Individuals ................. 4,409 17 161 3 383 338 402 13 146 6 194

 No Disabled Nonelderly

Individuals ................. 17,638 79 212 11 244 257 366 6 160 4 255

Countable Income

Source

 Gross Income ................ 17,531 85 208 12 250 309 372 9 154 6 236

 No Gross Income .......... 4,515 0 0 0 290 137 395 0 164 1 234

 Net Income .................... 13,050 102 244 13 241 266 331 9 131 6 230

 No Net Income .............. 8,461 14 79 5 287 283 463 5 321 4 250

 Not Applicabled ............ 535 56 256 00000000

 Earned Income .............. 6,909 208 208 29 254 293 356 1 143 9 284

 No Earned Income ........ 15,137 0 0 1 190 263 385 10 155 3 187

 Unearned Income .......... 12,824 32 180 7 259 313 378 12 154 5 215

 No Unearned Income .... 9,222 113 222 13 243 218 367 0 255 5 269

 TANF Income ............... 1,572 31 134 4 154 290 352 1 105 1 213

 No TANF Income ......... 20,474 70 213 10 255 271 376 7 155 5 236

 GA Income .................... 708 15 191 1 203 315 393 1 85 2 238

 No GA Income .............. 21,338 69 209 10 250 271 374 7 155 5 235

 SSI ................................. 4,452 17 170 3 396 331 387 4 157 3 193

 No SSI ........................... 17,594 78 211 11 244 259 371 8 154 5 242

 Social Security 

Income ....................... 5,142 11 140 1 278 335 395 29 154 5 184

 No Social Security

Income ....................... 16,904 84 212 12 249 254 367 1 165 5 261

SNAP Benefit

 Minimum Benefit .......... 1,060 64 256 0 91 124 219 29 120 3 148

 Maximum Benefit ......... 8,764 14 79 5 287 284 463 5 321 4 250

 Source: Fiscal Year 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Because this deduction is not used in their benefit determinations, 689,701 SSI-CAP households are excluded from this column. Thus, the average values are

based on fewer households than the number shown in the Total Households column.

b Because this deduction is not used in their benefit determinations, 32,326 MFIP households and 689,701 SSI-CAP households are excluded from this column.

Thus, the average values are based on fewer households than the number shown in the Total Households column.

c Because this deduction is not used in their benefit determinations, 32,326 MFIP households and 502,953 SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized

SSI-CAP benefits are excluded from this column. Thus, the average values are based on fewer households than the number shown in the Total Households column.

d Net income is not used in the benefit determinations of MFIP households or SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits.

45
Table A.11. Distribution of Participating Households by Selected Household Characteristics and Amount of

Deduction

Household Characteristic

Total Households Households with:

Number

(000)

Percent

Children Elderly

Individuals

Disabled

Nonelderly

Individuals

Countable Earned

Income

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Total .................................................. 22,046 100.0 9,984 100.0 3,799 100.0 4,409 100.0 6,909 100.0

Total Deduction

 $0-146a ............................................ 30 0.1 27 0.3 0 0.0 – – 4 0.1

 147 ............................................... 3,973 18.0 909 9.1 493 13.0 376 8.5 1 0.0

 148-200 ........................................... 991 4.5 501 5.0 141 3.7 214 4.9 228 3.3

 201-300 ........................................... 1,496 6.8 576 5.8 373 9.8 497 11.3 305 4.4

 301-400 ........................................... 1,681 7.6 752 7.5 420 11.1 484 11.0 474 6.9

 401-500 ........................................... 2,045 9.3 929 9.3 430 11.3 555 12.6 616 8.9

 501-600 ........................................... 2,245 10.2 1,028 10.3 442 11.6 537 12.2 736 10.6

 601-700 ........................................... 4,107 18.6 2,274 22.8 375 9.9 506 11.5 1,191 17.2

 701-800 ........................................... 1,856 8.4 1,012 10.1 281 7.4 360 8.2 1,265 18.3

 801-900 ........................................... 1,255 5.7 772 7.7 170 4.5 235 5.3 886 12.8

 901-1000 ......................................... 742 3.4 477 4.8 121 3.2 168 3.8 479 6.9

 1001+ .............................................. 1,123 5.1 726 7.3 251 6.6 274 6.2 718 10.4

 Not Applicableb .............................. 503 2.3 2 0.0 300 7.9 203 4.6 8 0.1

Earned Income Deduction

 $0 ..................................................... 14,468 65.6 4,924 49.3 3,169 83.4 3,671 83.3 12 0.2

 1-50 ................................................. 847 3.8 399 4.0 58 1.5 102 2.3 847 12.3

 51-100 ............................................. 813 3.7 527 5.3 42 1.1 74 1.7 813 11.8

 101-150 ........................................... 953 4.3 638 6.4 46 1.2 59 1.3 953 13.8

 151-200 ........................................... 1,003 4.5 667 6.7 31 0.8 67 1.5 1,003 14.5

 201-250 ........................................... 950 4.3 722 7.2 23 0.6 38 0.9 950 13.7

 251-300 ........................................... 739 3.4 631 6.3 14 0.4 36 0.8 739 10.7

 301-350 ........................................... 566 2.6 510 5.1 9 0.2 21 0.5 566 8.2

 351-400 ........................................... 374 1.7 350 3.5 3 0.1 16 0.4 374 5.4

 401+ ................................................ 644 2.9 615 6.2 11 0.3 27 0.6 644 9.3

 Not Applicablec ............................... 690 3.1 2 0.0 392 10.3 298 6.8 8 0.1

Dependent Care Deduction

 $0 ..................................................... 20,490 92.9 9,118 91.3 3,405 89.6 4,076 92.4 6,118 88.6

 1-50 ................................................. 88 0.4 88 0.9 0 0.0 3 0.1 73 1.1

 51-100 ............................................. 122 0.6 122 1.2 0 0.0 3 0.1 110 1.6

 101-150 ........................................... 120 0.5 120 1.2 – – 2 0.1 113 1.6

 151-200 ........................................... 109 0.5 108 1.1 – – 3 0.1 106 1.5

 201-250 ........................................... 76 0.3 76 0.8 0 0.0 3 0.1 69 1.0

 251-300 ........................................... 67 0.3 67 0.7 0 0.0 3 0.1 64 0.9

 301-350 ........................................... 63 0.3 63 0.6 – – 3 0.1 61 0.9

 351-400 ........................................... 30 0.1 30 0.3 – – 1 0.0 26 0.4

 401+ ................................................ 158 0.7 157 1.6 1 0.0 14 0.3 152 2.2

 Not Applicabled .............................. 722 3.3 33 0.3 392 10.3 298 6.8 16 0.2

Medical Deduction

 $0 ..................................................... 20,355 92.3 9,847 98.6 2,798 73.7 3,734 84.7 6,824 98.8

 1-50 ................................................. 99 0.4 8 0.1 63 1.7 36 0.8 9 0.1

 51-100 ............................................. 377 1.7 40 0.4 226 6.0 155 3.5 25 0.4

 101-150 ........................................... 190 0.9 30 0.3 119 3.1 74 1.7 14 0.2

 151-200 ........................................... 108 0.5 14 0.1 68 1.8 42 1.0 3 0.0

 201-250 ........................................... 82 0.4 6 0.1 55 1.4 29 0.7 5 0.1

 251-300 ........................................... 25 0.1 1 0.0 18 0.5 7 0.2 2 0.0

 301+ ................................................ 90 0.4 6 0.1 58 1.5 33 0.8 9 0.1

 Not Applicabled .............................. 722 3.3 33 0.3 392 10.3 298 6.8 16 0.2

Child Support Deduction

 $0 ..................................................... 20,889 94.8 9,751 97.7 3,385 89.1 3,974 90.1 6,674 96.6

 1-50 ................................................. 51 0.2 20 0.2 5 0.1 28 0.6 11 0.2

 51-100 ............................................. 61 0.3 26 0.3 4 0.1 25 0.6 20 0.3

 101-150 ........................................... 56 0.3 25 0.2 3 0.1 16 0.4 32 0.5

 151-200 ........................................... 51 0.2 18 0.2 2 0.1 21 0.5 19 0.3

See footnotes at end of table.

46
Table A.11. Distribution of Participating Households by Selected Household Characteristics and Amount of

Deduction — Continued

Household Characteristic

Total Households Households with:

Number

(000)

Percent

Children Elderly

Individuals

Disabled

Nonelderly

Individuals

Countable Earned

Income

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Child Support Deduction

 201-250 ........................................... 48 0.2 20 0.2 1 0.0 9 0.2 28 0.4

 251-300 ........................................... 43 0.2 24 0.2 0 0.0 10 0.2 28 0.4

 301-350 ........................................... 31 0.1 15 0.2 3 0.1 9 0.2 18 0.3

 351-400 ........................................... 29 0.1 13 0.1 1 0.0 6 0.1 17 0.2

 401+ ................................................ 66 0.3 39 0.4 2 0.0 13 0.3 46 0.7

 Not Applicablee ............................... 722 3.3 33 0.3 392 10.3 298 6.8 16 0.2

Excess Shelter Deduction

 $0 ..................................................... 5,845 26.5 2,158 21.6 652 17.2 668 15.2 1,221 17.7

 1-50 ................................................. 724 3.3 334 3.3 131 3.4 164 3.7 232 3.4

 51-100 ............................................. 674 3.1 326 3.3 154 4.1 198 4.5 252 3.7

 101-150 ........................................... 823 3.7 412 4.1 183 4.8 239 5.4 281 4.1

 151-200 ........................................... 904 4.1 451 4.5 192 5.1 234 5.3 333 4.8

 201-250 ........................................... 990 4.5 501 5.0 229 6.0 244 5.5 347 5.0

 251-300 ........................................... 1,069 4.8 532 5.3 202 5.3 275 6.2 380 5.5

 301-350 ........................................... 1,260 5.7 613 6.1 248 6.5 289 6.6 464 6.7

 351-400 ........................................... 1,207 5.5 571 5.7 215 5.7 262 5.9 450 6.5

 401-458 ........................................... 1,326 6.0 592 5.9 269 7.1 331 7.5 451 6.5

 459 ................................................... 4,388 19.9 3,009 30.1 3 0.1 6 0.1 2,267 32.8

 460-500 ........................................... 369 1.7 49 0.5 165 4.3 208 4.7 26 0.4

 501-550 ........................................... 372 1.7 65 0.7 163 4.3 209 4.7 29 0.4

 551-600 ........................................... 321 1.5 58 0.6 146 3.8 179 4.1 31 0.5

 601+ ................................................ 1,240 5.6 279 2.8 549 14.4 699 15.8 129 1.9

 Not Applicablee ............................... 535 2.4 33 0.3 300 7.9 203 4.6 16 0.2

 No Deduction .................................. 5,845 26.5 2,158 21.6 652 17.2 668 15.2 1,221 17.7

 Deduction Less than Capf ............... 8,985 40.8 4,337 43.4 1,824 48.0 2,239 50.8 3,194 46.2

 Deduction Equal to Cap .................. 4,398 20.0 3,017 30.2 3 0.1 6 0.1 2,272 32.9

 Benefit Less than Maximum

Benefit ......................................... 2,006 9.1 1,610 16.1 3 0.1 6 0.1 1,479 21.4

 Benefit Equal to Maximum

Benefit ......................................... 2,392 10.9 1,407 14.1 – – 0 0.0 794 11.5

 Deduction Greater than Cap ............ 2,283 10.4 439 4.4 1,020 26.9 1,292 29.3 206 3.0

 Not Applicablee ............................... 535 2.4 33 0.3 300 7.9 203 4.6 16 0.2

 Source: Fiscal Year 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a This row contains MFIP households, which do not receive a standard deduction, and households in the Virgin Islands, which

receive a standard deduction of $130 for 1-, 2-, and 3-person households.

b Deductions are not used in the benefit determinations of SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits.

c This deduction is not used in the benefit determinations of SSI-CAP households.

d This deduction is not used in the benefit determinations of MFIP households or SSI-CAP households.

e This deduction is not used in the benefit determinations of MFIP households or SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized

SSI-CAP benefits.

f Households without elderly or disabled members are subject to a cap on their excess shelter deduction.

– No sample households in this category.

47
Table A.12. Distribution of Participating Households by Selected Household Characteristics and SNAP Benefit Amount, SNAP Benefit as a Per

Benefit, and Certification Period

Total Households Households with:

Number

(000)

Percent

Children Elderly Individuals Disabled Nonelderly Individuals Countabl

Inco

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Total ......................................................................................... 22,046 100.0 9,984 100.0 3,799 100.0 4,409 100.0 6,909 SNAP Benefit Minimum Benefit or lessa ....................................................... 1,072 4.9 89 0.9 516 13.6 316 7.2 270 

 Greater than the Minimum - 50 .............................................. 807 3.7 81 0.8 340 9.0 334 7.6 135  51 - 100 ................................................................................... 1,522 6.9 216 2.2 614 16.2 570 12.9 317  101 - 199 ................................................................................. 3,792 17.2 872 8.7 1,157 30.5 1,308 29.7 1,116  200 .......................................................................................... 5,527 25.1 298 3.0 796 20.9 516 11.7 733  201 - 300 ................................................................................. 1,591 7.2 1,247 12.5 157 4.1 396 9.0 922  301 - 400 ................................................................................. 3,207 14.5 2,738 27.4 153 4.0 371 8.4 1,392  401 - 500 ................................................................................. 1,194 5.4 1,157 11.6 20 0.5 215 4.9 735  501 - 600 ................................................................................. 1,687 7.7 1,643 16.5 22 0.6 168 3.8 651  601 or More ............................................................................ 1,646 7.5 1,642 16.4 24 0.6 214 4.9 638 Benefit as a Percentage of the Maximum Minimum ................................................................................ 1,060 4.8 77 0.8 516 13.6 313 7.1 260  < 25%b .................................................................................... 1,202 5.5 419 4.2 387 10.2 448 10.2 402 

 25 - 50 ..................................................................................... 2,896 13.1 1,396 14.0 743 19.5 909 20.6 1,223  51 - 75 ..................................................................................... 3,840 17.4 2,218 22.2 694 18.3 1,106 25.1 1,813  76 - 99 ..................................................................................... 4,284 19.4 2,692 27.0 569 15.0 951 21.6 1,705  Maximum ................................................................................ 8,764 39.8 3,182 31.9 891 23.5 681 15.4 1,507 Months in Certification Period Averagec .................................................................................. 13 – 10 – 20 – 16 – 10 

 Mediand ................................................................................... 12 – 12 – 12 – 12 – 12  1-5 ........................................................................................... 500 2.3 322 3.2 17 0.5 37 0.8 209  6 .............................................................................................. 6,365 28.9 3,733 37.4 285 7.5 717 16.3 2,676  7-11 ......................................................................................... 564 2.6 325 3.3 45 1.2 67 1.5 177  12 ............................................................................................ 11,098 50.3 5,391 54.0 1,588 41.8 2,115 48.0 3,711  13-23 ....................................................................................... 179 0.8 76 0.8 49 1.3 45 1.0 38  24 ............................................................................................ 2,391 10.8 130 1.3 1,240 32.6 1,094 24.8 82  25-35 ....................................................................................... 33 0.2 0 0.0 19 0.5 11 0.3 0  36 ............................................................................................ 520 2.4 3 0.0 327 8.6 159 3.6 5  37+ .......................................................................................... 390 1.8 1 0.0 227 6.0 161 3.7 8  Unknown ................................................................................. 6 0.0 4 0.0 1 0.0 2 0.0 2 

 Source: Fiscal Year 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a The minimum benefit, applicable to one- and two-person households, is equal to 8 percent of the maximum benefit for single-person households. See Table C-6 for the 

values.

b Does not include households with the minimum benefit.

c Average number of months in certification period. Percent not applicable in this row.

d Median number of months in certification period. Percent not applicable in this row.

– Not Applicable.

48
Table A.13. Distribution of Participating Households by Type of Most Recent Action and Expedited

Service

Most Recent Action and Expedited

Service

Total Households Entrants Other Households

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Total ................................................ 22,046 100.0 937 100.0 21,109 100.0

Initial Certification .......................... 8,233 37.3 937 100.0 7,296 34.6

 Eligible for and Receiving

Expedited Service ...................... 2,467 11.2 432 46.1 2,036 9.6

 Eligible for But Did Not Receive

Expedited Service ...................... 571 2.6 61 6.5 510 2.4

 Not Eligible for Expedited Service 5,194 23.6 445 47.4 4,750 22.5

Recertification ................................. 13,814 62.7 – – 13,814 65.4

 Eligible for and Receiving

Expedited Service ...................... 187 0.8 – – 187 0.9

 Eligible for But Did Not Receive

Expedited Service ...................... 47 0.2 – – 47 0.2

 Not Eligible for Expedited Service 13,580 61.6 – – 13,580 64.3

 Source: Fiscal Year 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

– By definition these are mutually exclusive categories; therefore, no households will be found in these categories.

49
Table A.14. Distribution of Participating Households, Individuals, and Benefits by Household Composition

Household Composition

SNAP Households

Participants in Households

with Household

Characteristic

Monthly SNAP Benefits

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Dollars

(000)

Percent

Totala ............................................................................. 22,046 100.0 46,022 100.0 6,046,191 100.0

Children, Elderly Individuals, or Disabled

Individuals .............................................................. 16,520 74.9 39,902 86.7 4,982,619 82.4

Childrenb ...................................................................... 9,984 45.3 32,367 70.3 4,125,752 68.2

 Single-Adult Household ............................................... 5,651 25.6 16,593 36.1 2,239,175 37.0

 Male Adult ................................................................ 461 2.1 1,191 2.6 166,667 2.8

 Female Adult ............................................................. 5,190 23.5 15,402 33.5 2,072,508 34.3

 Multiple-Adult Household ........................................... 3,014 13.7 12,988 28.2 1,463,053 24.2

 Married Head Household .......................................... 1,857 8.4 8,246 17.9 895,346 14.8

 Other Multiple-Adult Household .............................. 1,157 5.2 4,741 10.3 567,708 9.4

 Children Only ............................................................... 1,318 6.0 2,786 6.1 423,524 7.0

Elderly Individuals ....................................................... 3,799 17.2 4,779 10.4 528,373 8.7

 Living Alone ................................................................ 3,074 13.9 3,074 6.7 364,257 6.0

 Living with Only Elderly Individuals .......................... 329 1.5 658 1.4 58,012 1.0

 Living with at Least One Nonelderly Individual ......... 396 1.8 1,048 2.3 106,104 1.8

Disabled Nonelderly Individuals ................................ 4,409 20.0 8,570 18.6 936,989 15.5

 Living Alone ................................................................ 2,567 11.6 2,567 5.6 307,970 5.1

 Not Living Alone ......................................................... 1,841 8.4 6,003 13.0 629,018 10.4

Other Householdsc ....................................................... 5,527 25.1 6,119 13.3 1,063,572 17.6

 Single-Person Household ............................................. 5,024 22.8 5,024 10.9 914,409 15.1

 Multi-Person Household .............................................. 503 2.3 1,095 2.4 149,163 2.5

Nondisabled Adults Age 18-49 in Childless

Householdsd ............................................................ 4,382 19.9 5,234 11.4 875,221 14.5

 Single-Person Household ............................................. 3,697 16.8 3,697 8.0 673,237 11.1

 Multi-Person Household .............................................. 684 3.1 1,537 3.3 201,983 3.3

Single-Person Households ........................................... 11,081 50.3 11,081 24.1 1,662,273 27.5

 Source: Fiscal Year 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a The sum of individual categories does not match the table total because a household can have more than one of the characteristics in the

table.

b Individuals with missing age were assigned child or adult status based on their relationship to the household head.

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

d These participants are subject to work requirements and a time limit. For this report, we incorporated a newly-developed methodology to

better identify nondisabled individuals when defining these participants. See Technical Documentation for the Fiscal Year 2012 SNAP QC

Database and QC Minimodel for details. 

50
Table A.15. Average Gross Countable Income as a Percentage of Poverty Guideline, Gross and Net Countable Income, Total

Deduction, SNAP Benefit, Household Size, and Certification Period of Participating Households by Household Composition

Household Composition

Total Households Average Values

Number

(000)

Percent

Gross

Countable

Income as a

Percentage

of Poverty

Guideline

(Percent)

Gross

Countable

Income

(Dollars)

Net

Countable

Income

(Dollars)a

Total

Deduction

(Dollars)b

SNAP

Benefit

(Dollars)

Household

Size

(Individuals)

Certification

Period

(Months)

Totalc ........................................................... 22,046 100.0 59.5 755 343 512 274 2.1 12.6

Children, Elderly Individuals, or

Disabled Individuals ............................ 16,520 74.9 69.8 913 428 559 302 2.4 13.6

Childrend .................................................... 9,984 45.3 58.7 966 468 583 413 3.2 9.6

 Single-Adult Household ............................. 5,651 25.6 54.8 828 382 539 396 2.9 9.7

 Male Adult .............................................. 461 2.1 52.7 746 325 544 362 2.6 10.1

 Female Adult ........................................... 5,190 23.5 55.0 836 387 538 399 3.0 9.7

 Multiple-Adult Household ......................... 3,014 13.7 69.5 1,363 746 675 485 4.3 9.6

 Married Head Household ........................ 1,857 8.4 73.9 1,474 817 714 482 4.4 9.6

 Other Multiple-Adult Household ............ 1,157 5.2 62.4 1,184 633 614 491 4.1 9.6

 Children Only ............................................. 1,318 6.0 50.6 647 201 558 321 2.1 9.3

Elderly Individuals ..................................... 3,799 17.2 86.2 855 399 521 139 1.3 19.8

 Living Alone .............................................. 3,074 13.9 84.9 772 325 505 119 1.0 21.1

 Living with Only Elderly Individuals ........ 329 1.5 98.9 1,213 685 565 176 2.0 17.7

 Living with at Least One Nonelderly

Individual ............................................... 396 1.8 85.3 1,199 680 594 268 2.6 11.6

Disabled Nonelderly Individuals .............. 4,409 20.0 83.2 977 484 529 213 1.9 16.1

 Living Alone .............................................. 2,567 11.6 87.3 794 302 523 120 1.0 19.8

 Not Living Alone ....................................... 1,841 8.4 77.4 1,233 718 537 342 3.3 11.1

Other Householdse ..................................... 5,527 25.1 28.8 283 97 375 192 1.1 9.6

 Single-Person Household ........................... 5,024 22.8 25.5 232 72 358 182 1.0 9.6

 Multi-Person Household ............................ 503 2.3 61.3 788 347 555 297 2.2 9.6

Nondisabled Adults Age 18-49 in

Childless Householdsf .......................... 4,382 19.9 31.3 325 121 385 200 1.2 9.5

 Single-Person Household ........................... 3,697 16.8 25.2 229 72 354 182 1.0 9.4

 Multi-Person Household ............................ 684 3.1 64.4 844 384 550 295 2.2 10.2

Single-Person Households ......................... 11,081 50.3 57.1 519 190 439 150 1.0 15.2

 Source: Fiscal Year 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Because net income is not used in their benefit determinations, 32,326 MFIP households and 502,953 SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized

SSI-CAP benefits are excluded from this column. Thus, the average values are based on fewer households than the number shown in the Total Households

column.

b Because deductions are not used in their benefit determinations, 502,953 SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits are

excluded from this column. Thus, the average values are based on fewer households than the number shown in the Total Households column.

c The sum of individual categories does not match the table total because a household can have more than one of the characteristics in the table.

d Individuals with missing age were assigned child or adult status based on their relationship to the household head.

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

f These participants are subject to work requirements and a time limit. For this report, we incorporated a newly-developed methodology to better identify

nondisabled individuals when defining these participants. See Technical Documentation for the Fiscal Year 2012 SNAP QC Database and QC Minimodel for

details. 

51
Table A.16. Distribution of Participating Households by Countable Income Type and Household Composition

Household Composition

Total

Households Countable Income Type

Number

(000)

Percent

Earned Income Zero Gross

Income TANF Income GA Income SSI Social SecurityIncome

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Totala ......................................... 22,046 100.0 6,909 100.0 4,515 100.0 1,572 100.0 708 100.0 4,452 100.0 5,142 100.0

Children, Elderly Individuals,

or Disabled Individuals ...... 16,520 74.9 5,436 78.7 1,466 32.5 1,545 98.3 349 49.3 4,452 100.0 5,096 99.1

Childrenb .................................. 9,984 45.3 5,063 73.3 1,221 27.0 1,536 97.7 123 17.3 1,170 26.3 903 17.6

 Single-Adult Household ........... 5,651 25.6 2,303 33.3 859 19.0 968 61.6 81 11.4 668 15.0 530 10.3

 Male Adult ............................ 461 2.1 166 2.4 98 2.2 84 5.3 6 0.9 43 1.0 66 1.3

 Female Adult ......................... 5,190 23.5 2,137 30.9 761 16.9 884 56.2 75 10.6 625 14.0 464 9.0

 Multiple-Adult Household ....... 3,014 13.7 1,909 27.6 231 5.1 314 19.9 31 4.4 442 9.9 348 6.8

 Married Head Household ...... 1,857 8.4 1,298 18.8 130 2.9 154 9.8 13 1.9 206 4.6 183 3.6

 Other Multiple-Adult

Household ............................ 1,157 5.2 611 8.8 101 2.2 160 10.2 18 2.5 237 5.3 165 3.2

 Children Only ........................... 1,318 6.0 851 12.3 131 2.9 254 16.2 11 1.5 60 1.3 25 0.5

Elderly Individuals ................... 3,799 17.2 242 3.5 250 5.5 40 2.5 144 20.4 1,488 33.4 2,625 51.0

 Living Alone ............................ 3,074 13.9 129 1.9 228 5.0 1 0.0 115 16.3 1,213 27.2 2,142 41.7

 Living with Only Elderly

Individuals ............................ 329 1.5 29 0.4 5 0.1 0 0.0 17 2.4 145 3.3 233 4.5

 Living with at Least One

Nonelderly Individual .......... 396 1.8 84 1.2 17 0.4 39 2.5 12 1.7 130 2.9 249 4.8

Disabled Nonelderly

Individuals .......................... 4,409 20.0 448 6.5 0 0.0 286 18.2 135 19.1 3,048 68.5 2,273 44.2

 Living Alone ............................ 2,567 11.6 95 1.4 0 0.0 1 0.1 73 10.3 1,637 36.8 1,472 28.6

 Not Living Alone ..................... 1,841 8.4 353 5.1 – – 285 18.1 62 8.7 1,411 31.7 801 15.6

Other Householdsc ................... 5,527 25.1 1,473 21.3 3,050 67.5 27 1.7 359 50.7 – – 46 0.9

 Single-Person ........................... 5,024 22.8 1,177 17.0 2,950 65.3 23 1.5 343 48.4 – – 32 0.6

 Multi-Person ............................ 503 2.3 296 4.3 100 2.2 4 0.3 16 2.3 – – 14 0.3

Nondisabled Adults Age 18-49

in Childless Householdsd ... 4,382 19.9 1,163 16.8 2,318 51.3 33 2.1 253 35.7 118 2.6 168 3.3

 Single-Person Household ......... 3,697 16.8 869 12.6 2,222 49.2 23 1.5 231 32.6 – – 12 0.2

 Multi-Person Household .......... 684 3.1 295 4.3 96 2.1 9 0.6 22 3.1 118 2.6 157 3.1

Single-Person Households ....... 11,081 50.3 1,667 24.1 3,233 71.6 93 5.9 536 75.6 2,850 64.0 3,660 71.2

 Source: Fiscal Year 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a The sum of individual categories does not match the table total because a household can have more than one of the characteristics in the table.

b Individuals with missing age were assigned child or adult status based on their relationship to the household head.

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

d These participants are subject to work requirements and a time limit. For this report, we incorporated a newly-developed methodology to better identify

nondisabled individuals when defining these participants. See Technical Documentation for the Fiscal Year 2012 SNAP QC Database and QC Minimodel for details.

– No sample households in this category.

52
Table A.17. Distribution of Participating Households with Children, Elderly Individuals, and Disabled Nonelderly Individuals by Selected

Characteristics

Household Characteristic

Total Households Household with:

Number

(000)

Percent

Children School-Age

Children

Preschool-Age

Children

Elderly

Individuals

Disabled

Nonelderly

Individuals

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Total ............................................................ 22,046 100.0 9,984 100.0 7,599 100.0 5,134 100.0 3,799 100.0 4,409 100.0

Household Composition

 Children ...................................................... 9,984 45.3 9,984 100.0 7,599 100.0 5,134 100.0 167 4.4 1,429 32.4

 School Age ............................................... 7,599 34.5 7,599 76.1 7,599 100.0 2,749 53.5 149 3.9 1,261 28.6

 Preschool Age .......................................... 5,134 23.3 5,134 51.4 2,749 36.2 5,134 100.0 37 1.0 534 12.1

 Elderly Individuals ..................................... 3,799 17.2 167 1.7 149 2.0 37 0.7 3,799 100.0 119 2.7

 Disabled Nonelderly Individuals ............... 4,409 20.0 1,429 14.3 1,261 16.6 534 10.4 119 3.1 4,409 100.0

Countable Income Source and Resources

 Gross Income ............................................. 17,531 79.5 8,763 87.8 6,800 89.5 4,448 86.6 3,549 93.4 4,409 100.0

 No Gross Income ....................................... 4,515 20.5 1,221 12.2 799 10.5 686 13.4 250 6.6 0 0.0

 Net Income ................................................. 13,050 59.2 6,779 67.9 5,405 71.1 3,383 65.9 2,786 73.3 3,643 82.6

 No Net Income ........................................... 8,461 38.4 3,172 31.8 2,170 28.6 1,734 33.8 713 18.8 562 12.8

 Not Applicablea ......................................... 535 2.4 33 0.3 24 0.3 17 0.3 300 7.9 203 4.6

 Earned Income ........................................... 6,909 31.3 5,063 50.7 3,849 50.7 2,746 53.5 242 6.4 448 10.2

 Unearned Income ....................................... 12,824 58.2 5,477 54.9 4,426 58.2 2,569 50.0 3,457 91.0 4,407 100.0

 TANF Income ............................................ 1,572 7.1 1,536 15.4 1,110 14.6 871 17.0 40 1.1 286 6.5

 GA Income ................................................. 708 3.2 123 1.2 97 1.3 57 1.1 144 3.8 135 3.1

 SSI .............................................................. 4,452 20.2 1,170 11.7 1,035 13.6 454 8.8 1,488 39.2 3,048 69.1

 Social Security Income .............................. 5,142 23.3 903 9.0 810 10.7 279 5.4 2,625 69.1 2,273 51.5

 Countable Resources .................................. 957 4.3 482 4.8 362 4.8 252 4.9 196 5.2 192 4.4

Deductions

 Total Deduction ......................................... 21,518 97.6 9,958 99.7 7,579 99.7 5,121 99.8 3,499 92.1 4,205 95.4

 Standard Deduction .................................... 21,511 97.6 9,951 99.7 7,575 99.7 5,117 99.7 3,499 92.1 4,205 95.4

 Earned Income Deduction .......................... 6,889 31.2 5,058 50.7 3,845 50.6 2,742 53.4 238 6.3 440 10.0

 Dependent Care Deduction ........................ 833 3.8 832 8.3 578 7.6 601 11.7 2 0.0 35 0.8

 Excess Shelter Deduction .......................... 15,666 71.1 7,793 78.1 5,997 78.9 3,959 77.1 2,847 75.0 3,537 80.2

 Medical Deduction ..................................... 970 4.4 104 1.0 91 1.2 29 0.6 608 16.0 377 8.6

 Child Support Deduction ........................... 435 2.0 200 2.0 149 2.0 114 2.2 22 0.6 137 3.1

SNAP Benefit

 Minimum Benefit or lessb .......................... 1,072 4.9 89 0.9 67 0.9 24 0.5 516 13.6 316 7.2

 Greater than the Minimum - 100 ............... 2,330 10.6 298 3.0 227 3.0 110 2.1 954 25.1 904 20.5

 101-200 ...................................................... 9,319 42.3 1,170 11.7 806 10.6 467 9.1 1,953 51.4 1,824 41.4

 201-300 ...................................................... 1,591 7.2 1,247 12.5 921 12.1 544 10.6 157 4.1 396 9.0

 301 or More ................................................ 7,734 35.1 7,180 71.9 5,579 73.4 3,989 77.7 218 5.7 968 22.0

 Minimum Benefit ....................................... 1,060 4.8 77 0.8 58 0.8 19 0.4 516 13.6 313 7.1

 Maximum Benefit ...................................... 8,764 39.8 3,182 31.9 2,177 28.7 1,736 33.8 891 23.5 681 15.4

Household Size

 1 .................................................................. 11,081 50.3 424 4.2 245 3.2 179 3.5 3,074 80.9 2,567 58.2

 2 .................................................................. 4,246 19.3 3,006 30.1 1,810 23.8 1,391 27.1 578 15.2 731 16.6

 3 .................................................................. 3,109 14.1 2,964 29.7 2,275 29.9 1,422 27.7 92 2.4 478 10.8

 4 .................................................................. 1,999 9.1 1,982 19.9 1,719 22.6 1,095 21.3 27 0.7 303 6.9

 5 .................................................................. 946 4.3 944 9.5 896 11.8 579 11.3 11 0.3 180 4.1

 6+ ............................................................... 664 3.0 664 6.7 654 8.6 469 9.1 17 0.4 149 3.4

 Source: Fiscal Year 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Net income is not used in the benefit determinations of MFIP households or SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits.

b The minimum benefit, applicable to one- and two-person households, is equal to 8 percent of the maximum benefit for single-person households. See Table C-6

for the fiscal year 2012 minimum benefit values.

53
Table A.18. Average Values of Selected Characteristics for Participating Households with Children, Elderly

Individuals, and Disabled Nonelderly Individuals

Household Characteristic

Average Values for Households with:

Total Children School-Age

Children

Preschool-Age

Children

Elderly

Individuals

Disabled

Nonelderly

Individuals

Countable Income

 Gross Income ........................................ 755 966 1,032 954 855 977

 Net Incomea .......................................... 343 468 516 446 399 484

 Earned Income ...................................... 326 593 616 640 45 81

 Unearned Income .................................. 429 373 416 314 810 897

 TANF Income ....................................... 28 61 60 71 3 22

 GA Income ............................................ 7 4 4 4 6 3

 SSI ......................................................... 112 83 97 63 182 414

 Social Security Income ......................... 184 69 82 37 563 403

Countable Income as a Percentage of

Poverty Guildeline

 Gross Income ......................................... 59.5 58.7 60.4 55.7 86.2 83.2

 Net Incomea ........................................... 24.8 27.2 29.0 24.7 35.9 36.3

Deductions

 Total Deductionb .................................... 512 583 593 597 521 529

 Earned Income Deductionc .................... 67 119 123 128 10 17

 Over Households with Deduction .......... 208 234 243 240 143 161

 Dependent Care Deductiond .................. 10 21 19 30 0 3

 Over Households with Deduction .......... 250 250 254 257 352 383

 Excess Shelter Deductione ..................... 273 281 286 275 333 338

 Over Households with Deduction .......... 374 359 361 355 410 402

 Medical Deductiond ............................... 7 2 2 1 29 13

 Over Households with Deduction .......... 154 146 142 145 161 146

 Child Support Deductione ...................... 5 5 5 6 1 6

 Over Households with Deduction .......... 235 261 261 280 180 194

SNAP Benefit .............................................. 274 413 432 447 139 213

Household Size ........................................... 2.1 3.2 3.5 3.4 1.3 1.9

Certification Period ................................... 12.6 9.6 9.6 9.5 19.8 16.1

 Source: Fiscal Year 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Because net income is not used in their benefit determination, 32,326 MFIP households and 502,953 SSI-CAP households are excluded

from this category.

b Because deductions are not used in their benefit determination, 502,953 SSI-CAP households are excluded from this category.

c Because this deduction is not used in their benefit determination, 689,701 SSI-CAP households are excluded from this category.

d Because this deduction is not used in their benefit determination, 32,326 MFIP households and 689,701 SSI-CAP households are

excluded from this category.

e Because this deduction is not used in their benefit determination, 32,326 MFIP households and 502,953 SSI-CAP households are

excluded from this category.

54
Table A.19. Distribution of Participating Households with Countable Earned and Unearned Income by Selected

Characteristics

Household Characteristic

Total Households Countable Income Type

Number

(000)

Percent

 Earned Income Unearned Income TANF Income GA Income

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Total .................................................................... 22,046 100.0 6,909 100.0 12,824 100.0 1,572 100.0 708 100.0

Household Composition

 Children ............................................................. 9,984 45.3 5,063 73.3 5,477 42.7 1,536 97.7 123 17.3

 School Age ...................................................... 7,599 34.5 3,849 55.7 4,426 34.5 1,110 70.6 97 13.7

 Preschool Age ................................................. 5,134 23.3 2,746 39.7 2,569 20.0 871 55.4 57 8.0

 Elderly Individuals ............................................ 3,799 17.2 242 3.5 3,457 27.0 40 2.5 144 20.4

 Disabled Nonelderly Individuals ...................... 4,409 20.0 448 6.5 4,407 34.4 286 18.2 135 19.1

Countable Income Source

 Gross Income .................................................... 17,531 79.5 6,909 100.0 12,824 100.0 1,572 100.0 708 100.0

 No Gross Incomea ............................................. 4,515 20.5 – – – – – – – –

 Net Income ........................................................ 13,050 59.2 5,396 78.1 9,630 75.1 1,036 65.9 340 48.0

 No Net Income .................................................. 8,461 38.4 1,497 21.7 2,664 20.8 513 32.6 364 51.5

 Not Applicableb ................................................ 535 2.4 16 0.2 530 4.1 23 1.5 4 0.5

 Earned Income .................................................. 6,909 31.3 6,909 100.0 2,202 17.2 361 22.9 52 7.4

 Unearned Income .............................................. 12,824 58.2 2,202 31.9 12,824 100.0 1,572 100.0 708 100.0

 TANF Income ................................................... 1,572 7.1 361 5.2 1,572 12.3 1,572 100.0 10 1.5

 GA Income ........................................................ 708 3.2 52 0.8 708 5.5 10 0.7 708 100.0

 SSI Income ........................................................ 4,452 20.2 376 5.4 4,452 34.7 273 17.4 196 27.7

 Social Security Income ..................................... 5,142 23.3 385 5.6 5,142 40.1 114 7.3 108 15.3

Deductions

 Total Deduction ................................................. 21,518 97.6 6,900 99.9 12,298 95.9 1,552 98.7 705 99.5

 Standard Deduction ........................................... 21,511 97.6 6,893 99.8 12,295 95.9 1,549 98.5 705 99.5

 Earned Income Deduction ................................. 6,889 31.2 6,889 99.7 2,186 17.0 360 22.9 52 7.4

 Dependent Care Deduction ............................... 833 3.8 774 11.2 350 2.7 41 2.6 2 0.3

 Excess Shelter Deduction .................................. 15,666 71.1 5,672 82.1 10,183 79.4 1,277 81.2 565 79.7

 Medical Deduction ............................................ 970 4.4 68 1.0 963 7.5 17 1.1 6 0.8

 Child Support Deduction .................................. 435 2.0 219 3.2 269 2.1 9 0.6 6 0.9

SNAP Benefit

 Minimum Benefit or lessc ................................. 1,072 4.9 270 3.9 929 7.2 8 0.5 17 2.4

 Greater than the Minimum - 100 ....................... 2,330 10.6 453 6.5 2,061 16.1 27 1.7 70 9.8

 101-200 ............................................................. 9,319 42.3 1,849 26.8 4,691 36.6 158 10.0 473 66.7

 201-300 ............................................................. 1,591 7.2 922 13.3 1,007 7.9 159 10.1 32 4.5

 301 or More ....................................................... 7,734 35.1 3,416 49.4 4,137 32.3 1,221 77.7 118 16.6

 Minimum Benefit .............................................. 1,060 4.8 260 3.8 922 7.2 7 0.5 17 2.4

 Maximum Benefit ............................................. 8,764 39.8 1,507 21.8 2,965 23.1 517 32.9 370 52.2

Household Size

 1 ......................................................................... 11,081 50.3 1,667 24.1 6,491 50.6 93 5.9 536 75.6

 2 ......................................................................... 4,246 19.3 1,633 23.6 2,525 19.7 540 34.3 91 12.8

 3 ......................................................................... 3,109 14.1 1,527 22.1 1,733 13.5 455 29.0 39 5.5

 4 ......................................................................... 1,999 9.1 1,117 16.2 1,134 8.8 267 17.0 22 3.1

 5 ......................................................................... 946 4.3 560 8.1 534 4.2 119 7.6 12 1.7

 6+ ...................................................................... 664 3.0 406 5.9 407 3.2 98 6.2 9 1.3

 Source: Fiscal Year 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a 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.

b Net income is not used in the benefit determinations of MFIP households or SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits.

c The minimum benefit, applicable to one- and two-person households, is equal to 8 percent of the maximum benefit for single-person households.

See Table C-6 for the fiscal year 2012 minimum benefit values.

– No sample households in this category.

55
Table A.20. Average Values of Selected Characteristics for Participating Households with Countable

Earned and Unearned Income

Household Characteristic

Average Values for Households with:

Total

Countable

Earned

Income

Countable

Unearned

Income

Countable

TANF Income

Countable GA

Income

Countable Income

 Gross Income ......................................... 755 1,203 891 733 555

 Net Incomea ........................................... 343 556 423 313 209

 Earned Income ....................................... 326 1,040 153 153 70

 Unearned Income ................................... 429 163 738 580 485

 TANF Income ........................................ 28 17 48 395 6

 GA Income ............................................. 7 2 12 0 215

 SSI .......................................................... 112 33 192 113 147

 Social Security Income .......................... 184 38 316 42 85

Countable Income as a Percentage of

Poverty Guideline

 Gross Income ......................................... 59.5 80.7 74.3 46.3 50.4

 Net Incomea ........................................... 24.8 34.9 31.8 18.4 17.6

Deductions

 Total Deductionb .................................... 512 694 520 477 486

 Earned Income Deductionc .................... 67 208 32 31 15

 Over Households with Deduction .......... 208 208 180 134 191

 Dependent Care Deductiond .................. 10 29 7 4 1

 Over Households with Deduction .......... 250 254 259 154 203

 Excess Shelter Deductione ..................... 273 293 313 290 315

 Over Households with Deduction .......... 374 356 378 352 393

 Medical Deductiond ............................... 7 1 12 1 1

 Over Households with Deduction .......... 154 143 154 105 85

 Child Support Deductione ...................... 5 9 5 1 2

 Over Households with Deduction .......... 235 284 215 213 238

SNAP Benefit .............................................. 274 323 252 437 221

Household Size ........................................... 2.1 2.8 2.1 3.1 1.5

Certification Period ................................... 12.6 9.6 14.7 11.0 14.1

 Source: Fiscal Year 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Because net income is not used in their benefit determination, 32,326 MFIP households and 502,953 SSI-CAP

households are excluded from this category.

b Because deductions are not used in their benefit determination, 502,953 SSI-CAP households are excluded from this

category.

c Because this deduction is not used in their benefit determination, 689,701 SSI-CAP households are excluded from this

category.

d Because this deduction is not used in their benefit determination, 32,326 MFIP households and 689,701 SSI-CAP

households are excluded from this category.

e Because this deduction is not used in their benefit determination, 32,326 MFIP households and 502,953 SSI-CAP

households are excluded from this category.

56
Table A.21. Distribution of Participating Households With Selected Household Characteristics by the Race/Hispanic Status of the

Household Head

Characteristic

Total Households Households With:

Number

(000)

Percent

Children Elderly

Individuals

Disabled

Nonelderly

Individuals

Countable Earned

Income

Countable TANF

Income

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Total ..................................................... 22,046 100.0 9,984 100.0 3,799 100.0 4,409 100.0 6,909 100.0 1,572 100.0

Race and Hispanic Statusa of

Household Head

 White, not Hispanic ............................ 8,281 37.6 3,277 32.8 1,509 39.7 2,004 45.5 2,419 35.0 414 26.3

 African American, not Hispanic ......... 5,196 23.6 2,233 22.4 750 19.7 1,135 25.8 1,366 19.8 426 27.1

 Hispanic, Any Race ............................ 2,002 9.1 1,044 10.5 364 9.6 292 6.6 672 9.7 229 14.5

 Asian, not Hispanic ............................. 515 2.3 195 2.0 187 4.9 49 1.1 177 2.6 37 2.4

 Native American, not Hispanic ........... 711 3.2 246 2.5 227 6.0 102 2.3 182 2.6 44 2.8

 Multiple Races Reported,

 not Hispanic ....................................... 43 0.2 19 0.2 10 0.3 7 0.2 14 0.2 8 0.5

 Race Unknown .................................... 3,778 17.1 1,487 14.9 743 19.6 750 17.0 1,098 15.9 138 8.8

Nonparticipating Household Headb .. 1,520 6.9 1,483 14.9 8 0.2 69 1.6 981 14.2 277 17.6

 Source: Fiscal Year 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a 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. “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 now voluntary and was missing for 20 percent of participants in fiscal year 2012. As a result, fiscal year 2012 race and ethnicity distributions are

not comparable to distributions for years prior to fiscal year 2007. 

b This category includes some households with no household head and no adult listed on the file.

57
Table A.22. Distribution of Participating Households By Presence of a Household Member with Selected Characteristics

Characteristic

Total Households Average Value Households with:

Number

(000)

Percent SNAP Benefit

(Dollars)

Children Elderly Individuals Disabled Nonelderly Individuals Co

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Num

(00

Total ......................................................................................... 22,046 100.0 274 9,984 100.0 3,799 100.0 4,409 100.0 6,

Citizenship U. S. Born Citizen ................................................................... 20,596 93.4 279 9,851 98.7 2,913 76.7 4,268 96.8 6, Naturalized Citizen ................................................................. 1,291 5.9 276 460 4.6 630 16.6 134 3.0  Refugee ................................................................................... 132 0.6 373 78 0.8 20 0.5 10 0.2  Other Noncitizen ..................................................................... 1,124 5.1 324 590 5.9 344 9.0 106 2.4  Citizen Children Living with Participating Noncitizen Adults ................................................................ 518 2.4 465 518 5.2 21 0.6 48 1.1  Citizen Children Living with Nonparticipating Noncitizen Adults .................................... 1,342 6.1 351 1,342 13.4 7 0.2 46 1.0 

58

 Source: Fiscal Year 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
Table A.23. Gender and SNAP Benefits of Participants by Selected Demographic Characteristic

Participant Characteristic

Total Participants Female Participants Male Participants Prorated Benefitsb

Number

(000)

Percenta Number

(000)

Percenta Number

(000)

Percenta Dollars

(000)

Percent

Total ..................................................... 46,022 100.0 25,945 56.4 20,076 43.6 6,046,191 100.0

Age

Child ..................................................... 20,500 44.5 10,149 22.1 10,352 22.5 2,644,671 43.7

 Preschool (4 or Less) .......................... 6,770 14.7 3,322 7.2 3,448 7.5 916,428 15.2

 School Age (5-17) ............................... 13,730 29.8 6,826 14.8 6,904 15.0 1,728,243 28.6

Nonelderly Adult .................................. 21,367 46.4 13,086 28.4 8,281 18.0 2,936,807 48.6

 18-35 ................................................... 11,031 24.0 7,193 15.6 3,838 8.3 1,532,692 25.3

 36-59 ................................................... 10,337 22.5 5,893 12.8 4,443 9.7 1,404,115 23.2

Elderly Individual (60 or More) ........... 4,154 9.0 2,710 5.9 1,444 3.1 464,713 7.7

Citizenship

 U. S. Born Citizen ............................... 42,697 92.8 23,939 52.0 18,758 40.8 5,597,782 92.6

 Naturalized Citizen ............................. 1,587 3.4 1,016 2.2 571 1.2 217,981 3.6

 Refugee ............................................... 338 0.7 167 0.4 171 0.4 41,644 0.7

 Other Noncitizen ................................. 1,400 3.0 823 1.8 577 1.3 188,784 3.1

Citizen Children Living with

Noncitizen Adultsc ........................ 3,828 8.3 1,865 4.1 1,963 4.3 533,268 8.8

Disabled Nonelderly Individuals ....... 5,456 11.9 2,997 6.5 2,459 5.3 591,652 9.8

 Disabled Children ............................... 1,067 2.3 411 0.9 656 1.4 104,118 1.7

 Disabled Nonelderly Adults ............... 4,390 9.5 2,586 5.6 1,804 3.9 487,534 8.1

Nondisabled Adults Age 18-49 in

Childless Householdsd .................. 4,794 10.4 2,041 4.4 2,753 6.0 820,699 13.6

Race and Hispanic Statuse

 White, not Hispanic ............................ 16,475 35.8 9,278 20.2 7,197 15.6 2,086,097 34.5

 African American, not Hispanic ......... 10,955 23.8 6,327 13.7 4,627 10.1 1,466,391 24.3

 Hispanic, Any Race ............................ 6,493 14.1 3,647 7.9 2,846 6.2 902,920 14.9

 Asian, not Hispanic ............................. 1,258 2.7 691 1.5 567 1.2 174,417 2.9

 Native American, not Hispanic ........... 1,565 3.4 868 1.9 697 1.5 214,416 3.5

 Multiple Races Reported, not

Hispanic .......................................... 129 0.3 65 0.1 63 0.1 19,311 0.3

 Race Unknown .................................... 9,147 19.9 5,068 11.0 4,079 8.9 1,182,638 19.6

 Source: Fiscal Year 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Percent of all participants.

b Prorated benefits equal the benefits paid to households multiplied by the ratio of participants with selected characteristic to total household size.

c Noncitizens may be inside or outside the SNAP unit.

d These participants are subject to work requirements and a time limit. For this report, we incorporated a newly-developed methodology to better

identify nondisabled individuals when defining these participants. See Technical Documentation for the Fiscal Year 2012 SNAP QC Database and QC

Minimodel for details. 

e 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. “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 now voluntary and was missing for 20 percent of participants in fiscal year 2012. As a result, fiscal year 2012

race and ethnicity distributions are not comparable to distributions for years prior to fiscal year 2007. 

59
Table A.24. Distribution of Participants by Thrifty Food Plan Sex-Age Groups and Household Size

Participant Characteristic

Household Size

Total

(000) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8+

Total ....................................... 46,022 11,081 8,492 9,327 7,997 4,732 2,474 1062 856

Children Under Age 12

1 or younger ....................... 2,492 77 594 687 538 323 169 60 43

2 - 3 years ........................... 2,828 76 617 753 693 354 193 79 62

4 - 5 years ........................... 2,880 53 544 738 697 453 221 94 80

6 - 8 years ........................... 3,657 62 490 981 918 617 320 150 118

9 - 11 years ......................... 3,312 55 447 833 862 550 292 157 117

Females .................................. 25,945 5,786 5,221 5,555 4,457 2,545 1,365 569 447

 1 or younger ....................... 1,233 37 270 332 285 165 93 31 21

 2 - 3 years ........................... 1,402 37 303 365 338 174 105 44 38

 4 - 5 years ........................... 1,394 25 251 366 339 218 102 52 40

 6 - 8 years ........................... 1,779 28 227 483 458 289 165 68 59

 9 - 11 years ......................... 1,674 28 206 437 428 274 152 82 68

 12 - 13 years ....................... 999 14 147 258 257 154 81 53 35

 14 - 18 years ....................... 2,021 80 357 513 412 298 214 81 66

 19 - 50 years ....................... 10,801 2,209 2,508 2,583 1,865 937 435 151 115

 51 - 70 years ....................... 3,403 2,284 772 208 72 36 18 8 5

 71 and older ........................ 1,240 1,045 180 11 3 1 – – 0

Males ...................................... 20,076 5,296 3,271 3,772 3,540 2,186 1,110 492 409

 1 or younger ....................... 1,259 40 324 355 253 158 76 29 22

 2 - 3 years ........................... 1,426 40 313 389 356 181 88 35 24

 4 - 5 years ........................... 1,486 29 293 372 357 235 118 42 40

 6 - 8 years ........................... 1,878 35 262 498 460 328 155 82 59

 9 - 11 years ......................... 1,638 28 241 396 434 276 140 75 49

 12 - 13 years ....................... 974 11 113 248 261 175 85 37 44

 14 - 18 years ....................... 2,038 58 358 530 499 290 163 68 70

 19 - 50 years ....................... 6,303 2,995 673 824 837 507 262 113 93

 51 - 70 years ....................... 2,538 1,749 483 152 80 36 20 11 6

 71 and older ........................ 537 312 211 8 3 1 10 0

 Source: Fiscal Year 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

– No sample households in this category.

60
Table A.25. Distribution of Household Heads, All Participants, and Nonelderly Adult Participants by Work Registration Status and

Employment Status

Employment/Work Registration Status

Household Heads All Participants Nonelderly Adult Participants

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Total ................................................................................................ 22,046 100.0 46,022 100.0 21,367 100.0

Work Registration Status

Work Registrant ............................................................................... 5,115 23.2 7,045 15.3 6,758 31.6

 Mandatory E&T Participant ........................................................... 2,329 10.6 3,082 6.7 3,053 14.3

 Voluntary E&T Participant ............................................................ 161 0.7 214 0.5 207 1.0

 Not E&T Participant ...................................................................... 2,624 11.9 3,749 8.1 3,498 16.4

Exempt ............................................................................................. 15,412 69.9 38,977 84.7 14,609 68.4

 For Disability ................................................................................. 5,632 25.5 6,827 14.8 4,509 21.1

 For Reason Other than Disability .................................................. 9,779 44.4 32,150 69.9 10,101 47.3

Nonparticipating Household Heada ................................................. 1,520 6.9 – – – –

Employment and Training Program Status

Total Participating in E&Tb ............................................................. 3,037 13.8 6,966 15.1 3,488 16.3

Not Participating in E&T ................................................................. 17,489 79.3 39,056 84.9 17,880 83.7

Nonparticipating Household Heada ................................................. 1,520 6.9 – – – –

Employment Status

Total Employed ................................................................................ 5,029 22.8 6,405 13.9 6,186 29.0

 Self-Employed, Farming ................................................................ 4 0.0 7 0.0 6 0.0

 Self-Employed, Non-Farming ........................................................ 600 2.7 816 1.8 765 3.6

 Migrant Farm Labor ....................................................................... – – 0 0.0 0 0.0

 Non-Migrant Farm Labor .............................................................. 6 0.0 7 0.0 7 0.0

 Active Duty Military Service ......................................................... 2 0.0 2 0.0 2 0.0

 Employed by Other ........................................................................ 4,416 20.0 5,572 12.1 5,405 25.3

Unemployed and Looking for Work ................................................ 4,748 21.5 6,294 13.7 6,153 28.8

Not in Labor Force and Not Looking for Work ............................... 10,750 48.8 33,323 72.4 9,028 42.3

Nonparticipating Household Heada ................................................. 1,520 6.9 – – – –

 Source: Fiscal Year 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Household heads who are not participating with the household. Some household heads in this category are ineligible for the SNAP, or are in separate SNAP

units not included in the SNAP QC sample. This category also includes some households with no adult listed on the file.

b E&T may be provided through SNAP or another program.

– Not Applicable.

61
62

Table A.26. Comparison of Participating Households with Key SNAP Household Characteristics for Fiscal Years 1989 to 2012a

Total 

Households 

(000)

Percentage of Households with:

Time Period

Zero Gross 

Income

Zero Net 

Incomeb

Minimum 

Benefit

Elderly 

Individuals Children

Disabled 

Individualsc

AFDC/

TANF Earnings SSI

Any 

Noncitizen

Fiscal Year 1989 7,217 7.1 18.3 7.5 19.3 60.4 9.1 41.9 19.6 20.6 9.8

Fiscal Year 1990 7,811 7.4 19.3 5.0 18.1 60.3 8.9 42.0 19.0 19.6 10.3

Fiscal Year 1991 8,863 8.3 20.5 4.1 16.5 60.4 9.0 40.5 19.8 18.6 11.8

Fiscal Year 1992 10,059 9.6 21.9 3.6 15.4 62.2 9.5 39.5 20.2 18.4 10.4

Fiscal Year 1993 10,791 9.7 23.7 4.0 15.5 62.1 10.7 39.4 20.6 19.4 11.6

Fiscal Year 1994 11,091 10.2 23.8 4.5 15.8 61.1 12.5 38.1 21.4 21.4 10.7

Fiscal Year 1995 10,883 9.7 25.0 4.3 16.0 59.7 18.9 38.3 21.4 22.6 10.7

Fiscal Year 1996 10,552 10.2 24.9 4.5 16.2 59.5 20.2 36.6 22.5 24.1 10.5

Fiscal Year 1997 9,452 9.2 22.7 6.6 17.6 58.3 22.3 34.6 24.2 26.5 8.4

Fiscal Year 1998 8,246 8.8 20.8 8.3 18.2 58.3 24.4 31.4 26.3 28.1 4.3

Fiscal Year 1999 7,670 8.5 20.6 9.7 20.1 55.7 26.4 27.3 26.8 30.2 6.0

Fiscal Year 2000 7,335 8.4 20.1 10.9 21.0 53.9 27.5 25.8 27.2 31.7 6.4

Fiscal Year 2001 7,450 9.4 22.2 11.2 20.4 53.6 27.7 23.1 27.0 31.8 5.4

Fiscal Year 2002 8,201 10.5 24.3 10.7 18.7 54.1 27.0 20.9 28.0 29.5 5.2

Fiscal Year 2003 8,971 12.7 27.7 7.0 17.1 55.1 22.1 17.2 27.5 26.3 5.4

Fiscal Year 2004 10,069 13.1 29.7 5.9 17.3 54.3 22.7 16.2 28.5 26.8 6.2

Fiscal Year 2005 10,852 13.7 30.0 5.2 17.1 53.7 23.0 14.5 29.1 26.4 6.2

Fiscal Year 2006 11,313 14.1 31.0 6.2 17.9 52.0 23.1 13.0 29.5 26.8 6.1

Fiscal Year 2007 11,561 14.7 31.4 6.6 17.8 51.0 23.8 12.1 29.6 27.7 5.7

Fiscal Year 2008 12,464 16.2 33.6 6.7 18.5 50.6 22.6 10.6 28.9 26.2 5.6

Fiscal Year 2009 14,981 17.6 36.0 4.1 16.6 49.9 21.2 9.7 29.4 23.6 5.9

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

Source: Fiscal Year 1989 to 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control samples.

Note: The fiscal year 2003 through fiscal Year 2012 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. 

a Fiscal year analysis files were not developed for the years before 1989.

b Beginning in 2004, net income is not calculated for MFIP households or SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits.

c The substantial increase in 1995 and decrease in 2003 are in part a result of the changes in the definition of a household with a disabled member. 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, veterans benefits, or other government benefits as a result of a disability. Due to changes 

in the SNAP QC data in 2003, the definition of a disabled household changed again, to households with either SSI income or a medical expense deduction and without an 

elderly person, and households with a nonelderly adult who works fewer than 30 hours a week and receives Social Security, veterans benefits, or workers’ compensation.
63

Table A.27. Comparison of Average Nominal and Real Values of Key SNAP Household Characteristics for Fiscal Years 1989 to 2012

Gross Income

(Dollars)

Net Income

(Dollars)a

Total Deduction 

(Dollars)b

SNAP Benefit

(Dollars) Gross Income as a 

Percentage of 

Poverty Guidelines

(Percent)

Household Size

Time Period (Persons)

Nominal 

Value

Real 

Valuec

Nominal

Value

Real

Valuec

Nominal

Value

Real

Valuec

Nominal

Value

Real

Valued

Fiscal Year 1989 442 815 247 455 216 398 132 246 60 2.6

Fiscal Year 1990 453 792 251 439 225 393 150 262 59 2.6

Fiscal Year 1991 464 779 253 425 235 394 162 276 58 2.6

Fiscal Year 1992 478 779 258 420 250 407 170 287 57 2.6

Fiscal Year 1993 490 775 258 408 262 414 170 280 56 2.6

Fiscal Year 1994 507 782 268 413 272 419 168 269 57 2.5

Fiscal Year 1995 514 771 265 397 283 424 172 267 56 2.5

Fiscal Year 1996 528 769 275 401 287 418 174 261 57 2.5

Fiscal Year 1997 558 795 299 426 291 414 169 247 58 2.4

Fiscal Year 1998 584 819 321 450 294 412 165 237 60 2.4

Fiscal Year 1999 603 827 338 464 299 410 162 228 62 2.4

Fiscal Year 2000 620 823 355 471 298 395 158 217 63 2.3

Fiscal Year 2001 624 805 353 456 311 401 163 217 62 2.3

Fiscal Year 2002 633 809 355 453 324 414 173 228 61 2.3

Fiscal Year 2003 608 755 317 394 346 430 192 247 57 2.3

Fiscal Year 2004 634 767 312 377 382 462 197 245 58 2.3

Fiscal Year 2005 644 754 316 370 390 456 209 254 58 2.3

Fiscal Year 2006 668 757 323 366 410 465 208 249 59 2.3

Fiscal Year 2007 684 754 325 358 430 474 212 243 59 2.2

Fiscal Year 2008 693 736 329 349 441 468 222 240 58 2.2

Fiscal Year 2009 711 757 329 350 471 502 272 292 58 2.2

Fiscal Year 2010 731 766 336 352 491 515 287 307 57 2.2

Fiscal Year 2011 744 762 338 346 508 520 281 291 59 2.1

Fiscal Year 2012 755 755 343 343 512 512 274 274 60 2.1

Source of CPI-U values: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Source of nominal values: Fiscal Year 1989 to 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control samples.

Note: The fiscal year 2003 through fiscal Year 2012 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.

a Beginning in 2004, net income is not calculated for MFIP households or SSI-CAP households in States with standardized SSI-CAP benefit amounts.

b Some of the change in average total deductions and average net income between 2003 and 2004 may be attributable to two changes in the SNAP QC datafile 

development process. First, we revised the way certain deductions are calculated to correct for inconsistencies and data entry errors. Second, given that deductions are not 

used in their benefit determination, SSI-CAP participants in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits are excluded from the average total deduction calculation 

beginning in 2004. 

c Real values are in constant 2012 dollars adjusted by changes in the CPI-U for all items.

d Real values are in constant 2012 dollars adjusted by changes in the CPI-U for food at home.
64

Table A.28. Comparison of Number of SNAP Participants by Gender and Age for Fiscal Years 1989 to 2012

Time Period

Total

Participants

(000)

Female 

Participants

(000)

Male 

Participants 

(000)

Children

(Ages 0-17)

(000)

Nonelderly 

Adults

(Age 18-59)

(000)

Elderly 

Individuals

(Age 60+)

(000)

Fiscal Year 1989............. 18,956 11,334 7,612 9,447 7,623 1,562

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 2,514

Fiscal Year 2009............. 32,889 18,854 14,035 15,617 14,544 2,728

Fiscal Year 2010............. 39,759 22,405 17,354 18,516 18,121 3,121

Fiscal Year 2011............. 44,148 24,936 19,212 19,927 20,452 3,770

Fiscal Year 2012......... 46,022 25,945 20,076 20,500 21,367 4,154

Source: Fiscal Year 1989 to 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control samples.

Note: The fiscal year 2003 through fiscal Year 2012 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.
APPENDIX B

DETAILED TABLES OF SNAP HOUSEHOLDS BY STATE
This page has been left blank for double-sided copying.
Table B.1. Distribution of Participating Households, Individuals, and Benefits by State

State

SNAP Households Participants in Households Monthly SNAP Benefits

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Dollars

(000)

Percent

Totala ..................................... 22,046 100.0 46,022 100.0 6,046,191 100.0

Alabama ................................. 408 1.9 903 2.0 114,046 1.9

Alaska .................................... 38 0.2 91 0.2 15,417 0.3

Arizona ................................... 474 2.1 1,100 2.4 138,127 2.3

Arkansas ................................. 214 1.0 492 1.1 58,872 1.0

California ............................... 1,774 8.0 3,950 8.6 577,651 9.6

Colorado ................................. 218 1.0 484 1.1 66,096 1.1

Connecticut ............................ 214 1.0 393 0.9 54,480 0.9

Delaware ................................ 69 0.3 147 0.3 18,364 0.3

District of Columbia .............. 79 0.4 140 0.3 18,948 0.3

Florida .................................... 1,820 8.3 3,344 7.3 462,453 7.6

Georgia ................................... 866 3.9 1,887 4.1 254,299 4.2

Guam ...................................... 14 0.1 42 0.1 8,894 0.1

Hawaii .................................... 87 0.4 173 0.4 36,726 0.6

Idaho ...................................... 99 0.4 230 0.5 29,323 0.5

Illinois .................................... 909 4.1 1,861 4.0 257,319 4.3

Indiana .................................... 394 1.8 895 1.9 117,039 1.9

Iowa ........................................ 189 0.9 405 0.9 47,707 0.8

Kansas .................................... 139 0.6 296 0.6 36,729 0.6

Kentucky ................................ 393 1.8 824 1.8 104,037 1.7

Louisiana ................................ 399 1.8 896 1.9 116,821 1.9

Maine ..................................... 130 0.6 250 0.5 30,818 0.5

Maryland ................................ 358 1.6 710 1.5 88,950 1.5

Massachusetts ........................ 472 2.1 848 1.8 110,510 1.8

Michigan ................................ 920 4.2 1,820 4.0 243,639 4.0

Minnesota ............................... 261 1.2 533 1.2 60,198 1.0

Mississippi ............................. 293 1.3 651 1.4 79,171 1.3

Missouri ................................. 426 1.9 927 2.0 113,806 1.9

Montana ................................. 58 0.3 124 0.3 15,849 0.3

Nebraska ................................ 76 0.3 174 0.4 21,032 0.3

Nevada ................................... 166 0.8 349 0.8 41,840 0.7

New Hampshire ..................... 55 0.3 115 0.3 13,451 0.2

New Jersey ............................. 400 1.8 810 1.8 105,836 1.8

New Mexico ........................... 190 0.9 432 0.9 54,735 0.9

New York ............................... 1,610 7.3 3,000 6.5 435,956 7.2

North Carolina ....................... 784 3.6 1,662 3.6 198,159 3.3

North Dakota .......................... 27 0.1 58 0.1 7,371 0.1

Ohio ........................................ 867 3.9 1,795 3.9 244,532 4.0

Oklahoma ............................... 272 1.2 606 1.3 76,323 1.3

Oregon .................................... 444 2.0 806 1.8 99,431 1.6

Pennsylvania .......................... 863 3.9 1,782 3.9 225,502 3.7

Rhode Island .......................... 93 0.4 166 0.4 22,643 0.4

South Carolina ....................... 407 1.8 863 1.9 112,101 1.9

South Dakota .......................... 45 0.2 103 0.2 13,561 0.2

Tennessee ............................... 631 2.9 1,296 2.8 168,926 2.8

Texas ...................................... 1,652 7.5 3,998 8.7 487,910 8.1

Utah ........................................ 112 0.5 275 0.6 33,488 0.6

Vermont ................................. 48 0.2 93 0.2 11,190 0.2

Virgin Islands ......................... 10 0.0 24 0.1 4,263 0.1

Virginia .................................. 438 2.0 909 2.0 115,177 1.9

Washington ............................ 575 2.6 1,094 2.4 137,345 2.3

West Virginia ......................... 159 0.7 335 0.7 38,770 0.6

Wisconsin ............................... 395 1.8 826 1.8 96,210 1.6

Wyoming ................................ 14 0.1 33 0.1 4,150 0.1

 Source: Fiscal Year 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Due to rounding, the sum of individual categories may not match the table total.

67
Table B.2. Average Values of Selected Characteristics by State

State

Average Values

Gross Countable

Income as a

Percentage of

Poverty

Guideline

(Percent)

Gross

Countable

Income

(Dollars)

Net

Countable

Income

(Dollars)a

Total

Deduction

(Dollars)b

SNAP

Benefit

(Dollars)

Household

Size

(Persons)

Certification

Period

(Months)

Total ...................................... 59.5 755 343 512 274 2.1 12.6

Alabama ................................. 55.7 715 380 417 279 2.2 13.7

Alaska .................................... 52.8 924 490 602 407 2.4 7.0

Arizona ................................... 55.3 772 395 468 292 2.3 9.3

Arkansas ................................. 54.7 742 435 367 275 2.3 14.5

California ............................... 41.5 579 236 465 326 2.2 12.0

Colorado ................................. 55.6 720 301 525 304 2.2 10.4

Connecticut ............................ 68.8 818 270 680 254 1.8 15.6

Delaware ................................ 64.0 829 395 512 267 2.1 14.2

District of Columbia .............. 45.6 548 292 442 241 1.8 14.3

Florida .................................... 54.7 663 260 493 254 1.8 9.2

Georgia ................................... 51.5 670 313 451 294 2.2 7.4

Guam ...................................... 49.6 804 394 555 653 3.1 11.9

Hawaii .................................... 55.9 824 449 451 423 2.0 11.6

Idaho ...................................... 60.2 810 373 533 296 2.3 12.3

Illinois .................................... 53.2 662 280 468 283 2.0 10.7

Indiana .................................... 54.3 717 346 457 297 2.3 11.1

Iowa ........................................ 65.1 851 438 495 252 2.1 7.4

Kansas .................................... 58.7 763 379 465 265 2.1 13.4

Kentucky ................................ 52.4 669 364 389 265 2.1 12.4

Louisiana ................................ 54.6 705 347 429 293 2.2 15.3

Maine ..................................... 74.4 912 381 619 237 1.9 11.9

Maryland ................................ 62.2 776 377 484 248 2.0 8.6

Massachusetts ........................ 74.6 870 319 648 234 1.8 17.1

Michigan ................................ 66.9 818 315 690 265 2.0 15.2

Minnesota ............................... 64.6 814 498 419 230 2.0 12.4

Mississippi ............................. 53.8 694 402 356 270 2.2 16.7

Missouri ................................. 59.1 768 399 437 267 2.2 15.7

Montana ................................. 61.6 781 354 521 273 2.1 15.0

Nebraska ................................ 63.4 837 425 503 275 2.3 15.1

Nevada ................................... 58.5 765 420 426 252 2.1 7.5

New Hampshire ..................... 77.5 987 436 656 243 2.1 7.1

New Jersey ............................. 70.5 874 337 662 265 2.0 14.9

New Mexico ........................... 55.7 749 381 450 289 2.3 15.0

New York ............................... 75.7 876 277 737 271 1.9 19.6

North Carolina ....................... 63.6 805 452 435 253 2.1 7.9

North Dakota .......................... 70.1 886 358 619 274 2.2 7.8

Ohio ........................................ 60.2 736 306 534 282 2.1 11.8

Oklahoma ............................... 54.7 719 380 417 281 2.2 15.3

Oregon .................................... 70.4 848 390 553 224 1.8 12.0

Pennsylvania .......................... 70.3 867 367 636 261 2.1 17.2

Rhode Island .......................... 72.2 836 283 719 244 1.8 16.1

South Carolina ....................... 49.0 632 337 370 276 2.1 8.0

South Dakota .......................... 63.1 819 335 593 304 2.3 13.2

Tennessee ............................... 51.1 641 335 376 268 2.1 11.6

Texas ...................................... 60.5 838 439 463 295 2.4 11.7

Utah ........................................ 55.5 799 426 455 298 2.4 7.3

Vermont ................................. 84.1 1,048 398 762 232 1.9 12.7

Virgin Islands ......................... 53.0 714 416 341 413 2.4 7.3

Virginia .................................. 54.4 696 361 410 263 2.1 13.7

Washington ............................ 64.0 808 361 621 239 1.9 14.9

West Virginia ......................... 61.8 780 445 405 244 2.1 13.6

Wisconsin ............................... 74.8 950 453 659 244 2.1 11.7

Wyoming ................................ 57.8 771 397 466 287 2.3 7.5

 Source: Fiscal Year 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Because net income is not used in their benefit determinations, 32,326 MFIP households and 502,953 SSI-CAP households in States that use

standardized SSI-CAP benefits are excluded from this column.

b Because deductions are not used in their benefit determinations, 502,953 SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP

benefits are excluded from this column. 

68
Table B.3. Distribution of Participating Households by Poverty Status and by State

State Number

(000)

Gross Countable Income as a Percentage of the Poverty Guideline

Zero Gross Income 1% – 50% 51% – 100% 101% or More

Number

(000)

Row Percent Number

(000)

Row Percent Number

(000)

Row Percent Number

(000)

Row Percent

Totala ..................................... 22,046 4,515 20.5 4,686 21.3 8,984 40.7 3,861 17.5

Alabama ................................. 408 83 20.3 89 21.7 176 43.2 60 14.8

Alaska .................................... 38 9 24.1 9 24.9 13 35.2 6 15.9

Arizona ................................... 474 122 25.7 100 21.0 170 36.0 82 17.3

Arkansas ................................. 214 45 21.1 47 21.7 92 43.0 31 14.2

California ............................... 1,774 457 25.7 766 43.2 382 21.5 170 9.6

Colorado ................................. 218 40 18.6 49 22.6 103 47.4 25 11.5

Connecticut ............................ 214 40 18.5 38 17.6 83 39.0 53 24.9

Delaware ................................ 69 14 19.8 14 19.7 25 36.4 17 24.1

District of Columbia .............. 79 27 34.5 17 21.8 25 32.1 9 11.6

Florida .................................... 1,820 510 28.0 257 14.1 778 42.8 275 15.1

Georgia ................................... 866 240 27.7 176 20.3 326 37.6 124 14.3

Guam ...................................... 14 3 19.9 5 35.8 4 28.3 2 16.0

Hawaii .................................... 87 16 18.1 22 25.6 37 42.7 12 13.7

Idaho ...................................... 99 18 18.0 20 20.1 46 46.2 16 15.7

Illinois .................................... 909 245 27.0 169 18.6 384 42.3 110 12.1

Indiana .................................... 394 89 22.6 84 21.3 171 43.4 50 12.6

Iowa ........................................ 189 31 16.5 41 21.7 72 38.1 45 23.7

Kansas .................................... 139 31 22.0 20 14.7 65 46.6 23 16.7

Kentucky ................................ 393 91 23.1 77 19.6 186 47.5 38 9.8

Louisiana ................................ 399 69 17.2 100 25.0 186 46.7 44 11.0

Maine ..................................... 130 24 18.4 14 10.4 54 41.2 39 30.0

Maryland ................................ 358 72 20.0 76 21.3 140 39.2 70 19.5

Massachusetts ........................ 472 66 13.9 80 17.0 211 44.7 115 24.4

Michigan ................................ 920 190 20.6 133 14.4 392 42.6 205 22.3

Minnesota ............................... 261 33 12.4 65 24.9 104 39.9 59 22.7

Mississippi ............................. 293 64 21.8 59 20.2 137 46.8 33 11.2

Missouri ................................. 426 80 18.7 87 20.5 185 43.3 74 17.4

Montana ................................. 58 13 21.8 10 16.8 24 42.0 11 19.4

Nebraska ................................ 76 13 16.5 14 18.5 34 44.7 16 20.3

Nevada ................................... 166 39 23.7 34 20.5 61 36.8 32 19.0

New Hampshire ..................... 55 6 11.7 7 13.5 26 46.8 15 28.0

New Jersey ............................. 400 26 6.5 102 25.6 182 45.5 90 22.4

New Mexico ........................... 190 35 18.3 48 25.2 81 42.6 26 13.9

New York ............................... 1,610 136 8.4 299 18.5 815 50.6 361 22.4

North Carolina ....................... 784 165 21.0 139 17.8 303 38.6 177 22.5

North Dakota .......................... 27 4 14.7 5 20.1 10 37.8 7 27.5

Ohio ........................................ 867 168 19.4 172 19.8 378 43.6 148 17.1

Oklahoma ............................... 272 57 20.9 55 20.1 127 46.8 33 12.2

Oregon .................................... 444 86 19.4 86 19.5 151 34.0 120 27.1

Pennsylvania .......................... 863 91 10.6 188 21.8 373 43.2 211 24.4

Rhode Island .......................... 93 15 16.1 14 15.0 42 45.1 22 23.8

South Carolina ....................... 407 112 27.6 85 20.8 163 40.0 47 11.5

South Dakota .......................... 45 8 18.9 9 20.9 17 38.8 10 21.4

Tennessee ............................... 631 165 26.2 131 20.8 263 41.7 71 11.3

Texas ...................................... 1,652 319 19.3 350 21.2 678 41.1 305 18.5

Utah ........................................ 112 28 24.6 21 18.4 45 40.1 19 16.9

Vermont ................................. 48 7 13.7 6 13.1 17 35.4 18 37.9

Virgin Islands ......................... 10 1 8.1 5 47.9 3 27.8 2 16.2

Virginia .................................. 438 94 21.5 92 21.0 192 43.9 59 13.5

Washington ............................ 575 122 21.3 114 19.8 208 36.3 130 22.7

West Virginia ......................... 159 26 16.4 28 17.6 80 50.6 24 15.4

Wisconsin ............................... 395 70 17.8 55 14.0 153 38.8 116 29.4

Wyoming ................................ 14 3 21.7 3 18.5 6 44.1 2 15.7

 Source: Fiscal Year 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Due to rounding, the sum of individual categories may not match the table total.

69
Table B.4. Distribution of Participating Households by Shelter-Related Characteristics and by State

State 

Households with Shelter

Deduction

Households at the Shelter

Cap Average

Monthly

Shelter

Expense

(Dollars)

Average

Monthly

Shelter

Expense

Among

Households

with Expense

(Dollars)

Average

Shelter

Deductiona

(Dollars)

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Totalb ..................................... 15,666 71.1 4,398 20.0 591 729 374

Alabama ................................. 276 67.6 37 9.0 437 546 276

Alaska .................................... 23 60.5 4 10.2 535 676 400

Arizona ................................... 296 62.6 84 17.7 499 697 327

Arkansas ................................. 118 55.2 10 4.8 373 509 239

California ............................... 1,280 72.1 517 29.2 528 688 348

Colorado ................................. 166 76.4 59 27.3 639 764 392

Connecticut ............................ 176 82.0 81 37.7 894 1,084 552

Delaware ................................ 46 66.8 15 22.3 595 794 374

District of Columbia .............. 70 89.5 6 7.8 480 480 294

Florida .................................... 1,228 67.4 331 18.2 538 756 388

Georgia ................................... 571 65.9 124 14.4 485 664 333

Guam ...................................... 6 41.3 1 4.5 260 409 251

Hawaii .................................... 43 49.2 5 6.2 397 574 300

Idaho ...................................... 77 77.5 20 20.1 586 696 341

Illinois .................................... 618 67.9 118 13.0 505 681 360

Indiana .................................... 258 65.5 51 13.0 479 646 335

Iowa ........................................ 132 69.8 31 16.4 553 670 334

Kansas .................................... 96 69.6 17 12.1 485 591 305

Kentucky ................................ 248 63.2 27 7.0 400 527 272

Louisiana ................................ 262 65.6 48 12.0 448 580 286

Maine ..................................... 105 80.7 30 22.9 805 951 479

Maryland ................................ 250 69.9 69 19.3 584 713 338

Massachusetts ........................ 386 81.7 111 23.5 824 931 504

Michigan ................................ 869 94.5 399 43.4 845 852 465

Minnesota ............................... 155 59.3 28 10.5 474 673 322

Mississippi ............................. 139 47.3 17 5.7 347 476 235

Missouri ................................. 264 61.9 44 10.3 427 565 284

Montana ................................. 41 70.8 13 21.6 591 741 375

Nebraska ................................ 58 76.2 15 19.7 588 670 327

Nevada ................................... 104 62.6 18 11.0 480 664 304

New Hampshire ..................... 49 88.1 18 31.9 877 914 453

New Jersey ............................. 389 97.4 110 27.6 845 845 438

New Mexico ........................... 118 62.0 31 16.6 478 598 316

New York ............................... 1,186 73.6 558 34.7 986 1,017 515

North Carolina ....................... 491 62.7 79 10.1 467 603 286

North Dakota .......................... 21 77.8 7 25.5 688 809 416

Ohio ........................................ 621 71.6 198 22.8 622 784 437

Oklahoma ............................... 171 63.1 32 11.8 441 578 290

Oregon .................................... 340 76.7 103 23.3 646 792 378

Pennsylvania .......................... 784 90.8 298 34.5 822 838 440

Rhode Island .......................... 91 98.2 39 41.8 936 942 511

South Carolina ....................... 182 44.7 32 7.9 341 539 287

South Dakota .......................... 32 72.5 12 26.8 651 805 434

Tennessee ............................... 353 56.0 48 7.6 389 597 293

Texas ...................................... 1,055 63.8 171 10.3 462 593 286

Utah ........................................ 68 60.2 20 17.5 498 672 316

Vermont ................................. 42 86.9 16 32.5 1,002 1,104 552

Virgin Islands ......................... 5 46.5 1 6.7 288 394 198

Virginia .................................. 266 60.8 51 11.7 436 567 292

Washington ............................ 545 94.9 127 22.0 717 717 384

West Virginia ......................... 110 69.3 12 7.5 468 562 277

Wisconsin ............................... 377 95.5 103 26.0 797 797 401

Wyoming ................................ 10 71.2 2 14.9 494 606 291

 Source: Fiscal Year 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Over households with a shelter deduction.

b Due to rounding, the sum of individual categories may not match the table total.

70
Table B.5. Distribution of Participating Households by Household Composition and by State

State 

Households with:

Children Elderly Individuals Disabled Nonelderly

Individuals

Single Adults with

Children

Nondisabled Adults

Age 18-49 in Childless

Householdsa

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Totalb ..................................... 9,984 45.3 3,799 17.2 4,409 20.0 5,651 25.6 4,382 19.9

Alabama ................................. 203 49.7 58 14.3 105 25.7 137 33.6 80 19.6

Alaska .................................... 18 46.7 5 12.6 6 16.1 9 22.7 10 27.0

Arizona ................................... 235 49.5 61 12.8 66 13.8 119 25.1 105 22.1

Arkansas ................................. 108 50.6 27 12.8 58 26.9 63 29.2 43 19.8

California ............................... 1,096 61.8 131 7.4 24 1.3 460 25.9 406 22.9

Colorado ................................. 118 54.3 35 16.2 40 18.2 65 29.7 30 13.7

Connecticut ............................ 79 36.7 41 19.4 49 23.1 51 23.8 49 23.0

Delaware ................................ 34 49.8 8 12.2 12 17.6 21 31.2 14 20.3

District of Columbia .............. 27 34.3 11 13.9 17 21.5 19 24.4 22 28.6

Florida .................................... 637 35.0 382 21.0 296 16.2 284 15.6 477 26.2

Georgia ................................... 405 46.8 138 16.0 154 17.8 256 29.5 210 24.2

Guam ...................................... 9 67.5 2 12.7 0 1.8 3 22.8 2 15.1

Hawaii .................................... 33 38.2 18 20.8 16 18.1 17 19.5 18 21.1

Idaho ...................................... 52 52.3 12 11.8 21 21.5 25 25.0 19 18.8

Illinois .................................... 386 42.4 150 16.5 199 21.9 241 26.5 188 20.7

Indiana .................................... 199 50.6 51 12.9 91 23.2 121 30.8 71 18.0

Iowa ........................................ 82 43.3 26 13.9 38 19.9 49 26.0 48 25.2

Kansas .................................... 60 43.4 16 11.6 36 26.0 37 26.5 30 21.5

Kentucky ................................ 169 42.9 58 14.8 111 28.2 100 25.5 94 24.0

Louisiana ................................ 195 49.0 66 16.5 98 24.6 139 34.9 68 17.1

Maine ..................................... 48 36.6 28 21.9 35 27.3 25 19.0 26 20.4

Maryland ................................ 157 43.9 61 17.0 76 21.2 107 29.8 74 20.8

Massachusetts ........................ 174 36.9 121 25.7 137 29.0 116 24.6 71 15.1

Michigan ................................ 339 36.9 160 17.4 227 24.7 199 21.7 213 23.1

Minnesota ............................... 112 42.9 39 15.1 63 24.1 58 22.2 47 17.8

Mississippi ............................. 136 46.4 44 15.1 73 24.8 86 29.5 58 19.8

Missouri ................................. 196 46.0 57 13.5 100 23.5 127 29.8 87 20.5

Montana ................................. 24 41.2 9 15.9 13 22.6 14 23.5 13 21.9

Nebraska ................................ 38 50.1 12 15.1 18 24.2 25 33.1 10 13.1

Nevada ................................... 77 46.2 27 16.5 28 16.9 37 22.3 34 20.4

New Hampshire ..................... 25 45.7 9 15.8 18 33.2 16 28.6 9 15.4

New Jersey ............................. 189 47.3 93 23.3 85 21.3 102 25.5 55 13.8

New Mexico ........................... 100 52.8 28 14.6 33 17.3 51 26.8 37 19.6

New York ............................... 565 35.1 488 30.3 364 22.6 313 19.4 210 13.1

North Carolina ....................... 367 46.8 125 16.0 152 19.4 225 28.7 168 21.5

North Dakota .......................... 12 45.7 4 16.3 6 24.0 8 29.0 4 13.4

Ohio ........................................ 382 44.1 134 15.4 248 28.6 243 28.1 156 17.9

Oklahoma ............................... 132 48.4 37 13.5 65 24.1 81 29.9 52 19.0

Oregon .................................... 161 36.3 68 15.3 72 16.1 77 17.4 130 29.3

Pennsylvania .......................... 353 40.9 175 20.3 262 30.3 225 26.1 146 16.9

Rhode Island .......................... 33 35.8 21 23.0 25 27.1 20 21.5 16 17.7

South Carolina ....................... 194 47.6 65 16.0 67 16.4 128 31.6 94 23.0

South Dakota .......................... 22 49.5 8 17.3 10 22.0 14 30.5 7 16.4

Tennessee ............................... 266 42.1 99 15.7 139 22.0 157 24.9 152 24.1

Texas ...................................... 989 59.8 325 19.7 272 16.5 555 33.6 137 8.3

Utah ........................................ 61 54.6 10 8.5 20 18.2 31 27.4 23 20.4

Vermont ................................. 18 36.7 10 20.8 13 26.2 9 19.7 9 19.0

Virgin Islands ......................... 6 53.6 2 21.9 1 4.9 3 32.5 2 19.6

Virginia .................................. 204 46.6 71 16.2 95 21.6 124 28.4 84 19.2

Washington ............................ 219 38.0 86 15.0 107 18.7 117 20.4 153 26.7

West Virginia ......................... 66 41.8 27 16.9 53 33.1 36 22.5 28 17.6

Wisconsin ............................... 167 42.3 53 13.4 90 22.8 101 25.5 92 23.2

Wyoming ................................ 7 50.5 2 14.0 3 22.8 5 33.5 2 14.2

 Source: Fiscal Year 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a These participants are subject to work requirements and a time limit. For this report, we incorporated a newly-developed methodology to better

identify nondisabled individuals when defining these participants. See Technical Documentation for the Fiscal Year 2012 SNAP QC Database and QC

Minimodel for details. 

b Due to rounding, the sum of individual categories may not match the table total.

71
Table B.6. Distribution of Participating Households by Selected Countable Income Sources and by State

State

Households with Countable:

TANFa GA SSI Social Security Earned Income

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Totalb ..................................... 1,572 7.1 708 3.2 4,452 20.2 5,142 23.3 6,909 31.3

Alabama ................................. 19 4.6 1 0.1 95 23.3 112 27.4 114 27.8

Alaska .................................... 4 10.7 7 18.9 5 14.1 7 19.1 11 28.8

Arizona ................................... 18 3.9 – – 53 11.1 85 17.9 181 38.2

Arkansas ................................. 4 2.1 0 0.2 52 24.3 54 25.4 65 30.2

California ............................... 503 28.3 110 6.2 – – 96 5.4 621 35.0

Colorado ................................. 1 0.5 31 14.3 41 18.9 43 19.9 78 35.7

Connecticut ............................ 15 6.9 11 4.9 45 21.0 58 27.1 57 26.7

Delaware ................................ 5 6.6 5 6.9 10 13.9 14 19.7 22 31.4

District of Columbia .............. 15 19.1 0 0.6 18 22.9 14 17.5 9 11.0

Florida .................................... 42 2.3 – – 371 20.4 420 23.1 530 29.1

Georgia ................................... 22 2.6 2 0.2 144 16.7 198 22.9 266 30.7

Guam ...................................... 1 10.9 0 3.6 0 0.2 2 12.2 6 42.9

Hawaii .................................... 7 7.7 7 7.9 18 20.7 19 21.9 28 32.6

Idaho ...................................... 2 2.0 10 10.0 17 17.6 22 22.2 41 41.9

Illinois .................................... 47 5.2 29 3.2 196 21.5 215 23.6 237 26.0

Indiana .................................... 15 3.9 – – 74 18.7 92 23.3 130 32.9

Iowa ........................................ 14 7.4 0 0.1 34 18.0 47 25.0 81 42.8

Kansas .................................... 9 6.4 0 0.2 29 20.7 34 24.6 46 33.5

Kentucky ................................ 29 7.5 1 0.2 114 29.0 100 25.5 102 25.9

Louisiana ................................ 6 1.6 2 0.5 104 26.0 104 26.1 120 30.0

Maine ..................................... 12 9.0 29 22.2 27 21.0 49 37.4 37 28.2

Maryland ................................ 22 6.2 15 4.1 75 20.9 87 24.3 100 28.1

Massachusetts ........................ 54 11.4 15 3.2 154 32.6 164 34.8 92 19.5

Michigan ................................ 53 5.7 8 0.8 216 23.5 247 26.8 298 32.4

Minnesota ............................... 23 8.9 19 7.4 62 23.7 67 25.5 88 33.6

Mississippi ............................. 9 3.0 – – 77 26.4 75 25.7 81 27.6

Missouri ................................. 40 9.4 – – 84 19.7 104 24.3 135 31.6

Montana ................................. 3 5.8 0 0.6 11 18.8 16 27.2 19 33.4

Nebraska ................................ 5 6.6 5 7.1 16 21.3 20 25.8 28 37.0

Nevada ................................... 7 4.2 1 0.7 30 18.2 34 20.7 52 31.1

New Hampshire ..................... 4 7.4 8 13.7 12 20.9 20 36.9 17 31.5

New Jersey ............................. 36 9.0 36 9.1 99 24.9 107 26.7 122 30.6

New Mexico ........................... 23 12.2 1 0.6 36 18.8 39 20.3 68 35.7

New York ............................... 94 5.8 165 10.3 530 32.9 493 30.6 436 27.1

North Carolina ....................... 10 1.2 2 0.3 135 17.3 208 26.5 260 33.2

North Dakota .......................... 1 5.0 0 1.3 5 17.4 9 32.4 10 35.8

Ohio ........................................ 55 6.3 10 1.2 218 25.2 233 26.9 237 27.4

Oklahoma ............................... 6 2.1 65 23.9 59 21.8 70 25.7 85 31.4

Oregon .................................... 29 6.6 0 0.1 63 14.1 95 21.4 179 40.3

Pennsylvania .......................... 83 9.7 50 5.8 254 29.4 256 29.7 226 26.1

Rhode Island .......................... 7 7.2 1 1.4 25 27.1 31 33.3 22 23.2

South Carolina ....................... 13 3.2 – – 71 17.4 83 20.3 118 29.0

South Dakota .......................... 2 5.2 0 0.1 8 18.6 12 27.7 18 40.2

Tennessee ............................... 40 6.4 1 0.1 119 18.9 173 27.4 166 26.3

Texas ...................................... 58 3.5 – – 287 17.4 301 18.2 712 43.1

Utah ........................................ 3 3.1 1 1.3 18 15.6 19 17.2 43 38.3

Vermont ................................. 5 10.1 1 2.5 10 20.1 18 37.5 15 32.1

Virgin Islands ......................... 1 4.9 1 9.2 0 0.4 2 21.6 5 44.2

Virginia .................................. 34 7.8 2 0.4 96 22.0 109 24.9 134 30.7

Washington ............................ 38 6.7 54 9.4 113 19.6 121 21.0 177 30.7

West Virginia ......................... 8 4.7 – – 49 31.1 49 30.6 38 23.8

Wisconsin ............................... 14 3.5 1 0.3 69 17.5 93 23.4 145 36.7

Wyoming ................................ 0 1.6 0 0.7 3 21.2 3 24.0 5 34.3

 Source: Fiscal Year 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a This does not include households receiving a noncash benefit or a noncountable cash benefit (e.g., households participating in Minnesota’s Family

Investment Program).

b Due to rounding, the sum of individual categories may not match the table total.

– No sample data in this category.

72
Table B.7. Average Values of Selected Countable Income Sources by State

State 

Average Countable Valuesa

TANFb GA SSI Social Security Earned Income

Total ...................................... 395 215 552 789 1,040

Alabama ................................. 192 708 518 741 993

Alaska .................................... 633 336 533 751 1,394

Arizona ................................... 269 – 592 882 1,158

Arkansas ................................. 169 135 534 744 1,081

California ............................... 481 228 – 875 795

Colorado ................................. 284 288 538 747 929

Connecticut ............................ 468 194 547 834 1,168

Delaware ................................ 289 145 524 867 1,320

District of Columbia .............. 356 270 604 739 1,185

Florida .................................... 236 – 521 698 1,041

Georgia ................................... 226 183 502 826 947

Guam ...................................... 186 135 1,344 664 1,411

Hawaii .................................... 491 343 557 801 1,240

Idaho ...................................... 135 47 530 763 1,015

Illinois .................................... 331 109 553 790 933

Indiana .................................... 217 – 565 744 1,017

Iowa ........................................ 353 291 509 810 1,002

Kansas .................................... 268 173 536 744 1,072

Kentucky ................................ 279 471 555 706 923

Louisiana ................................ 275 473 527 679 938

Maine ..................................... 414 21 497 841 1,192

Maryland ................................ 514 181 552 797 1,089

Massachusetts ........................ 475 301 563 805 1,299

Michigan ................................ 419 264 580 848 1,040

Minnesota ............................... 1 164 580 714 1,138

Mississippi ............................. 146 – 510 703 1,015

Missouri ................................. 250 – 551 805 1,096

Montana ................................. 489 303 491 760 1,150

Nebraska ................................ 314 94 543 754 1,097

Nevada ................................... 328 298 539 815 1,088

New Hampshire ..................... 515 187 526 827 1,283

New Jersey ............................. 349 162 533 835 1,085

New Mexico ........................... 326 245 512 727 1,028

New York ............................... 659 358 585 790 1,051

North Carolina ....................... 193 318 496 837 1,126

North Dakota .......................... 313 344 454 762 1,233

Ohio ........................................ 404 115 568 819 943

Oklahoma ............................... 217 40 539 733 1,024

Oregon .................................... 474 621 521 886 1,129

Pennsylvania .......................... 363 207 600 838 1,070

Rhode Island .......................... 439 184 536 848 1,112

South Carolina ....................... 165 – 551 743 948

South Dakota .......................... 415 15 497 787 1,042

Tennessee ............................... 184 1,438 503 761 945

Texas ...................................... 191 – 587 780 1,104

Utah ........................................ 426 280 545 733 1,191

Vermont ................................. 534 269 527 880 1,382

Virgin Islands ......................... 292 182 51 753 915

Virginia .................................. 282 251 502 759 961

Washington ............................ 393 115 512 797 1,361

West Virginia ......................... 318 – 572 801 1,072

Wisconsin ............................... 526 482 682 864 1,222

Wyoming ................................ 507 454 531 737 1,118

 Source: Fiscal Year 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Average values are over households with income source.

b This does not include households receiving a noncash benefit or a noncountable cash benefit (e.g., households participating in

Minnesota’s Family Investment Program).

– No sample data in this category.

73
Table B.8. Distribution of Participating Households by Earnings-Related Characteristics and by State

State 

Households with Earnings Average Earned Income Deduction

(Dollars)

Number

(000)

Percent Average Earnings

(Dollars) All Householdsa Households with

Deduction

Totalb ..................................... 6,909 31.3 1,040 67 208

Alabama ................................. 114 27.8 993 55 198

Alaska .................................... 11 28.8 1,394 80 278

Arizona ................................... 181 38.2 1,158 88 232

Arkansas ................................. 65 30.2 1,081 65 216

California ............................... 621 35.0 795 56 159

Colorado ................................. 78 35.7 929 66 186

Connecticut ............................ 57 26.7 1,168 62 233

Delaware ................................ 22 31.4 1,320 83 264

District of Columbia .............. 9 11.0 1,185 26 237

Florida .................................... 530 29.1 1,041 64 208

Georgia ................................... 266 30.7 947 58 189

Guam ...................................... 6 42.9 1,411 121 282

Hawaii .................................... 28 32.6 1,240 81 248

Idaho ...................................... 41 41.9 1,015 85 203

Illinois .................................... 237 26.0 933 48 187

Indiana .................................... 130 32.9 1,017 67 204

Iowa ........................................ 81 42.8 1,002 86 201

Kansas .................................... 46 33.5 1,072 72 214

Kentucky ................................ 102 25.9 923 49 184

Louisiana ................................ 120 30.0 938 58 187

Maine ..................................... 37 28.2 1,192 67 238

Maryland ................................ 100 28.1 1,089 62 218

Massachusetts ........................ 92 19.5 1,299 53 261

Michigan ................................ 298 32.4 1,040 68 208

Minnesota ............................... 88 33.6 1,138 80 258

Mississippi ............................. 81 27.6 1,015 62 203

Missouri ................................. 135 31.6 1,096 69 220

Montana ................................. 19 33.4 1,150 77 230

Nebraska ................................ 28 37.0 1,097 81 219

Nevada ................................... 52 31.1 1,088 68 219

New Hampshire ..................... 17 31.5 1,283 81 256

New Jersey ............................. 122 30.6 1,085 66 217

New Mexico ........................... 68 35.7 1,028 77 205

New York ............................... 436 27.1 1,051 72 213

North Carolina ....................... 260 33.2 1,126 76 225

North Dakota .......................... 10 35.8 1,233 88 246

Ohio ........................................ 237 27.4 943 52 188

Oklahoma ............................... 85 31.4 1,024 64 205

Oregon .................................... 179 40.3 1,129 91 225

Pennsylvania .......................... 226 26.1 1,070 58 214

Rhode Island .......................... 22 23.2 1,112 52 222

South Carolina ....................... 118 29.0 948 59 189

South Dakota .......................... 18 40.2 1,042 85 210

Tennessee ............................... 166 26.3 945 50 189

Texas ...................................... 712 43.1 1,104 95 221

Utah ........................................ 43 38.3 1,191 91 238

Vermont ................................. 15 32.1 1,382 89 276

Virgin Islands ......................... 5 44.2 915 81 183

Virginia .................................. 134 30.7 961 59 192

Washington ............................ 177 30.7 1,361 97 272

West Virginia ......................... 38 23.8 1,072 51 214

Wisconsin ............................... 145 36.7 1,222 90 244

Wyoming ................................ 5 34.3 1,118 77 225

 Source: Fiscal Year 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Because the earnings deduction is not used in their benefit determinations, 672,709 SSI-CAP households are excluded from this column.

b Due to rounding, the sum of individual categories may not match the table total.

74
Table B.9. Distribution of Entrant Households with and without Expedited Service by State

State 

Total Entrant

Households

(000)

Entrant Households Eligible For

and Receiving Expedited Service

Entrant Households Eligible For

But Not Receiving Expedited

Service

Entrant Households Not Eligible

For Expedited Service

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Totala ..................................... 937 432 46.1 61 6.5 445 47.4

Alabama ................................. 14 6 41.8 2 15.8 6 42.4

Alaska .................................... 2 1 39.8 0 8.2 1 52.0

Arizona ................................... 17 10 58.6 1 3.2 6 38.2

Arkansas ................................. 12 2 20.2 2 16.0 8 63.8

California ............................... 75 53 70.3 – – 22 29.7

Colorado ................................. 14 9 61.6 0 3.3 5 35.1

Connecticut ............................ 10 3 34.3 3 34.0 3 31.7

Delaware ................................ 2 1 60.4 0 5.3 1 34.3

District of Columbia .............. 4 2 54.1 0 3.9 2 42.0

Florida .................................... 74 43 57.7 2 2.5 29 39.9

Georgia ................................... 58 24 41.3 7 12.1 27 46.6

Guam ...................................... 0 0 18.0 0 9.2 0 72.7

Hawaii .................................... 3 1 35.0 0 5.9 2 59.1

Idaho ...................................... 5 2 39.7 – – 3 60.3

Illinois .................................... 20 10 48.6 5 22.1 6 29.2

Indiana .................................... 15 6 40.4 2 12.9 7 46.7

Iowa ........................................ 8 4 42.2 1 9.2 4 48.6

Kansas .................................... 6 2 39.2 0 7.8 3 53.0

Kentucky ................................ 18 7 42.5 0 2.4 10 55.2

Louisiana ................................ 18 4 23.8 3 17.1 11 59.1

Maine ..................................... 4 2 50.7 – – 2 49.3

Maryland ................................ 16 8 52.2 1 5.7 7 42.2

Massachusetts ........................ 17 3 19.2 1 3.2 13 77.5

Michigan ................................ 32 16 50.6 3 10.0 13 39.4

Minnesota ............................... 10 4 39.1 – – 6 60.9

Mississippi ............................. 10 4 41.8 0 2.5 5 55.7

Missouri ................................. 20 8 41.6 2 8.9 10 49.5

Montana ................................. 2 1 55.9 0 5.3 1 38.8

Nebraska ................................ 4 2 42.6 0 11.7 2 45.7

Nevada ................................... 7 4 66.0 0 2.8 2 31.2

New Hampshire ..................... 3 2 51.8 – – 1 48.2

New Jersey ............................. 5 2 48.7 1 15.3 2 36.0

New Mexico ........................... 10 4 45.4 – – 5 54.6

New York ............................... 77 44 56.8 – – 33 43.2

North Carolina ....................... 31 12 38.4 4 11.6 15 49.9

North Dakota .......................... 1 1 43.1 0 4.5 1 52.4

Ohio ........................................ 18 6 34.7 3 15.1 9 50.3

Oklahoma ............................... 22 11 50.6 1 5.1 10 44.3

Oregon .................................... 23 11 48.0 0 1.8 11 50.2

Pennsylvania .......................... 39 19 49.2 4 11.1 16 39.6

Rhode Island .......................... 3 2 71.4 0 12.4 0 16.1

South Carolina ....................... 12 6 46.9 0 2.6 6 50.4

South Dakota .......................... 2 1 57.6 0 2.1 1 40.3

Tennessee ............................... 23 9 37.0 3 12.3 12 50.7

Texas ...................................... 108 24 22.5 5 4.3 79 73.2

Utah ........................................ 5 2 34.6 0 2.2 3 63.2

Vermont ................................. 2 1 46.4 0 14.6 1 39.0

Virgin Islands ......................... 0 0 51.5 0 11.4 0 37.1

Virginia .................................. 17 8 48.4 0 2.7 8 48.9

Washington ............................ 21 12 60.3 1 5.1 7 34.6

West Virginia ......................... 6 2 32.0 0 8.1 3 59.9

Wisconsin ............................... 14 9 65.6 1 5.3 4 29.1

Wyoming ................................ 1 0 32.1 0 17.3 1 50.6

 Source: Fiscal Year 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Due to rounding, the sum of individual categories may not match the table total.

– No sample data in this category.

75
Table B.10. Distribution of Participating Households by Race/Hispanic Status of Household Head and by State

State 

Race/Hispanic Statusa of Household Head

White,

not Hispanic

African American,

not Hispanic

Hispanic,

Any Race

Other,

not Hispanicb

Missing/Unknownc

 

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Totald ..................................... 8,281 37.6 5,196 23.6 2,002 9.1 1,270 5.8 5,297 24.0

Alabama ................................. 169 41.4 223 54.7 2 0.6 2 0.4 12 2.9

Alaska .................................... 16 43.1 2 5.7 0 0.7 17 44.1 2 6.4

Arizona ................................... 210 44.4 40 8.5 122 25.7 57 12.0 44 9.4

Arkansas ................................. 117 54.4 71 33.0 5 2.2 2 0.8 20 9.5

California ............................... 395 22.2 267 15.1 559 31.5 118 6.6 436 24.5

Colorado ................................. 29 13.4 5 2.2 13 5.8 3 1.5 168 77.1

Connecticut ............................ 91 42.4 45 21.2 66 30.8 3 1.5 9 4.1

Delaware ................................ 5 7.4 4 5.2 0 0.1 0 0.4 60 86.8

District of Columbia .............. 1 1.5 71 89.8 3 3.4 1 1.7 3 3.5

Florida .................................... – – 1 0.1 – – 488 26.8 1,331 73.1

Georgia ................................... 302 34.8 480 55.4 21 2.4 8 0.9 56 6.4

Guam ...................................... 0 0.2 – – – – 11 79.6 3 20.2

Hawaii .................................... 19 21.4 2 2.1 3 3.7 55 63.2 8 9.6

Idaho ...................................... 80 81.3 1 1.3 8 8.4 1 1.5 7 7.5

Illinois .................................... 315 34.6 264 29.1 28 3.0 14 1.5 289 31.8

Indiana .................................... 261 66.2 94 24.0 15 3.7 10 2.4 15 3.7

Iowa ........................................ 94 49.9 17 9.1 1 0.8 3 1.6 73 38.6

Kansas .................................... 81 58.8 25 18.0 8 6.1 5 3.7 19 13.5

Kentucky ................................ 320 81.5 59 14.9 2 0.4 4 1.1 8 2.1

Louisiana ................................ 115 28.9 256 64.3 2 0.5 8 2.1 17 4.2

Maine ..................................... 124 95.1 2 1.6 0 0.4 2 1.4 2 1.5

Maryland ................................ 112 31.4 211 58.9 11 3.1 11 3.0 13 3.7

Massachusetts ........................ 252 53.3 64 13.6 93 19.8 22 4.6 42 8.8

Michigan ................................ 439 47.7 267 29.0 27 2.9 10 1.1 177 19.3

Minnesota ............................... 151 57.7 55 20.9 6 2.2 27 10.2 24 9.0

Mississippi ............................. 76 26.1 177 60.5 1 0.5 1 0.4 37 12.5

Missouri ................................. 271 63.7 132 31.1 2 0.5 3 0.8 17 4.0

Montana ................................. 33 57.0 0 0.6 0 0.7 11 18.2 14 23.5

Nebraska ................................ 50 64.8 16 21.3 5 6.7 4 4.7 2 2.4

Nevada ................................... 76 45.7 34 20.8 24 14.3 12 7.2 20 12.1

New Hampshire ..................... 46 83.1 1 1.4 1 1.5 1 2.4 6 11.6

New Jersey ............................. 118 29.5 130 32.6 88 22.1 14 3.5 49 12.3

New Mexico ........................... 28 14.6 3 1.7 72 37.8 18 9.6 69 36.2

New York ............................... 505 31.4 454 28.2 428 26.6 114 7.1 109 6.7

North Carolina ....................... 335 42.7 377 48.2 8 1.0 20 2.5 44 5.6

North Dakota .......................... 19 68.8 1 4.2 0 0.4 6 23.1 1 3.5

Ohio ........................................ 549 63.3 248 28.6 16 1.8 10 1.1 44 5.1

Oklahoma ............................... 166 60.9 51 18.6 10 3.6 33 12.1 13 4.8

Oregon .................................... 333 75.0 15 3.3 2 0.4 20 4.6 74 16.6

Pennsylvania .......................... 510 59.2 229 26.6 87 10.1 18 2.1 17 2.0

Rhode Island .......................... 30 32.6 6 6.8 11 12.0 4 4.3 41 44.3

South Carolina ....................... 158 38.8 227 55.7 4 1.1 3 0.7 15 3.6

South Dakota .......................... 26 57.9 1 2.6 0 1.0 15 33.6 2 4.9

Tennessee ............................... 106 16.7 61 9.7 – – 2 0.4 462 73.2

Texas ...................................... 206 12.4 158 9.6 215 13.0 11 0.7 1,062 64.3

Utah ........................................ 82 73.2 3 2.3 5 4.4 6 5.2 17 14.8

Vermont ................................. 18 37.7 1 1.9 0 0.4 0 0.9 29 59.1

Virgin Islands ......................... 0 3.4 7 65.5 2 22.3 – – 1 8.8

Virginia .................................. 202 46.1 193 44.2 8 1.7 8 1.8 27 6.2

Washington ............................ 247 43.0 30 5.2 13 2.3 37 6.5 247 43.0

West Virginia ......................... 148 93.4 8 4.8 0 0.3 0 0.2 2 1.3

Wisconsin ............................... 233 59.1 104 26.4 3 0.7 15 3.8 40 10.1

Wyoming ................................ 11 75.1 0 2.3 1 5.7 1 7.3 1 9.6

 Source: Fiscal Year 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a 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 now voluntary and was missing for 20 percent of participants in fiscal year 2012. As a result, fiscal year 2012 race and

ethnicity distributions are not comparable to distributions for years prior to fiscal year 2007.

b Other includes household heads that are Asian, Native American, or who reported multiple races that do not fit into previous categories.

c Missing/Unknown includes household heads for which racial/ethnic information was not recorded on the application, is not available because the application was

not found, or is unknown, and households with no household head and no adult listed on the file.

d Due to rounding, the sum of individual categories may not match the table total.

– No sample data in this category.

76
Table B.11. Distribution of Participating Households by Use of Standard Utility Allowance and by State

State Number

(000)

Standard Utility Allowance (SUA) - Usage and Entitlementa

Households with

Heating/Cooling SUA

Households with Another

SUA 

Households with No SUA 

 

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Totalb ..................................... 22,046 14,423 65.4 1,446 6.6 5,642 25.6

Alabama ................................. 408 292 71.5 12 2.9 104 25.6

Alaska .................................... 38 14 35.9 14 35.8 11 28.3

Arizona ................................... 474 268 56.5 30 6.3 176 37.1

Arkansas ................................. 214 120 55.7 9 4.0 86 40.2

California ............................... 1,774 907 51.1 120 6.8 747 42.1

Colorado ................................. 218 133 61.3 30 13.8 54 24.9

Connecticut ............................ 214 176 82.4 – – 38 17.6

Delaware ................................ 69 41 60.0 3 4.6 24 35.4

District of Columbia .............. 79 77 98.4 1 1.6 – –

Florida .................................... 1,820 988 54.3 146 8.0 686 37.7

Georgia ................................... 866 544 62.9 33 3.9 288 33.3

Guam ...................................... 14 – – 7 48.7 7 51.3

Hawaii .................................... 87 0 0.1 40 45.9 47 53.9

Idaho ...................................... 99 69 69.7 9 9.5 21 20.8

Illinois .................................... 909 524 57.6 75 8.3 310 34.1

Indiana .................................... 394 230 58.3 10 2.5 154 39.2

Iowa ........................................ 189 121 64.0 25 13.4 43 22.7

Kansas .................................... 139 90 64.9 15 11.1 33 24.0

Kentucky ................................ 393 252 64.1 21 5.4 111 28.4

Louisiana ................................ 399 261 65.4 25 6.3 104 26.0

Maine ..................................... 130 95 73.0 12 9.2 23 17.8

Maryland ................................ 358 179 50.0 58 16.3 113 31.5

Massachusetts ........................ 472 348 73.7 57 12.1 67 14.2

Michigan ................................ 920 884 96.1 15 1.6 11 1.2

Minnesota ............................... 261 123 47.0 24 9.1 82 31.6

Mississippi ............................. 293 166 56.6 2 0.7 96 32.9

Missouri ................................. 426 265 62.2 17 3.9 144 33.9

Montana ................................. 58 36 62.1 3 5.3 19 32.6

Nebraska ................................ 76 53 69.5 5 6.4 18 24.1

Nevada ................................... 166 91 54.6 5 3.1 70 42.3

New Hampshire ..................... 55 41 73.9 9 17.1 5 9.0

New Jersey ............................. 400 399 99.8 ––––

New Mexico ........................... 190 117 61.9 16 8.2 47 24.9

New York ............................... 1,610 1,082 67.2 134 8.3 48 3.0

North Carolina ....................... 784 524 66.9 23 3.0 219 27.9

North Dakota .......................... 27 19 71.1 2 8.1 6 20.7

Ohio ........................................ 867 552 63.7 38 4.4 277 31.9

Oklahoma ............................... 272 173 63.8 21 7.9 77 28.4

Oregon .................................... 444 337 75.9 20 4.6 87 19.5

Pennsylvania .......................... 863 808 93.7 5 0.6 20 2.3

Rhode Island .......................... 93 91 98.4 – – 2 1.6

South Carolina ....................... 407 199 48.9 2 0.4 180 44.1

South Dakota .......................... 45 29 64.8 3 6.7 12 26.9

Tennessee ............................... 631 332 52.6 23 3.7 276 43.7

Texas ...................................... 1,652 1,053 63.7 165 10.0 430 26.0

Utah ........................................ 112 60 53.4 13 11.7 39 35.0

Vermont ................................. 48 38 78.8 4 9.3 6 11.9

Virgin Islands ......................... 10 – – 0 1.2 10 98.5

Virginia .................................. 438 208 47.5 55 12.6 172 39.3

Washington ............................ 575 497 86.5 78 13.5 – –

West Virginia ......................... 159 116 73.0 6 3.5 37 23.5

Wisconsin ............................... 395 392 99.2 3 0.8 – –

Wyoming ................................ 14 9 61.0 1 5.5 5 33.5

 Source: Fiscal Year 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Because this deduction is not used in their benefit determinations, 32,326 MFIP households and 502,953 SSI-CAP households in

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

b Due to rounding, the sum of individual categories may not match the table total.

– No sample data in this category.

77
Table B.12. Distribution of Participating Categorically Eligible Households by Public Assistance Status and by

State

State

Total SNAP

Households

(000)

Categorically Eligible Households

Total Households Pure PA Householdsa Other Categorically Eligible

Householdsb

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Totalc ................................. 22,046 20,131 91.3 5,082 23.1 15,050 68.3

Alabama ............................. 408 408 100.0 75 18.3 333 81.7

Alaska ................................ 38 11 29.0 9 24.4 2 4.6

Arizona ............................... 474 474 100.0 48 10.2 425 89.8

Arkansas ............................. 214 44 20.6 37 17.2 7 3.3

California ........................... 1,774 1,766 99.6 565 31.8 1,202 67.7

Colorado ............................. 218 218 100.0 44 20.1 174 79.9

Connecticut ........................ 214 214 99.9 52 24.5 162 75.4

Delaware ............................ 69 69 100.0 15 21.2 54 78.8

District of Columbia .......... 79 79 100.0 26 32.8 53 67.2

Florida ................................ 1,820 1,820 100.0 323 17.7 1,498 82.3

Georgia ............................... 866 866 100.0 115 13.3 751 86.7

Guam .................................. 14 14 100.0 2 12.0 12 88.0

Hawaii ................................ 87 87 100.0 27 31.0 60 69.0

Idaho .................................. 99 99 100.0 13 13.0 86 87.0

Illinois ................................ 909 909 100.0 175 19.3 734 80.7

Indiana ................................ 394 69 17.6 64 16.4 5 1.2

Iowa .................................... 189 189 100.0 36 18.8 154 81.2

Kansas ................................ 139 35 25.0 30 21.9 4 3.1

Kentucky ............................ 393 393 100.0 97 24.7 296 75.3

Louisiana ............................ 399 399 100.0 73 18.3 326 81.7

Maine ................................. 130 130 100.0 33 25.8 96 74.2

Maryland ............................ 358 358 100.0 87 24.4 271 75.6

Massachusetts .................... 472 472 99.8 188 39.8 284 60.0

Michigan ............................ 920 920 100.0 217 23.6 703 76.4

Minnesota ........................... 261 261 100.0 105 40.3 156 59.7

Mississippi ......................... 293 293 100.0 62 21.2 231 78.8

Missouri ............................. 426 131 30.7 98 23.0 33 7.7

Montana ............................. 58 58 100.0 11 19.2 47 80.8

Nebraska ............................ 76 76 100.0 18 23.9 58 76.1

Nevada ............................... 166 166 100.0 28 17.1 138 82.9

New Hampshire ................. 55 36 65.6 14 25.7 22 39.9

New Jersey ......................... 400 399 99.9 141 35.3 258 64.6

New Mexico ....................... 190 190 100.0 47 24.7 143 75.3

New York ........................... 1,610 1,608 99.8 639 39.7 969 60.2

North Carolina ................... 784 784 100.0 93 11.9 690 88.1

North Dakota ...................... 27 27 100.0 5 19.3 22 80.7

Ohio .................................... 867 867 100.0 210 24.2 656 75.8

Oklahoma ........................... 272 272 100.0 55 20.1 217 79.9

Oregon ................................ 444 444 100.0 77 17.4 367 82.6

Pennsylvania ...................... 863 863 100.0 295 34.2 568 65.8

Rhode Island ...................... 93 93 100.0 27 28.8 66 71.2

South Carolina ................... 407 407 100.0 54 13.2 353 86.8

South Dakota ...................... 45 12 26.0 7 16.4 4 9.6

Tennessee ........................... 631 130 20.7 118 18.7 12 2.0

Texas .................................. 1,652 1,652 100.0 233 14.1 1,419 85.9

Utah .................................... 112 24 21.5 18 15.6 7 5.9

Vermont ............................. 48 48 99.9 12 25.5 36 74.4

Virgin Islands ..................... 10 10 100.0 1 11.4 9 88.6

Virginia .............................. 438 109 24.9 103 23.6 6 1.3

Washington ........................ 575 575 100.0 147 25.6 427 74.4

West Virginia ..................... 159 159 99.9 42 26.6 116 73.3

Wisconsin ........................... 395 395 100.0 65 16.5 330 83.5

Wyoming ............................ 14 3 19.2 3 18.3 0 0.9

 Source: Fiscal Year 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Pure PA households are those in which each member 1) received SSI, 2) was covered by a cash TANF benefit, or 3) received

GA income. 

b These households are identified as categorically eligible in SNAP QC data but are not pure cash PA households. Most are likely

eligible through broad-based categorical eligibility or due to the receipt of noncash TANF benefits or services such as child care or

transportation subsidies. Most of these households meet the federal SNAP eligibility criteria.

c Due to rounding, the sum of individual categories may not match the table total.

78
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

State 

Total SNAP

Households

(000)

Distribution of Households in Relation to Poverty Guidelinea

Based on Cash Only Based on Cash and SNAP Benefits Difference in Percentage Points

50 Percent or

Less

51 Percent to

100 Percent

101 Percent

or More

50 Percent or

Less

51 Percent to

100 Percent

101 Percent

or More

50 Percent or

Less

51 Percent to

100 Percent

101 Percent

or More

Totalb ................. 22,046 41.7 40.7 17.5 27.3 42.0 30.6 -14.4 1.3 13.1

Alabama ............. 408 42.0 43.2 14.8 28.7 47.6 23.7 -13.3 4.4 8.9

Alaska ................ 38 49.0 35.2 15.9 31.1 42.1 26.8 -17.9 7.0 10.9

Arizona ............... 474 46.7 36.0 17.3 35.1 36.2 28.7 -11.6 0.2 11.4

Arkansas ............. 214 42.8 43.0 14.2 29.9 46.8 23.3 -12.9 3.8 9.1

California ........... 1,774 68.9 21.5 9.6 36.9 46.2 16.9 -32.0 24.7 7.3

Colorado ............. 218 41.1 47.4 11.5 26.0 49.0 24.9 -15.1 1.7 13.4

Connecticut ........ 214 36.1 39.0 24.9 23.2 33.5 43.3 -12.9 -5.4 18.4

Delaware ............ 69 39.5 36.4 24.1 28.8 35.4 35.8 -10.7 -1.0 11.7

District of

Columbia ............ 79 56.3 32.1 11.6 36.6 47.3 16.1 -19.7 15.2 4.5

Florida ................ 1,820 42.2 42.8 15.1 32.8 41.5 25.7 -9.4 -1.2 10.6

Georgia ............... 866 48.0 37.6 14.3 34.2 41.8 23.9 -13.8 4.2 9.6

Guam .................. 14 55.7 28.3 16.0 22.3 38.7 39.0 -33.4 10.4 23.0

Hawaii ................ 87 43.6 42.7 13.7 21.1 49.3 29.6 -22.5 6.6 15.9

Idaho .................. 99 38.1 46.2 15.7 24.9 42.0 33.0 -13.2 -4.2 17.3

Illinois ................ 909 45.6 42.3 12.1 30.8 45.1 24.1 -14.7 2.8 11.9

Indiana ................ 394 43.9 43.4 12.6 30.2 43.7 26.2 -13.8 0.2 13.5

Iowa .................... 189 38.2 38.1 23.7 24.0 41.1 34.9 -14.2 2.9 11.2

Kansas ................ 139 36.7 46.6 16.7 27.1 45.7 27.2 -9.6 -0.9 10.5

Kentucky ............ 393 42.8 47.5 9.8 30.5 51.5 18.0 -12.3 4.1 8.2

Louisiana ............ 399 42.2 46.7 11.0 27.4 51.6 21.1 -14.9 4.9 10.0

Maine ................. 130 28.8 41.2 30.0 21.0 31.9 47.0 -7.7 -9.3 17.0

Maryland ............ 358 41.3 39.2 19.5 27.8 42.9 29.3 -13.5 3.7 9.8

Massachusetts .... 472 30.8 44.7 24.4 16.3 35.4 48.3 -14.5 -9.3 23.9

Michigan ............ 920 35.0 42.6 22.3 23.8 39.1 37.1 -11.3 -3.5 14.8

Minnesota ........... 261 37.4 39.9 22.7 29.5 38.6 31.8 -7.8 -1.3 9.1

Mississippi ......... 293 42.0 46.8 11.2 29.4 51.1 19.5 -12.6 4.3 8.3

Missouri ............. 426 39.2 43.3 17.4 26.3 45.0 28.8 -13.0 1.7 11.3

Montana ............. 58 38.5 42.0 19.4 26.3 39.7 34.0 -12.2 -2.4 14.6

Nebraska ............ 76 35.0 44.7 20.3 21.9 44.3 33.7 -13.0 -0.4 13.4

Nevada ............... 166 44.2 36.8 19.0 31.7 40.3 27.9 -12.4 3.5 8.9

New Hampshire 55 25.2 46.8 28.0 15.5 36.0 48.5 -9.7 -10.8 20.5

New Jersey ......... 400 32.1 45.5 22.4 17.1 42.9 40.0 -15.0 -2.6 17.6

New Mexico ....... 190 43.5 42.6 13.9 25.1 50.9 24.0 -18.4 8.3 10.1

New York ........... 1,610 27.0 50.6 22.4 12.7 31.2 56.2 -14.3 -19.5 33.8

North Carolina ... 784 38.8 38.6 22.5 28.4 40.2 31.4 -10.4 1.6 8.9

North Dakota ...... 27 34.8 37.8 27.5 21.6 36.5 42.0 -13.2 -1.3 14.5

Ohio .................... 867 39.2 43.6 17.1 26.2 44.2 29.6 -13.1 0.6 12.5

Oklahoma ........... 272 41.0 46.8 12.2 30.4 47.4 22.1 -10.6 0.6 10.0

Oregon ................ 444 38.9 34.0 27.1 26.4 34.5 39.0 -12.5 0.5 12.0

Pennsylvania ...... 863 32.4 43.2 24.4 18.6 41.1 40.3 -13.8 -2.1 15.8

Rhode Island ...... 93 31.1 45.1 23.8 20.3 31.7 48.0 -10.8 -13.4 24.1

South Carolina ... 407 48.5 40.0 11.5 36.1 44.1 19.7 -12.3 4.1 8.2

South Dakota ...... 45 39.8 38.8 21.4 26.0 33.1 40.9 -13.8 -5.7 19.5

Tennessee ........... 631 47.0 41.7 11.3 34.7 43.7 21.5 -12.3 2.0 10.3

Texas .................. 1,652 40.5 41.1 18.5 24.9 46.0 29.1 -15.6 4.9 10.6

Utah .................... 112 43.0 40.1 16.9 31.1 41.3 27.5 -11.9 1.3 10.6

Vermont ............. 48 26.8 35.4 37.9 16.5 21.6 61.9 -10.3 -13.7 24.0

Virgin Islands ..... 10 56.0 27.8 16.2 25.4 44.9 29.8 -30.6 17.1 13.5

Virginia .............. 438 42.5 43.9 13.5 31.2 47.1 21.7 -11.3 3.1 8.2

Washington ........ 575 41.1 36.3 22.7 29.3 38.0 32.8 -11.8 1.7 10.1

West Virginia ..... 159 34.0 50.6 15.4 21.8 53.1 25.1 -12.2 2.5 9.7

Wisconsin ........... 395 31.8 38.8 29.4 21.3 31.3 47.4 -10.5 -7.5 18.0

Wyoming ............ 14 40.2 44.1 15.7 26.7 46.8 26.5 -13.4 2.7 10.7

 Source: Fiscal Year 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Defined as the fiscal year 2012 SNAP net income screen (see Appendix C).

b Due to rounding, the sum of individual categories may not match the table total.

79
Table B.14. Distribution of Participants by Age and by State

State 

Preschool-Age

Children

School-Age

Children

Total

Children

Nonelderly

Adults

Elderly

Adults

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Totala ..................................... 6,770 14.7 13,730 29.8 20,500 44.5 21,367 46.4 4,154 9.0

Alabama ................................. 124 13.8 280 31.0 404 44.8 437 48.4 61 6.8

Alaska .................................... 14 14.9 26 28.0 39 42.9 47 51.4 5 5.7

Arizona ................................... 166 15.1 362 32.9 528 48.0 502 45.6 70 6.4

Arkansas ................................. 78 15.8 146 29.6 224 45.4 238 48.4 31 6.2

California ............................... 731 18.5 1,486 37.6 2,218 56.1 1,588 40.2 144 3.7

Colorado ................................. 80 16.5 162 33.6 243 50.1 202 41.8 39 8.1

Connecticut ............................ 55 14.0 96 24.5 151 38.4 198 50.3 44 11.3

Delaware ................................ 22 14.7 47 32.1 69 46.8 69 47.2 9 6.0

District of Columbia .............. 21 14.7 32 22.8 52 37.5 76 54.4 11 8.1

Florida .................................... 365 10.9 899 26.9 1,264 37.8 1,667 49.8 413 12.3

Georgia ................................... 302 16.0 554 29.4 856 45.4 878 46.5 153 8.1

Guam ...................................... 8 19.7 17 39.6 25 59.2 15 35.8 2 4.9

Hawaii .................................... 23 13.5 48 27.5 71 40.9 82 47.5 20 11.6

Idaho ...................................... 37 16.0 74 32.1 111 48.1 107 46.5 12 5.4

Illinois .................................... 257 13.8 573 30.8 830 44.6 866 46.5 165 8.9

Indiana .................................... 145 16.2 270 30.1 414 46.3 428 47.8 53 6.0

Iowa ........................................ 60 14.7 113 27.8 172 42.5 203 50.1 30 7.3

Kansas .................................... 46 15.6 85 28.6 131 44.3 148 50.1 17 5.6

Kentucky ................................ 108 13.1 209 25.4 317 38.5 443 53.7 64 7.8

Louisiana ................................ 138 15.4 270 30.1 408 45.5 417 46.6 71 7.9

Maine ..................................... 25 10.1 61 24.5 87 34.6 132 52.9 31 12.5

Maryland ................................ 93 13.1 203 28.5 296 41.6 350 49.3 64 9.1

Massachusetts ........................ 105 12.4 219 25.9 324 38.2 388 45.8 136 16.0

Michigan ................................ 231 12.7 463 25.4 694 38.1 953 52.4 173 9.5

Minnesota ............................... 82 15.3 156 29.2 237 44.6 252 47.3 44 8.2

Mississippi ............................. 91 14.0 203 31.3 294 45.2 311 47.8 45 7.0

Missouri ................................. 133 14.3 282 30.5 415 44.8 451 48.7 60 6.5

Montana ................................. 17 13.7 33 26.7 50 40.4 64 51.7 10 7.9

Nebraska ................................ 30 17.2 52 29.7 82 46.8 80 46.1 12 7.1

Nevada ................................... 55 15.8 113 32.5 168 48.3 151 43.2 29 8.5

New Hampshire ..................... 16 13.6 32 28.0 48 41.6 58 50.5 9 7.9

New Jersey ............................. 135 16.6 234 28.8 368 45.4 337 41.6 105 12.9

New Mexico ........................... 62 14.2 137 31.7 198 45.9 202 46.8 31 7.3

New York ............................... 383 12.8 770 25.6 1,153 38.4 1,291 43.0 556 18.5

North Carolina ....................... 235 14.2 494 29.7 729 43.9 797 47.9 137 8.2

North Dakota .......................... 11 19.5 14 24.5 26 44.0 28 47.7 5 8.3

Ohio ........................................ 263 14.7 497 27.7 760 42.3 889 49.5 146 8.2

Oklahoma ............................... 90 14.8 184 30.4 274 45.2 292 48.2 40 6.6

Oregon .................................... 90 11.1 206 25.6 296 36.7 434 53.8 76 9.5

Pennsylvania .......................... 223 12.5 490 27.5 714 40.1 878 49.3 190 10.7

Rhode Island .......................... 21 12.7 41 24.7 62 37.4 81 49.0 23 13.6

South Carolina ....................... 124 14.4 252 29.2 376 43.5 418 48.4 70 8.1

South Dakota .......................... 18 17.4 30 29.3 48 46.6 47 45.7 8 7.7

Tennessee ............................... 179 13.8 364 28.1 542 41.9 648 50.0 106 8.1

Texas ...................................... 739 18.5 1,467 36.7 2,207 55.2 1,446 36.2 345 8.6

Utah ........................................ 49 17.9 94 34.0 143 52.0 121 44.0 11 4.1

Vermont ................................. 11 12.2 21 22.5 32 34.7 50 53.5 11 11.9

Virgin Islands ......................... 4 17.5 8 32.4 12 49.9 10 40.0 2 10.1

Virginia .................................. 171 18.8 228 25.1 399 43.9 434 47.7 76 8.4

Washington ............................ 144 13.2 297 27.1 441 40.3 556 50.8 97 8.8

West Virginia ......................... 41 12.1 88 26.4 129 38.5 177 52.7 29 8.8

Wisconsin ............................... 115 13.9 238 28.8 353 42.8 415 50.2 58 7.0

Wyoming ................................ 5 16.0 11 32.5 16 48.5 15 45.2 2 6.3

 Source: Fiscal Year 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Due to rounding, the sum of individual categories may not match the table total.

80
Table B.15. Distribution of Participants by Disability Status and by State

State 

Disabled Children Disabled Nonelderly

Adults

Disabled Nonelderly

Individuals

Nondisabled Adults

Age 18-49 in

Childless

Householdsa

Nondisabled Adults

Age 18-49 Not

Subject to Work

Requirements or a

Time Limit

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Totalb ..................................... 1,067 2.3 4,390 9.5 5,456 11.9 4,794 10.4 9,903 21.5

Alabama ................................. 21 2.3 106 11.8 127 14.0 91 10.0 202 22.3

Alaska .................................... 1 1.0 6 6.8 7 7.8 11 12.4 24 26.2

Arizona ................................... 23 2.0 60 5.4 82 7.5 114 10.4 254 23.1

Arkansas ................................. 19 3.8 55 11.1 73 14.9 48 9.7 120 24.4

California ............................... – – 24 0.6 24 0.6 430 10.9 907 23.0

Colorado ................................. 9 1.8 40 8.3 49 10.1 33 6.8 107 22.2

Connecticut ............................ 9 2.4 48 12.3 58 14.7 53 13.4 79 20.1

Delaware ................................ 3 2.0 12 8.1 15 10.1 14 9.8 36 24.4

District of Columbia .............. 3 2.5 17 12.2 21 14.7 24 17.5 24 17.0

Florida .................................... 110 3.3 278 8.3 388 11.6 525 15.7 630 18.8

Georgia ................................... 37 2.0 150 7.9 187 9.9 233 12.3 406 21.5

Guam ...................................... 0 0.1 0 0.5 0 0.6 3 6.4 10 24.6

Hawaii .................................... 1 0.8 17 9.5 18 10.3 19 11.0 36 20.6

Idaho ...................................... 4 1.6 21 9.3 25 11.0 20 8.6 56 24.4

Illinois .................................... 43 2.3 197 10.6 240 12.9 207 11.1 352 18.9

Indiana .................................... 20 2.2 90 10.1 110 12.2 78 8.7 226 25.2

Iowa ........................................ 11 2.6 40 9.8 50 12.4 53 13.0 93 23.0

Kansas .................................... 6 2.1 36 12.0 42 14.1 32 10.7 71 23.8

Kentucky ................................ 30 3.7 114 13.8 144 17.5 110 13.3 180 21.9

Louisiana ................................ 29 3.3 94 10.5 123 13.8 77 8.6 207 23.2

Maine ..................................... 5 2.0 39 15.7 44 17.7 27 11.0 55 22.0

Maryland ................................ 17 2.3 77 10.8 93 13.1 80 11.3 158 22.2

Massachusetts ........................ 24 2.8 137 16.1 161 18.9 75 8.8 148 17.5

Michigan ................................ 39 2.1 237 13.0 276 15.2 236 12.9 385 21.2

Minnesota ............................... 12 2.3 63 11.9 75 14.2 47 8.9 117 22.0

Mississippi ............................. 17 2.6 71 10.9 88 13.6 66 10.1 146 22.5

Missouri ................................. 27 2.9 100 10.8 127 13.7 99 10.7 217 23.5

Montana ................................. 1 1.1 13 10.8 15 11.9 14 11.6 30 24.5

Nebraska ................................ 3 1.9 20 11.2 23 13.1 11 6.1 43 24.5

Nevada ................................... 6 1.8 27 7.8 34 9.7 36 10.4 69 19.9

New Hampshire ..................... 3 2.8 19 16.7 22 19.5 9 8.2 26 22.7

New Jersey ............................. 10 1.2 87 10.8 97 12.0 59 7.3 157 19.3

New Mexico ........................... 5 1.3 32 7.5 38 8.8 43 10.0 106 24.5

New York ............................... 61 2.0 364 12.1 425 14.2 229 7.6 537 17.9

North Carolina ....................... 37 2.2 150 9.0 186 11.2 192 11.5 377 22.7

North Dakota .......................... 1 2.0 7 11.2 8 13.2 4 7.0 14 25.0

Ohio ........................................ 42 2.3 249 13.9 291 16.2 169 9.4 402 22.4

Oklahoma ............................... 14 2.2 66 10.9 80 13.1 59 9.7 145 24.0

Oregon .................................... 9 1.1 71 8.8 80 9.9 138 17.1 167 20.8

Pennsylvania .......................... 74 4.1 280 15.7 354 19.8 163 9.2 353 19.8

Rhode Island .......................... 4 2.3 25 15.3 29 17.6 17 10.4 31 18.8

South Carolina ....................... 22 2.5 63 7.3 85 9.8 104 12.0 202 23.5

South Dakota .......................... 2 2.0 9 9.1 11 11.1 8 7.8 26 24.9

Tennessee ............................... 29 2.3 134 10.4 164 12.6 166 12.8 281 21.7

Texas ...................................... 141 3.5 255 6.4 395 9.9 143 3.6 886 22.2

Utah ........................................ 4 1.5 20 7.1 24 8.6 24 8.8 69 25.1

Vermont ................................. 2 1.9 14 14.6 15 16.5 10 10.9 22 23.2

Virgin Islands ......................... – – 1 2.1 1 2.1 2 9.6 6 23.4

Virginia .................................. 23 2.5 96 10.6 119 13.1 93 10.2 207 22.8

Washington ............................ 19 1.7 112 10.2 130 11.9 166 15.2 224 20.5

West Virginia ......................... 12 3.6 56 16.7 68 20.3 32 9.5 74 22.0

Wisconsin ............................... 25 3.0 87 10.5 111 13.5 97 11.7 191 23.2

Wyoming ................................ 0 0.7 3 10.0 4 10.7 2 6.6 8 25.3

 Source: Fiscal Year 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a These participants are subject to work requirements and a time limit. For this report, we incorporated a newly-developed methodology to

better identify nondisabled individuals when defining these participants. See Technical Documentation for the Fiscal Year 2012 SNAP QC

Database and QC Minimodel for details. 

b Due to rounding, the sum of individual categories may not match the table total.

– No sample data in this category.

81
Table B.16. Distribution of Participants by Citizenship Status and by State

State

All Participants U. S. Born

Citizens

Naturalized

Citizens Refugees Other Noncitizens

Citizen Children

Living with a

Noncitizena

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Totalb ..................................... 46,022 100.0 42,697 100.0 1,587 100.0 338 100.0 1,400 100.0 3,828 100.0

Alabama ................................. 903 2.0 898 2.1 2 0.1 – – 3 0.2 20 0.5

Alaska .................................... 91 0.2 87 0.2 2 0.1 0 0.0 3 0.2 5 0.1

Arizona ................................... 1,100 2.4 1,006 2.4 24 1.5 9 2.7 60 4.3 159 4.2

Arkansas ................................. 492 1.1 486 1.1 2 0.1 1 0.3 4 0.3 19 0.5

California ............................... 3,950 8.6 3,505 8.2 195 12.3 67 19.8 184 13.2 911 23.8

Colorado ................................. 484 1.1 458 1.1 14 0.9 5 1.4 7 0.5 59 1.5

Connecticut ............................ 393 0.9 367 0.9 12 0.8 3 0.9 11 0.8 22 0.6

Delaware ................................ 147 0.3 143 0.3 2 0.1 – – 2 0.1 9 0.2

District of Columbia .............. 140 0.3 134 0.3 1 0.1 1 0.4 3 0.2 6 0.2

Florida .................................... 3,344 7.3 2,742 6.4 303 19.1 30 9.0 269 19.2 272 7.1

Georgia ................................... 1,887 4.1 1,826 4.3 33 2.1 8 2.2 21 1.5 116 3.0

Guam ...................................... 42 0.1 39 0.1 2 0.1 – – 1 0.1 8 0.2

Hawaii .................................... 173 0.4 154 0.4 12 0.8 1 0.2 7 0.5 13 0.3

Idaho ...................................... 230 0.5 222 0.5 2 0.1 2 0.7 4 0.3 19 0.5

Illinois .................................... 1,861 4.0 1,765 4.1 59 3.7 3 0.9 34 2.4 155 4.1

Indiana .................................... 895 1.9 872 2.0 5 0.3 15 4.4 3 0.2 31 0.8

Iowa ........................................ 405 0.9 384 0.9 7 0.4 11 3.4 3 0.2 12 0.3

Kansas .................................... 296 0.6 288 0.7 3 0.2 0 0.0 4 0.3 10 0.3

Kentucky ................................ 824 1.8 811 1.9 7 0.4 6 1.7 1 0.1 13 0.3

Louisiana ................................ 896 1.9 887 2.1 3 0.2 1 0.4 5 0.4 13 0.3

Maine ..................................... 250 0.5 242 0.6 5 0.3 1 0.3 3 0.2 2 0.1

Maryland ................................ 710 1.5 671 1.6 19 1.2 7 1.9 13 1.0 25 0.7

Massachusetts ........................ 848 1.8 727 1.7 69 4.4 7 2.0 46 3.3 49 1.3

Michigan ................................ 1,820 4.0 1,741 4.1 34 2.1 23 6.9 22 1.6 31 0.8

Minnesota ............................... 533 1.2 479 1.1 24 1.5 22 6.4 9 0.6 26 0.7

Mississippi ............................. 651 1.4 650 1.5 – – – – 1 0.1 4 0.1

Missouri ................................. 927 2.0 918 2.1 3 0.2 1 0.4 4 0.3 12 0.3

Montana ................................. 124 0.3 123 0.3 1 0.0 – – 1 0.1 1 0.0

Nebraska ................................ 174 0.4 164 0.4 3 0.2 4 1.1 3 0.2 6 0.2

Nevada ................................... 349 0.8 331 0.8 5 0.3 2 0.5 11 0.8 62 1.6

New Hampshire ..................... 115 0.3 110 0.3 2 0.1 3 0.8 1 0.1 2 0.0

New Jersey ............................. 810 1.8 684 1.6 60 3.8 5 1.5 61 4.3 126 3.3

New Mexico ........................... 432 0.9 407 1.0 5 0.3 – – 20 1.4 50 1.3

New York ............................... 3,000 6.5 2,357 5.5 393 24.8 25 7.3 226 16.1 237 6.2

North Carolina ....................... 1,662 3.6 1,628 3.8 10 0.6 13 3.8 11 0.8 98 2.6

North Dakota .......................... 58 0.1 55 0.1 0 0.0 2 0.6 0 0.0 1 0.0

Ohio ........................................ 1,795 3.9 1,759 4.1 20 1.3 2 0.6 13 1.0 35 0.9

Oklahoma ............................... 606 1.3 598 1.4 4 0.2 0 0.1 4 0.3 23 0.6

Oregon .................................... 806 1.8 758 1.8 21 1.4 0 0.1 26 1.9 76 2.0

Pennsylvania .......................... 1,782 3.9 1,726 4.0 24 1.5 7 2.2 25 1.8 53 1.4

Rhode Island .......................... 166 0.4 146 0.3 10 0.6 1 0.4 9 0.6 11 0.3

South Carolina ....................... 863 1.9 859 2.0 – – 2 0.5 2 0.2 22 0.6

South Dakota .......................... 103 0.2 100 0.2 0 0.0 2 0.7 0 0.0 2 0.0

Tennessee ............................... 1,296 2.8 1,268 3.0 13 0.8 8 2.3 7 0.5 53 1.4

Texas ...................................... 3,998 8.7 3,719 8.7 87 5.5 9 2.8 182 13.0 732 19.1

Utah ........................................ 275 0.6 264 0.6 4 0.2 3 0.9 4 0.3 24 0.6

Vermont ................................. 93 0.2 91 0.2 0 0.0 1 0.2 1 0.1 1 0.0

Virgin Islands ......................... 24 0.1 20 0.0 3 0.2 – – 2 0.2 2 0.1

Virginia .................................. 909 2.0 874 2.0 17 1.1 5 1.6 13 0.9 48 1.3

Washington ............................ 1,094 2.4 992 2.3 48 3.0 15 4.6 39 2.8 115 3.0

West Virginia ......................... 335 0.7 334 0.8 0 0.0 – – 0 0.0 0 0.0

Wisconsin ............................... 826 1.8 800 1.9 12 0.8 3 1.0 11 0.8 26 0.7

Wyoming ................................ 33 0.1 33 0.1 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 1 0.0

 Source: Fiscal Year 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Noncitizens may be inside or outside the SNAP unit.

b Due to rounding, the sum of individual categories may not match the table total.

– No sample data in this category.

82
Table B.17. Distribution of Noncitizen Participants by Age and by State

State Total

(000)

Children Nonelderly Adults Elderly Adults

Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent Number

(000)

Percent

Totala ..................................... 1,738 312 17.9 1036 59.6 390 22.5

Alabama ................................. 3 0 11.4 3 88.6 – –

Alaska .................................... 3 0 13.9 2 64.8 1 21.3

Arizona ................................... 69 12 16.9 47 67.5 11 15.6

Arkansas ................................. 4 0 6.4 4 78.7 1 15.0

California ............................... 251 54 21.6 159 63.2 38 15.2

Colorado ................................. 12 2 14.4 7 58.5 3 27.1

Connecticut ............................ 14 4 26.7 7 53.5 3 19.8

Delaware ................................ 2 0 17.9 1 46.1 1 35.9

District of Columbia .............. 4 0 11.4 3 67.2 1 21.4

Florida .................................... 299 37 12.4 182 60.7 81 26.9

Georgia ................................... 29 10 34.7 14 47.5 5 17.8

Guam ...................................... 1 0 10.1 0 39.9 0 50.0

Hawaii .................................... 7 1 12.3 3 42.0 3 45.7

Idaho ...................................... 6 1 17.0 4 60.4 1 22.6

Illinois .................................... 37 3 8.6 17 46.6 16 44.7

Indiana .................................... 18 7 39.1 10 54.4 1 6.5

Iowa ........................................ 14 6 42.5 7 50.6 1 6.9

Kansas .................................... 4 1 18.6 2 50.7 1 30.7

Kentucky ................................ 7 2 34.9 3 40.4 2 24.7

Louisiana ................................ 6 1 18.2 5 81.8 – –

Maine ..................................... 4 2 44.2 2 47.3 0 8.5

Maryland ................................ 20 6 28.7 10 49.6 4 21.7

Massachusetts ........................ 52 13 24.2 27 51.7 13 24.1

Michigan ................................ 45 17 38.0 19 41.6 9 20.4

Minnesota ............................... 30 11 36.0 16 52.6 3 11.4

Mississippi ............................. 1 0 17.0 1 83.0 – –

Missouri ................................. 5 – – 4 76.4 1 23.6

Montana ................................. 1 0 11.4 1 82.7 0 5.9

Nebraska ................................ 7 2 31.7 4 53.5 1 14.8

Nevada ................................... 13 2 15.9 8 63.8 3 20.3

New Hampshire ..................... 4 2 39.4 2 49.2 0 11.4

New Jersey ............................. 66 11 16.3 36 55.2 19 28.5

New Mexico ........................... 20 1 6.6 13 62.3 6 31.0

New York ............................... 250 41 16.4 139 55.5 70 28.1

North Carolina ....................... 24 7 27.9 13 55.3 4 16.7

North Dakota .......................... 2 1 33.8 1 52.5 0 13.7

Ohio ........................................ 16 4 24.2 10 65.8 2 10.1

Oklahoma ............................... 5 1 19.9 2 33.9 2 46.2

Oregon .................................... 27 2 8.2 20 76.6 4 15.2

Pennsylvania .......................... 32 4 11.4 22 69.2 6 19.4

Rhode Island .......................... 10 3 27.6 5 48.0 2 24.4

South Carolina ....................... 4 2 40.7 2 41.7 1 17.6

South Dakota .......................... 3 1 32.1 2 58.8 0 9.1

Tennessee ............................... 15 8 50.8 6 40.8 1 8.4

Texas ...................................... 191 9 4.8 138 72.1 44 23.1

Utah ........................................ 7 1 12.5 5 67.0 1 20.5

Vermont ................................. 2 1 37.7 1 49.3 0 12.9

Virgin Islands ......................... 2 1 37.1 1 41.2 0 21.6

Virginia .................................. 18 4 21.4 10 56.4 4 22.3

Washington ............................ 55 11 19.9 31 56.3 13 23.8

West Virginia ......................... 0 – – 0 100.0 – –

Wisconsin ............................... 14 4 27.6 7 53.3 3 19.1

Wyoming ................................ 0 – – 0 35.2 0 64.8

 Source: Fiscal Year 2012 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Due to rounding, the sum of individual categories may not match the table total.

– No sample data in this category.

83
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APPENDIX C

FISCAL YEAR 2012 SNAP PARAMETERS
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87

Table C.1. Fiscal Year 2011 HHS Poverty Income Guidelinesa

Household Size

Contiguous

United States,

Guam, and the

Virgin Islands Alaska Hawaii

1 $10,890 $13,600 $12,540

2 14,710 18,380 16,930

3 18,530 23,160 21,320

4 22,350 27,940 25,710

5 26,170 32,720 30,100

6 29,990 37,500 34,490

7 33,810 42,280 38,880

8 37,630 47,060 43,270

Each Additional Member +3,820 +4,780 +4,390

Source: 76 Federal Register 13, January 20, 2011.

a HHS issued these numbers, which provide the basis for the fiscal year 2012 SNAP 

gross and net monthly income eligibility standards. 
88

Table C.2. SNAP Maximum Allowable Gross Monthly Income Eligibility 

Standards in Fiscal Year 2012a

Household Size

Contiguous

United States, 

Guam, and the 

Virgin Islands Alaska Hawaii

1 $1,180 $1,474 $1,359

2 1,594 1,992 1,835

3 2,008 2,509 2,310

4 2,422 3,027 2,786

5 2,836 3,545 3,261

6 3,249 4,063 3,737

7 3,663 4,581 4,212

8 4,077 5,099 4,688

Each Additional Member +414 +518 +476

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture.

a The fiscal year 2012 SNAP gross monthly income limits were based on the 

2011 poverty guidelines issued by HHS (see Table C.1). FNS derived the fiscal 

year 2012 gross income limits by multiplying the 2011 poverty guidelines by 

130 percent, dividing the results by 12, and then rounding up to the nearest 

dollar. 
89

Table C.3. SNAP Maximum Allowable Net Monthly Income Eligibility 

Standards in Fiscal Year 2012a

Household Size

Contiguous

United States, 

Guam, and the

Virgin Islands Alaska Hawaii

1 $908 $1,134 $1,045

2 1,226 1,532 1,411

3 1,545 1,930 1,777

4 1,863 2,329 2,143

5 2,181 2,727 2,509

6 2,500 3,125 2,875

7 2,818 3,524 3,240

8 3,136 3,922 3,606

Each Additional Member +319 +399 +366

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture.

a The fiscal year 2012 SNAP net monthly income limits were based on the 

2011 poverty guidelines issued by HHS (see Table C.1). FNS derived the fiscal 

year 2012 net income limits by dividing the 2011 poverty guidelines by 12 

and rounding up to the nearest dollar. 
90

Table C.4. Value of Standard and Maximum Excess Shelter Expense Deductions in the Contiguous

United States and Outlying Areas in Fiscal Year 2012

Deduction

Contiguous

United States Alaska Hawaii Guam

Virgin 

Islands

Standard Deduction

1–2 people $147 $252 $208 $296 $130

3 people 147 252 208 296 130

4 people 155 252 208 310 155

5 people 181 252 208 362 181

6 or more people 208 260 239 416 208

Maximum Excess 

Shelter Expense 

Deduction

459 734 619 539 362

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Notes: The Homeless Household Shelter Estimate was $143.

The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (PL 110-246) eliminated the Maximum 

Dependent Care Deduction.

Certain State-specific programs did not apply all federal SNAP deductions in the benefit 

calculation. Only the earnings deduction was used in the benefit calculation for MFIP 

households. No deductions were used for SSI-CAP households with standardized benefits. 

States with non-standardized SSI-CAP benefits used the standard deduction and the excess 

shelter deduction when calculating benefit levels for SSI-CAP households.
91

Table C.5. Value of Maximum Monthly SNAP Benefit in the Contiguous United States and Outlying 

Areas in Fiscal Year 2012a, b

Household

Size

Contiguous

United 

States

Alaska 

Urban

Alaska 

Rural I

Alaska 

Rural II Hawaii Guam

Virgin 

Islands

1 $200 $239 $304 $371 $314 $295 $257

2 367 438 559 680 575 541 472

3 526 627 800 974 824 775 676

4 668 797 1,016 1,237 1,046 985 859

5 793 946 1,207 1,469 1,243 1,169 1,020

6 952 1,135 1,448 1,762 1,491 1,403 1,224

7 1,052 1,255 1,600 1,948 1,648 1,551 1,353

8 1,202 1,434 1,829 2,226 1,884 1,773 1,546

Each Additional 

Member +150 +179 +229 +278 +236 +222 +193

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture.

a The maximum benefit values were based on 113.6 percent of the cost of the Thrifty Food Plan in June 

2008 for a reference family of four, rounded to the lowest dollar increment.

b 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. 
92

Table C.6. Value of Minimum Monthly SNAP Benefit in the Contiguous United States and Outlying 

Areas in Fiscal Year 2012a,

Household Size

Contiguous 

United 

States

Alaska 

Urban

Alaska 

Rural I

Alaska 

Rural II Hawaii Guam

Virgin 

Islands

1 – 2 $16 $19 $24 $30 $25 $24 $21

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture.

a The minimum benefit, applicable to one- and two-person households, is equal to 8 percent of the 

maximum benefit for single-person households.
APPENDIX D

SOURCE AND RELIABILITY OF ESTIMATES
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95

SOURCE AND RELIABILITY OF ESTIMATES

The estimates in this report are derived from a sample of households selected for review as part 

of the SNAP Quality Control System (SNAP QC), an ongoing review of SNAP household 

circumstances. The system is designed to determine (1) if households are eligible for participation in 

SNAP and are receiving the correct benefit amount or (2) if household participation is correctly 

denied or terminated. It is based on State samples (from the 50 States, the District of Columbia, 

Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) of approximately 57,000 participating SNAP households and a 

somewhat smaller number of denials and terminations. The State samples of participating units are 

stratified by month. Annual required State samples range from a minimum of 300 to 2,400 reviews, 

depending on the size of the State’s caseload. Each month, State agencies select an independent 

sample that is generally proportional to the size of the monthly participating caseload. 

Target Universe

The target universe of this study is all participating households (active cases) subject to quality 

control review in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.1

While most participating SNAP households are included in the target universe, certain types of 

households not 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 2012 SNAP QC datafile, an edited 

version of the raw datafile generated by the Quality Control System. The raw fiscal year 2012 data 

are made up of monthly samples from October 2011 through September 2012. 

Households with an incomplete Quality Control review or those found ineligible for SNAP 

benefits were dropped from the edited datafile. Of the 56,746 sample cases in the raw datafile, 2,513

were determined to be not subject to review (Table D.1). The Quality Control System did not 

deselect any cases to correct for oversampling. Of those cases subject to review, 3,366 did not 

undergo a complete review because the household failed to cooperate, could not be located, or all 

members had died or moved. An additional 747 households were found either ineligible for SNAP 

or eligible for SNAP but ineligible for a positive benefit and thus were dropped from the datafile 

because data on their characteristics are not collected.2 An additional 93 households were dropped 

from the file due to internal inconsistencies that could not be resolved, as discussed below. The final 

 1 Participating households in Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands have been included in the target universe since 

fiscal year 1993. Before that year, the universe excluded households in those areas.

2 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.
96

unweighted number of households in the final fiscal year 2012 SNAP QC file is 50,027. Table D.2

shows the distribution of these unweighted households by State.

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

Included in the Edited File, Fiscal Year 2012

Fiscal Year 2012

SNAP QC Sample

Number of cases sampled 56,746

Cases not subject to review 2,513

Cases deselected to correct for oversampling 0

Cases subject to review 54,233

Incomplete cases 3,366

Cases completed 50,867

Households not eligible for a positive 

benefit 85

Households not eligible for SNAP 662

Households eligible for a positive benefit 50,120

Households dropped due to 

inconsistencies 93

Households on the final file 50,027

Source: Fiscal Year 2012 SNAP QC 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 2012, 

the completion rate remained at 94 percent, the same rate as in fiscal year 2011. 

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 2012 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, and 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 or SSI-CAP in States with standardized benefit 

amounts. These households are subject to different eligibility and benefit determination rules, and 

their data have been edited accordingly. Additionally, if the value of deductions exceeds gross 

income, net income is equal to zero.

Although most inconsistencies in these basic relationships were resolved in the editing process, 

the measures could not be reconciled for 93 records in the raw datafile. These 93 records were 

therefore dropped from the edited datafile.
Table D.2. Unweighted Distribution of

Participating Households by State

State 

SNAP Households

Number Percent

Total ...................................... 50,027 100.0

Alabama ................................. 1,024 2.0

Alaska .................................... 664 1.3

Arizona ................................... 1,011 2.0

Arkansas ................................. 1,313 2.6

California ............................... 1,030 2.1

Colorado ................................. 970 1.9

Connecticut ............................ 956 1.9

Delaware ................................ 900 1.8

District of Columbia .............. 981 2.0

Florida .................................... 1,014 2.0

Georgia ................................... 1,063 2.1

Guam ...................................... 471 0.9

Hawaii .................................... 993 2.0

Idaho ...................................... 984 2.0

Illinois .................................... 1,080 2.2

Indiana .................................... 1,015 2.0

Iowa ........................................ 1,066 2.1

Kansas .................................... 938 1.9

Kentucky ................................ 1,189 2.4

Louisiana ................................ 996 2.0

Maine ..................................... 963 1.9

Maryland ................................ 844 1.7

Massachusetts ........................ 918 1.8

Michigan ................................ 973 1.9

Minnesota ............................... 993 2.0

Mississippi ............................. 1,184 2.4

Missouri ................................. 995 2.0

Montana ................................. 870 1.7

Nebraska ................................ 874 1.7

Nevada ................................... 968 1.9

New Hampshire ..................... 845 1.7

New Jersey ............................. 951 1.9

New Mexico ........................... 1,040 2.1

New York ............................... 932 1.9

North Carolina ....................... 1,049 2.1

North Dakota .......................... 503 1.0

Ohio ........................................ 1,079 2.2

Oklahoma ............................... 1,014 2.0

Oregon .................................... 1,016 2.0

Pennsylvania .......................... 939 1.9

Rhode Island .......................... 1,014 2.0

South Carolina ....................... 1,132 2.3

South Dakota .......................... 782 1.6

Tennessee ............................... 1,020 2.0

Texas ...................................... 1,065 2.1

Utah ........................................ 1,028 2.1

Vermont ................................. 798 1.6

Virgin Islands ......................... 308 0.6

Virginia .................................. 908 1.8

Washington ............................ 921 1.8

West Virginia ......................... 949 1.9

Wisconsin ............................... 970 1.9

Wyoming ................................ 524 1.0

Source: Fiscal Year 2012 Supplemental Nutrition

Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

97
98

Weighting

The estimates for fiscal year 2012 in this report are based on a sample of 50,027 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 datafile.3 The weighting procedure matches to SNAP Program Operation totals for (1) 

the monthly number of participating households by State and stratum, (2) the monthly number of 

participants by State, and (3) the monthly total benefits issued by State. Table D.3 compares the 

Quality Control System sample-based estimates to aggregate program participation data for fiscal 

year 2012.

The fiscal year 2012 weighting methodology is similar to that used for the fiscal year 2003

through 2011 SNAP QC datafiles. However, it differs from the weighting methodology used in the 

development of the SNAP QC datafiles prior to fiscal year 2003.4 SNAP QC datafiles 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 Datafile, Fiscal Year 2012

Average Monthly Value

Fiscal Year 2012

Program Data

Adjustments for 

Disaster Assistance

Adjustments for 

Ineligible 

Households

Edited SNAP QC 

Datafile

Number of households 22,329,713 28,397 254,997 22,046,320

Number of participants 46,609,072 67,661 519,900 46,021,511

Value of benefits $6,218,288,393 $18,551,386 $153,545,924 $ 6,046,191,083

Average household size 2.09 2.38 2.04 2.09

Average benefit per person $133.41 _a $295.34 $131.38

Sources: Fiscal Year 2012 Program Data and SNAP QC datafile.

a We adjust households and individuals for disaster SNAP households only, and adjust benefits for disaster SNAP 

benefits issued to disaster SNAP households as well as supplemental 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.

 3 The adjusted total number of households and benefits is lower than Program Data figures by about 1 and 3

percent, respectively.

4 Prior to the fiscal year 2009 report, the fiscal year 2003 and fiscal year 2004 SNAP QC datafiles were weighted to 

match the disaster- and error-adjusted monthly numbers of SNAP households, but not individuals or benefits, by State 

and stratum.
99

Comparison to Reported Data

Table D.4 compares the reported and calculated values of selected variables for fiscal year 2012.

Reported values and averages reflect those in the SNAP QC datafile before any editing has taken 

place. Calculated values and averages are based on the edited datafile used for this report. 

Table D.4. Comparison of Calculated and Reported Values for Selected Variables of Participating 

Households, Fiscal Year 2012

Variable

Households with:

All Households

Earned 

Income

Elderly

Individuals Children

Disabled 

Nonelderly 

Adults

Average Gross Income (Dollars)

Calculated .........................................

Reported ...........................................

755

755

1,203

1,203

855

855

966

966

977

977

Average Net Income (Dollars)a

Calculated .........................................

Reported ...........................................

343

339

556

552

399

391

468

464

484

480

Average Total Deduction (Dollars)b

Calculated .........................................

Reported ...........................................

512

512

694

699

521

516

583

584

529

530

Average SNAP Benefit (Dollars)

Calculated .........................................

Reportedc ..........................................

274

273

323

324

139

136

413

413

213

213

Percent with Zero Gross Income

Calculated .........................................

Reported ...........................................

20.5

20.7

0.0

0.0

6.6

6.6

12.2

12.5

0.0

0.0

Percent with Zero Net Income

Calculated .........................................

Reported ...........................................

38.4

39.8

21.7

22.0

18.8

21.7

31.8

32.4

12.8

15.9

Percent with Minimum Benefit

Calculated .........................................

Reported ...........................................

4.8

4.6

3.8

3.6

13.6

13.1

0.8

0.7

7.1

6.7

Source: Fiscal Year 2012 SNAP QC datafile.

a Because net income is not used in their benefit determination, 32,326 households participating in MFIP and 502,953

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, 502,953 SSI-CAP households in States that use 

standardized SSI-CAP benefits are excluded from this comparison.

c Reported benefit adjusted for reported overissuance errors, underissuance errors, and prorated benefits. 
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APPENDIX E

SAMPLING ERROR OF ESTIMATES
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103

SAMPLING ERROR OF ESTIMATES

The estimates of the characteristics of SNAP households in this report are based on a sample of 

households and are, consequently, subject to statistical sampling error. One indicator of the 

magnitude of the sampling error associated with a given estimate is its standard error. Standard 

errors measure the variation in estimated values that would be observed if multiple replications of 

the sample were drawn. The magnitude of the standard errors depends on (1) the degree of variation 

in the variable within the population from which the sample is drawn; (2) the design of the sample, 

including such issues as stratification and sampling probabilities; and (3) the size of the sample on 

which the estimate is based. This appendix presents estimates of the standard errors associated with 

key statistics and outlines methods for estimating the standard errors of other statistics for which 

standard errors have not been directly calculated. 

Standard Errors

The standard error of an estimated proportion of households, sp, based on a simple random 

sample, is:

where p is the weighted estimate of the proportion, N is the number of households in the 

population, and n is the sample size.1 The standard error of an estimated number of households, sN, 

based on a simple random sample, is:

p N (2) N s s =

These formulas for the standard errors of estimates based on a simple random sample do not 

necessarily apply to estimates derived from more complex samples, such as the stratified design of 

the SNAP QC sample. In this appendix, standard errors calculated using equations (1) and (2) are 

referred to as “naive standard errors.” Standard errors can be estimated more accurately using a 

bootstrap method.

The bootstrap method 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 datafile. 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 

 1 More precisely, n is the sample size corresponding to the population that forms the denominator or “base” of the 

proportion being estimated. When the base is all SNAP households in fiscal year 2012, n = 50,027. Sample sizes for 

selected demographic subgroups for fiscal year 2012 are shown in the sample size column of Table E.1. For subgroups 

not shown in Table E.1, the sample size can be approximated by multiplying the total sample size (50,027) by the ratio 

of the subgroup population size to the total population size (N). For fiscal year 2012, N = 22,046,000, and there are 

3,799,000 elderly households. Thus, the approximate sample size for elderly households in fiscal year 2012 would be 

calculated as (3,799,000 / 22,046,000) x (50,027) = 8,621. In this case, the approximation can be compared to the true 

elderly sample size of 8,068, as shown in Table E.1.

[ (1 )( )] /[( 1) ] p (1) = p p N n n N s −− −
104

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 2012 are shown in 

Table E.1. These standard errors can be used to compute confidence intervals for the estimated 

number of households with a particular characteristic.2 For example, the estimated number of SNAP 

households that receive the minimum benefit is 1,060,000 (Table A.1), and the corresponding 

standard error is 27,700 (Table E.1). The 95 percent confidence interval thus extends from 1,004,600

to 1,115,400.

3

For standard errors not shown in Table E.1, the approximate standard error, SE, of an estimated 

number of households for Fiscal Year 2012 can be calculated using equation (3):

(3) SE = SN x d

where SN is the naive standard error from equation (2) above, and d is the square root of the design 

effect for the population subgroup and characteristic of interest from Table E.2. The design effect 

reflects the loss of precision due to the different sampling rates in different strata of the SNAP QC 

sample. It is the ratio of the variance computed by the bootstrap method (Table E.1) to the naive 

variance.4 When the population subgroup (for example, households with elderly) is listed in Table 

E.2, but the characteristic of interest is not, use the average square root of the design effect for the 

subgroup from the rightmost column of Table E.2. When neither the subgroup nor the 

characteristic is listed, use the average square root of the design effect for all SNAP households, 

1.60.

For example, to estimate the standard error of the number of households containing an elderly 

person with zero net income, the first step is to obtain the size of the estimate. As shown in 

appendix Table A.3, 713,000 elderly households have zero net income. The next step is to calculate 

the naive standard error. Using equations (1) and (2), the value is 16,498.

5 Multiplying 16,498 by the 

 2 A confidence interval is a range of values that will contain the true value of an estimated characteristic with a 

known probability. For instance, a 95 percent confidence interval extends approximately two standard errors above and 

below the estimated value for a characteristic, and 95 percent of all confidence intervals will contain the true value.

3 Calculated as: (1,060,000 - (2 x 27,700)) = 1,004,600 and (1,060,000 + (2 x 27,700)) = 1,115,400.

4 The variance and naive variance are the standard error and naive standard error squared, respectively.

5 Equation (1):

�[(713,000/3,799,000)×(1-(713,000/3,799,000) )×(3,799,000-8,068 ) ]/[(8,068-1)×3,799,000] = 0.004343

Equation (2): 3,799,000 × 0.004343 = 16,498

where 3,799,000 is the estimated population of elderly households, 713,000 is the estimated population of elderly 

households with zero net income, 8,068 is the sample size of elderly households (Table E.1), and 16,498 is the standard 

error.
105

square root of the design effect (d), 1.68, from Table E.2 yields an estimated standard error of 

27,717.

Standard Errors of Estimated Percentages

Comparing equations (1) and (2), it is apparent that the standard error of an estimated 

percentage of households, Sp, is equal to the standard error of the corresponding count of 

households, SN, divided by the number of households in the population that forms the base of the 

percentage. That is:

(4) Sp = SN / N

For example, appendix Table A.17 shows that, of the 9,984,000 households with children, 

1,221,000 (12.2 percent) have no gross income. The standard error (SN) of the number of 

households with children with no gross income is 30,700 (Table E.1). To calculate Sp, the standard 

error of the corresponding percentage estimate, simply divide SN by the number of households in 

the population that forms the base of the percentage—in this case, 9,984,000 households with 

children. The resulting standard error of the percentage estimate is 0.3 percentage points, and the 

corresponding 95 percent confidence interval extends from 11.6 to 12.8 percent around the point 

estimate of 12.2 percent.

Equation (4) can also be applied to standard errors not shown in Table E.1. First, calculate the 

adjusted naive standard error of the number of households using equation (3). Then divide the 

resulting standard error by the size of the population that forms the base of the percentage. 

Returning to an earlier example—of the 3,799,000 households with elderly individuals, 713,000 (18.8

percent) have zero net income. Dividing the adjusted naive standard error (calculated above as 

16,498) by 3,799,000 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 2012 are provided in Table E.3. 

For example, the standard error of the mean gross income for all SNAP households in fiscal year 

2012 is $3.20 (Table E.3), and the mean itself is $755 (Table A.2). Therefore, a 95 percent 

confidence interval extends from approximately $749 to $761.

Generalized approximation methods such as that used in equation (3) work well for standard 

errors of estimated numbers and percentages because the standard errors depend only on the sample 

size, the estimated proportion, and the design effects. Generalized methods are less appropriate for 

standard errors of means because the standard error depends on the variance as well as the sample 

size and design effects. Nevertheless, a rough approximation of the magnitude of standard errors of 

means not included in Table E.3 can be obtained from Table E.4. Table E.4 shows for each variable 

in Table E.3 the average, minimum, and maximum value of that variable’s standard error as a 

percentage of the variable’s mean value. These three values are shown for all SNAP households and 

for selected subgroups. The standard errors in Table E.4 include design effects.
106

Table E.1. Standard Errors of Estimated Numbers of SNAP Households, Fiscal Year 2012a

Households (000) With:

Sample 

Size

Estimated 

Population 

(000)

Zero 

Gross 

Income

Zero 

Net 

Income

Minimum 

Benefits

Earned 

Income

Elderly 

Individuals Children

School Age 

Children

Disabled 

Nonelderly 

Individuals

All SNAP Households ........ 68.19 95.10 27.70 76.26 54.34 88.80 68.63 54.25 50,027 22,046

With Elderly 

Individuals ................. 16.22 27.73 20.18 17.06 54.34 12.22 11.30 9.91 8,068 3,799

Without Elderly 

Individuals ................ 65.49 86.41 19.56 74.93 NA 86.91 67.57 53.38 41,959 18,248

With Children............. 30.70 47.90 7.88 71.05 12.22 88.80 68.63 34.80 22,475 9,984

With School Age 

Children..................... 25.63 42.23 6.83 56.95 11.30 68.63 68.63 31.90 16,858 7,599

Without Children ....... 61.45 84.16 26.73 37.84 53.85 NA NA 44.56 27,552 12,063

With Earnings ............ NA 37.15 14.17 76.26 17.06 71.05 56.95 18.32 15,559 6,909

With Disabled 

Nonelderly 

Individuals ................. 0.08 21.16 15.19 18.32 9.91 34.80 31.90 54.25 10,808 4,409

Source: Fiscal Year 2012 SNAP QC sample.

a Standard errors were estimated using the bootstrap method.

NA = not applicable.
107

Table E.2. Square Root of Design Effects (d) for Standard Errors of Estimated Numbers or Percentages of SNAP Households, Fiscal Year 

2012a

Base of Estimated Number

Households With:

Average 

Square Root of 

Design Effect

Zero Gross 

Income

Zero Net 

Income

Minimum 

Benefits

Earned 

Income

Elderly 

Individuals Children

School Age 

Children

Disabled 

Nonelderly 

Individuals

All SNAP Households......... 1.71 1.98 1.31 1.67 1.46 1.81 1.46 1.38 1.60

With Elderly Individuals 1.55 1.68 1.39 1.65 NA 1.41 1.37 1.35 1.49

Without Elderly 

Individuals................... 1.74 1.96 1.29 1.75 NA 1.96 1.54 1.41 1.66

With Children .............. 1.41 1.54 1.35 2.13 1.43 NA 2.42 1.49 1.68

With School Age 

Children ...................... 1.43 1.60 1.34 1.95 1.39 NA NA 1.47 1.53

Without Children......... 1.90 2.33 1.34 1.45 1.62 NA NA 1.42 1.68

With Earnings .............. NA 1.63 1.34 NA 1.67 2.90 2.07 1.34 1.83

With Disabled 

Nonelderly Individuals 0.44 1.50 1.39 1.43 1.44 1.75 1.66 NA 1.38

Source: Fiscal Year 2012 SNAP QC sample.

a The design effect is the ratio of the variance computed by the bootstrap method to the naive variance for the specific cell of the table. The average square root of 

design effect for each row is a simple arithmetic average of the values for each cell in the row.

NA = not applicable.
108

Table E.3. Standard Errors of Estimated Means, Fiscal Year 2012a

Gross 

Income

Net 

Income Benefits

All 

Deductions

Total 

Resources

Household 

Size

Certification 

Period Earningsb TANFb SSIb

Shelter 

Deductionb

All SNAP Households...... 3.20 1.34 0.27 1.93 0.61 0.00 0.06 6.21 5.63 4.23 1.52

With Elderly Individuals 7.19 6.60 1.57 5.70 2.10 0.01 0.21 36.99 35.44 7.59 5.41

Without Elderly 

Individuals................... 3.60 1.59 0.64 2.02 0.59 0.00 0.05 6.37 5.70 5.10 1.44

With Children .............. 5.09 3.72 2.48 2.65 0.88 0.02 0.02 8.47 5.77 9.60 1.78

With School Age 

Children....................... 6.73 5.27 3.02 3.12 0.96 0.03 0.03 10.54 7.31 10.65 2.01

Without Children......... 4.72 3.07 0.65 2.55 0.80 0.00 0.09 11.49 22.75 4.71 2.51

With Earnings .............. 6.19 5.17 1.95 3.25 1.24 0.02 0.04 6.21 10.86 12.26 2.29

With Disabled 

Nonelderly Individuals 5.70 5.80 2.20 4.20 1.39 0.02 0.16 28.16 14.99 5.06 3.87

Source: Fiscal Year 2012 SNAP QC sample.

a Standard errors were estimated using the bootstrap method.

b For households with a nonzero amount.
109

Table E.4. Range of Standard Errors of Mean Amounts Expressed as a Percentage of the Mean 

Amount, Fiscal Year 2012

Number of Households in Base of Mean

(000)

Standard Error as

Percentage of the Mean Amount

Averageb Lowestc Highestd

22,046 (All SNAP Households).......................................................... 0.8 0.0 3.6

3,799 (Households With Elderly Individuals) ................................... 3.1 0.8 10.9

9,984 (Households With Children) .................................................... 1.1 0.3 4.6

6,909 (Households With Earnings) ..................................................... 1.4 0.5 5.2

4,409 (Households With Disabled Nonelderly Individuals) ............... 2.2 0.6 8.5

Source: Fiscal Year 2012 SNAP QC sample.

a Standard errors from Table E.3 and mean amounts from applicable text tables.

b Average standard error across all 11 variables in Table E.3 expressed as a percentage of the mean 

amount.

c Lowest of the standard errors across all 11 variables in Table E.3 expressed as a percentage of the mean 

amount.

d Highest of the standard errors across all 11 variables in Table E.3 expressed as a percentage of the mean 

amount.
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APPENDIX F

DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENT
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4. Local Agency

9.SNAP Allotment Under Review

PRIVACY ACT/PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT. According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 0584-0299. The to complete this collection is estimated to average 1.056 hours per response, including the time to review instructions, search existing data gather the data needed, and complete and review the information collection. This report is required under provisions of 7 CFR 275.14. This needed for the review of State performance in determining recipient eligibility. The information is used to determine State compliance, anreport may result in a finding of non-compliance.

Section 2 - Detailed Error Findings

12. Element

3. State 

13. Nature

2. Case Number

14. Cause 15. Error Finding

1. QC Review Number

16. Error Amount 17. Discovery 18. Verified 19. Occurre

a. Date

Section 1 - Review Summary

8. Findings 

7. Disposition

5. Sample Month 

10. Error Amount

U.S. Department of Agriculture - Food and Nutrition Service

QUALITY CONTROL REVIEW SCHEDULE

13425678

FORM FNS-380-1 (11-12) Previous Editions Obsolete SBU Electronic Form Version D

113
Section 3 - Household Characteristics

20. Most Recent Cert. Action  Month, Day, Year

21. Type of Action 22. Length of Cert. Period 

 #of months

23. Allotment Adjustment 24. A

Allot

 25. Number of Household Members

 26. Receipt of Expedited Service

27. Authorized Representative  Used at Application

28. Categorical Eligibility 29. Repor

Resources:

30. Liquid 31. Property 

(excluding home)

32a. Vehicle 32b. Status 

2nd Vehicle

33. Countable Vehicle Assets

Income:

35. Gross 36. Net

Deductions:

37. Earned Income 38. Medical 39. Dependent Care 40. Child Support 41. Shelte

 Additional Information on  Shelter Costs:

43. Rent/Mortgage 44. Use of SUA 

a. Usage b. Proration

45. Utilities (SUA or Actual)

114
Section 4 - Information on Each Household Member

46. Person Number

47. SNAP Participation

48. Relation  to Head  of HH

49. Age 50. Sex 51. Race 52. Citizen 

Status

53. Edu. Level

54. Employment Status Hours

55. SNAP Work Reg.

56. SE & T

You may record information on up to 16 individuals using additional pages.

115
Section 5 - Income Identified by Household Member

61. Amount Source 2 62. Income Type 63. Amount Source 3 64. Income Type 65. Amount So

66. 

Section 7 - Optional For State Use

1.2.3.4.

59. Person NumberYou may record income on up to 10 individuals by using additional pages.

Source 1 60. Income Type

Section 6 - Reserved Coding

116

68. 69. 70. 71. 72. 73. 74. 75. 76.
APPENDIX G

PREVIOUS REPORTS IN THIS SERIES
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119

Characteristics of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Households, Fiscal Year 2011. U.S. Department 

of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, Office of Research and Analysis, 2012.

Characteristics of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Households, Fiscal Year 2010. U.S. Department 

of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, Office of Research and Analysis, 2011.

Characteristics of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Households, Fiscal Year 2009. U.S. Department 

of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, Office of Research and Analysis, 2010.

Characteristics of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Households, Fiscal Year 2008. U.S. Department 

of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, Office of Research and Analysis, 2009.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Fiscal Year 2007. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Research and Analysis, 2008.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Fiscal Year 2006. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis, Nutrition and Evaluation, 2007.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Fiscal Year 2005. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis, Nutrition and Evaluation, 2006.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Fiscal Year 2004. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis, Nutrition and Evaluation, 2005.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Fiscal Year 2003. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis, Nutrition and Evaluation, 2004.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Fiscal Year 2002. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis, Nutrition and Evaluation, 2003.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Fiscal Year 2001. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis, Nutrition and Evaluation, 2003.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Fiscal Year 2000. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis, Nutrition and Evaluation, 2001.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Fiscal Year 1999. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis, Nutrition and Evaluation, 2000.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Fiscal Year 1998. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis, Nutrition and Evaluation, 2000.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Fiscal Year 1997. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis and Evaluation, 1999.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Fiscal Year 1996. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis and Evaluation, 1998.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Fiscal Year 1995. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Consumer Service, Office of Analysis and Evaluation, 1997.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Summer 1994. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Consumer Service, Office of Analysis and Evaluation, 1996.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Summer 1993. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis and Evaluation, 1995.
120

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Summer 1992. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis and Evaluation, 1994.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Summer 1991. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis and Evaluation, 1993.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Summer 1990. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis and Evaluation, 1992.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Summer 1989. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis and Evaluation, 1991.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Summer 1988. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis and Evaluation, 1990.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Winter 1988. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis and Evaluation, 1990.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Summer 1987. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis and Evaluation, 1990.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Summer 1986. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis and Evaluation, 1988.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, Summer 1985. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis and Evaluation, 1987.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, August 1984. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis and Evaluation.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, February 1983. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis and Evaluation.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, August 1982. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis and Evaluation.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, August 1981. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Analysis and Evaluation, 1984.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, August 1980. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Policy, Planning, and Evaluation, 1981.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, November 1979. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, Office of Policy, Planning, and Evaluation, 1981.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, February 1978. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, 1980.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, September 1976. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, 1977.

Characteristics of Food Stamp Households, September 1975. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and 

Nutrition Service, 1976.
INDEX
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123

INDEX

Page(s)

Able-bodied adults.......................................................(see Nonelderly nondisabled childless adults)

Age ...................21, 22, 35, 36, 39, 44, 45, 53, 54, 55, 59, 60, 64, 71, 80, 81, 83, 106, 107, 108

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)..................................................9, 21, 27

Assets, countable.......................................................................................................... (see Resources) 

Asset limit.............................................................................................................. (see Resource limit) 

Asylees ......................................................................................................................................7, 27, 30

Benefits ..................................8-10, 15, 19, 22, 23, 29, 30, 35, 36, 39-41, 44, 45, 47, 48, 50, 51, 

 53-56, 59, 62, 63, 67, 68, 79, 89, 91, 92, 95, 96, 98, 99, 104, 106-108

Maximum...........................................................8-10, 23, 29, 35, 36, 44, 45, 47, 48, 53, 55, 91

Minimum ............................... 9, 30, 35, 36, 44, 45, 48, 53, 55, 62, 92, 95, 99, 104, 106, 107

Prorated.......................................................................................................................9, 21, 22, 59

Broad-based categorical eligibility (BBCE) ..............................................................................4, 10, 27

Categorically eligible households ........................................................................ 4, 6, 27, 37, 38, 78

Certification period (see also Expedited service, Recertification).......................... 8, 27, 36, 48, 51, 

54, 56, 68, 108

Child support payment deduction........................................................................5, 28, 44-47, 53-56

Child support income ........................................................................................................... 16, 40, 41

Children .................................................... 16, 18, 19, 21, 22, 28, 29, 35-37, 39, 40, 42-48, 50-55,

57-60, 62, 64, 71, 80-83, 99, 105-109

Citizenship (see also Noncitizen)............................................................................ 21, 22, 58, 59, 82

Contributions ........................................................................................................................ 31, 40, 41

Countable resources ....................................................................................................6, 28, 37-39, 53

Deductions...................5-6, 13, 23, 28, 31, 36, 41, 44-47, 51, 53-56, 63, 68, 70, 74, 90, 99, 108

Child support payment deduction..................................................................5, 28, 44-47, 53-56

Dependent care deduction..............................................................................5, 28, 44-46, 53-56

Earned income deduction ........................................................................ 5, 28, 44-46, 53-56, 74

Excess shelter expense deduction .......................................5, 28-29, 31, 44, 45, 47, 53-56, 90

Medical deduction..................................................................................... 5, 10, 29, 44-46, 53-56

Standard deduction .......................................................................................5, 10, 31, 53, 55, 90

Deemed income ..............................................................................................................28, 31, 40, 41

Dependent care deduction ....................................................................................5, 28, 44-46, 53-56

Deportees .................................................................................................................................7, 28, 30
124

Disabled nonelderly individuals................................. 13, 14, 18-22, 28, 29, 35-37, 39, 40, 42-48,

50-55, 57-59, 71, 81, 99, 106-109

Earned income...........................16, 18, 21, 28, 35, 36, 40-42, 44-48, 52-58, 72-74, 99, 106, 107

Earned income deduction............................................................................... 5, 28, 44-46, 53-56, 74

Educational loans .................................................................................................................. 31, 40, 41

Elderly Individuals ............................................. 3, 5, 8, 9, 16-22, 28, 35-37, 39, 40, 42-48, 50-55,

57-59, 62, 64, 71, 80, 83, 99, 103-109 

Electronic benefit transfer (EBT)........................................................................................... 10, 27, 28

Energy assistance.................................................................................................................. 31, 40, 41

Entrant households ............................................................................................................... 28, 49, 75

Excess shelter expense deduction.................................................... 5, 28-29, 44, 45, 47, 53-56, 90

Expedited service households..........................................................................................8, 29, 49, 75

Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill) ...............................................6, 9, 29

Gender .....................................................................................................19, 20-21, 50-52, 59, 60, 64

General Assistance (GA) .......................... 18, 20, 27, 30, 31, 35, 36, 40-42, 44, 45, 52-56, 72, 73

Gross income............................................ 4-5, 8-10, 14, 15, 18, 20, 21, 23, 29, 35-39, 41, 44, 45,

51-56, 62, 63, 68, 69, 88, 99, 105-108

Gross income limit.......................................................................................................................29, 88

Homeless household shelter estimate ...................................................................................6, 29, 90

Household composition............................14, 16-17, 18, 19, 29, 35, 36, 39, 44, 45, 50-53, 55, 71

Married head with children households.......................................................16, 18-19, 29, 50-52

Single adult with children households .................................................. 16, 18-19, 31, 50-52, 71 

Household head .................................................................................................................... 57, 61, 76

Household size.............13, 16, 19, 36, 38, 39, 41, 51, 53-56, 60, 63, 68, 87-89, 91, 92, 98, 108

Households, participating ........................13, 14, 18, 35-58, 62, 67, 69-72, 74, 76, 77, 79, 97, 99

Income, monthly countable........................................ 15, 16, 19, 28, 35-45, 51-58, 68, 69, 72, 73,

Earned..................................16, 18, 21, 28, 35, 36, 40-42, 44-48, 52-58, 72-74, 99, 106, 107

 Gross .................................................. 4-5, 8-10, 14, 15, 18, 20, 21, 23, 29, 35-39, 41, 44, 45,

51-56, 62, 63, 68, 69, 88, 99, 105-108

 Net ...............................................5-6, 9, 15, 16, 19, 21, 23, 30, 35-39, 41, 44, 45, 51, 53-56, 

62, 63, 68, 89, 99, 106-108

Unearned ................................................................................................. 31, 35, 36, 40-45, 53-56

Child support .................................................................................................................. 16, 40, 41

General Assistance (GA) .................... 18, 20, 27, 30, 31, 35, 36, 40-42, 44, 45, 52-56, 72, 73

Social Security .................................... 18, 20, 21, 27, 31, 35, 36, 40, 41, 43-45, 52-56, 72, 73
125

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)...................... 9-10, 15, 18, 20, 21, 27, 30, 31, 35, 36, 40,

41, 43-45, 52-56, 72, 73, 108

 Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)................4, 6, 16, 18, 21, 27, 30, 31, 35, 36,

40-42, 44, 45, 48, 52-58, 62, 72, 73, 108

Initial certification households................................................................................................8, 29, 49

Lawful permanent resident noncitizens .......................................................................6-7, 21, 29, 30

Married-head households...................................................................................16, 18, 19, 29, 50-52

Maximum benefit................................8-10, 17, 23, 27, 29, 35, 36, 44, 45, 47, 48, 53, 55, 91, 96

Medical deduction........................................................................................................5, 29, 46, 53-56

Medical deduction demonstrations ........................................................................................5, 10, 29

Metropolitan households.................................................................................................29-30, 35, 36

Micropolitan households ...................................................................................................... 30, 35, 36

Minimum benefit......................... 9, 29, 30, 35, 36, 44, 45, 48, 53, 55, 62, 92, 99, 104, 106, 107

Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) ....................................................... 10, 19, 27, 30, 62

Net income .........................................5-6, 9, 15, 16, 19, 21, 23, 30, 35-39, 41, 44, 45, 51, 53-56, 

62, 63, 68, 87, 89, 99, 106-108

Net income limit...........................................................................................................................30, 87

Noncitizens.......................................................................6-7, 21, 22, 30, 35, 36, 58, 59, 62, 82, 83

Asylees................................................................................................................................7, 27, 30

Deportees ...........................................................................................................................7, 28, 30

Lawful permanent resident noncitizens.................................................................6-7, 21, 29, 30

Nonimmigrant visitors to the United States .......................................................................... 6, 30

Refugees .................................................................................................. 7, 21, 22, 30, 58, 59, 82

Nonelderly adults ...............................................................7, 21, 22, 29, 30, 59, 64, 80, 81, 83, 99

Nonelderly nondisabled childless adults...................................7, 20, 22, 35, 36, 50-52, 59, 71, 81

Nonimmigrant visitors to the United States................................................................................. 6, 30

Nonparticipating household head ....................................................................................... 30, 57, 61

Participants................................................................7-12, 21, 22, 35, 50, 59-61, 64, 67, 80-83, 98

Poverty, individuals in......................................................................................................11, 12, 13-15

Poverty guidelines............................................. 6, 13-15, 30, 35-39, 51, 54, 56, 63, 68, 69, 79, 87

Preschool-age children ......................................................22, 30, 35, 36, 39, 44, 45, 53-55, 59, 80

Prorated benefit ................................................................................................................9, 21, 22, 59

Pure Public Assistance (PA) .........................................................................................................30, 78

Race/Hispanic status ............................................................................................................ 57, 59, 76

Recertification ............................................................................................................................3, 8, 49

Refugees ........................................................................................................ 7, 21, 22, 30, 58, 59, 82

Resource limit................................................................................................................................. 6, 30

Rural....................................................................................................................................... 30, 35, 36
126

School-age children.....................................21, 22, 30, 35, 36, 39, 44, 45, 53-55, 59, 80, 106-108

Self-employment income .............................................................................................................40, 41

Sex ......................................................................................................................................(see Gender) 

Shelter deduction....................................................................(see Excess shelter expense deduction)

Single adult with children households ....................................................... 16, 18, 19, 31, 50-52, 71

Single-person households ......................................................................................... 17-21, 31, 50-52

Social Security .................................................. 16, 18-21, 31, 35, 36, 40, 41, 43-45, 52-56, 72, 73

Social Security Administration (SSA)............................................................................................. 9, 27

SSI-Combined Application Project (SSI-CAP).................................................. 8, 9, 10, 13, 28, 30, 31

Standard error ...........................................................................................................................103-109

Standard deduction.................................................................................................... 5, 31, 53, 55, 90

Standard utility allowance (SUA) .......................................................................................... 27, 31, 77

State diversion payments ........................................................................................................... 40, 41

States ..........................................................................................................3-10, 67-83, 87-92, 95, 97

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)............................ 9-10, 15, 18, 20, 21, 27, 30, 31, 35, 36, 40,

41, 43-45, 52-56, 72, 73, 108

Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)......................4, 6, 16, 18, 21, 27, 30, 31, 35, 36

40-42, 44, 45, 48, 52-58, 62, 72, 73, 108

Thrifty Food Plan (TFP)......................................................................................8-9, 21, 27, 31, 60, 91

Unearned income .......................................................................................... 31, 35, 36, 40-45, 53-56

Unemployment income......................................................................................................... 31, 40, 41

Veterans’ benefits ................................................................................................................. 31, 40, 41

Wage supplementation ......................................................................................................... 31, 40, 41

Wages..................................................................................................................................... 28, 40, 41

Work registration .....................................................................................................................7, 31, 61

Work requirements and a time limit.......................................................................................7, 22, 31

Workers’ compensation........................................................................................................ 31, 40, 41