United States Department of Agriculture

Characteristics of Supplemental 

Nutrition Assistance Program 

Households: Fiscal Year 2018 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Report No. SNAP-19-CHAR

Nutrition Assistance Program Report Series

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

Supplemental Nutrition

Assistance Program

Report No. SNAP-19-CHAR

 

Characteristics of Supplemental

Nutrition Assistance Program 

Households: Fiscal Year 2018 

Author:

Kathryn Cronquist

Submitted by: Submitted to:

Mathematica Office of Policy Support

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

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

. Alexandria, VA 22302-1500

Project Director: Joshua Leftin Project Officer: Jenny Genser White

This study was conducted under Contract Number 12-3198-19-F-0014 with the Food and 

Nutrition Service.

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

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

Suggested Citation:

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

Characteristics of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Households: Fiscal Year 2018, 

by Kathryn Cronquist. Project Officer, Jenny Genser White. Alexandria, VA, 2019. 

United States Department of Agriculture 

Kathryn Cronquist of Mathematica prepared this report for the U.S. Department of 

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

made important contributions to this report. The author thanks Joshua Leftin, Sarah Lauffer, 

Karen Cunnyngham, and Ronette Briefel for providing guidance and reviewing the report; Alma 

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

Sarah Hong, and Sarah Yoojin Kook of Insight Policy Research for providing research 

assistance; and Anuja Pandit for preparing the manuscript. The author also thanks Jenny Genser 

White, Kathryn Law, Barbara Murphy, Herbert Blassengale, Mary Rose Conroy, Eliot DeLaCruz 

Kriviski, Sasha Gersten-Paal, Merrit Gillard, Kari Hardgrove, Arthur Hoffman, Sarah Hughes, 

Bill Jenkins, Clay Jones, Tim Kreh, Alexis Lometz, Jessica Luna, Alice McKenney, Solomon 

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

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

information. 

November 2019

Author: Kathryn Cronquist

Mathematica Project Director: Joshua Leftin

Mathematica Project Number: 50787.500

FNS Project Officer: Jenny Genser White

FNS Contract Number: 12-3198-19-F-0014

vii

CONTENTS

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

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

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

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

CHAPTER 2: OVERVIEW OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION 

ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ..........................................................................................................3

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS .......................................................................................... 3

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

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

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

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

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

APPLICATION PROCEDURES ............................................................................................................. 8

BENEFIT COMPUTATION .................................................................................................................. 9

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

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

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

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

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

CHAPTER 3: CHARACTERISTICS OF SNAP HOUSEHOLDS AND 

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

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

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

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

Households with Elderly Individuals ...................................................................................... 18

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

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

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

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

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

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

APPENDIX A DETAILED TABLES OF SNAP HOUSEHOLD 

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

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

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

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

APPENDIX C FISCAL YEAR 2018 SNAP PARAMETERS...............................................105

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

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

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

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

TABLES

REPORT

2.1. Major economic indicators, calendar years 2003–2018 ....................................................13

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

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

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

3.3. Percentage of households with countable income types by household composition.........22

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

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

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

years 2014–2018 ................................................................................................................27

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

year 2018 ............................................................................................................................28

APPENDIX A

SUMMARY CHARATERISTICS

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

characteristic ......................................................................................................................41

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

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

certification period of participating households by household characteristic ....................42

INCOME, POVERTY STATUS, AND RESOURCES

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

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

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

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

poverty guidelines ..............................................................................................................44

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

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

participating households by household composition and size ...........................................45

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

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

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

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

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

non-elderly individuals with disabilities by countable earned and unearned 

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

APPENDIX A (continued) 

SNAP DEDUCTIONS

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

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

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

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

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

amount of deduction ..........................................................................................................52

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 ......................................................................................................54

HOUSEHOLD COMPOSITION

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

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

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

composition ........................................................................................................................56

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

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

certification period of participating households by household composition .....................57

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

composition ........................................................................................................................59

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

selected characteristics .......................................................................................................66
xi 

APPENDIX A (continued) 

PARTICIPANTS

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

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

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

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

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

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

COMPARISONS; FISCAL YEARS 1991–2018 

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

for fiscal years 1991–2018 .................................................................................................71

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

characteristics for fiscal years 1991–2018 .........................................................................72

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

1991–2018..........................................................................................................................73

APPENDIX B

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

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

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

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

State....................................................................................................................................86

B.5. Distribution of participating households by household composition and by State ............87

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

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

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

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

State....................................................................................................................................90

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

APPENDIX B (continued) 

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

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

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

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

APPENDIX C

C.1. 2017 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) poverty income 

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

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

year 2018 ..........................................................................................................................107

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

2018..................................................................................................................................108

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

deductions in the contiguous United States and outlying areas in fiscal year 2018 ........108

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

outlying areas in fiscal year 2018 ....................................................................................109

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

outlying areas in fiscal year 2018 ....................................................................................109

APPENDIX D

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

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

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

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

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

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

APPENDIX E

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

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

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

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

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

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

FIGURES

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

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

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

individuals at or below 130 percent of poverty, calendar years 1985–2018 .....................12

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

3.2. SNAP participants by age group, fiscal years 2012–2018 .................................................26

xv 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

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

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

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

Department of Agriculture (USDA). This report describes the characteristics of SNAP 

households and participants nationwide in fiscal year 2018 (October 2017 through September 

2018). It also presents an overview of SNAP eligibility requirements and benefit levels in fiscal 

year 2018. The appendices provide detailed tabulations of household and participant 

characteristics at the national and State levels, as well as a review of the source and reliability of 

estimates and the sampling error associated with the estimates presented in the report.

SNAP PARTICIPATION AND COSTS

During fiscal year 2018, SNAP provided benefits to approximately 39.7 million people 

living in 19.7 million households each month across the United States1

. The total Federal cost of 

the program in fiscal year 2018 was $64.9 billion, $60.4 billion of which went to SNAP benefits 

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

participating households in fiscal year 2018 was $255. 

CHARACTERISTICS OF SNAP HOUSEHOLDS AND PARTICIPANTS

As measured by the 2017 Federal poverty guidelines issued by the U.S. Department of 

Health and Human Services (HHS), approximately 81 percent of SNAP households lived in 

poverty in fiscal year 2018. Thirty-eight percent of SNAP households had gross incomes less 

than or equal to half of the poverty guidelines; these households received 55 percent of all 

benefits. When the value of SNAP benefits is included as income, 9 percent of SNAP households 

would move above the poverty guidelines; 11 percent would move from below half to above half 

of the poverty guidelines. 

The average SNAP household had gross monthly income of $844 and had net monthly 

income of $383. SNAP households received income from a variety of sources (Figure ES.1). The 

most common were earnings, followed closely by Social Security, and then Supplemental 

Security Income (SSI) benefits. Nineteen percent of SNAP households had zero gross income in 

fiscal year 2018, and 36 percent had zero net income. The percentages of SNAP households with 

zero gross income and zero net income remained about the same as in fiscal year 2017. 

 

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

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

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

2 The total cost of SNAP in fiscal year 2018 included $4.5 billion in other costs, including the Federal share of State 

administrative costs, nutrition education, Employment and Training programs, benefit and retailer redemption and 

monitoring, payment accuracy monitoring, EBT systems, and program evaluation and modernization efforts, as well 

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

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

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

In FY 2018, 19 percent of SNAP households contained non-elderly adults without 

disabilities and without children. The remaining 81 percent included a child, elderly individual, 

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

nearly one-third of SNAP participants were non-elderly adults without disabilities. The 

remainder were either children (44 percent), elderly adults (14 percent), or non-elderly adults 

with disabilities (11 percent). More than half (57 percent) of all participants, and nearly twothirds (64 percent) of all non-elderly adult participants, were female. More than two-thirds (71 

percent) of children were school age (age 5–17). In fiscal year 2018, the average SNAP 

household size was 2.0 people. 

Households with children received an average monthly SNAP benefit of $387, reflecting 

their larger average household size. The average household with children had 3.3 people, 

compared with an average of 1.1 people for households without children. A majority (61 percent) 

of SNAP households with children were single-adult households. 

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

from fiscal year 2017 to fiscal year 2018, even as the total number of SNAP households 

decreased. Households with elderly individuals received an average monthly SNAP benefit of 

$121, reflecting their smaller-than-average size (1.2 people) and higher-than-average income 

compared to other SNAP households. Households with elderly individuals had an average gross 

income of $916, compared to $818 for households without elderly individuals. Eighty-four 

percent of SNAP households with elderly individuals consisted of an elderly individual living 

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

monthly benefit of $202 for households with elderly individuals not living alone and $280 for 

households without any elderly individuals. 
xvii

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

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

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

disabilities.

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

nearly 41 percent of SNAP households that included children in fiscal year 2018, more than half 

(54 percent) had countable earned income. In contrast, of the 26 percent of SNAP households 

that included elderly individuals, only 7 percent had countable earned income. About 29 percent 

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

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

earned income. A relatively small percentage of single-person households, which make up more 

than half of all SNAP households, had earned income (13 percent) (Figure ES.2). 

1 

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

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

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

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

power” (Food and Nutrition Act of 2008). SNAP is the largest of the domestic nutrition 

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

Department of Agriculture (USDA). According to FNS administrative records, during fiscal year 

2018, SNAP served an average of 39.7 million people each month, at a total annual cost of $64.9 

billion, $60.4 billion of which went to SNAP benefits.3

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

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

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

eligible food items at authorized retailers.

4

 As of September 2018, 251,948 retailers across the 

nation were authorized to accept SNAP benefits.5

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

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

under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. FNS administers SNAP nationally, and State or local 

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

benefits. The cooperating agencies share administrative costs, with FNS paying approximately 

50 percent of these expenses.

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

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

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

and individuals participating in SNAP in fiscal year 2018. The report draws on data for 

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

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

disaster assistance.

6

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

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

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

individuals participating in SNAP in fiscal year 2018. We also provide a list of acronyms and 

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

 

3 The total cost of SNAP in fiscal year 2018 included $4.5 billion in other costs, including the Federal share of State 

administrative costs, nutrition education, Employment and Training programs, benefit and retailer redemption and 

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

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

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

any food sold for on-premise consumption.

5 4,568 meal service providers are also authorized to accept SNAP benefits.

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

earthquakes, floods, fires, or other disaster emergencies. About 132,300 households received disaster assistance at 

some time during fiscal year 2018. This number was calculated internally by Mathematica based on information 

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

data to remove disaster assistance recipients from the analyses. 
2 

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

characteristics in Appendix B. Appendix C contains the fiscal year 2018 SNAP eligibility 

standards and maximum benefit amounts. In Appendix D, we provide a detailed explanation and 

evaluation of the source and reliability of the estimates in this report. This is followed by a 

discussion of estimate sampling error in Appendix E. The instrument used to collect SNAP QC 

data that form the basis of this report appears in Appendix F.
3 

CHAPTER 2: OVERVIEW OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION

ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

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

time in response to economic and demographic trends and legislative alterations to SNAP. In this 

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

and benefit issuance that were in place in fiscal Year 2018. The chapter concludes with a 

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

2018. 

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

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

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

under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (FNA). The FNA, as amended, contains the uniform 

national eligibility standards for SNAP, which were originally developed in the Food Stamp Act 

of 1977. These standards define a SNAP household and categories of households eligible for 

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

nonfinancial criteria for eligibility. The FNA provides higher income limits for certain high-cost 

areas, such as Alaska and Hawaii, and for households with members who are elderly or disabled

and includes exceptions to the eligibility criteria for individuals who are categorically eligible (as 

defined in sections below).7

 

The Household

Under SNAP rules, a household is defined as an individual living alone or individuals who 

live together and customarily purchase and prepare food together. Generally, a group of 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

the previous year.8

 The incomes and countable resources of household members applying 

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

 

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

person is considered to be disabled for SNAP eligibility purposes if he or she receives Federal or State disability or 

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

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

annuity under the Railroad Retirement Act and is (1) eligible for Medicare or (2) considered to be disabled based on 

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

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

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

guidelines annually for many assistance programs. The fiscal year 2018 SNAP gross and net monthly income limits 

were based on the 2017 poverty guidelines issued by HHS. See Appendix C for a list of the 2017 poverty guidelines.
4 

Categorical Eligibility

Certain households that meet the eligibility requirements for other programs are considered 

categorically eligible for SNAP. Categorical eligibility policies simplify the process of SNAP 

application and eligibility determination. Eligibility standards for these households are partly 

based on the assistance program that confers categorical eligibility for SNAP. Categorically 

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

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

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

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

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

as pure public assistance (PA) households, are categorically eligible for SNAP. In some States, 

households that participate in narrowly targeted, noncash TANF-funded programs, such as work 

support, child care, diversion assistance, transportation, and other in-kind assistance, may also be 

categorically eligible for SNAP.

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

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

noncash TANF-funded benefit. States have flexibility in choosing the noncash TANF program(s)

that confers SNAP eligibility. These programs often have gross income limits above 130 percent 

of poverty (but no higher than 200 percent) and no net income test. In addition, most TANF 

programs that confer BBCE do not include a resource test. However, six States (Idaho, Indiana, 

Maine, Michigan, Nebraska, and Texas) conferred BBCE through TANF programs with resource 

limits between $5,000 and $25,000 in all or part of fiscal year 2018. In fiscal year 2018, 43 

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

BBCE policy in effect.

Income Eligibility Standards

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

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

income and (2) net income.9

 As defined in the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended, 

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

loans) and excludes most noncash income or in-kind benefits (such as energy assistance 

payments and educational loans in which payment is deferred). To be eligible for SNAP, a 

household not categorically eligible and not including an elderly member or individual with a 

disability must have a monthly gross income that is at or below 130 percent of the Federal 

poverty guidelines from the previous fiscal year ($2,665 per month for a family of four in the 

contiguous United States in fiscal year 2018). Households with elderly members or individuals 

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

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

guidelines from the previous fiscal year ($2,050 per month for a family of four in the contiguous 

 

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

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

chapter.
5 

United States in fiscal year 2018). The gross and net income eligibility standards vary by 

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

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

used to determine monthly SNAP benefit amounts for all households. Net income is calculated 

by subtracting deductions permitted under SNAP from monthly gross income. SNAP deducts the 

following from a household’s gross monthly income to calculate net monthly income:10

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

and household size. In fiscal year 2018, a household with one to three members 

living in the contiguous United States received a $160 deduction; larger 

households received a larger standard deduction based on household size. The 

standard deductions for outlying States and territories vary due to differences in 

the cost of living between such areas and the contiguous United States (Appendix 

C). The standard deductions are indexed annually to inflation. 

• Earned income deduction. Households with earnings receive a deduction equal 

to 20 percent of the combined earnings of household members. 

• Dependent care deduction. Households with dependents may receive a 

deduction for out-of-pocket costs associated with the care of a child or other 

dependents when necessary for a household member to work, seek employment, 

attend training, or pursue education. Allowable dependent care costs include the 

costs of care given by a care provider or facility, transportation costs to and from 

the care facility, and other necessary fees. The costs of care provided by a 

relative may be deducted if the relative providing care is not a member of the 

same SNAP household. 

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

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

medical expenses. In most States, such households may deduct combined out-ofpocket medical costs that exceed $35 per month and are incurred on behalf of the 

elderly household members or household members with disabilities. In fiscal 

year 2018, 21 States had medical deduction demonstration programs that used 

standard deduction amounts for households with medical expenses exceeding 

$35 but below a specified limit.11 Medical expenses reimbursed by insurance or 

government programs are not deductible in any State. 

• Child support payment deduction. Households may deduct legally obligated 

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

household. States may choose to exclude child support payments from gross 

income rather than treat them as a deduction. In fiscal year 2018, 12 States 

excluded legally obligated child support payments from income, whereas 41 

States treated child support payments as an income deduction. 

 

10 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.

11 For detailed information on these demonstrations, see Technical Documentation for the Fiscal Year 2018 SNAP 

QC Database and QC Minimodel (Cronquist et al. 2019). Available at https://host76.mathematica-mpr.com/fns/. 
6 

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

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

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

other potential deductions are subtracted from gross income. Instead of using 

actual utility costs, 48 States in fiscal year 2018 opted for mandatory Standard 

Utility Allowances (SUAs) to calculate a household’s total shelter expense. The 

maximum excess shelter expense deduction in the contiguous United States for 

households without elderly members or individuals with disabilities was $535 in 

fiscal year 2018. The amount is annually indexed to inflation. The limits on the 

excess shelter expense deduction for outlying States and territories vary due to 

differences in the cost of living between such areas and the contiguous United 

States (Appendix C). Households with elderly members or individuals with 

disabilities, however, are allowed to subtract the full value of shelter costs that 

exceed 50 percent of their adjusted income. In fiscal year 2018, 30 States also 

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

deduction of $143 for shelter expenses. 

Resources

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

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

rounded down to the nearest $250 increment. In fiscal year 2018, households not categorically 

eligible were permitted up to $2,250 in countable resources or up to $3,500 if at least one 

household member was elderly or had a disability. Countable resources include cash, resources 

easily converted to cash (such as money in checking or savings accounts, savings certificates, 

stocks and bonds, and lump-sum payments), and some nonliquid resources. Some types of 

resources are not counted, such as retirement and educational savings accounts, family homes, 

tools of a trade, or business property used to earn income. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

$4,650 or the equity value is counted.12 For non-excluded unlicensed vehicles, the vehicle’s 

equity value is counted. 

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

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

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

Federal SNAP rules. In fiscal year 2018, more than half of all States and territories had adopted 

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

the value of additional vehicles. 

 

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

Nonfinancial Eligibility Standards

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

individuals who are institutionalized, fleeing felons, drug felons, undocumented noncitizens, 

noncitizens visiting the United States, certain students, and some lawful, permanent resident 

noncitizens.13 Some examples of lawful, permanent resident noncitizens who are eligible for 

SNAP benefits include the following: 

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

of entry 

• Qualified children younger than age 18 

• Blind or disabled individuals receiving government benefits for their condition 

• Noncitizens who are members of the United States Armed Forces, veterans, or 

dependents of a service member or veteran

• Lawful permanent residents with 40 qualifying quarters of work history 

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

August 22, 1996 

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

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

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

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

if referred to one by the State agency. Working-age participants are subject to these requirements 

unless they are in one of the following exempt groups: 

• Individuals determined to be mentally or physically unfit for employment 

• Individuals employed 30 or more hours per week 

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

incapacitated person

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

higher education

• Individuals complying with work requirements of TANF programs 

• Individuals receiving unemployment compensation 

• Individuals participating in a drug addiction or alcohol treatment program 

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

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

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

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

 

13 These eligibility standards were in effect in fiscal year 2018. A 2019 rule expanded some categories, effective 

June 14, 2019. 
8 

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

hours per week or comply with a workfare program.14 Participants are exempt from the time 

limit if they live in a waived area or have been granted a discretionary exemption by the State. 

States may apply for a waiver from the time limit in geographic areas, including the entire State 

if applicable, if (1) the area has an unemployment rate that exceeds 10 percent or (2) the State 

can demonstrate using other economic criteria that the proposed waiver area has an insufficient 

number of jobs to provide employment for participants.15 States are also allowed to provide a 

limited number of discretionary exemptions to participants subject to the time limit, which apply 

on a month-to-month basis. 

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

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

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

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

State option during fiscal year 2017 to allow interviews to be conducted by telephone or online.16

In 2018, 46 States offered online applications, and 33 States allowed SNAP participants to 

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

benefits when they apply for TANF or SSI benefits. 

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

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

households with extremely low income and a low level of resources must be processed more 

quickly under the expedited SNAP eligibility verification procedures, which require that these 

households receive their SNAP benefits within seven days of application. Those eligible for 

expedited service include (1) migrant or seasonal farm workers with countable resources equal to 

or less than $100, (2) households with monthly gross income less than $150 and countable 

resources equal to or less than $100, and (3) households whose combined monthly gross income 

and liquid resources are less than the household’s monthly rent or mortgage plus utilities. 

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

15 These rules were in effect in fiscal year 2018. In fiscal year 2019, draft regulations were published that, if 

finalized, would change the requirements.

16 Before the implementation of the State option on May 8, 2017, States could apply for waivers that allowed 

interviews to be conducted by telephone or online.
9 

Application Project (ESAP).17 For participants in the SSI-Combined Application Project (SSICAP, described below), the certification period may be extended up to 48 months. In fiscal year 

2018, SNAP households were certified for benefits for an average of 14 months. 

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

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

rules.18 For example, States can set requirements for reporting changes in household 

circumstances to the SNAP State agency within various time frames and determine penalties for 

failing to comply with SNAP work requirements (described earlier in this chapter). These allow 

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

BENEFIT COMPUTATION

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

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

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

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

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

the contiguous United States. The TFP represents a healthful and minimal-cost diet.19 Maximum 

benefits are revised annually to reflect changes in the cost of foods in the plan. The maximum 

monthly benefit for a family of four in the contiguous United States was $640 in fiscal year 2018 

(Appendix C). 

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

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

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

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

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

benefit reduction rate.

If a household has zero net income (that is, its deduction amounts match or exceed its gross 

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

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

20 All eligible one- and 

two-person households are guaranteed a minimum benefit, except during the initial month of 

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

 

17 This demonstration streamlines the application and recertification process for elderly households with no earned 

income. For more information on ESAP, see SNAP ESAP Guidance at http://fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/snap/

ESAP_Guidance.pdf. 

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

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

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

information.

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

maximum benefit for a one-person household. In fiscal year 2018, the minimum benefit for oneand two-person households in the contiguous United States was $15 (Appendix C).

SSI Combined Application Project (SSI-CAP) Households

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

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

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

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

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

fiscal year 2018, 17 States were operating SSI-CAP demonstrations: Arizona, Florida, Kentucky, 

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

Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.21 SSICAP designs vary by State. In most cases, SSI-CAP participation was limited to one-person 

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

and has no earned income.22 In most SSI-CAP States, these households received a standard 

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

expenses, as determined by the State. Some States, such as New York and South Dakota, had 

additional standard benefit levels based on further criteria. SSI-CAP households in Florida, 

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

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

households do not receive any other income deductions. 

Minnesota Family Investment Program Households 

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

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

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

family size and is higher for families with earnings. If the difference between total income and 

the threshold is greater than the maximum benefit set by Minnesota, the family receives the full 

food portion of its benefit and may receive an additional cash benefit. As a family’s income rises, 

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

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

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

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

first $65 and 50 percent of the remaining earnings in fiscal year 2018. 

SNAP BENEFIT ISSUANCE 

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

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

 

21 New Mexico ended its SSI-CAP demonstration in March 2014, and the last SSI-CAP benefit was issued in June 

2017. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

the time of the transaction. 

PROGRAM CHANGES SINCE THE PREVIOUS FISCAL YEAR 

Program changes in fiscal year 2018 included the following: 

• Indiana implemented a BBCE policy, effective January 2018. This new policy

includes a TANF resource limit of $5,000 to confer BBCE. 

• Colorado and West Virginia both increased the gross income limit for their BBCE 

policies, effective June 2018, from 130 percent of the Federal poverty guidelines to 

200 percent of the Federal poverty guidelines. 

THE ECONOMY AND SNAP PARTICIPATION AND COSTS

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

from 1994 to 2000, SNAP participation rose each year from 2000 to 2006 and again from 2007 

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

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

fiscal year 2007 to 47.6 million individuals in fiscal year 2013. Since 2013, there has been a 

steady decrease in SNAP participation. Average monthly SNAP participation declined from 42.2 

million individuals in fiscal year 2017 to 39.7 million individuals in fiscal year 2018. Figure 2.1 

illustrates the changes in SNAP participation from calendar year 1985 to calendar year 2018 in 

comparison with individuals in poverty and unemployed individuals. Table 2.1 shows how 

changes in SNAP participation over the past 16 calendar years compare to changes in major 

economic indicators. 

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

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

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

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

Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) at the beginning of fiscal year 2014.23

However, costs have continued to fall since fiscal year 2015 and declined from $68.2 billion in 

fiscal year 2017 to $64.9 billion in fiscal year 2018. 

 

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

of the June 2008 Thrifty Food Plan. This provision expired on October 31, 2013. 
12 

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

130 percent of poverty, calendar years 1985–2018 

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

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

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

Economic Supplement by Decision Demographics, Arlington, VA. 

a Annual values.

b Average monthly values.
13 

Table 2.1. Major economic indicators, calendar years 2003–2018 

 Calendar year

Economic 

indicator 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

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

Interest rate b 5.7 5.6 5.2 5.6 5.6 5.6 5.3 4.9 4.6 3.7 4.2 4.2 3.9 3.7 3.7 3.9

Productivity 

increase c 4.0 3.0 2.2 1.1 1.6 1.1 3.6 3.3 -0.1 0.8 0.9 0.7 1.2 0.3 1.3 1.3

Real GDP 

increase d,e 2.9 3.8 3.5 2.9 1.9 -0.1 -2.5 2.6 1.6 2.2 1.8 2.5 2.9 1.6 2.4 2.9

SNAP 

participants f (000) 21,952 24,413 26,261 26,074 26,566 29,202 35,285 41,639 45,388 46,942 47,539 46,427 45,516 43,705 42,149 38,338

Unemployed 

individuals f (000) 8,770 8,140 7,579 6,991 7,073 8,948 14,295 14,808 13,739 12,499 11,457 9,602 8,293 7,754 6,976 6,306

Unemployment 

rate g 6.0 5.5 5.1 4.6 4.6 5.8 9.3 9.6 8.9 8.1 7.4 6.2 5.3 4.9 4.4 3.9

Individuals below 

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

Number (000) 36,927 37,937 37,415 37,206 38,205 40,614 43,970 46,677 46,464 47,085 46,203 47,348 43,765 41,592 40,735 38,761

Percentage of 

total population 12.8 13.0 12.7 12.5 12.8 13.5 14.5 15.2 15.0 15.1 14.7 15.0 13.7 13.0 12.6 12.0

Individuals at or 

below 130 percent

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

Number (000) 52,823 53,413 53,553 52,878 54,264 57,329 60,574 63,984 64,549 65,828 63,938 64,915 60,906 57,895 57,389 54,729

Percentage of 

total population 18.3 18.3 18.2 17.8 18.1 19.0 19.9 20.9 20.9 21.2 20.4 20.5 19.1 18.1 17.8 16.9

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

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

of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis, National Income and Product Accounts. SNAP participants: Food and Nutrition Service SNAP Monthly State Participation 

and Benefit Summary. Unemployed individuals and unemployment rate: Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Individuals below poverty level and individuals 

at or below 130 percent of poverty level: Tabulations of the Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement by Decision Demographics, Arlington, 

VA. 

a Percentage change from preceding year in the implicit price deflator for gross domestic product. 

b Corporate AAA bond yield. 

c Percentage change from preceding year in output per hour, nonfarm business sector.

d Percentage change from preceding year. 

e The Bureau of Economic Analysis periodically revises gross domestic product estimates. Thus, historical numbers in this table may differ from previous reports.

f Average monthly value.

g Unemployment rate for all civilian workers.

15

CHAPTER 3: CHARACTERISTICS OF SNAP 

HOUSEHOLDS AND PARTICIPANTS

SNAP serves the nutritional needs of a broad spectrum of low-income Americans.24 In fiscal 

year 2018, SNAP provided benefits to an average of 39.3 million people living in 19.7 million 

households each month (Table 3.6).25 Most SNAP households (81 percent) included either a 

child (younger than age 18), an elderly individual (age 60 or older), or a non-elderly individual 

with a disability (Appendix Table A.14). The average SNAP household received a monthly 

benefit of $239, had gross monthly income of $844, and had net monthly income of $383 (Table 

3.7).26 The average SNAP household size has declined over the years, from 2.6 individuals in 

1991 to 2.0 individuals in fiscal year 2018 (Appendix Table A.28). 

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

characteristics of SNAP participants, and changes in the economic conditions of SNAP 

households from fiscal year 2017 to fiscal year 2018. 

THE POVERTY STATUS OF SNAP HOUSEHOLDS

In fiscal year 2018, the average SNAP household had gross monthly income that was 

slightly less than 63 percent of the poverty guidelines (Appendix Table A.2). 27, 28 Eighty-one 

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

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

percent of the poverty guidelines, and 38 percent had gross monthly income that was less than or 

equal to 50 percent of the guidelines (Table 3.1). 

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

greater SNAP benefits than those with more income. The 38 percent of all SNAP households 

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

fiscal year 2018 received 54 percent of all benefits. In contrast, the 19 percent of households with 

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

(Table 3.1). 

 

24 The information in this chapter and the estimates in Appendices A and B are based on a sample of 43,738

households from the fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample (see 

Appendix Table D.2). The sample was drawn from SNAP households in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, 

Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Households in Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands 

were not included in the sample because these territories receive block grants in lieu of SNAP.

25 The estimates of 39.3 million participants and 19.7 million households differ slightly from the number of SNAP 

participants and households in FNS administrative records (39.7 million and 19.7 million, respectively) because the 

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

assistance. These adjustments also affect household average monthly benefits, which are $239 in the SNAP QC data, 

compared with $255 in FNS administrative records (Appendix D provides details).

26 Because net income is not used in the benefit determinations of MFIP households or SSI-CAP households in

States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits, the average monthly net income estimate excludes these households.

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

A.8.

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

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

guidelines

 All households All benefits

Gross income as a percentage 

of Federal poverty guidelinesa Percentage

Cumulative 

percentage Percentage

Cumulative 

percentage

25 percent or less 27.0 27.0 35.7 35.7

26 to 50 percent 10.8 37.8 18.8 54.5

51 to 75 percent 19.5 57.3 20.5 74.9

76 to 100 percent 24.1 81.4 17.4 92.3

101 to 130 percent 12.4 93.8 6.3 98.6

131 percent or more 6.2 100.0 1.4 100.0

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

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

a Defined as the fiscal year 2018 SNAP net income screen (Appendix Table C.3).

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

dollar value of the benefits to a household’s income and then examining the distribution of 

households by poverty status.29 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 9 percent of participating households above 

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

households, moving 11 percent of participating households above 50 percent of the poverty 

guidelines. 

 

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

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

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Defined as the fiscal year 2018 SNAP net income screen (Appendix Table C.3).

HOUSEHOLDS WITH GREATER NEEDS

Nearly one in five SNAP households contained non-elderly adults without disabilities and 

without children. The remaining 81 percent of SNAP households—which contained 89 percent 

of all participants—included a child, an elderly individual, or a non-elderly individual with a 

disability. These households received 85 percent of all SNAP benefits (Appendix Table A.14).30

Households with Children

In fiscal year 2018, SNAP served an average of 8.1 million households with children each 

month, representing 41 percent of all SNAP households. Seventy-four percent of SNAP 

households with earned income contained children, whereas 54 percent of households with 

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

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

Among all households with children, 1.5 million (19 percent) received child support (Appendix 

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

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

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

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

In fiscal year 2018, more than half (61 percent) of SNAP households with children were 

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

SNAP households with children had a married head of household, accounting for 7 percent of all 

 

30 See Appendix Tables A.3, A.6, A.8, A.11, A.12, A.14–A.19, and A.21–A.23 for more details on these households. 
18

SNAP households. The remaining SNAP households with children contained nonmarried 

multiple adults (10 percent) or children only (12 percent) (Table 3.3). 

The sources of income for households with children headed by a married couple varied 

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

earnings and TANF income. Of the 4.9 million SNAP households with children headed by a 

single adult, 44 percent had earned income and about 12 percent received TANF. In contrast, of 

the 1.3 million households with children headed by a married couple, 73 percent had earned 

income and 6 percent received TANF. Among households with children headed by a single 

adult, 19 percent had zero gross income, comparable to the 19 percent of all SNAP households 

with zero gross income. Among married-head households with children, 8 percent had zero gross 

income. In terms of receipt of SSI and Social Security income, the characteristics of these 

households were more similar. About 12 percent of both single adult and married couple 

households with children received SSI. Among households with children headed by a single 

adult, 10 percent received Social Security income, compared to 8 percent of households with 

children headed by a married couple (Table 3.3).

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

than that of married-head households with children ($376 versus $443 because of the smaller 

size of single-adult households). However, the benefit per person was higher for people in singleadult households with children than for people in married-head households with children ($126 

versus $99), because single-adult households were poorer. Single-adult households with children 

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

($907 versus $1,619) (Table 3.4). 

Households with Elderly Individuals

In fiscal year 2018, SNAP served a monthly average of about 5.1 million households with 

elderly individuals (age 60 or older) (Table 3.2), compared with an average of 5.0 million 

households each month in fiscal year 2017.31 This increase is particularly notable because the 

overall SNAP caseload dropped by 898,000 households during the same time period. As such, 

households with elderly individuals in fiscal year 2018 represented 26 percent of all SNAP 

households, up from 24 percent in fiscal year 2017 (Appendix Table A.27). Households with 

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

In fiscal year 2018, the average SNAP benefit for households with elderly individuals was 

$121, compared to $280 for households without elderly individuals. SNAP households with 

elderly individuals tended to receive relatively small benefit amounts for two reasons. First, these 

households typically had higher average gross and net incomes, $916 and $433 respectively, 

when compared to households without elderly individuals, $818 and $367 respectively. Second, 

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

amounts than other households (Appendix Table A.2).32 

 

31 Information on fiscal year 2017 SNAP households appears in Characteristics of Supplemental Nutrition 

Assistance Program Households: Fiscal Year 2017 (Cronquist and Lauffer, 2018).

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

although others may live in the same residential unit.
19

In fiscal year 2018, 84 percent of all SNAP households with elderly individuals were singleperson households (Table 3.2). Elderly SNAP recipients who lived alone received an average 

SNAP benefit of $105 per month, compared to $158 for multiperson households composed of 

only elderly individuals and $250 for multiperson households with both elderly and non-elderly 

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

living alone was 2.3 people (Table 3.4). 

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

Security income. In fiscal year 2018, 36 percent of all SNAP households with elderly individuals 

received SSI, 71 percent received Social Security income, and 87 percent received income from 

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

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

elderly individuals represented 41 percent of all SNAP households with SSI and 62 percent of all 

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

elderly individuals had no income (Table 3.3). 

Households with Non-Elderly Individuals with Disabilities

In fiscal year 2018, SNAP served a monthly average of 4.1 million households with nonelderly individuals with disabilities.33 These households represented 21 percent of all SNAP 

households and received an average monthly SNAP benefit of $182 (Tables 3.2 and 3.4). 

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

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

$108. Non-elderly individuals with disabilities who did not live alone resided in households with 

an average of 3.2 individuals and a per-person benefit of $98 (Table 3.4). Sixty-seven percent of 

households with non-elderly individuals with disabilities received SSI, and 51 percent received 

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

disabilities represented 60 percent of all SNAP households with SSI and 35 percent of all SNAP 

households with Social Security income (Table 3.2). 

OTHER HOUSEHOLDS SERVED BY SNAP

In fiscal year 2018, 19 percent of SNAP households (3.8 million households) consisted 

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

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

gross monthly income ($279). Fifty-nine percent of these households had zero gross income and 

more than one-fourth (27 percent) had earned income. Households consisting solely of one or 

more non-elderly adults without disabilities received an average SNAP benefit of $180 per 

month (Tables 3.3 and 3.4). 

 

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

Within this group, 2.7 million SNAP households (14 percent of all households) contained 

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

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

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

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

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

Table 3.2. Composition of households with select countable income types

 Households with:

 All 

households

Countable 

earned incomea

Social 

Security SSI

Zero gross 

income TANF GA

Household composition Number 

(000)

Column 

percent

Number 

(000)

Column 

percent

Number 

(000)

Column 

percent

Number 

(000)

Column 

percent

Number 

(000)

Column 

percent

Number 

(000)

Column 

percent

Number 

(000)

Column 

percent

Totalb 19,699 100.0 5,897 100.0 5,847 100.0 4,506 100.0 3,796 100.0 877 100.0 600 100.0

Children 8,064 40.9 4,375 74.2 730 12.5 964 21.4 1,194 31.4 846 96.4 126 21.0

Single-adult household 4,925 25.0 2,184 37.0 485 8.3 603 13.4 922 24.3 600 68.4 83 13.8

Multiple-adult household 2,142 10.9 1,481 25.1 221 3.8 329 7.3 177 4.7 154 17.6 37 6.2

Married-head 1,316 6.7 967 16.4 110 1.9 154 3.4 111 2.9 81 9.3 16 2.6

Other multiple-adult 826 4.2 514 8.7 111 1.9 175 3.9 65 1.7 73 8.3 22 3.6

Children only 997 5.1 710 12.0 23 0.4 32 0.7 94 2.5 91 10.4 6 1.0

Elderly individuals 5,105 25.9 351 5.9 3,600 61.6 1,833 40.7 340 8.9 45 5.2 164 27.3

Living alone 4,268 21.7 210 3.6 3,022 51.7 1,516 33.6 317 8.4 1 0.1 134 22.4

Not living alone 837 4.3 141 2.4 578 9.9 317 7.0 22 0.6 44 5.1 30 4.9

Non-elderly individuals 

with disabilities 4,073 20.7 449 7.6 2,062 35.3 2,725 60.5 0 0.0 173 19.7 127 21.1

Living alone 2,627 13.3 129 2.2 1,457 24.9 1,638 36.3 0 0.0 1 0.1 62 10.4

Not living alone 1,445 7.3 320 5.4 604 10.3 1,088 24.1 - - 172 19.6 65 10.8

Other householdsc 3,839 19.5 1,043 17.7 14 0.2 - - 2,268 59.7 24 2.7 248 41.3

Single-person 3,578 18.2 900 15.3 4 0.1 - - 2,196 57.8 19 2.2 242 40.3

Multiperson 261 1.3 143 2.4 10 0.2 - - 72 1.9 5 0.5 6 1.0

Adults age 18–49 without 

disabilities in childless 

householdsd 2,688 13.6 784 13.3 129 2.2 101 2.2 1,443 38.0 27 3.1 158 26.3

Living alone 2,266 11.5 616 10.5 1 0.0 - - 1,380 36.4 17 2.0 147 24.5

Not living alone 422 2.1 168 2.8 128 2.2 101 2.2 63 1.7 10 1.1 11 1.8

Single-person 

households 10,753 54.6 1,401 23.8 4,494 76.9 3,155 70.0 2,558 67.4 59 6.7 440 73.4

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a The sum of individual income sources does not add to the total because households may have zero or multiple types of income.

b The sums of the household types do not match the numbers in the Total row because a household may have more than one characteristic.

c Households not containing children, elderly individuals, or non-elderly individuals with disabilities.

d With some exceptions, these participants are subject to work requirements and time limits.

– No sample households are in this category.
22 

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

 Households with:

 All 

households

Countable earned 

incomea

Social 

Security SSI

Zero gross 

income TANF GA

Household 

composition

Number 

(000)

Column 

percent

Number 

(000)

Row 

percent

Number 

(000)

Row 

percent

Number 

(000)

Row 

percent

Number 

(000)

Row 

percent

Number 

(000)

Row 

percent

Number 

(000)

Row 

percent

Totalb 19,699 100.0 5,897 29.9 5,847 29.7 4,506 22.9 3,796 19.3 877 4.5 600 3.0

Children 8,064 40.9 4,375 54.3 730 9.0 964 11.9 1,194 14.8 846 10.5 126 1.6

Single-adult 

household 4,925 25.0 2,184 44.4 485 9.9 603 12.2 922 18.7 600 12.2 83 1.7

Multiple-adult 

household 2,142 10.9 1,481 69.2 221 10.3 329 15.4 177 8.2 154 7.2 37 1.7

Married-head 1,316 6.7 967 73.5 110 8.4 154 11.7 111 8.4 81 6.2 16 1.2

Other multipleadult 826 4.2 514 62.3 111 13.4 175 21.1 65 7.9 73 8.8 22 2.6

Children only 997 5.1 710 71.1 23 2.3 32 3.2 94 9.5 91 9.2 6 0.6

Elderly individuals 5,105 25.9 351 6.9 3,600 70.5 1,833 35.9 340 6.7 45 0.9 164 3.2

Living alone 4,268 21.7 210 4.9 3,022 70.8 1,516 35.5 317 7.4 1 0.0 134 3.1

Not living alone 837 4.3 141 16.8 578 69.1 317 37.9 22 2.7 44 5.3 30 3.5

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities 4,073 20.7 449 11.0 2,062 50.6 2,725 66.9 0 0.0 173 4.3 127 3.1

Living alone 2,627 13.3 129 4.9 1,457 55.5 1,638 62.3 0 0.0 1 0.0 62 2.4

Not living alone 1,445 7.3 320 22.2 604 41.8 1,088 75.2 - - 172 11.9 65 4.5

Other householdsc 3,839 19.5 1,043 27.2 14 0.4 - - 2,268 59.1 24 0.6 248 6.5

Single-person 3,578 18.2 900 25.1 4 0.1 - - 2,196 61.4 19 0.5 242 6.8

Multiperson 261 1.3 143 55.0 10 3.7 - - 72 27.7 5 1.7 6 2.4

Adults age 18–49 

without disabilities 

in childless 

householdsd 2,688 13.6 784 29.2 129 4.8 101 3.7 1,443 53.7 27 1.0 158 5.9

Living alone 2,266 11.5 616 27.2 1 0.0 - - 1,380 60.9 17 0.8 147 6.5

Not living alone 422 2.1 168 39.8 128 30.3 101 23.9 63 15.0 10 2.3 11 2.5

Single-person 

households 10,753 54.6 1,401 13.0 4,494 41.8 3,155 29.3 2,558 23.8 59 0.5 440 4.1

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a The sum of individual income sources does not add to the total because households may have zero or multiple types of income.

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

c Households not containing children, elderly individuals, or non-elderly individuals with disabilities.

d With some exceptions, these participants are subject to work requirements and time limits.

– No sample households are in this category.
23

Table 3.4. Average values of selected characteristics by household composition

 Average values

Household composition

Gross monthly 

countable 

income 

(dollars)

Net monthly 

countable 

income 

(dollars)

Monthly 

SNAP benefit 

(dollars)

Monthly SNAP 

benefit per 

person 

(dollars)b

Household 

size 

(individuals)

Totala 844 383 239 120 2.0

Children 1,059 502 387 118 3.3

Single-adult household 907 413 376 126 3.0

Male adult 802 360 351 132 2.7

Female adult 917 418 379 125 3.0

Multiple-adult household 1,517 816 445 102 4.4

Married-head 1,619 875 443 99 4.5

Other multiple-adult 1,355 723 448 107 4.2

Children only 823 264 311 138 2.3

Elderly individuals 916 433 121 100 1.2

Living alone 844 370 105 105 1.0

Not living alone 1,287 724 202 89 2.3

Non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 1,027 480 182 101 1.8

Living alone 866 330 108 108 1.0

Not living alone 1,319 735 315 98 3.2

Other householdsc 279 104 180 167 1.1

Single-person 242 84 173 173 1.0

Multiperson 793 369 275 129 2.1

Single-person households 640 253 130 130 1.0

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

a Because net income is not used in their benefit determinations, 24,480 MFIP households and 608,146 SSI-CAP 

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

b This column is calculated by dividing the rounded, average monthly SNAP benefit by the rounded, average SNAP 

household size.

c Households not containing children, elderly individuals, or non-elderly individuals with disabilities.
24

Single-Person Households

In fiscal year 2018, 55 percent of SNAP households were composed of a single person 

(Table 3.2).34 These households received an average monthly SNAP benefit of $130 (Table 3.4). 

A slight majority of these individuals (56 percent) were female (Appendix Table A.24), 40 

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

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

SNAP households had earned income (13 percent versus 30 percent) and a relatively high 

proportion had zero gross income (24 percent versus 19 percent). Not surprisingly, given the 

high proportion of elderly individuals and individuals with disabilities making up single-person 

households, 42 percent and 29 percent of single-person households received Social Security 

income and SSI income, respectively (Table 3.3). 

CHARACTERISTICS OF SNAP PARTICIPANTS

In fiscal year 2018, 44 percent of SNAP participants were children, and they received 

43 percent of prorated SNAP benefits.35 More than two-thirds (71 percent) of children served by 

SNAP were school-age (age 5–17). Forty-two percent of participants were non-elderly adults 

(age 18–59), and 14 percent were elderly individuals (age 60 or older) (Table 3.5). 

Sixty-four percent of non-elderly adults and 63 percent of elderly individuals were female. 

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

percent were refugees, and 4 percent were other noncitizens (lawful permanent residents and 

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

with noncitizen adults (Appendix Table A.23).36

 

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

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

characteristic to total household size.

36 Some of the noncitizen household members were legal residents of the United States and participated in SNAP 

with citizen children; others were ineligible because of their immigration status and did not participate.
25

Table 3.5. SNAP benefits of participants by selected demographic characteristics

 Total participants Prorated benefitsa

Household composition

Number

(000) Percent

Number

(000) Percent

Total 39,271 100.0 4,702,112 100.0

Age . . . 

Children 17,103 43.6 2,039,879 43.4

Preschool-age children 5,030 12.8 627,836 13.4

0–1 year 1,982 5.0 252,753 5.4

2–4 years 3,048 7.8 375,083 8.0

School-age children 12,074 30.7 1,412,043 30.0

5–7 years 3,060 7.8 361,253 7.7

8–11 years 4,162 10.6 488,788 10.4

12–15 years 3,418 8.7 396,679 8.4

16–17 years 1,434 3.7 165,323 3.5

Non-elderly adults (age 18–59) 16,609 42.3 2,106,813 44.8

Elderly adults (60 or older) 5,559 14.2 555,420 11.8

Citizenship . . . . 

U.S.-born citizen 35,834 91.2 4,292,376 91.3

Naturalized citizen 1,738 4.4 209,931 4.5

Refugee 315 0.8 34,554 0.7

Other noncitizen 1,384 3.5 165,218 3.5

Citizen children living with noncitizen adultsb 3,177 8.1 397,416 8.5

Non-elderly individuals with disabilities 4,301 11.0 438,326 9.3

Children with disabilities 573 1.5 54,093 1.2

Non-elderly adults with disabilities 3,728 9.5 384,233 8.2

Adults age 18–49 without disabilities in 

childless householdsc 2,864 7.3 462,120 9.8

Race and Hispanic status 

White, not Hispanic 14,006 35.7 1,639,193 34.9

African American, not Hispanic 9,864 25.1 1,210,270 25.7

Hispanic, any race 6,541 16.7 809,279 17.2

Asian, not Hispanic 1,177 3.0 146,305 3.1

Native American, not Hispanic 570 1.5 74,422 1.6

Multiple races reported, not Hispanic 296 0.8 37,081 0.8

Race unknown 6,817 17.4 785,562 16.7

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

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

characteristic to total household size.

b Noncitizens may be inside or outside the SNAP household.

c With some exceptions, these participants are subject to work requirements and time limits.
26

CHANGES IN SNAP PARTICIPATION AND THE CHARACTERISTICS OF SNAP HOUSEHOLDS

SNAP participation has steadily declined in recent years from 45.9 million participants in 

fiscal year 2014 to about 39.3 million participants in fiscal year 2018. Over the same period, the 

number of SNAP households decreased from 22.4 million to 19.7 million. The number of SNAP 

participants decreased by about 5 percent from 2017 to 2018, and the number of SNAP 

households decreased by about 4 percent (Table 3.6). 

Figure 3.2. SNAP participants by age group, fiscal years 2012–2018

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

The composition of the SNAP caseload changed between fiscal year 2012 and fiscal year 

2018. The percentage of participants that were elderly increased continuously from 9.0 percent to 

14.2 percent, whereas the percentage that were children remained relatively constant around 44 

percent and the percentage of participants that were non-elderly adults decreased from 46.4 

percent in fiscal year 2012 to 42.3 percent in fiscal year 2018 (Figure 3.2). 

The economic condition of SNAP households changed in recent years. Average gross 

income as a percentage of Federal poverty guidelines increased consistently from 57.8 to 62.8 

percent from fiscal year 2014 to fiscal year 2018. Households with TANF income decreased 

each year from fiscal year 2014 to fiscal year 2018 (Table 3.6). 
27

Table 3.6. Comparison of characteristics of participating individuals and households, fiscal years 2014–2018 

 Fiscal year 

Characteristic 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Participants 

Total (000) 45,874 45,184 43,539 41,491 39,271 

Characteristic (percent) 

Children 44.2 44.0 44.1 43.5 43.6

Elderly individuals 10.1 10.6 11.8 13.1 14.2

Non-elderly individuals 

with disabilities 11.9 11.7 10.7 10.9 11.0

Adults age 18–49 without 

disabilities in childless 

households 10.3 10.2 8.8 7.8 7.3

Households 

Total (000) 22,445 22,293 21,511 20,597 19,699 

Characteristic (percent) 

Zero gross income 21.9 22.2 20.4 19.0 19.3 

Zero net income 40.6 39.6 37.2 35.7 35.7

Earned income 31.3 31.8 31.9 31.4 29.9

TANF income 6.1 5.8 5.1 4.9 4.5

Minimum benefit 6.4 7.2 8.1 8.8 9.3

Maximum benefit 41.9 41.1 38.5 37.2 37.0

Average gross income as a 

percentage of poverty 

guidelines 57.8 58.9 60.8 62.6 62.8

Average household size 2.04 2.03 2.02 2.01 1.99

Sources: Fiscal years 2014 to 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control samples.

As the average household size decreased, so did the average household benefit. The average 

household size decreased very slightly from 2.01 in fiscal year 2017 to 1.99 in fiscal year 2018, 

whereas the average household benefit decreased in real dollars from $246 to $239. The average 

gross income per person increased in both nominal and real value from fiscal year 2017 to fiscal 

year 2018, and the average net income per person also increased nominally. Although gross and 

net income per person both increased, the average household gross income decreased in real 

dollars by $13 from fiscal year 2017 to fiscal year 2018, and the average net income per

household decreased in real dollars by $10 (Tables 3.6 and 3.7). 
28

Table 3.7. Nominal and real values of selected characteristics, fiscal year 2017 and fiscal year 2018 

 

Fiscal year 

2017 

Fiscal year 

2018 

Characteristic

Nominal

value

Real value

(in fiscal year 

2018 dollars)

Nominal

value

Percentage 

change in 

nominal values

Percentage 

change in real 

values

Average gross income a . . . . . 

Per household $837 $857 $844 +0.8 -1.5 

Per person 501 513 514 +2.8 +0.4

Average net income a . . . . . 

Per household 384 393 383 -0.3 -2.6 

Per person 211 216 215 +1.9 -0.5 

Average total deduction a 550 563 562 +2.2 -0.2

Average household benefit b 245 246 239 -2.7 -3.1

Maximum household benefit 

for a family of four b,c 649 652 640 -1.4 -1.9

Consumer price index (CPI) . . . . . 

All items 243.9 . 249.7 +2.4 . 

Food at home 238.2 . 239.4 +0.5 . 

Sources: Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) average values: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of 

Labor Statistics. Nominal values: Fiscal year 2017 and fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance 

Program Quality Control samples.

a Real values are in constant fiscal year 2018 dollars. Fiscal year 2017 values were inflated by the change in the CPI-U for 

all items between fiscal year 2017 and fiscal year 2018 (+2.4 percent).

b Real values are in constant fiscal year 2018 dollars. Fiscal year 2017 values were inflated by the change in the CPI-U for 

food at home between fiscal year 2017 and fiscal year 2018 (+0.5 percent).

c The maximum benefit values were based on 100 percent of the cost of the Thrifty Food Plan in June 2017 for a family of 

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

31 

ACRONYMS

ARRA American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 

BBCE Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility

CPI-U Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers 

EBT Electronic Benefits Transfer

ESAP Elderly Simplified Application Project

FNA Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 

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

GA General Assistance

HHS U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 

MFIP Minnesota Family Investment Program 

PA Public Assistance

SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

SNAP QC Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control

SSI Supplemental Security Income

SSI-CAP SSI-Combined Application Project 

SUA Standard Utility Allowance

TANF Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

TFP Thrifty Food Plan 

USDA U.S. Department of Agriculture 

33

DEFINITIONS

Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 

(2018 Farm Act). This legislation, signed on 

December 20, 2018, reauthorized SNAP 

through fiscal year 2023. The bill, which took 

effect in fiscal year 2019, maintained the 

program’s basic eligibility guidelines and 

work requirements while providing 

additional funding for enhanced Employment 

and Training activities. The bill also provided 

additional funding to promote healthy eating 

and expanded antifraud efforts, particularly 

across States. 

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act 

of 2009 (ARRA). This legislation, which 

took effect on April 1, 2009, temporarily 

increased the maximum benefit to 113.6 

percent of the June 2008 Thrifty Food Plan. 

As specified in subsequent legislation, this 

provision expired on October 31, 2013, and 

the maximum benefit returned to its original 

calculation, which is based on 100 percent of 

the cost of the Thrifty Food Plan from the 

preceding June. 

Broad-based categorical eligibility 

(BBCE). Policy under which households 

receive a TANF- or Maintenance of Effort–

funded noncash service that makes them 

categorically eligible for SNAP. The noncash 

service is usually in the form of a brochure or 

handout that provides information on Stateprovided assistance and services. Households 

meeting State-determined eligibility criteria 

receive this information upon application or 

recertification for SNAP.

Categorically eligible households. 

Households in which all members receive or 

are authorized to receive TANF, SSI, or GA 

benefits and therefore are deemed financially 

eligible for SNAP. Includes households 

receiving cash or noncash benefits or services 

that are at least 50 percent funded by TANF 

or Maintenance of Effort funds. Some States 

also confer categorical eligibility based on 

benefits or services that are less than 50 

percent funded by TANF/Maintenance of 

Effort, and on households in which at least 

one member receives a benefit or service and 

the State determines that the entire household 

benefits. If the purpose of the program 

conferring categorical eligibility is to prevent 

out-of-wedlock pregnancies or to foster or 

strengthen marriage, the household’s gross 

income must be under 200 percent of the 

Federal poverty level. However, if the 

purpose of the program is to further 

workforce participation or support the care 

for children in their families’ homes, this 

income limit does not apply.

Certification period. Length of time a 

household is certified to receive SNAP 

benefits. When the certification period 

expires, households must be recertified to 

continue receiving benefits. 

Child support payment deduction. 

Deduction from gross income in the 

eligibility and benefit calculation for 

households with legally obligated child 

support payments made to or for a 

nonmember of the household. States may 

choose to exclude child support payments 

from gross income rather than use the 

deduction. See also Deductions. 

Children. Individuals younger than age 18. 

Countable income. All earned or unearned 

income that is counted toward gross income. 

This includes most cash income (with the 

exception of specific types of income, such 

as loans) and excludes most noncash income 

or in-kind benefits. See also Gross income 

limit.

Countable resources. Cash on hand and 

resources that may be converted easily to 

cash, such as money in checking or savings 

accounts, savings certificates, stocks or 

bonds, and lump-sum payments. Such 

resources also include some nonliquid 

resources, although the family home, certain 

family vehicles, and business tools or 
34

property are not counted. See also Resource 

limit. 

Deductions. Allowable deductions from a 

household’s gross monthly income used to 

calculate SNAP net monthly income. The 

deduction amounts to which households were 

entitled are shown in the appendix tables. 

(MFIP and SSI-CAP participants are subject 

to different rules.) Total deductions to which 

a household is entitled do not always equal 

the difference between gross and net income 

amounts because net income may not be less 

than zero. See also Child support payment 

deduction, Dependent care deduction, 

Earned income deduction, Excess shelter 

expense deduction, Medical expense 

deduction, MFIP, SSI-CAP, Standard 

deduction, and Total deduction. 

Deemed income. Individual sponsors of 

certain noncitizens may be subject to 

sponsor-to-noncitizen deeming, which counts 

the sponsor’s income and resources as part of 

the noncitizen’s income and resources when 

determining eligibility for SNAP.

Dependent care deduction. Deduction 

received by SNAP households for expenses 

involved in caring for dependents while other

household members work, seek employment, 

or attend school. See Deductions.

Earned income. Includes wages, salaries, 

self-employment income, and other reported 

earned income.

Earned income deduction. Deduction 

received by households with earnings, equal 

to 20 percent of the combined earnings of 

household members. (MFIP participants were 

entitled to a 50 percent earned income 

deduction in fiscal year 2018.) See also 

Deductions and Minnesota Family 

Investment Program. 

Elderly individuals. Adults age 60 or older. 

Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT). Means 

of benefit delivery via Electronic Benefits 

Transfer card, similar to a debit card, used to 

purchase food at authorized retailers. 

Entrant households. Households newly 

certified during fiscal year 2018 and in their 

first month of participation.

Excess shelter expense deduction. 

Deduction received by households with 

shelter costs, equal to those shelter costs that 

exceed 50 percent of the household’s 

countable income after all other potential 

deductions are subtracted from gross income. 

There is a limit on the shelter deduction for 

households without elderly members or 

individuals with disabilities. See also 

Deductions, Homeless household shelter 

estimate, and Appendix C. 

Expedited service households. Households 

with gross income less than $150 and 

countable resources equal to or less than 

$100 and households with migrant or 

seasonal farm workers with countable 

resources equal to or less than $100 are 

eligible for expedited SNAP eligibility 

verification procedures. A State agency must 

review each SNAP application and conduct 

an eligibility interview within seven days of 

application submission. Eligible households 

must receive SNAP benefits within this time 

frame.

General Assistance (GA). State-run welfare 

programs that provide assistance to lowincome individuals without children. 

Gross income. Total monthly countable 

income of a household in dollars, before 

applying deductions. 

Gross income limit. SNAP monthly gross 

income eligibility standards, determined by 

household size; equal to 130 percent of 

Federal poverty guidelines. See also 

Appendix C and Countable income. 

Homeless household shelter deduction. 

Some States allow homeless households to 

use a special deduction for estimated shelter 

expenses. In 2018, the deduction was $143. 

Household. Individuals who live in a 

residential unit and purchase and prepare 

food together. Spouses living together, and 
35

children younger than age 22 living with their 

parents must be considered a household, 

regardless of whether or not they purchase 

and prepare food together.

Individuals living alone. Individuals who 

reside in one-person SNAP households 

(although other nonparticipating individuals 

may live in the same residence).

Individuals with disabilities. Under SNAP 

rules, a disabled individual is defined as one 

who receives Federal or State payments for 

the disabled or blind, receives a disability 

retirement benefit from a governmental 

agency, or receives an annuity under the 

Railroad Retirement Act and is either eligible 

for Medicare or is considered to be disabled 

based on SSI rules. A disabled veteran or a 

permanently disabled spouse or child of a 

veteran receiving veterans’ benefits is also 

considered to be disabled for SNAP 

purposes. In this report, individuals with 

disabilities are those younger than age 60 

who (1) were SSI recipients; (2) worked 

fewer than 30 hours per week, were 

exempted from work registration due to 

disability, and received Social Security 

income, veterans’ benefits, or workers’ 

compensation; (3) were in a SNAP household 

without a participating elderly individual or 

nonparticipating elderly member who was 

disqualified for program violation, ineligible 

to participate due to disqualification or 

failure to meet work requirements, a fleeing 

felon or parole and probation violator, or 

convicted drug felon, but with a medical 

expense deduction and some indication of 

disability such as work registration status, 

hours worked, or type of income received; or 

(4) were in a single-person household and 

received Social Security income.

Initial certification households. Includes 

both households certified for the first time 

within the current certification period and 

previously certified households that have not 

received benefits for at least 30 days.

Lawful permanent residents. Noncitizens 

lawfully admitted for permanent resident 

status. 

Married-head households. Households with 

a spouse present or with a head of household 

in a unit with spouse outside of the unit. 

Maximum benefit. SNAP benefits are 

calculated by subtracting 30 percent of a 

household’s net income from the maximum 

possible benefit amount to which it is entitled 

based on household size. The maximum 

benefit is based on 100 percent of the cost of 

the Thrifty Food Plan in the preceding June 

for a reference family of four, rounded to the 

lowest dollar increment. The maximum 

benefit is uniform throughout the contiguous 

United States but is different for Hawaii, 

Alaska, the Virgin Islands, and Guam. See 

also Appendix C. 

Medical expense deduction. Deduction 

available to households with elderly members 

or individuals with disabilities, equal to all 

unreimbursed medical expenses incurred by 

the elderly individual or individual with a 

disability that exceed $35. See also 

Deductions.

Metropolitan households. Households 

whose SNAP application was processed at an 

agency in a Census Bureau-defined 

Metropolitan Statistical Area. A Metropolitan 

Statistical Area has at least one urbanized 

area with population of 50,000 or more and 

includes adjacent territory with a high degree 

of social and economic integration with the 

core, as measured by commuting ties.

Micropolitan households. Households 

whose SNAP application was processed at an 

agency in a Census Bureau-defined 

Micropolitan Statistical Area. A Micropolitan 

Statistical Area has at least one urban cluster 

of at least 10,000 but less than 50,000 in 

population and includes adjacent territory 

with a high degree of social and economic 

integration with the core, as measured by 

commuting ties.
36

Minimum benefit. Amount guaranteed to all 

eligible one- and two-person units except 

during the initial month of participation. The 

minimum benefit for all one- and two-person 

units was equal to 8 percent of the maximum 

benefit for a one-person household. Because 

it is derived from the maximum benefit, the 

minimum benefit also varies by geographic 

region and month of benefit receipt in fiscal 

year 2018. See also Appendix C. 

Minnesota Family Investment Program 

(MFIP). Minnesota’s cash and food 

assistance program, which jointly calculates 

SNAP benefits and cash assistance for 

participating households. 

Net income. Total monthly countable income 

of a household in dollars, after applying 

deductions. Net income is not calculated for 

MFIP households or SSI-CAP households in 

Arizona, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, 

Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, 

Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North 

Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, 

South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, and 

Washington. 

Net income limit. SNAP monthly net income 

eligibility standard, determined by household 

size, equal to 100 percent of the Federal 

poverty guidelines. See also Appendix C. 

Noncitizen. In this report, noncitizen refers 

to individuals residing in the United States 

who are not natural-born or naturalized 

citizens. These include lawful permanent 

residents, refugees, asylees, those granted a 

stay of deportation, and unauthorized aliens. 

Lawfully present noncitizens are subject to 

additional nonfinancial eligibility criteria (see 

Chapter 2). Unauthorized aliens are not 

eligible to receive SNAP benefits, but they 

may be nonparticipating members of SNAP 

households. 

Non-elderly adults. Adults age 18–59. 

Nonimmigrant visitors to the United 

States. Noncitizens who have been admitted 

for a specified period, including tourists, 

students, and foreign nationals with work 

permits.

Nonparticipating household head 

households. Households headed by someone 

ineligible for SNAP, such as an ineligible 

noncitizen. 

Other multiple-adult households.

Households with unmarried household head 

and two or more adults. 

Other noncitizen. In this report, “other 

noncitizen” refers to eligible noncitizens who 

are not refugees, asylees or those granted a 

stay of deportation. See Noncitizen. 

Poverty guidelines. HHS issues the poverty 

guidelines used by FNS and many other 

Federal programs that use income eligibility.

They are developed on the basis of the 

poverty thresholds issued by the Census 

Bureau. Dividing the guidelines by 12 and 

rounding up to the nearest dollar yields the 

monthly net income limits for SNAP. See 

also Appendix C. 

Preschool-age children. Children younger 

than age 5.

Pure public assistance (PA). A household is 

considered to be pure PA if each member of 

the household receives SSI, a cash TANF 

benefit, or GA income. 

Refugees. Noncitizens accorded refugee 

status. In this report, the term refugee

includes refugees, asylees, and those granted 

a stay of deportation. 

Resource limit. For all non-categorically 

eligible households without an elderly 

member or individual with a disability, the 

resource limit was $2,250 in fiscal year 2018. 

Non-categorically eligible households with 

an elderly individual or individual with a 

disability were allowed up to $3,500 in 

countable resources. See also Countable 

resources.

Rural. Households whose SNAP application 

was processed at an agency not located in a 
37

Metropolitan Statistical Area or a 

Micropolitan Statistical Area.

School-age children. Children age 5–17. 

Shelter deduction. See Excess shelter 

expense deduction. 

Single adult with children households. 

Households with exactly one participating

person age 18 or older, no spouse, and at 

least one person younger than age 18. 

Single-person households. Households with 

exactly one participating person.

Standard medical deduction 

demonstrations. State programs that use a 

standard deduction amount for households 

with medical expenses below a specified 

limit. 

Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Federal income supplement program that 

provides cash assistance to low-income 

elderly individuals and non-elderly 

individuals with disabilities.

SSI-Combined Application Project (SSICAP). Joint project of FNS, the Social 

Security Administration, and States, with a 

goal of streamlining the procedures for 

providing SNAP benefits to certain 

households eligible for SSI. 

Standard deduction. Deduction received by 

all households, which varies by household 

size and for areas outside of the 48 

contiguous States and the District of 

Columbia to reflect price differences among 

geographic areas. See also Appendix C and 

Deductions. 

Standard Utility Allowance (SUA). 

Specified dollar amounts set by State 

agencies that States may use in place of 

actual utility costs to calculate a household’s 

total shelter expenses.

Student. Participant age 18 or older enrolled 

at least half time in a recognized school, 

training program, or institution of higher 

education. 

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance 

Program (SNAP). Provides nutrition 

assistance by providing a monthly dollar 

benefit to use at authorized retailers via an 

EBT card to eligible, low-income individuals 

and households in need. 

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families 

(TANF). Federally funded, State-run 

program that provides temporary cash or 

other assistance to low-income families with 

children in order to assist needy families and 

for other purposes. 

Thrifty Food Plan (TFP). Market basket of 

goods based on an economical and nutritious 

diet, adjusted for household size and 

composition. USDA initially developed the 

plan, and the USDA Center for Nutrition and 

Policy Promotion updates the costs. The 

value of the preceding June’s Thrifty Food 

Plan is used to determine maximum SNAP 

benefit amounts. 

Time limits and additional work 

requirements for adults age 18–49 without 

disabilities in childless households. SNAP 

participants without disabilities age 18–49 

who do not live with a household member 

younger than age 18 are generally subject to 

time limits on their participation unless they 

fulfill additional work requirements beyond 

the SNAP general work requirements. (See 

Work requirements.) To receive SNAP 

benefits for more than 3 months in a 36-

month period, these individuals are required 

to work or participate in a work program at 

least 20 hours a week or to participate and 

comply with a workfare program. States can 

apply to waive this requirement in certain 

areas where there are insufficient jobs. States 

are also issued a limited number of 

exemptions from the requirement each year, 

which they can assign to individuals to let 

them receive benefits for a longer period. In 

this report, all adults meeting this definition, 

regardless of exemption status, are identified 

as Adults Age 18–49 Without Disabilities in 

Childless Households. 
38

Total deduction. Includes standard, earned 

income, dependent care, medical expense, 

child support payment, and excess shelter 

expense deductions to which SNAP 

households are entitled. In some cases, the 

total deduction exceeds the amount deducted 

from gross income because net income may 

not be less than zero. See also Deductions. 

Unearned income. Includes TANF, GA, 

SSI, Social Security, unemployment benefits, 

veterans’ benefits, workers’ compensation, 

other government benefits, contributions, 

deemed income, education loans, child 

support, foster care payments, wage 

supplementations, energy assistance, State 

diversion payments, and other unearned 

income.

Work requirements. Many SNAP 

participants without disabilities are required 

to register for work or be registered by the 

State agency, must participate in a State 

Employment and Training or workfare 

program if assigned by the State agency, and 

must agree to accept any suitable job offered 

to them. Individuals exempt from SNAP 

work registration rules include the following: 

• All individuals younger than age 16 or 

age 60 and older, and some individuals 

age 16 and 17 

• Individuals physically or mentally 

unfit for work

• Individuals complying with work 

requirements of other assistance 

programs under TANF 

• Individuals responsible for the care of 

a dependent child younger than age 6 

or the care of an incapacitated person

• Individuals receiving unemployment 

compensation 

• Regular participants in a drug 

addiction or alcohol treatment program 

• Individuals working 30 hours a week 

or earning more than an amount equal 

to 30 hours times the minimum wage

• Students enrolled at least half time in a 

school, training program, or institution 

of higher education 
APPENDIX A 

DETAILED TABLES OF SNAP HOUSEHOLD CHARACTERISTICS

Note: All Appendix A table footnotes appear at the conclusion of this appendix, under Appendix A footnotes.

41 

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

 

SNAP 

households

Participants in 

households with 

household characteristic

Monthly SNAP

benefits

Household characteristic

Number

(000) Percent

Number

(000) Percent

Number

(000) Percent

Total 19,699 100.0 39,271 100.0 4,702,112 100.0

Household composition 

Children 8,064 40.9 26,366 67.1 3,117,144 66.3

School-age 6,493 33.0 22,444 57.2 2,601,450 55.3

Preschool-age 3,806 19.3 13,475 34.3 1,611,994 34.3

No children 11,635 59.1 12,905 32.9 1,584,968 33.7

Elderly individuals 5,105 25.9 6,179 15.7 616,355 13.1

No elderly individuals 14,594 74.1 33,092 84.3 4,085,758 86.9

Non-elderly individuals with disabilities 4,073 20.7 7,294 18.6 740,021 15.7

No non-elderly individuals with disabilities 15,626 79.3 31,976 81.4 3,962,091 84.3

Adults age 18–49 without disabilities in 

childless householdsa 2,688 13.6 3,199 8.1 499,311 10.6

No adults age 18–49 without disabilities in 

childless households 17,011 86.4 36,072 91.9 4,202,801 89.4

Noncitizens 1,171 5.9 2,872 7.3 320,146 6.8

No noncitizens 18,528 94.1 36,399 92.7 4,381,967 93.2

Locality 

Metropolitan 16,118 81.8 32,089 81.7 3,876,129 82.4

Micropolitanb 1,924 9.8 3,829 9.8 451,061 9.6

Rural 1,252 6.4 2,605 6.6 286,384 6.1

Unknown locality 405 2.1 748 1.9 88,538 1.9

Countable Income Source 

Gross income 15,903 80.7 33,110 84.3 3,624,237 77.1

No gross income 3,796 19.3 6,161 15.7 1,077,876 22.9

Net income 12,034 61.1 26,340 67.1 2,455,163 52.2

No net income 7,032 35.7 12,256 31.2 2,155,247 45.8

Not applicablec 633 3.2 675 1.7 91,702 2.0

Earned income 5,897 29.9 16,983 43.2 1,732,120 36.8

No earned income 13,802 70.1 22,288 56.8 2,969,992 63.2

Unearned income 11,862 60.2 21,980 56.0 2,423,394 51.5

No unearned income 7,837 39.8 17,291 44.0 2,278,718 48.5

TANF 877 4.5 2,673 6.8 344,846 7.3

No TANF 18,822 95.5 36,598 93.2 4,357,266 92.7

GA 600 3.0 948 2.4 125,601 2.7

No GA 19,099 97.0 38,323 97.6 4,576,511 97.3

SSI 4,506 22.9 7,432 18.9 819,673 17.4

No SSI 15,193 77.1 31,838 81.1 3,882,439 82.6

Social Security 5,847 29.7 8,120 20.7 734,600 15.6

No Social Security 13,852 70.3 31,150 79.3 3,967,513 84.4

Gross countable income as a percentage 

of poverty guidelines 

No gross income 3,796 19.3 6,161 15.7 1,077,876 22.9

25 percent or lessd 1,525 7.7 3,621 9.2 600,781 12.8

26 to 50 percent 2,134 10.8 5,877 15.0 882,472 18.8

51 to 75 percent 3,837 19.5 7,856 20.0 961,567 20.4

76 to 100 percent 4,745 24.1 8,470 21.6 816,429 17.4

101 to 130 percent 2,436 12.4 5,177 13.2 295,281 6.3

131 percent or greater 1,227 6.2 2,109 5.4 67,706 1.4

SNAP benefit 

Minimum benefit 1,836 9.3 2,166 5.5 27,570 0.6

Maximum benefit 7,284 37.0 12,508 31.9 2,203,696 46.9

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
42 

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

SNAP benefit, household size, and certification period of participating households by household characteristic

 Average values

Household characteristic

Gross countable 

income as a 

percentage of 

poverty 

guidelines

(percent)

Gross 

countable 

income 

(dollars)

Net 

countable 

income 

(dollars)e

Total 

deduction 

(dollars)f

SNAP 

benefit 

(dollars)

Household 

size 

(individuals)

Certification 

period 

(months)

Total 62.8 844 383 562 239 2.0 14.2

Household composition 

Children 58.2 1,059 502 652 387 3.3 10.0

School-age 59.7 1,120 541 668 401 3.5 10.1

Preschool-age 55.6 1,069 501 669 424 3.5 9.8

No children 66.0 695 296 497 136 1.1 17.0

Elderly individuals 84.9 916 433 561 121 1.2 20.4

No elderly individuals 55.1 818 367 563 280 2.3 12.0

Non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 82.6 1,027 480 582 182 1.8 17.2

No non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 57.6 796 358 557 254 2.0 13.4

Adults age 18–49 without 

disabilities in childless 

householdsa 32.0 367 149 396 186 1.2 10.1

No adults age 18–49 without 

disabilities in childless 

households 67.7 919 421 589 247 2.1 14.8

Noncitizens 66.8 1,046 486 661 273 2.5 13.4

No noncitizens 62.6 831 377 556 237 2.0 14.2

Locality 

Metropolitan 63.3 850 376 579 240 2.0 14.1

Micropolitanb 60.2 807 397 501 234 2.0 13.8

Rural 60.6 826 455 456 229 2.1 14.4

Unknown locality 63.5 818 389 518 219 1.8 18.9

Countable income source 

Gross income 77.8 1,045 475 627 228 2.1 14.9

No gross income 0.0 0 0 292 284 1.6 11.1

Net income 87.5 1,205 607 598 204 2.2 14.4

No net income 20.5 244 0 503 306 1.7 11.7

Not applicablec 64.0 646 n.a. 50 145 1.1 37.6

Earned income 83.4 1,365 641 771 294 2.9 10.2

No earned income 54.0 621 268 469 215 1.6 15.9

Unearned income 77.4 966 445 573 204 1.9 16.6

No unearned income 40.7 659 292 546 291 2.2 10.5 

TANF 49.6 863 376 554 393 3.0 11.3

No TANF 63.4 843 383 563 231 1.9 14.3

GA 53.0 669 260 541 209 1.6 14.6

No GA 63.1 849 387 563 240 2.0 14.2

SSI 75.5 915 397 556 182 1.6 20.3

No SSI 59.0 823 379 564 256 2.1 12.3

Social Security 93.4 1,047 508 571 126 1.4 18.6

No Social Security 49.9 758 331 559 286 2.2 12.3

SNAP benefit 

Minimum benefit 129.3 1,396 1,004 392 15 1.2 16.7

Maximum benefit 22.8 266 0 503 303 1.7 12.6

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
43 

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

disabilities by household characteristic

 Households with:

 

Total 

households Children

Elderly 

individuals

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities

Household characteristic

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Total 19,699 100.0 8,064 100.0 5,105 100.0 4,073 100.0

Gross countable income 

$0 3,796 19.3 1,194 14.8 340 6.7 0 0.0

1 to 200 790 4.0 370 4.6 56 1.1 6 0.1

201 to 400 945 4.8 516 6.4 101 2.0 7 0.2

401 to 600 1,128 5.7 626 7.8 228 4.5 140 3.4

601 to 800 3,975 20.2 782 9.7 1,583 31.0 1,740 42.7

801 to 1,000 2,547 12.9 710 8.8 1,076 21.1 790 19.4

1,001 to 1,250 2,172 11.0 811 10.1 875 17.1 551 13.5

1,251 to 1,500 1,389 7.1 775 9.6 390 7.6 311 7.6

1,501 to 2,000 1,611 8.2 1,116 13.8 325 6.4 305 7.5

2,001 or greater 1,346 6.8 1,163 14.4 131 2.6 223 5.5

Net countable incomec 

$0 7,032 35.7 2,709 33.6 924 18.1 540 13.2

1 to 200 2,514 12.8 943 11.7 750 14.7 692 17.0

201 to 400 2,588 13.1 824 10.2 911 17.8 854 21.0

401 to 600 2,166 11.0 752 9.3 804 15.8 710 17.4

601 to 800 1,473 7.5 649 8.0 531 10.4 377 9.3

801 to 1,000 1,061 5.4 555 6.9 352 6.9 225 5.5

1,001 to 1,250 904 4.6 572 7.1 220 4.3 193 4.8

1,251 or greater 1,329 6.7 1,036 12.9 216 4.2 304 7.5

Gross countable income as a 

percentage of poverty guidelines 

No gross income 3,796 19.3 1,194 14.8 340 6.7 0 0.0

25 percent or lessd 1,525 7.7 918 11.4 92 1.8 23 0.6

26 to 50 percent 2,134 10.8 1,548 19.2 240 4.7 365 9.0

51 to 75 percent 3,837 19.5 1,623 20.1 1,035 20.3 1,434 35.2

76 to 100 percent 4,745 24.1 1,362 16.9 2,036 39.9 1,468 36.0

101 to 130 percent 2,436 12.4 1,046 13.0 842 16.5 559 13.7

131 percent or greater 1,227 6.2 374 4.6 522 10.2 224 5.5

Net countable income as a 

percentage of poverty guidelinesc 

No net income 7,032 35.7 2,709 33.6 924 18.1 540 13.2

25 percent or lessd 4,068 20.6 1,946 24.1 1,052 20.6 1,101 27.0 

26 to 50 percent 3,740 19.0 1,595 19.8 1,196 23.4 1,146 28.1

51 to 75 percent 2,539 12.9 1,165 14.4 838 16.4 711 17.5

76 to 100 percent 1,144 5.8 523 6.5 416 8.1 270 6.6

101 to 130 percent 355 1.8 70 0.9 181 3.5 86 2.1

131 percent or greater 190 1.0 32 0.4 101 2.0 42 1.0

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
44 

Table A.4. Distribution of participating households by household size and amount of countable gross and net income, and gross and net income as a percentage of 

poverty guidelines

 Household size (individuals)

 1 2 3 4 5 6 or more

Household characteristic

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Total 10,753 100.0 3,540 100.0 2,420 100.0 1,631 100.0 811 100.0 545 100.0

Gross countable income 

$0 2,558 23.8 580 16.4 369 15.2 173 10.6 80 9.8 38 6.9

1 to 200 420 3.9 175 4.9 101 4.2 55 3.4 20 2.5 18 3.4

201 to 400 452 4.2 250 7.1 135 5.6 63 3.8 33 4.1 12 2.3

401 to 600 508 4.7 308 8.7 175 7.3 89 5.5 32 3.9 16 2.9

601 to 800 3,075 28.6 414 11.7 273 11.3 136 8.3 51 6.3 26 4.7

801 to 1,000 1,772 16.5 332 9.4 222 9.2 137 8.4 54 6.6 30 5.6

1,001 to 1,250 1,113 10.4 523 14.8 270 11.2 158 9.7 67 8.3 41 7.5

1,251 to 1,500 482 4.5 356 10.1 276 11.4 169 10.4 63 7.7 42 7.7

1,501 to 2,000 306 2.8 386 10.9 395 16.3 296 18.1 157 19.4 71 13.0

2,001 or greater 68 0.6 217 6.1 202 8.4 354 21.7 254 31.3 252 46.2

Net countable incomec 

$0 4,262 39.6 1,351 38.2 775 32.0 388 23.8 162 20.0 93 17.0

1 to 200 1,500 13.9 438 12.4 317 13.1 161 9.9 69 8.5 29 5.4

201 to 400 1,671 15.5 362 10.2 277 11.4 157 9.7 73 9.0 48 8.8

401 to 600 1,295 12.0 357 10.1 276 11.4 154 9.4 57 7.0 29 5.2

601 to 800 680 6.3 318 9.0 207 8.6 154 9.4 79 9.8 34 6.2

801 to 1,000 375 3.5 258 7.3 195 8.0 134 8.2 62 7.7 36 6.6

1,001 to 1,250 221 2.1 204 5.8 195 8.1 159 9.7 84 10.4 41 7.6

1,251 or greater 138 1.3 242 6.8 172 7.1 320 19.6 222 27.4 234 42.9

Gross countable income as a 

percentage of poverty guidelines 

No gross income 2,558 23.8 580 16.4 369 15.2 173 10.6 80 9.8 38 6.9

25 percent or lessd 597 5.6 339 9.6 270 11.2 165 10.1 89 10.9 64 11.7

26 to 50 percent 551 5.1 495 14.0 474 19.6 345 21.2 153 18.8 116 21.3

51 to 75 percent 2,046 19.0 686 19.4 480 19.9 326 20.0 183 22.6 116 21.2

76 to 100 percent 3,092 28.8 644 18.2 417 17.2 298 18.2 171 21.1 123 22.5

101 to 130 percent 1,212 11.3 455 12.9 327 13.5 250 15.3 116 14.3 76 13.9

131 percent or greater 697 6.5 341 9.6 82 3.4 74 4.5 20 2.5 13 2.4

Net countable income as a 

percentage of poverty guidelinesc 

No net income 4,262 39.6 1,351 38.2 775 32.0 388 23.8 162 20.0 93 17.0

25 percent or lessd 1,984 18.5 696 19.7 646 26.7 406 24.9 202 24.9 134 24.5

26 to 50 percent 1,939 18.0 578 16.3 494 20.4 385 23.6 212 26.1 131 24.1

51 to 75 percent 1,121 10.4 491 13.9 359 14.8 288 17.7 151 18.6 129 23.6

76 to 100 percent 498 4.6 218 6.2 140 5.8 155 9.5 81 10.0 52 9.5

101 to 130 percent 229 2.1 113 3.2 0 0.0 5 0.3 1 0.2 6 1.1

131 percent or greater 109 1.0 81 2.3 0 0.0 - - - - - - 

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
45 

Table A.5. Average values: gross and net countable income, gross and net countable income as a percentage of poverty guidelines, countable resources, and benefit of 

participating households by household composition and size

 Total households Average values

Household characteristic

Number

(000) Percent

Gross 

countable 

income 

(dollars)

Net 

countable 

income 

(dollars)e

Gross countable 

income as a 

percentage of 

poverty 

guidelines 

(percent)

Net countable 

income as a 

percentage of 

poverty 

guidelines 

(percent)e

Countable 

resources among 

households with 

countable 

resources 

(dollars)

SNAP 

benefit 

(dollars)

Total 19,699 100.0 844 383 62.8 27.2 438 239

Household composition 

Children 8,064 40.9 1,059 502 58.2 26.5 425 387

School-age 6,493 33.0 1,120 541 59.7 27.8 420 401

Preschool-age 3,806 19.3 1,069 501 55.6 25.0 499 424

No children 11,635 59.1 695 296 66.0 27.7 450 136

Elderly individuals 5,105 25.9 916 433 84.9 39.2 550 121

No elderly individuals 14,594 74.1 818 367 55.1 23.3 392 280

Non-elderly individuals with disabilities 4,073 20.7 1,027 480 82.6 36.1 425 182

No non-elderly individuals with disabilities 15,626 79.3 796 358 57.6 24.9 442 254

Household size 

1 person 10,753 54.6 640 253 63.7 25.1 435 130

2 people 3,540 18.0 878 404 64.8 29.8 452 245

3 people 2,420 12.3 974 428 57.2 25.1 354 377

4 people 1,631 8.3 1,275 645 62.1 31.4 475 449

5 people 811 4.1 1,476 793 61.4 33.0 455 527

6 people 337 1.7 1,699 955 61.8 34.7 605 634

7 people 127 0.6 2,104 1,350 67.8 43.5 496 617

8 or more people 81 0.4 1,947 1,167 53.4 31.8 445 882

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
46 

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

disabilities by type of countable income

 Households with:

 

Total 

households Children

Elderly 

individuals

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities

Type of income

Number 

(000)g Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Total 19,699 100.0 8,064 100.0 5,105 100.0 4,073 100.0

Countable earned income 5,897 29.9 4,375 54.3 351 6.9 449 11.0

Wages and salaries 5,036 25.6 3,817 47.3 272 5.3 397 9.8

Self-employment 939 4.8 635 7.9 81 1.6 53 1.3

Other earned income 44 0.2 19 0.2 5 0.1 5 0.1

Countable unearned income 11,862 60.2 3,919 48.6 4,619 90.5 4,071 99.9

TANF 877 4.5 846 10.5 45 0.9 173 4.3

GA 600 3.0 126 1.6 164 3.2 127 3.1

SSI 4,506 22.9 964 11.9 1,833 35.9 2,725 66.9

Social Security 5,847 29.7 730 9.0 3,600 70.5 2,062 50.6

Unemployment income 220 1.1 144 1.8 14 0.3 11 0.3

Veterans’ benefits 132 0.7 24 0.3 82 1.6 23 0.6

Workers’ compensation 44 0.2 16 0.2 11 0.2 21 0.5

Other government benefitsh 81 0.4 18 0.2 43 0.8 12 0.3

Household contributions 551 2.8 357 4.4 76 1.5 44 1.1

Household deemed income 8 0.0 3 0.0 1 0.0 1 0.0

Educational loans 3 0.0 2 0.0 - - 0 0.0

Child support enforcement 

payments 1,614 8.2 1,521 18.9 29 0.6 246 6.1

Foster care payments 9 0.0 9 0.1 4 0.1 2 0.1

Energy assistance income 4 0.0 - - 3 0.1 - - 

Wage supplementation 1 0.0 - - - - - - 

Other unearned incomei 725 3.7 221 2.7 399 7.8 58 1.4

TANF or GA 1,472 7.5 967 12.0 209 4.1 296 7.3

TANF and earned income 193 1.0 191 2.4 6 0.1 13 0.3

TANF and SSI 175 0.9 171 2.1 20 0.4 159 3.9

TANF or SSI or GA 5,608 28.5 1,709 21.2 1,930 37.8 2,756 67.7

(TANF or SSI or GA) and earned 

income 583 3.0 452 5.6 42 0.8 339 8.3

TANF and child support 74 0.4 74 0.9 3 0.1 17 0.4

SSI and Social Security 1,693 8.6 214 2.7 991 19.4 735 18.1

SSI or Social Security 8,659 44.0 1,479 18.3 4,442 87.0 4,051 99.5

SSI and earned income 371 1.9 254 3.1 36 0.7 337 8.3

GA and earned income 48 0.2 33 0.4 3 0.1 14 0.4

Earned income and child support 775 3.9 753 9.3 4 0.1 60 1.5

No countable income 3,796 19.3 1,194 14.8 340 6.7 0 0.0

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
47 

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

countable income

 Total households Average values

Type of income

Number 

(000)g Percent

Gross 

countable 

income 

(dollars)

Net 

countable 

income 

(dollars)e

Income 

source 

(dollars)j

Total 

deduction 

(dollars)f

SNAP 

benefit 

(dollars)

Household 

size 

(individuals)

Total 19,699 100.0 844 383 n.a. 562 239 2.0

Countable earned income 5,897 29.9 1,365 641 1,196 771 294 2.9

Wages and salaries 5,036 25.6 1,465 709 1,288 790 284 2.9

Self-employment 939 4.8 912 332 593 683 350 2.7

Other earned income 44 0.2 768 284 253 632 274 2.0

Countable unearned 

income 11,862 60.2 966 445 807 573 204 1.9

TANF 877 4.5 863 376 425 554 393 3.0

GA 600 3.0 669 260 246 541 209 1.6

SSI 4,506 22.9 915 397 579 556 182 1.6

Social Security 5,847 29.7 1,047 508 876 571 126 1.4

Unemployment income 220 1.1 1,215 678 926 565 260 2.7

Veterans’ benefits 132 0.7 1,179 718 520 496 113 1.6

Workers’ compensation 44 0.2 1,397 853 944 574 149 2.0

Other government benefitsh 81 0.4 1,065 503 414 623 159 1.7

Household contributions 551 2.8 743 280 286 548 337 2.5

Household deemed income 8 0.0 784 280 505 563 207 1.5

Educational loans 3 0.0 1,899 967 449 968 448 4.8

Child support enforcement 

payments 1,614 8.2 1,127 567 336 624 377 3.3

Foster care payments 9 0.0 1,347 487 834 966 325 2.8

Energy assistance income 4 0.0 1,263 787 483 487 75 1.0

Wage supplementation 1 0.0 1,290 397 300 893 72 1.0

Other unearned incomei 725 3.7 1,120 568 354 615 179 1.8

TANF or GA 1,472 7.5 783 327 353 549 318 2.4

TANF and earned income 193 1.0 1,399 734 1,317 697 367 3.6

TANF and SSI 175 0.9 1,293 718 1,037 578 321 3.3

TANF or SSI or GA 5,608 28.5 865 363 558 553 214 1.8

(TANF or SSI or GA) and 

earned income 583 3.0 1,593 873 1,494 748 300 3.4

TANF and child support 74 0.4 982 542 562 488 422 3.6

SSI and Social Security 1,693 8.6 900 395 853 531 149 1.4

SSI or Social Security 8,659 44.0 1,007 474 893 571 150 1.5

SSI and earned income 371 1.9 1,733 983 1,574 776 265 3.3

GA and earned income 48 0.2 1,539 859 1,237 714 258 3.1

Earned income and child 

support 775 3.9 1,599 834 1,509 786 329 3.6

No countable income 3,796 19.3 0 0 - 292 284 1.6

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
48 

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

disabilities by countable earned and unearned income amounts

 Households with:

 Total households Children Elderly individuals

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities

Household characteristic

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Total 19,699 100.0 8,064 100.0 5,105 100.0 4,073 100.0

Countable earned income . . . . . . . . 

$0 13,802 70.1 3,689 45.7 4,755 93.1 3,623 89.0 

1 to 200 485 2.5 208 2.6 57 1.1 72 1.8

201 to 400 444 2.3 257 3.2 48 0.9 43 1.1

401 to 600 485 2.5 296 3.7 44 0.9 59 1.5

601 to 800 606 3.1 401 5.0 36 0.7 68 1.7

801 to 1000 624 3.2 434 5.4 44 0.9 46 1.1

1,001 to 1,250 769 3.9 595 7.4 35 0.7 44 1.1

1,251 to 1,500 655 3.3 545 6.8 20 0.4 49 1.2

1,501 to 2,000 929 4.7 802 9.9 35 0.7 49 1.2

2,001 or greater 900 4.6 837 10.4 32 0.6 20 0.5

Countable unearned income . . . . . . . . 

$0 7,837 39.8 4,145 51.4 487 9.5 2 0.1

1 to 200 910 4.6 619 7.7 55 1.1 13 0.3

201 to 400 1,085 5.5 744 9.2 102 2.0 31 0.8

401 to 600 1,011 5.1 610 7.6 227 4.4 164 4.0

601 to 800 3,879 19.7 722 8.9 1,620 31.7 1,949 47.8

801 to 1000 2,097 10.6 393 4.9 1,070 21.0 809 19.9

1,001 to 1,250 1,491 7.6 302 3.7 849 16.6 537 13.2

1,251 to 1,500 701 3.6 231 2.9 361 7.1 274 6.7

1,501 or greater 689 3.5 299 3.7 335 6.6 295 7.2

Countable TANF income . . . . . . . . 

$0 18,822 95.5 7,219 89.5 5,060 99.1 3,900 95.7

1 to 200 166 0.8 155 1.9 13 0.2 47 1.2

201 to 400 275 1.4 259 3.2 20 0.4 67 1.6

401 to 600 272 1.4 267 3.3 8 0.2 39 1.0

601 to 800 96 0.5 96 1.2 3 0.1 14 0.3

801 to 1000 60 0.3 60 0.7 1 0.0 4 0.1

1,001 or greater 8 0.0 8 0.1 0 0.0 2 0.1

Countable GA income . . . . . . . . 

$0 19,099 97.0 7,938 98.4 4,941 96.8 3,946 96.9

1 to 200 277 1.4 34 0.4 110 2.2 80 2.0

201 to 400 229 1.2 33 0.4 37 0.7 21 0.5

401 to 600 60 0.3 33 0.4 12 0.2 15 0.4

601 to 800 21 0.1 17 0.2 4 0.1 9 0.2

801 to 1000 5 0.0 4 0.0 0 0.0 - - 

1,001 or greater 9 0.0 5 0.1 0 0.0 3 0.1

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

$0 18,227 92.5 7,097 88.0 4,897 95.9 3,776 92.7

1 to 200 438 2.2 185 2.3 121 2.4 124 3.0

201 to 400 504 2.6 292 3.6 58 1.1 87 2.1

401 to 600 332 1.7 301 3.7 20 0.4 54 1.3

601 to 800 117 0.6 113 1.4 7 0.1 22 0.5

801 to 1000 65 0.3 64 0.8 2 0.0 4 0.1

1,001 or greater 17 0.1 13 0.2 0 0.0 5 0.1

Countable SSI . . . . . . . . 

$0 15,193 77.1 7,101 88.1 3,273 64.1 1,348 33.1

1 to 200 801 4.1 64 0.8 488 9.6 321 7.9

201 to 400 551 2.8 67 0.8 307 6.0 251 6.2

401 to 600 502 2.5 106 1.3 235 4.6 274 6.7

601 to 800 2,183 11.1 587 7.3 616 12.1 1,579 38.8

801 to 1000 267 1.4 32 0.4 121 2.4 149 3.7

1,001 or greater 203 1.0 108 1.3 66 1.3 151 3.7
Table A.8 (continued)

49 

 Households with:

 Total households Children Elderly individuals

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities

Household characteristic

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Countable SSI . . . . . . . . 

Maximum for a one-person 

householdk 1,390 7.1 338 4.2 400 7.8 999 24.5

Maximum for a two-person 

householdl 9 0.0 - - 8 0.2 1 0.0

Countable Social Security . . . . . . . . 

$0 13,852 70.3 7,335 91.0 1,505 29.5 2,011 49.4

1 to 200 110 0.6 42 0.5 47 0.9 34 0.8

201 to 400 424 2.2 80 1.0 237 4.6 153 3.7

401 to 600 700 3.6 102 1.3 432 8.5 236 5.8

601 to 800 1,348 6.8 124 1.5 854 16.7 474 11.6

801 to 1000 1,404 7.1 121 1.5 849 16.6 522 12.8

1,001 or greater 1,861 9.4 261 3.2 1,180 23.1 644 15.8

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

$0 16,443 83.5 5,868 72.8 4,461 87.4 3,660 89.9

1 to 200 1,211 6.1 726 9.0 294 5.8 169 4.1

201 to 400 856 4.3 620 7.7 151 3.0 117 2.9

401 to 600 475 2.4 351 4.4 73 1.4 61 1.5

601 to 800 290 1.5 205 2.5 60 1.2 27 0.7

801 to 1000 169 0.9 112 1.4 28 0.5 20 0.5

1,001 or greater 247 1.3 179 2.2 38 0.8 17 0.4

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
50 

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

 Type of deduction

 

Total 

households Earned income Dependent care Excess shelter expense Medical expense

Child support 

payment

Household characteristic

Number 

(000)

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Percent 

with 

maximumm

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Total 19,699 5,872 29.8 658 3.3 13,693 69.5 20.3 1,117 5.7 316 1.6

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

Children 8,064 4,370 54.2 656 8.1 6,059 75.1 35.0 85 1.1 144 1.8

School-age 6,493 3,567 54.9 488 7.5 5,011 77.2 34.7 79 1.2 114 1.8

Preschool-age 3,806 2,193 57.6 436 11.5 2,779 73.0 36.7 22 0.6 77 2.0

No children 11,635 1,502 12.9 2 0.0 7,634 65.6 8.7 1,032 8.9 172 1.5

Elderly individuals 5,105 347 6.8 2 0.0 3,885 76.1 n.a. 770 15.1 47 0.9

No elderly individuals 14,594 5,525 37.9 656 4.5 9,807 67.2 28.3 347 2.4 269 1.8

Non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 4,073 435 10.7 43 1.1 3,334 81.9 0.1 363 8.9 107 2.6

No non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 15,626 5,437 34.8 614 3.9 10,359 66.3 26.8 754 4.8 209 1.3

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

Gross income 15,903 5,870 36.9 644 4.0 12,697 79.8 17.9 1,117 7.0 299 1.9

No gross income 3,796 2 0.0 14 0.4 996 26.2 50.4 0 0.0 17 0.5

Net income 12,034 4,681 38.9 549 4.6 9,678 80.4 13.6 979 8.1 235 2.0

No net income 7,032 1,188 16.9 109 1.5 4,015 57.1 36.4 139 2.0 81 1.2

Not applicablec 633 3 0.5 - - - - - - - - - 

Earned income 5,897 5,872 99.6 607 10.3 4,700 79.7 34.8 75 1.3 148 2.5

No earned income 13,802 - - 51 0.4 8,992 65.2 12.7 1,042 7.5 168 1.2

Unearned income 11,862 1,833 15.5 281 2.4 9,455 79.7 10.8 1,114 9.4 193 1.6

No unearned income 7,837 4,039 51.5 377 4.8 4,238 54.1 41.6 3 0.0 123 1.6

TANF 877 191 21.8 12 1.4 722 82.3 30.2 6 0.7 5 0.6

No TANF 18,822 5,681 30.2 645 3.4 12,971 68.9 19.8 1,111 5.9 311 1.7

GA 600 47 7.8 4 0.6 481 80.1 24.3 10 1.6 5 0.9

No GA 19,099 5,825 30.5 654 3.4 13,212 69.2 20.2 1,108 5.8 310 1.6

SSI 4,506 356 7.9 41 0.9 3,499 77.7 0.2 104 2.3 61 1.3

No SSI 15,193 5,516 36.3 617 4.1 10,194 67.1 27.2 1,014 6.7 255 1.7

Social Security 5,847 372 6.4 20 0.3 4,801 82.1 1.5 1,057 18.1 126 2.2

No Social Security 13,852 5,500 39.7 637 4.6 8,891 64.2 30.4 60 0.4 190 1.4

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

Minimum benefit 1,836 461 25.1 15 0.8 1,008 54.9 1.7 387 21.1 22 1.2

Maximum benefit 7,284 1,188 16.3 109 1.5 4,015 55.1 36.4 139 1.9 81 1.1

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
51 

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

 

Average amount of deduction

(dollars)

 Earned incomen Dependent careo Excess shelter expensep Medical expenseo Child support paymentp

Household characteristic

All 

households

With 

deduction

All 

households

With 

deduction

All 

households

With 

deduction

All 

households

With 

deduction

All 

households

With 

deduction

Total 74 240 10 282 300 418 10 172 4 227

Household composition 

Children 145 267 23 282 309 410 2 145 5 257

School-age 150 273 21 279 319 412 2 146 4 255

Preschool-age 160 278 34 299 295 403 1 120 5 269

No children 22 161 0 102 294 425 17 175 3 203

Elderly individuals 14 183 0 129 357 432 29 171 2 166

No elderly individuals 94 243 13 282 282 412 4 174 4 238

Non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 20 174 3 294 373 436 17 178 5 194

No non-elderly individuals 

with disabilities 88 245 11 281 281 412 8 170 3 245

Countable income source 

Gross income 92 240 12 282 342 415 13 172 4 222

No gross income 0 473 1 267 125 461 0 218 1 313

Net income 110 278 13 278 294 366 13 153 4 210

No net income 15 88 5 303 310 543 6 309 3 278

Not applicablec 50 365 - - - - - - - - 

Earned income 239 240 30 288 324 405 2 168 6 250

No earned income 0 - 1 207 290 425 14 173 3 207

Unearned income 34 205 7 286 350 420 17 173 3 197

No unearned income 134 256 14 279 227 414 0 80 4 276

TANF 42 194 3 226 350 414 1 180 1 149

No TANF 76 241 10 283 298 418 11 172 4 229

GA 16 194 1 187 353 440 3 168 2 188

No GA 76 240 10 282 298 417 10 172 4 228

SSI 17 189 3 296 366 420 4 156 2 146

No SSI 89 243 12 281 283 417 12 174 4 247

Social Security 10 148 1 343 362 424 33 173 4 190

No Social Security 101 246 13 280 274 414 1 162 4 252

SNAP benefit 

Minimum benefit 72 288 1 182 125 227 31 147 2 188

Maximum benefit 15 88 5 303 310 543 6 309 3 278

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
52 

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

 Households with:

 

Total 

households Children

Elderly

individuals

Non-elderly individuals 

with disabilities 

Countable earned 

income

Household characteristic

Number 

(000) Percentw

Number 

(000) Percentw

Number 

(000) Percentw

Number 

(000) Percentw

Number 

(000) Percentw

Total 19,699 100.0 8,064 100.0 5,105 100.0 4,073 100.0 5,897 100.0

Total deductionq 

$0 to 159r 257 1.3 73 0.9 36 0.7 7 0.2 3 0.1

160s 3,392 17.2 832 10.3 583 11.4 330 8.1 3 0.0

161 to 200 603 3.1 334 4.1 116 2.3 106 2.6 137 2.3

201 to 300 1,154 5.9 380 4.7 400 7.8 358 8.8 259 4.4

301 to 400 1,453 7.4 450 5.6 536 10.5 420 10.3 346 5.9

401 to 500 1,653 8.4 606 7.5 547 10.7 475 11.7 458 7.8

501 to 600 1,950 9.9 771 9.6 572 11.2 514 12.6 565 9.6

601 to 700 2,605 13.2 1,168 14.5 538 10.5 480 11.8 547 9.3

701 to 800 1,833 9.3 932 11.6 440 8.6 400 9.8 842 14.3

801 to 900 1,464 7.4 786 9.8 335 6.6 278 6.8 903 15.3 

901 to 1,000 1,031 5.2 648 8.0 192 3.8 171 4.2 707 12.0

1,001 or greater 1,697 8.6 1,083 13.4 411 8.1 355 8.7 1,114 18.9

Earned income deductiont 

$0 13,052 66.3 3,694 45.8 4,278 83.8 3,374 82.8 13 0.2

1 to 50 579 2.9 258 3.2 65 1.3 74 1.8 579 9.8

51 to 100 575 2.9 339 4.2 61 1.2 64 1.6 575 9.7

101 to 150 700 3.6 458 5.7 51 1.0 73 1.8 700 11.9

151 to 200 778 4.0 545 6.8 48 0.9 66 1.6 778 13.2

201 to 250 767 3.9 594 7.4 35 0.7 45 1.1 767 13.0

251 to 300 651 3.3 542 6.7 20 0.4 48 1.2 651 11.0

301 to 350 520 2.6 449 5.6 19 0.4 31 0.8 520 8.8

351 to 400 404 2.1 351 4.4 16 0.3 16 0.4 404 6.9

401 or greater 897 4.6 834 10.3 32 0.6 20 0.5 897 15.2

Dependent care deductionu 

$0 18,242 92.6 7,385 91.6 4,624 90.6 3,766 92.5 5,273 89.4

1 to 50 46 0.2 45 0.6 0 0.0 6 0.1 38 0.6

51 to 100 74 0.4 74 0.9 0 0.0 2 0.1 68 1.2

101 to 150 83 0.4 83 1.0 - - 5 0.1 75 1.3

151 to 200 106 0.5 106 1.3 1 0.0 6 0.1 94 1.6

201 to 250 74 0.4 74 0.9 0 0.0 6 0.1 69 1.2

251 to 300 47 0.2 47 0.6 - - 4 0.1 43 0.7

301 to 350 37 0.2 37 0.5 - - 1 0.0 37 0.6

351 to 400 29 0.1 29 0.4 - - 2 0.0 29 0.5

401 or greater 161 0.8 161 2.0 - - 11 0.3 154 2.6

Medical expense deductionu 

$0 17,783 90.3 7,955 98.6 3,855 75.5 3,446 84.6 5,805 98.4

1 to 50 87 0.4 4 0.0 61 1.2 27 0.7 7 0.1
Table A.11 (continued)

53 

 Households with:

 

Total 

households Children

Elderly

individuals

Non-elderly individuals 

with disabilities 

Countable earned 

income

Household characteristic

Number 

(000) Percentw

Number 

(000) Percentw

Number 

(000) Percentw

Number 

(000) Percentw

Number 

(000) Percentw

Medical expense deductionu 

51 to 100 311 1.6 32 0.4 206 4.0 112 2.8 23 0.4

101 to 150 254 1.3 18 0.2 178 3.5 78 1.9 23 0.4

151 to 200 215 1.1 23 0.3 146 2.9 73 1.8 13 0.2

201 to 250 108 0.5 3 0.0 78 1.5 31 0.8 3 0.0

251 to 300 40 0.2 0 0.0 31 0.6 9 0.2 0 0.0

301 or greater 102 0.5 5 0.1 70 1.4 33 0.8 6 0.1

Child support payment deductionv 

$0 18,584 94.3 7,897 97.9 4,579 89.7 3,702 90.9 5,732 97.2

1 to 50 53 0.3 17 0.2 9 0.2 22 0.5 20 0.3

51 to 100 52 0.3 20 0.3 11 0.2 21 0.5 18 0.3

101 to 150 42 0.2 15 0.2 7 0.1 18 0.4 15 0.3

151 to 200 28 0.1 14 0.2 4 0.1 9 0.2 15 0.2

201 to 250 41 0.2 21 0.3 6 0.1 12 0.3 22 0.4

251 to 300 17 0.1 10 0.1 2 0.0 3 0.1 12 0.2

301 to 350 20 0.1 10 0.1 4 0.1 5 0.1 11 0.2

351 to 400 14 0.1 7 0.1 2 0.0 3 0.1 9 0.2

401 or greater 50 0.3 30 0.4 3 0.1 15 0.4 26 0.4

Excess shelter expense deductionv 

$0 5,374 27.3 1,982 24.6 822 16.1 561 13.8 1,180 20.0

1 to 50 512 2.6 234 2.9 148 2.9 115 2.8 173 2.9

51 to 100 564 2.9 231 2.9 185 3.6 147 3.6 191 3.2

101 to 150 657 3.3 264 3.3 230 4.5 199 4.9 220 3.7

151 to 200 782 4.0 328 4.1 264 5.2 222 5.4 253 4.3

201 to 250 816 4.1 311 3.9 281 5.5 216 5.3 259 4.4

251 to 300 859 4.4 373 4.6 261 5.1 232 5.7 295 5.0

301 to 350 1,006 5.1 419 5.2 303 5.9 250 6.1 321 5.4

351 to 400 1,042 5.3 422 5.2 281 5.5 256 6.3 315 5.3

401 to 450 981 5.0 379 4.7 328 6.4 241 5.9 303 5.1

451 to 500 878 4.5 369 4.6 253 5.0 243 6.0 297 5.0

501 to 550x 3,541 18.0 2,382 29.5 253 5.0 251 6.2 1,855 31.5

551 to 600 393 2.0 52 0.6 201 3.9 194 4.8 26 0.4

601 or greater 1,659 8.4 296 3.7 897 17.6 769 18.9 192 3.3

No deduction 5,374 27.3 1,982 24.6 822 16.1 561 13.8 1,180 20.0

Deduction less than capy 8,692 44.1 3,581 44.4 2,702 52.9 2,270 55.7 2,837 48.1

Deduction equal to cap 2,779 14.1 2,119 26.3 2 0.0 5 0.1 1,637 27.8

Benefit less than maximum benefit 1,319 6.7 1,169 14.5 2 0.0 5 0.1 1,106 18.8

Benefit equal to maximum benefit 1,460 7.4 950 11.8 0 0.0 - - 530 9.0

Deduction greater than cap 2,222 11.3 359 4.5 1,181 23.1 1,060 26.0 227 3.8

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
54 

Table A.12. Distribution of participating households by selected household characteristics and SNAP benefit amount, SNAP benefit as a percentage of the maximum 

benefit, and certification period

 Households with:

 

Total 

households Children Elderly individuals

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities

Countable earned 

income

Countable TANF 

income

Household characteristic

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Total 19,699 100.0 8,064 100.0 5,105 100.0 4,073 100.0 5,897 100.0 877 100.0

SNAP benefit (dollars) 

Minimum benefit or lessz 1,859 9.4 160 2.0 1,046 20.5 527 12.9 471 8.0 9 1.0

Greater than the minimum to 50 878 4.5 116 1.4 425 8.3 304 7.5 187 3.2 9 1.0

51 to 100 1,806 9.2 239 3.0 900 17.6 578 14.2 335 5.7 14 1.6

101 to 191 3,393 17.2 745 9.2 1,358 26.6 1,137 27.9 886 15.0 69 7.8

192aa 4,500 22.8 205 2.5 958 18.8 493 12.1 557 9.5 47 5.3

193 to 300 1,352 6.9 1,076 13.3 178 3.5 317 7.8 805 13.6 117 13.3

301 to 400 2,551 12.9 2,203 27.3 167 3.3 304 7.5 1,093 18.5 239 27.2

401 to 500 952 4.8 936 11.6 23 0.5 168 4.1 604 10.2 129 14.7

501 to 600 1,223 6.2 1,200 14.9 32 0.6 95 2.3 473 8.0 125 14.2

601 or greater 1,186 6.0 1,183 14.7 18 0.3 151 3.7 486 8.2 121 13.8

Benefit as a percentage of the 

maximum 

Minimum 1,836 9.3 149 1.9 1,042 20.4 515 12.6 462 7.8 8 0.9

Less than 25 percent

bb 1,278 6.5 487 6.0 457 9.0 404 9.9 491 8.3 30 3.5

25 to 50 percent 2,924 14.8 1,241 15.4 1,018 19.9 787 19.3 1,162 19.7 92 10.5

51 to 75 percent 3,122 15.8 1,631 20.2 801 15.7 955 23.5 1,347 22.8 152 17.3

76 to 99 percent 3,254 16.5 1,847 22.9 705 13.8 779 19.1 1,230 20.9 317 36.1

Maximum 7,284 37.0 2,709 33.6 1,082 21.2 633 15.5 1,205 20.4 278 31.7

Months in certification period 

Average 14 n.a. 10 n.a. 20 n.a. 17 n.a. 10 n.a. 11 n.a

Median 12 n.a. 12 n.a. 17 n.a. 12 n.a. 12 n.a. 12 n.a

1 to 5 months 291 1.5 95 1.2 21 0.4 26 0.6 85 1.4 17 2.0

6 months 4,216 21.4 2,781 34.5 215 4.2 513 12.6 1,943 32.9 165 18.8

7 to 11 months 402 2.0 204 2.5 55 1.1 68 1.7 139 2.4 30 3.5

12 months 10,433 53.0 4,762 59.1 2,196 43.0 1,913 47.0 3,558 60.3 617 70.3

13 to 23 months 218 1.1 58 0.7 85 1.7 52 1.3 35 0.6 5 0.6

24 months 2,667 13.5 150 1.9 1,574 30.8 1,049 25.7 120 2.0 42 4.8

25 to 35 months 61 0.3 3 0.0 40 0.8 20 0.5 2 0.0 - - 

36 months 1,060 5.4 7 0.1 689 13.5 315 7.7 9 0.2 1 0.1

37 or more months 344 1.7 1 0.0 228 4.5 115 2.8 4 0.1 - - 

Unknown 6 0.0 3 0.0 1 0.0 2 0.0 2 0.0 1 0.1

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
55 

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

 Total households Entrants Other households

Most recent action and expedited service

Number

(000) Percent

Number

(000) Percent

Number

(000) Percent

Total 19,699 100.0 784 100.0 18,915 100.0

Initial certification 7,353 37.3 784 100.0 6,570 34.7

Eligible for and receiving expedited service 2,146 10.9 393 50.2 1,752 9.3

Eligible for but did not receive expedited service 370 1.9 46 5.9 324 1.7

Not eligible for expedited service 4,837 24.6 344 43.9 4,493 23.8

Recertification 12,346 62.7 n.a. n.a. 12,346 65.3

Eligible for and receiving expedited service 161 0.8 n.a. n.a. 161 0.9

Eligible for but did not receive expedited service 41 0.2 n.a. n.a. 41 0.2

Not eligible for expedited service 12,144 61.6 n.a. n.a. 12,144 64.2

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
56 

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

 

SNAP 

households

Participants in 

households with 

household 

characteristic

Monthly SNAP 

benefits

Household composition

Number

(000) Percent

Number

(000) Percent

Dollars

(000) Percent

Totalcc 19,699 100.0 39,271 100.0 4,702,112 100.0

Children, elderly individuals, or individuals 

with disabilities 15,860 80.5 35,135 89.5 4,010,206 85.3

Children 8,064 40.9 26,366 67.1 3,117,144 66.3

Single-adult household 4,925 25.0 14,741 37.5 1,853,445 39.4

Male adult 424 2.2 1,125 2.9 148,523 3.2

Female adult 4,501 22.8 13,617 34.7 1,704,923 36.3

Multiple adult-household 2,142 10.9 9,371 23.9 953,422 20.3

Married-head 1,316 6.7 5,916 15.1 583,000 12.4

Other multiple-adult 826 4.2 3,455 8.8 370,423 7.9

Children only 997 5.1 2,254 5.7 310,276 6.6

Elderly individuals 5,105 25.9 6,179 15.7 616,355 13.1

Living alone 4,268 21.7 4,268 10.9 447,224 9.5

Living with only elderly individuals 437 2.2 873 2.2 68,771 1.5

Living with at least one non-elderly individual 401 2.0 1,037 2.6 100,360 2.1

Non-elderly individuals with disabilities 4,073 20.7 7,294 18.6 740,021 15.7

Living alone 2,627 13.3 2,627 6.7 284,084 6.0

Not living alone 1,445 7.3 4,667 11.9 455,937 9.7

Other householdsdd 3,839 19.5 4,136 10.5 691,907 14.7

Single-person 3,578 18.2 3,578 9.1 620,160 13.2

Multiperson 261 1.3 557 1.4 71,746 1.5

Adults age 18–49 without disabilities in 

childless householdsa 2,688 13.6 3,199 8.1 499,311 10.6

Living alone 2,266 11.5 2,266 5.8 389,996 8.3

Not living alone 422 2.1 932 2.4 109,315 2.3

Single-person households 10,753 54.6 10,753 27.4 1,398,526 29.7

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
57 

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

SNAP benefit, household size, and certification period of participating households by household composition

 Average values

Household composition

Gross 

countable 

income as a 

percentage of 

poverty 

guidelines

(percent)

Gross 

countable 

income 

(dollars)

Net 

countable 

income 

(dollars)e

Total 

deduction 

(dollars)f

SNAP 

benefit 

(dollars)

Household 

size 

(individuals)

Certification 

period 

(months)

Totalcc 62.8 844 383 562 239 2.0 14.2

Children, elderly individuals, 

or individuals with disabilities 71.7 980 453 609 253 2.2 15.1

Children 58.2 1,059 502 652 387 3.3 10.0

Single-adult household 53.7 907 413 601 376 3.0 10.1

Male adult 50.8 802 360 573 351 2.7 10.4

Female adult 54.0 917 418 604 379 3.0 10.1

Multiple adult-household 69.4 1,517 816 764 445 4.4 10.1

Married-head 72.7 1,619 875 805 443 4.5 10.0

Other multiple-adult 64.1 1,355 723 698 448 4.2 10.2

Children only 56.4 823 264 663 311 2.3 9.5

Elderly individuals 84.9 916 433 561 121 1.2 20.4

Living alone 83.9 844 370 551 105 1.0 21.4

Living with only elderly 

individuals 95.2 1,290 762 559 158 2.0 18.4

Living with at least one nonelderly individual 83.8 1,284 683 657 250 2.6 11.9

Non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 82.6 1,027 480 582 182 1.8 17.2

Living alone 86.2 866 330 565 108 1.0 20.2

Not living alone 76.1 1,319 735 612 315 3.2 11.8

Other householdsdd 26.2 279 104 374 180 1.1 10.4

Single-person 24.0 242 84 358 173 1.0 10.4

Multiperson 56.6 793 369 586 275 2.1 10.3

Adults age 18–49 without 

disabilities in childless 

householdsa 32.0 367 149 396 186 1.2 10.1

Living alone 25.5 256 91 357 172 1.0 10.0

Not living alone 66.9 959 460 605 259 2.2 10.7

Single-person households 63.7 640 253 488 130 1.0 17.2

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

59 

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

 Countable income type

 

Earned 

income Zero gross income TANF GA SSI

Social 

Security 

Household composition

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Totalcc 5,897 100.0 3,796 100.0 877 100.0 600 100.0 4,506 100.0 5,847 100.0

Children, elderly individuals, or 

individuals with disabilities 4,854 82.3 1,528 40.3 853 97.3 352 58.7 4,506 100.0 5,833 99.8

Children 4,375 74.2 1,194 31.4 846 96.4 126 21.0 964 21.4 730 12.5

Single-adult household 2,184 37.0 922 24.3 600 68.4 83 13.8 603 13.4 485 8.3

Male adult 154 2.6 103 2.7 67 7.6 6 1.1 48 1.1 62 1.1

Female adult 2,030 34.4 819 21.6 533 60.8 76 12.7 554 12.3 423 7.2

Multiple adult-household 1,481 25.1 177 4.7 154 17.6 37 6.2 329 7.3 221 3.8

Married-head 967 16.4 111 2.9 81 9.3 16 2.6 154 3.4 110 1.9

Other multiple-adult 514 8.7 65 1.7 73 8.3 22 3.6 175 3.9 111 1.9

Children only 710 12.0 94 2.5 91 10.4 6 1.0 32 0.7 23 0.4

Elderly individuals 351 5.9 340 8.9 45 5.2 164 27.3 1,833 40.7 3,600 61.6

Living alone 210 3.6 317 8.4 1 0.1 134 22.4 1,516 33.6 3,022 51.7

Living with only elderly individuals 38 0.6 14 0.4 0 0.0 19 3.1 171 3.8 324 5.5

Living with at least one non-elderly 

individual 103 1.7 8 0.2 44 5.0 11 1.8 146 3.2 254 4.3

Non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 449 7.6 0 0.0 173 19.7 127 21.1 2,725 60.5 2,062 35.3

Living alone 129 2.2 0 0.0 1 0.1 62 10.4 1,638 36.3 1,457 24.9

Not living alone 320 5.4 - - 172 19.6 65 10.8 1,088 24.1 604 10.3

Other householdsdd 1,043 17.7 2,268 59.7 24 2.7 248 41.3 - - 14 0.2

Single-person 900 15.3 2,196 57.8 19 2.2 242 40.3 - - 4 0.1

Multiperson 143 2.4 72 1.9 5 0.5 6 1.0 - - 10 0.2

Adults age 18–49 without 

disabilities in childless 

householdsa 784 13.3 1,443 38.0 27 3.1 158 26.3 101 2.2 129 2.2

Living alone 616 10.5 1,380 36.4 17 2.0 147 24.5 - - 1 0.0

Not living alone 168 2.8 63 1.7 10 1.1 11 1.8 101 2.2 128 2.2

Single-person households 1,401 23.8 2,558 67.4 59 6.7 440 73.4 3,155 70.0 4,494 76.9

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
60 

Table A.17. Distribution of participating households with children, elderly individuals, and non-elderly individuals with disabilities by selected characteristics

 Households with:

 

Total 

households Children

School-age 

children

Preschool-age 

children

Elderly 

individuals

Non-elderly 

individuals with

disabilities

Household characteristic

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Total 19,699 100.0 8,064 100.0 6,493 100.0 3,806 100.0 5,105 100.0 4,073 100.0

Household composition 

Children 8,064 40.9 8,064 100.0 6,493 100.0 3,806 100.0 173 3.4 1,146 28.1

School-age 6,493 33.0 6,493 80.5 6,493 100.0 2,234 58.7 160 3.1 1,029 25.3

Preschool-age 3,806 19.3 3,806 47.2 2,234 34.4 3,806 100.0 29 0.6 377 9.3

Elderly individuals 5,105 25.9 173 2.1 160 2.5 29 0.8 5,105 100.0 80 2.0

Non-elderly individuals with disabilities 4,073 20.7 1,146 14.2 1,029 15.8 377 9.9 80 1.6 4,073 100.0

Countable income source 

Gross income 15,903 80.7 6,871 85.2 5,660 87.2 3,175 83.4 4,766 93.3 4,073 100.0

No gross income 3,796 19.3 1,194 14.8 834 12.8 631 16.6 340 6.7 0 0.0

Net income 12,034 61.1 5,332 66.1 4,481 69.0 2,455 64.5 3,783 74.1 3,355 82.4

No net income 7,032 35.7 2,709 33.6 1,995 30.7 1,339 35.2 924 18.1 540 13.2

Not applicablec 633 3.2 23 0.3 17 0.3 11 0.3 398 7.8 178 4.4

Earned income 5,897 29.9 4,375 54.3 3,571 55.0 2,195 57.7 351 6.9 449 11.0

Unearned income 11,862 60.2 3,919 48.6 3,362 51.8 1,624 42.7 4,619 90.5 4,071 99.9

TANF 877 4.5 846 10.5 679 10.5 382 10.0 45 0.9 173 4.3

GA 600 3.0 126 1.6 108 1.7 55 1.4 164 3.2 127 3.1

SSI 4,506 22.9 964 11.9 871 13.4 324 8.5 1,833 35.9 2,725 66.9

Social Security 5,847 29.7 730 9.0 663 10.2 184 4.8 3,600 70.5 2,062 50.6

Countable resources 761 3.9 360 4.5 307 4.7 164 4.3 220 4.3 180 4.4

Deductions 

Total deduction 19,070 96.8 8,044 99.8 6,479 99.8 3,796 99.8 4,707 92.2 3,895 95.6

Standard deduction 19,066 96.8 8,041 99.7 6,477 99.7 3,794 99.7 4,707 92.2 3,895 95.6

Earned income deduction 5,872 29.8 4,370 54.2 3,567 54.9 2,193 57.6 347 6.8 435 10.7

Dependent care deduction 658 3.3 656 8.1 488 7.5 436 11.5 2 0.0 43 1.1

Medical expense deduction 1,117 5.7 85 1.1 79 1.2 22 0.6 770 15.1 363 8.9

Child support payment deduction 316 1.6 144 1.8 114 1.8 77 2.0 47 0.9 107 2.6

Excess shelter expense deduction 13,693 69.5 6,059 75.1 5,011 77.2 2,779 73.0 3,885 76.1 3,334 81.9

SNAP benefit (dollars) 

Minimum benefit or lessz 1,859 9.4 160 2.0 112 1.7 52 1.4 1,046 20.5 527 12.9

Greater than the minimum to 100 2,683 13.6 356 4.4 266 4.1 136 3.6 1,325 26.0 882 21.6

101 to 200 7,987 40.5 1,021 12.7 788 12.1 377 9.9 2,333 45.7 1,651 40.5

201 to 300 1,257 6.4 1,006 12.5 819 12.6 404 10.6 161 3.2 296 7.3

Greater than 300 5,913 30.0 5,522 68.5 4,508 69.4 2,836 74.5 240 4.7 718 17.6

Minimum benefit 1,836 9.3 149 1.9 101 1.6 48 1.3 1,042 20.4 515 12.6

Maximum benefit 7,284 37.0 2,709 33.6 1,995 30.7 1,339 35.2 1,082 21.2 633 15.5
Table A.17 (continued)

61 

 Households with:

 

Total 

households Children

School-age 

children

Preschool-age 

children

Elderly 

individuals

Non-elderly 

individuals with

disabilities

Household characteristic

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Household size 

1 person 10,753 54.6 291 3.6 189 2.9 103 2.7 4,268 83.6 2,627 64.5

2 people 3,540 18.0 2,450 30.4 1,638 25.2 919 24.1 701 13.7 604 14.8

3 people 2,420 12.3 2,347 29.1 1,885 29.0 1,070 28.1 77 1.5 340 8.3

4 people 1,631 8.3 1,622 20.1 1,457 22.4 872 22.9 30 0.6 246 6.0

5 people 811 4.1 809 10.0 781 12.0 471 12.4 21 0.4 152 3.7

6 or more people 545 2.8 545 6.8 543 8.4 371 9.8 8 0.2 103 2.5

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
62 

Table A.18. Average values of selected characteristics for participating households with children, elderly individuals, and 

non-elderly individuals with disabilities

 Average values for households with:

Household characteristic

Average 

values Children

School-age 

children

Preschool-age 

children

Elderly 

individuals

Non-elderly 

individuals 

with 

disabilities

Countable income (dollars) . . . . . . 

Gross income 844 1,059 1,120 1,069 916 1,027

Net incomee 383 502 541 501 433 480

Earned income 358 724 752 802 62 95

Unearned income 486 335 369 267 854 932

TANF 19 45 45 48 3 15

GA 7 6 7 6 5 7 

SSI 132 87 99 62 174 431

Social Security 260 81 92 41 626 443

Countable income as a percentage 

of poverty guidelines (percent) 

Gross income 62.8 58.2 59.7 55.6 84.9 82.6

Net incomee 26.3 26.5 27.7 24.9 36.1 34.5

Deductions (dollars) 

Total deductionf 562 652 668 669 561 582

Earned income deduction 

All householdsn 74 145 150 160 14 20

Households with deduction 240 267 273 278 183 174

Dependent care deduction 

All householdso 10 23 21 34 0 3 

Households with deduction 282 282 279 299 129 294

Medical expense deduction 

All householdso 10 2 2 1 29 17

Households with deduction 172 145 146 120 171 178

Child support payment deduction 

All householdsp 4 5 4 5 2 5 

Households with deduction 227 257 255 269 166 194

Excess shelter expense deduction 

All householdsp 300 309 319 295 357 373

Households with deduction 418 410 412 403 432 436

SNAP benefit (dollars) 239 387 401 424 121 182

Household size (individuals) 2.0 3.3 3.5 3.5 1.2 1.8

Certification period (months) 14.2 10.0 10.1 9.8 20.4 17.2

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
63 

Table A.19. Distribution of participating households with countable earned and unearned income by selected characteristics

 Countable income type

 Total households Earned income Unearned income TANF GA

Household 

characteristic

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Total 19,699 100.0 5,897 100.0 11,862 100.0 877 100.0 600 100.0

Household

composition . . . . . . . . . . 

Children 8,064 40.9 4,375 74.2 3,919 33.0 846 96.4 126 21.0

School-age 6,493 33.0 3,571 60.6 3,362 28.3 679 77.4 108 18.0

Preschool-age 3,806 19.3 2,195 37.2 1,624 13.7 382 43.5 55 9.2

Elderly individuals 5,105 25.9 351 5.9 4,619 38.9 45 5.2 164 27.3

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities 4,073 20.7 449 7.6 4,071 34.3 173 19.7 127 21.1

Countable income 

source . . . . . . . . . . 

Gross income 15,903 80.7 5,895 100.0 11,862 100.0 877 100.0 600 100.0

No gross incomeee 3,796 19.3 2 0.0 - - - - - - 

Net income 12,034 61.1 4,687 79.5 8,994 75.8 575 65.6 333 55.5

No net income 7,032 35.7 1,194 20.2 2,360 19.9 278 31.7 267 44.5

Not applicablec 633 3.2 17 0.3 509 4.3 24 2.7 - - 

Earned income 5,897 29.9 5,897 100.0 1,855 15.6 193 22.0 48 8.0

Unearned income 11,862 60.2 1,855 31.5 11,862 100.0 877 100.0 600 100.0

TANF 877 4.5 193 3.3 877 7.4 877 100.0 5 0.8

GA 600 3.0 48 0.8 600 5.1 5 0.6 600 100.0

SSI 4,506 22.9 371 6.3 4,506 38.0 175 19.9 200 33.3

Social Security 5,847 29.7 382 6.5 5,847 49.3 87 9.9 115 19.1

Deductions . . . . . . . . . . 

Total deduction 19,070 96.8 5,883 99.8 11,356 95.7 856 97.6 600 100.0

Standard deduction 19,066 96.8 5,880 99.7 11,353 95.7 853 97.3 600 100.0

Earned income 

deduction 5,872 29.8 5,872 99.6 1,833 15.5 191 21.8 47 7.8

Dependent care 

deduction 658 3.3 607 10.3 281 2.4 12 1.4 4 0.6

Medical expense 

deduction 1,117 5.7 75 1.3 1,114 9.4 6 0.7 10 1.6

Child support payment 

deduction 316 1.6 148 2.5 193 1.6 5 0.6 5 0.9

Excess shelter 

expense deduction 13,693 69.5 4,700 79.7 9,455 79.7 722 82.3 481 80.1

SNAP benefit (dollars) . . . . . . . . . . 

Minimum benefit or 

lessz 1,859 9.4 471 8.0 1,609 13.6 9 1.0 32 5.3

Greater than the 

minimum to 100 2,683 13.6 522 8.8 2,231 18.8 23 2.6 77 12.8

101 to 200 7,987 40.5 1,496 25.4 4,443 37.5 119 13.5 364 60.7

201 to 300 1,257 6.4 752 12.8 750 6.3 114 13.0 25 4.2

Greater than 300 5,913 30.0 2,656 45.0 2,829 23.9 613 69.9 102 17.0

Minimum benefit 1,836 9.3 462 7.8 1,590 13.4 8 0.9 31 5.1

Maximum benefit 7,284 37.0 1,205 20.4 2,612 22.0 278 31.7 267 44.5

Household size . . . . . . . . . . 

1 person 10,753 54.6 1,401 23.8 7,126 60.1 59 6.7 440 73.4

2 people 3,540 18.0 1,326 22.5 2,036 17.2 314 35.9 72 12.0

3 people 2,420 12.3 1,264 21.4 1,193 10.1 242 27.6 35 5.8

4 people 1,631 8.3 1,010 17.1 805 6.8 138 15.8 25 4.2

5 people 811 4.1 511 8.7 402 3.4 65 7.4 18 3.0

6 or more people 545 2.8 385 6.5 301 2.5 58 6.6 10 1.6

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
64

Table A.20. Average values of selected characteristics for participating households with countable earned and unearned 

income

 Average values for households with countable:

Household characteristic

Average 

values

Earned 

income

Unearned 

income TANF GA 

Countable income (dollars) . . . . . 

Gross income 844 1,365 966 863 669

Net incomee 383 641 445 376 260

Earned income 358 1,196 159 209 76

Unearned income 486 170 807 654 594

TANF 19 12 31 425 3 

GA 7 2 12 0 246

SSI 132 41 220 138 200

Social Security 260 52 432 63 131

Countable income as a percentage of poverty 

guidelines (percent) 

Gross income 62.8 83.4 77.4 49.6 53.0

Net incomee 26.3 37.3 32.6 19.7 18.9

Deductions (dollars) 

Total deductionf 562 771 573 554 541

Earned income deduction 

All householdsn 74 239 34 42 16

Households with deduction 240 240 205 194 194

Dependent care deduction 

All householdso 10 30 7 3 1 

Households with deduction 282 288 286 226 187

Medical expense deduction 

All householdso 10 2 17 1 3 

Households with deduction 172 168 173 180 168

Child support payment deduction 

All householdsp 4 6 3 1 2 

Households with deduction 227 250 197 149 188

Excess shelter expense deduction 

All householdsp 300 324 350 350 353

Households with deduction 418 405 420 414 440

SNAP benefit (dollars) 239 294 204 393 209

Household size (individuals) 2.0 2.9 1.9 3.0 1.6

Certification period (months) 14.2 10.2 16.6 11.3 14.6

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
65 

Table A.21. Distribution of participating households with selected household characteristics by race and Hispanic status of household head

 Race and Hispanic status of household headff 

 

Total

White,

not Hispanic

African

American, 

not Hispanic

Hispanic, 

any race

Asian,

not Hispanic

Native 

American, 

not Hispanic

Multiple races 

reported,

not Hispanic

Race 

unknown

Nonparticipating 

household 

headgg

Total Households 

Number (000) 19,699 7,693 4,775 2,327 552 228 119 2,831 1,176

Row percent 100.0 39.1 24.2 11.8 2.8 1.2 0.6 14.4 6.0

Households with: 

Children 

Number (000) 8,064 2,564 1,940 1,027 152 112 44 1,078 1,147

Row percent 100.0 31.8 24.1 12.7 1.9 1.4 0.5 13.4 14.2

Elderly individuals 

Number (000) 5,105 2,129 1,024 735 292 32 35 851 7 

Row percent 100.0 41.7 20.0 14.4 5.7 0.6 0.7 16.7 0.1

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities 

Number (000) 4,073 1,846 1,141 305 46 37 28 633 37

Row percent 100.0 45.3 28.0 7.5 1.1 0.9 0.7 15.5 0.9

Countable earned 

income 

Number (000) 5,897 1,973 1,314 731 166 66 39 766 843

Row percent 100.0 33.5 22.3 12.4 2.8 1.1 0.7 13.0 14.3

Countable TANF 

income 

Number (000) 877 239 233 174 21 21 3 70 116

Row percent 100.0 27.3 26.6 19.9 2.4 2.4 0.3 8.0 13.2

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
66 

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

 Citizenship

 Total

U.S.-born

citizen

Naturalized

citizen Refugee

Other

noncitizen

Citizen children 

living with 

participating 

noncitizen adults

Citizen children 

living with 

nonparticipating 

noncitizen adults

Total Households 

Number (000) 19,699 18,059 1,416 142 1,034 390 1,051

Percent 100.0 91.7 7.2 0.7 5.2 2.0 5.3

Average SNAP benefit 

(dollars) 239 245 228 315 268 407 348

Households with:

Children 

Number (000) 8,064 7,916 423 76 484 390 1,051

Row percent 100.0 98.2 5.2 0.9 6.0 4.8 13.0

Elderly individuals 

Number (000) 5,105 3,946 833 25 436 25 3 

Row percent 100.0 77.3 16.3 0.5 8.5 0.5 0.1

Non-elderly individuals 

with disabilities 

Number (000) 4,073 3,951 130 15 76 36 36

Row percent 100.0 97.0 3.2 0.4 1.9 0.9 0.9

Countable earned 

income 

Number (000) 5,897 5,621 397 68 432 276 836

Row percent 100.0 95.3 6.7 1.1 7.3 4.7 14.2

Countable TANF 

income 

Number (000) 877 858 23 17 31 32 102

Row percent 100.0 97.8 2.6 2.0 3.5 3.6 11.7

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
67

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

 Total participants Female participants Male participants

Participant characteristic

Number

(000) Percenthh

Number

(000) Percenthh

Number

(000) Percenthh

Total 39,271 100.0 22,546 57.4 16,725 42.6

Age 

Child 17,103 43.6 8,475 21.6 8,628 22.0

Preschool-age 5,030 12.8 2,489 6.3 2,541 6.5

School-age 12,074 30.7 5,986 15.2 6,088 15.5

Non-elderly adult 16,609 42.3 10,556 26.9 6,053 15.4

18–35 years 7,738 19.7 5,230 13.3 2,508 6.4

36–59 years 8,871 22.6 5,326 13.6 3,544 9.0

Elderly individual 5,559 14.2 3,515 9.0 2,044 5.2

Citizenship 

U.S.-born citizen 35,834 91.2 20,369 51.9 15,465 39.4

Naturalized citizen 1,738 4.4 1,136 2.9 601 1.5

Refugee 315 0.8 183 0.5 132 0.3

Other noncitizen 1,384 3.5 858 2.2 526 1.3

Citizen children living with 

noncitizen adultsii 3,177 8.1 1,589 4.0 1,589 4.0

Non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities 4,301 11.0 2,235 5.7 2,066 5.3

Children with disabilities 573 1.5 187 0.5 386 1.0

Non-elderly adults with 

disabilities 3,728 9.5 2,048 5.2 1,680 4.3

Adults age 18–49 without 

disabilities in childless 

householdsa 2,864 7.3 1,338 3.4 1,526 3.9

Race and Hispanic statusff 

White, not Hispanic 14,006 35.7 8,052 20.5 5,954 15.2

African American, not Hispanic 9,864 25.1 5,806 14.8 4,058 10.3

Hispanic, any race 6,541 16.7 3,717 9.5 2,824 7.2

Asian, not Hispanic 1,177 3.0 673 1.7 504 1.3

Native American, not Hispanic 570 1.5 315 0.8 254 0.6

Multiple races reported, not 

Hispanic 296 0.8 161 0.4 135 0.3

Race unknown 6,817 17.4 3,821 9.7 2,996 7.6

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
68

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

 Household size (individuals)

Participant characteristic

Total

(000) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 

8 or 

more

Total 39,271 10,753 7,080 7,259 6,522 4,056 2,023 888 691

Children younger than

age 12 

1 or younger 1,982 49 412 555 470 269 118 53 54

2–3 years 2,004 34 382 549 485 283 151 57 64

4–5 years 2,053 36 322 538 539 341 157 77 44

6–8 years 3,070 27 433 815 780 542 267 105 101

9–11 years 3,142 54 433 760 824 548 285 131 106

Females 22,546 6,019 4,369 4,358 3,704 2,229 1,082 436 350

1 or younger 981 27 185 265 242 145 64 23 30

2–3 years 976 15 189 275 236 137 72 29 22

4–5 years 1,032 21 154 286 259 172 82 34 23

6–8 years 1,510 11 224 390 395 264 132 46 47

9–11 years 1,580 39 219 371 408 271 143 76 53

12–13 years 881 17 119 222 235 140 80 36 33

14–18 years 1,738 49 298 429 383 294 167 64 55

19–50 years 8,297 1,618 1,949 1,945 1,476 771 331 122 85

51–70 years 4,073 2,963 827 167 67 32 11 5 2 

71 or older 1,479 1,260 204 9 4 2 0 1 - 

Males 16,725 4,734 2,711 2,900 2,819 1,826 941 452 341

1 or younger 1,000 22 227 290 229 124 55 30 24

2–3 years 1,028 19 193 275 249 145 79 28 42

4–5 years 1,022 15 168 252 280 169 74 43 22

6–8 years 1,560 16 209 424 385 278 135 59 54

9–11 years 1,562 15 214 389 417 277 142 55 53

12–13 years 919 15 143 199 226 163 92 57 25

14–18 years 1,750 49 344 450 413 226 132 81 55

19–50 years 4,219 1,940 448 509 558 392 215 93 64

51–70 years 2,975 2,226 507 109 60 50 15 6 3 

71 or older 688 417 259 5 2 3 2 0 - 

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
69

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

and employment status

 

Household 

heads

All 

participants

Non-elderly adult 

participants

Employment/work registration status

Number

(000) Percent

Number

(000) Percent

Number

(000) Percent

Total 19,699 100.0 39,271 100.0 16,609 100.0

Work registration status 

Work registrant 3,841 19.5 5,224 13.3 4,788 28.8

Mandatory Employment and Training program 

participant 1,146 5.8 1,437 3.7 1,420 8.6

Voluntary Employment and Training program 

participant 237 1.2 319 0.8 285 1.7

Not Employment and Training program 

participant 2,458 12.5 3,469 8.8 3,083 18.6

Exempt 14,604 74.1 33,934 86.4 11,719 70.6

For disability 5,546 28.2 6,349 16.2 4,013 24.2

For reason other than disability 9,058 46.0 27,585 70.2 7,707 46.4

Nonregistrant, should have registered 73 0.4 99 0.3 95 0.6

Nonparticipating household headgg 1,176 6.0 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.

Unknown 5 0.0 14 0.0 5 0.0

Employment and Training program status 

Total participating in Employment and Training 

programjj 1,238 6.3 3,672 9.4 1,421 8.6

Not participating in Employment and Training 

program 17,283 87.7 35,588 90.6 15,185 91.4

Nonparticipating household headgg 1,176 6.0 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.

Unknown 2 0.0 11 0.0 3 0.0

Employment status 

Total employed 4,423 22.5 5,480 14.0 5,144 31.0

Self-employed, farming 5 0.0 12 0.0 8 0.0

Self-employed, nonfarming 567 2.9 693 1.8 620 3.7

Migrant farm labor 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0

Non-migrant farm labor 0 0.0 2 0.0 1 0.0

Active-duty military service - - - - - - 

Employed by other 3,850 19.5 4,773 12.2 4,515 27.2

Unemployed and looking for work 2,885 14.6 3,720 9.5 3,586 21.6

Not in labor force and not looking for work 11,213 56.9 30,059 76.5 7,875 47.4

Nonparticipating household headgg 1,176 6.0 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.

Unknown 2 0.0 12 0.0 3 0.0

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
70 

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

 Working adults

Average monthly 

earnings among 

those with 

earnings 

(dollars)

 

Total adults All

20 or more 

hours per 

week of 

employment 

(row percent)

30 or more 

hours per week 

of employment 

(row percent)

Full-time 

employment 

(row percent)

 Number 

(000)

Column 

percent

Number

(000)

Row 

percent

Total 22,167 100.0 5,292 23.9 18.0 12.6 4.6 1,179

Age and household 

composition 

Non-elderly adults without 

disabilities (age 18–59) 12,881 58.1 4,836 37.5 29.5 20.8 7.6 1,223

Living with children 8,331 37.6 3,695 44.4 36.7 27.5 10.5 1,347

Living with preschool-age 

children 4,145 18.7 1,841 44.4 36.5 28.4 11.5 1,410

Living in childless 

households 4,550 20.5 1,141 25.1 16.3 8.6 2.3 823

Age 18–49 living in 

childless households 2,864 12.9 755 26.4 17.9 9.3 2.2 823

Non-elderly adults with 

disabilities 3,728 16.8 160 4.3 1.4 0.5 0.1 500

Elderly adults (60 or older) 5,559 25.1 296 5.3 2.6 1.5 0.7 823

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
71 

Table A.27. Comparison of participating households with key SNAP household characteristics for fiscal years 1991–2018 

 Percentage of households with:

Time period

Total 

households 

(000)

Zero 

gross 

income

Zero 

net 

incomekk

Minimum 

benefit

Elderly 

individuals Children

Non-elderly 

individuals 

with 

disabilitiesll

AFDCmm/ 

TANF

Earned 

income SSI

Any 

noncitizen

Fiscal year 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 7,252 8.9 21.5 10.1 20.4 54.6 26.7 26.0 26.1 30.7 6.0 

Fiscal year 2001 7,276 10.0 23.9 10.2 19.7 54.2 26.6 23.4 26.0 30.7 5.3

Fiscal year 2002 8,010 11.2 26.3 9.8 17.9 55.1 25.7 21.4 27.3 28.2 4.9

Fiscal year 2003 8,971 12.7 27.7 7.0 17.1 55.1 22.1 17.2 27.5 26.3 5.4

Fiscal year 2004 10,069 13.1 29.7 5.9 17.3 54.3 22.7 16.2 28.5 26.8 6.2

Fiscal year 2005 10,852 13.7 30.0 5.2 17.1 53.7 23.0 14.5 29.1 26.4 6.2

Fiscal year 2006 11,313 14.1 31.0 6.2 17.9 52.0 23.1 13.0 29.5 26.8 6.1

Fiscal year 2007 11,561 14.7 31.4 6.6 17.8 51.0 23.8 12.1 29.6 27.7 5.7

Fiscal year 2008 12,464 16.2 33.6 6.7 18.5 50.6 22.6 10.6 28.9 26.2 5.6

Fiscal year 2009 14,981 17.6 36.0 4.1 16.6 49.9 21.2 9.7 29.4 23.6 5.9

Fiscal year 2010 18,369 19.7 38.3 3.8 15.5 48.7 19.8 8.0 29.9 20.9 5.9

Fiscal year 2011 20,803 20.0 39.4 4.2 16.5 47.1 20.2 7.6 30.5 20.2 5.8

Fiscal year 2012 22,046 20.5 38.4 4.8 17.2 45.3 20.0 7.1 31.3 20.2 5.7

Fiscal year 2013 22,802 21.5 39.4 5.2 17.4 44.8 20.3 6.5 31.2 19.9 5.8

Fiscal year 2014 22,445 21.9 40.6 6.4 19.0 43.6 20.4 6.1 31.3 20.4 6.1

Fiscal year 2015 22,293 22.2 39.6 7.2 19.6 42.7 20.2 5.8 31.8 20.5 6.0

Fiscal year 2016 21,511 20.4 37.2 8.1 21.8 42.9 20.3 5.1 31.9 21.3 6.2

Fiscal year 2017 20,597 19.0 35.7 8.8 24.1 41.7 20.8 4.9 31.4 21.9 6.1

Fiscal year 2018 19,699 19.3 35.7 9.3 25.9 40.9 20.7 4.5 29.9 22.9 5.9

Source: Fiscal years 1991 to 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control samples.

Note: Fiscal year analysis files were not developed for the years before 1989. Estimates for fiscal year 2000 and later differ methodologically from estimates for earlier years. 

Under the current methodology, the weighting of the SNAP QC data reflects adjustments to FNS’ Program Operations counts of households to account for receipt of 

benefits in error or for disaster assistance. In addition, the weighted SNAP QC data match adjusted Program Operations counts of households, individuals, and benefit 

amounts.
72 

Table A.28. Comparison of average nominal and real values of key SNAP household characteristics for fiscal years 1991–2018 

 

Gross income 

(dollars)

Net income 

(dollars)kk

Total deduction 

(dollars)nn

SNAP benefit 

(dollars) Gross income as 

a percentage of 

poverty guidelines 

(percent)

Household size 

Time period (individuals)

Nominal 

value

Real 

valueoo

Nominal 

value

Real 

valueoo

Nominal 

value

Real 

valueoo

Nominal 

value

Real 

valuepp

Fiscal year 1991 464 851 253 464 235 431 162 286 58 2.6

Fiscal year 1992 478 851 258 459 250 445 170 298 57 2.6

Fiscal year 1993 490 847 258 446 262 453 170 291 56 2.6

Fiscal year 1994 507 854 268 452 272 458 168 279 57 2.5

Fiscal year 1995 514 842 265 434 283 464 172 277 56 2.5

Fiscal year 1996 528 840 275 438 287 457 174 270 57 2.5

Fiscal year 1997 558 868 299 465 291 453 169 256 58 2.4

Fiscal year 1998 584 895 321 492 294 450 165 245 60 2.4

Fiscal year 1999 603 904 338 507 299 448 162 236 62 2.4

Fiscal year 2000 595 863 331 480 300 435 165 235 61 2.3

Fiscal year 2001 596 840 325 458 314 443 171 236 60 2.3

Fiscal year 2002 602 840 324 452 327 456 182 248 59 2.3

Fiscal year 2003 608 825 317 430 346 470 192 256 57 2.3

Fiscal year 2004 634 838 312 412 382 505 197 253 58 2.3

Fiscal year 2005 644 823 316 404 390 499 209 264 58 2.3

Fiscal year 2006 668 827 323 400 410 508 208 258 59 2.3

Fiscal year 2007 684 824 325 391 430 518 212 252 59 2.2

Fiscal year 2008 693 804 329 382 441 512 222 248 58 2.2

Fiscal year 2009 711 828 329 383 471 548 272 303 58 2.2

Fiscal year 2010 731 837 336 385 491 562 287 318 57 2.2

Fiscal year 2011 744 833 338 378 508 569 281 302 59 2.1

Fiscal year 2012 755 825 343 375 512 560 274 284 60 2.1

Fiscal year 2013 758 815 344 370 522 561 271 278 59 2.1

Fiscal year 2014 759 803 335 354 538 569 253 256 58 2.0

Fiscal year 2015 786 829 354 373 529 558 254 251 59 2.0

Fiscal year 2016 814 851 374 391 539 563 249 248 61 2.0

Fiscal year 2017 837 857 384 393 550 563 245 246 63 2.0

Fiscal year 2018 844 844 383 383 562 562 239 239 63 2.0

Sources: CPI-U values: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nominal values: Fiscal years 1991 to 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control 

samples.

Note: Fiscal year analysis files were not developed for the years before 1989. Estimates for fiscal year 2000 and later differ methodologically from estimates for earlier years. 

Under the current methodology, the weighting of the SNAP QC data reflects adjustments to FNS’ Program Operations counts of households to account for receipt of 

benefits in error or for disaster assistance. In addition, the weighted SNAP QC data match adjusted Program Operations counts of households, individuals, and benefit 

amounts. 
73 

Table A.29. Comparison of number of SNAP participants by gender and age for fiscal years 1991–2018 

Time period

Total 

participants 

(000)

Female 

participants 

(000)

Male 

participants 

(000)

Children 

(age 0–17) 

(000)

Non-elderly 

adults 

(age 18–59) 

(000)

Elderly 

individuals 

(age 60 or 

older) 

(000)

Fiscal year 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 16,916 10,115 6,798 8,726 6,559 1,629

Fiscal year 2001 16,850 10,107 6,740 8,650 6,629 1,564

Fiscal year 2002 18,608 11,033 7,574 9,563 7,463 1,577

Fiscal year 2003 20,764 12,211 8,552 10,554 8,516 1,691

Fiscal year 2004 23,279 13,697 9,573 11,635 9,720 1,920

Fiscal year 2005 24,794 14,656 10,132 12,363 10,383 2,046

Fiscal year 2006 25,472 14,957 10,515 12,514 10,732 2,227

Fiscal year 2007 25,775 15,120 10,655 12,605 10,909 2,261

Fiscal year 2008 27,607 16,151 11,456 13,359 11,732 2,515

Fiscal year 2009 32,889 18,854 14,035 15,617 14,543 2,728

Fiscal year 2010 39,759 22,405 17,354 18,516 18,121 3,122

Fiscal year 2011 44,148 24,936 19,212 19,926 20,452 3,770

Fiscal year 2012 46,022 25,945 20,076 20,500 21,367 4,154

Fiscal year 2013 47,098 26,447 20,651 20,889 21,845 4,365

Fiscal year 2014 45,874 25,762 20,112 20,271 20,952 4,651

Fiscal year 2015 45,184 25,637 19,547 19,891 20,494 4,799

Fiscal year 2016 43,539 24,666 18,873 19,212 19,209 5,118

Fiscal year 2017 41,491 23,714 17,777 18,033 18,011 5,447 

Fiscal year 2018 39,271 22,546 16,725 17,103 16,609 5,559

Source: Fiscal years 1991 to 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control samples.

Notes: Fiscal year analysis files were not developed for the years before 1989. Estimates for fiscal year 2000 and later differ 

methodologically from estimates for earlier years. Under the current methodology, the weighting of the SNAP QC data 

reflects adjustments to FNS’ Program Operations counts of households to account for receipt of benefits in error or for 

disaster assistance. In addition, the weighted SNAP QC data match adjusted Program Operations counts of households, 

individuals, and benefit amounts.

The number of participants by gender and age do not sum to the total number of SNAP participants in certain years 

because some individuals have missing or unknown gender or age and are excluded from those columns.

APPENDIX A FOOTNOTES

77

APPENDIX A FOOTNOTES

a

 With some exceptions, adult SNAP participants age 18–49 without disabilities in childless 

households are subject to work requirements and a time limit. 

b A micropolitan area has at least one urban cluster of between 10,000 and 50,000 people and 

includes adjacent territory with a high degree of social and economic integration with the 

core, as measured by commuting ties.

c

 Net income is not used in the benefit determinations of Minnesota Family Investment 

Program (MFIP) households or SSI-Combined Application Project (SSI-CAP) households 

in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits, so 24,480 MFIP households and 608,146 

SSI-CAP households are excluded from this distribution. 

d The number of households with gross or net countable income that was less than 25 percent 

of the poverty guidelines does not include households with no gross or no net income.

e Because net income is not used in their benefit determinations, 24,480 MFIP households 

and 608,146 SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits are 

excluded from this category. Thus, the average values are based on fewer households than 

the number of total SNAP households shown in Appendix Table A.1. 

f Because deductions are not used in their benefit determinations, 608,146 SSI-CAP 

households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits are excluded from this 

category. Thus, the average values are based on fewer households than the number of total 

SNAP households shown in Appendix Table A.1. 

g In tables sorted by income type, the sum of households receiving income from individual 

sources does not equal the total number of households because households may receive 

income from more than one source. 

h Examples of other Government benefits that are considered as income include Black Lung 

benefits, Railroad Retirement payments, and USDA payments to farmers. 

i Examples of other unearned income include alimony and dividends and interest payments. 

j Income source (dollars) is the average value of the specified source calculated across 

households with income from that source. 

k The fiscal year 2018 maximum monthly SSI benefit for one person was $735 from October 

through December 2017 and $750 from January through September 2018. This row 

tabulates the number of households in which at least one person received the applicable 

maximum SSI benefit.

l The fiscal year 2018 maximum monthly SSI benefit for two individuals was $1,103 from 

October through December 2017 and $1,125 from January through September 2018. This 

row tabulates the number of households in which the two individuals receive a combined 

SSI benefit of this amount. 

m Percent with the maximum excess shelter expense refers to the percentage of households 

with deduction that receive the maximum. There is no maximum for elderly individuals. 

n Because this deduction is not used in their benefit determinations, 774,553 SSI-CAP 

households are excluded from this category. Thus, the average values are based on fewer 

households than the number of total SNAP households shown in Appendix Table A.1.
78

o Because this deduction is not used in their benefit determinations, 24,480 MFIP households 

and 774,553 SSI-CAP households are excluded from this category. Thus, the average values 

are based on fewer households than the number of total SNAP households shown in 

Appendix Table A.1. 

p Because this deduction is not used in their benefit determinations, 24,480 MFIP households 

and 608,146 SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits are 

excluded from this category. Thus, the average values are based on fewer households than 

the number of total SNAP households shown in Appendix Table A.1. 

q Deductions are not used in the benefit determinations of SSI-CAP households in States that 

use standardized SSI-CAP benefits. 

r

 The “Total deduction ($0 to 159)” row contains MFIP households, which do not receive a 

standard deduction, and households in the Virgin Islands, which receive a standard 

deduction of $141 for one- to three-person households. 

s In 2018, the standard deduction was $160 for one- to three-person households in the 

contiguous United States. 

t Earned income deduction is not used in the benefit determinations of SSI-CAP households. 

u Dependent care deduction and medical expense deduction are not used in the benefit 

determinations of MFIP households or SSI-CAP households.

v Child support payment deduction and excess shelter expense deduction are not used in the 

benefit determinations of MFIP households or SSI-CAP households in States that use 

standardized SSI-CAP benefits. 

w Some households are excluded from the distributions of deduction amounts because the 

deductions are not used in the households’ benefit determination. As a result, the 

distribution percentages do not sum to 100 percent. 

x In 2018, the excess shelter expense deduction cap for households without elderly or disabled 

members was $535.

y Households without elderly or disabled members are subject to a cap on their excess shelter 

expense deduction. 

z The minimum SNAP benefit, applicable to one- and two-person households, is equal to 8 

percent of the maximum benefit for single-person households. Households with three or 

more people do not have a minimum benefit, so they may receive a benefit amount less than 

the one- and two-person household minimum. See Appendix Table C.6 for the fiscal year 

2018 minimum benefit values.

aa In 2018, the maximum monthly SNAP benefit was $192 for single-person households in the 

contiguous United States. 

bb The number of households receiving less than 25 percent of the maximum benefit does not 

include households receiving the minimum benefit. 

cc The sum of individual household composition categories does not match the table total 

because a household may have more than one of the characteristics in the table.

dd “Other households” refers to households not containing children, elderly individuals, or 

non-elderly individuals with disabilities.

ee Some States allow child support expenses to be subtracted before gross income is 

calculated. As a result, it is possible to have countable income but no gross income. 
79

ff Codes to allow reporting of multiple races were implemented beginning in April 2007. We 

have grouped the codes to form general race/ethnicity categories. “White, not Hispanic” 

includes “white, not Hispanic or Latino”; “African American, not Hispanic” includes “black 

or African American, not Hispanic or Latino” and “(black or African American) and white”; 

“Hispanic, any race” includes “Hispanic” and “(Hispanic or Latino) with any race or race 

combination”; “Asian, not Hispanic” includes “Asian,” “Native Hawaiian or other Pacific 

Islander,” and “Asian and white”; “Native American, not Hispanic” includes “American 

Indian or Alaska Native,” “(American Indian or Alaska Native) and white,” and “(American 

Indian or Alaska Native) and (black or African American)”; “Multiple races reported, not 

Hispanic” includes individuals who reported more than one race and who do not fit into any 

previously mentioned value; and “Race unknown” includes “Racial/ethnic data not 

available” and “Racial/ethnic data not recorded.” Reporting of race/ethnicity is voluntary 

and was missing for 17 percent of participants in fiscal year 2018. As a result, fiscal year 

2018 race/ethnicity distributions are not comparable to distributions for years prior to fiscal 

year 2007. 

gg Some household heads who are not participating with the household are ineligible for SNAP 

or are in separate SNAP units not included in the SNAP QC sample. This category also 

includes some households with no adult listed on the file. 

hh Percentage of total participants.

ii Noncitizens may be inside or outside the SNAP unit. 

jj Employment and training may be provided through SNAP or other programs. 

kk Beginning in 2004, net income is not calculated for MFIP households or SSI-CAP 

households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits.

ll The substantial changes in 1995 and 2003, and the smaller changes in 2016 and 2017 in the 

percentage of households with a non-elderly individual with disabilities are in part a result 

of changes to the definition of a household with an individual with a disability. Prior to 

1995, these households were defined as those with SSI and no members older than age 59. 

In 1995, that definition changed to households with at least one member younger than age 

65 who received SSI, or at least one member age 18–61 who received Social Security 

income, veterans’ benefits, or other Government benefits as a result of a disability. Due to 

changes in the SNAP QC data in 2003, the definition changed again, to households with 

individuals younger than age 60 with SSI income, a medical expense deduction and without 

an elderly person, or with a non-elderly adult who worked fewer than 30 hours a week and 

received Social Security income, veterans’ benefits, or workers’ compensation. In 2015, the 

definition of individuals with disabilities was expanded to also include non-elderly adults in 

single-person SNAP households who received Social Security income. In 2016, the 

definition was further modified to identify nonparticipating elderly members with SNAP 

case affiliation codes, or FSAFILi, of 8, 9, 11, or 13 as disabled when the unit receives a 

medical deduction and has no participating elderly members (see “Individuals with 

disabilities” in the Definitions section of this report). 

mm AFDC refers to Aid to Families with Dependent Children.

nn Some of the changes in average total deductions and average net income between 2003 and 

2004 may be attributable to two items in the SNAP QC data file development process. First, 

we revised the way certain deductions are calculated to correct for inconsistencies and data 

entry errors. Second, given that deductions are not used in their benefit determination, SSI-
80

CAP participants in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits are excluded from the 

average total deduction calculation beginning in 2004. 

oo Real values are in constant fiscal year 2018 dollars adjusted by changes in the Consumer 

Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for all items.

pp Real values are in constant fiscal year 2018 dollars adjusted by changes in the CPI-U for 

food at home. 

– No sample data in this category. 

n.a. Not applicable. 
APPENDIX B 

DETAILED TABLES OF SNAP HOUSEHOLDS BY STATE

Note: All Appendix B table footnotes appear at the conclusion of this appendix, under Appendix B footnotes.

83 

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

 

SNAP 

households

Participants in 

households

Monthly 

SNAP benefits

State

Number

(000) Percent

Number

(000) Percent

Dollars 

(000) Percent

Totala 19,699 100.0 39,271 100.0 4,702,112 100.0

Alabama 354 1.8 750 1.9 87,257 1.9

Alaska 39 0.2 90 0.2 15,177 0.3

Arizona 377 1.9 822 2.1 96,919 2.1

Arkansas 161 0.8 364 0.9 38,387 0.8

California 1,911 9.7 3,843 9.8 502,247 10.7

Colorado 219 1.1 443 1.1 54,093 1.2

Connecticut 219 1.1 379 1.0 48,788 1.0

Delaware 67 0.3 136 0.3 14,619 0.3

District of Columbia 68 0.3 109 0.3 14,308 0.3

Florida 1,632 8.3 3,039 7.7 352,931 7.5

Georgia 699 3.6 1,509 3.8 183,312 3.9

Guam 15 0.1 45 0.1 8,092 0.2

Hawaii 82 0.4 159 0.4 38,086 0.8

Idaho 69 0.4 156 0.4 16,196 0.3

Illinois 904 4.6 1,792 4.6 217,293 4.6

Indiana 270 1.4 607 1.5 68,782 1.5

Iowa 161 0.8 331 0.8 34,129 0.7

Kansas 99 0.5 212 0.5 23,498 0.5

Kentucky 279 1.4 600 1.5 67,058 1.4

Louisiana 401 2.0 859 2.2 105,872 2.3

Maine 85 0.4 157 0.4 16,847 0.4

Maryland 341 1.7 637 1.6 72,045 1.5

Massachusetts 447 2.3 758 1.9 94,174 2.0

Michigan 672 3.4 1,249 3.2 147,557 3.1

Minnesota 208 1.1 415 1.1 43,394 0.9

Mississippi 230 1.2 501 1.3 55,595 1.2

Missouri 331 1.7 704 1.8 82,355 1.8

Montana 55 0.3 112 0.3 12,380 0.3

Nebraska 75 0.4 167 0.4 18,441 0.4

Nevada 226 1.1 432 1.1 48,753 1.0

New Hampshire 43 0.2 84 0.2 8,229 0.2

New Jersey 376 1.9 750 1.9 83,449 1.8

New Mexico 214 1.1 446 1.1 50,038 1.1

New York 1,520 7.7 2,715 6.9 354,430 7.5

North Carolina 607 3.1 1,075 2.7 148,090 3.1

North Dakota 24 0.1 51 0.1 6,138 0.1

Ohio 698 3.5 1,391 3.5 165,388 3.5

Oklahoma 260 1.3 564 1.4 65,794 1.4

Oregon 358 1.8 610 1.6 71,797 1.5

Pennsylvania 946 4.8 1,786 4.5 206,802 4.4

Rhode Island 91 0.5 152 0.4 19,634 0.4

South Carolina 301 1.5 644 1.6 75,399 1.6

South Dakota 40 0.2 87 0.2 10,804 0.2

Tennessee 463 2.3 951 2.4 114,579 2.4

Texas 1,595 8.1 3,758 9.6 423,764 9.0

Utah 76 0.4 184 0.5 20,546 0.4

Vermont 41 0.2 72 0.2 8,584 0.2

Virgin Islands 14 0.1 27 0.1 4,614 0.1

Virginia 342 1.7 712 1.8 82,316 1.8

Washington 495 2.5 862 2.2 100,650 2.1

West Virginia 163 0.8 314 0.8 34,929 0.7

Wisconsin 323 1.6 632 1.6 64,257 1.4

Wyoming 13 0.1 29 0.1 3,299 0.1

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
84 

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

 Average values

State

Gross 

countable 

income as a 

percentage of 

poverty 

guidelines 

(percent)

Gross 

countable 

income

(dollars)

Net 

countable 

income

(dollars)b

Total 

deductions 

(dollars)c

SNAP 

benefit 

(dollars)

Household 

size 

(individuals)

Certification 

period

(months)

Total 62.8 844 383 562 239 2.0 14.2

Alabama 59.9 808 398 473 247 2.1 16.4

Alaska 51.1 947 491 643 387 2.3 8.9

Arizona 52.8 773 398 467 257 2.2 10.9

Arkansas 57.3 817 492 375 239 2.3 19.4

California 52.6 750 310 585 263 2.0 14.4

Colorado 61.1 827 345 593 247 2.0 12.5

Connecticut 71.1 897 292 744 223 1.7 17.6

Delaware 70.5 945 504 513 219 2.0 15.8

District of Columbia 46.9 568 295 472 211 1.6 15.1

Florida 68.1 890 385 571 216 1.9 9.4

Georgia 56.6 773 374 482 262 2.2 8.1

Guam 61.6 1,073 578 617 533 2.9 12.0

Hawaii 57.5 901 514 441 463 1.9 11.6

Idaho 65.9 940 504 506 234 2.3 11.0

Illinois 58.0 786 350 526 240 2.0 12.1

Indiana 61.2 864 421 519 254 2.2 11.8

Iowa 68.2 942 518 506 212 2.1 7.7

Kansas 64.3 888 424 544 237 2.1 16.9

Kentucky 50.9 720 422 395 240 2.1 16.1

Louisiana 52.1 715 338 454 264 2.1 16.7

Maine 81.1 1,036 436 653 198 1.8 12.0

Maryland 67.0 880 413 549 211 1.9 11.3

Massachusetts 74.8 930 322 724 210 1.7 18.1

Michigan 68.3 886 376 639 220 1.9 16.3

Minnesota 68.3 925 519 525 208 2.0 13.8

Mississippi 56.5 775 429 418 241 2.2 17.8

Missouri 61.0 828 388 526 249 2.1 17.2

Montana 69.2 938 434 591 227 2.0 15.7

Nebraska 62.8 901 440 563 247 2.2 8.2

Nevada 59.7 806 448 444 216 1.9 7.8

New Hampshire 79.2 1,076 508 642 193 2.0 7.3

New Jersey 74.8 1,002 426 652 222 2.0 16.4

New Mexico 57.4 810 417 467 234 2.1 15.3

New York 76.4 963 352 775 233 1.8 20.7

North Carolina 52.7 642 254 501 244 1.8 9.2

North Dakota 68.3 916 360 655 251 2.1 8.2

Ohio 64.4 850 377 561 237 2.0 14.4

Oklahoma 53.1 746 391 441 254 2.2 15.6

Oregon 65.9 836 369 564 201 1.7 12.1

Pennsylvania 75.6 980 422 672 219 1.9 21.2

Rhode Island 69.6 837 287 707 216 1.7 17.0

South Carolina 57.4 769 389 458 250 2.1 8.8

South Dakota 59.9 842 340 629 271 2.2 13.7

Tennessee 52.4 700 358 407 248 2.1 11.9

Texas 58.1 862 451 549 266 2.4 12.9

Utah 58.2 897 451 526 271 2.4 7.6

Vermont 88.5 1,125 352 920 211 1.8 16.9

Virgin Islands 45.8 630 363 321 340 2.0 15.3

Virginia 58.4 781 395 451 241 2.1 16.4

Washington 66.0 850 368 575 203 1.7 16.5

West Virginia 60.0 784 431 446 214 1.9 17.1

Wisconsin 75.1 998 513 564 199 2.0 11.7

Wyoming 61.8 876 415 560 259 2.3 6.9

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
85 

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

 Gross countable income as a percentage of the poverty guidelines

 

Total 

households

Zero gross 

income

1 percent to 

50 percent

51 percent to 

100 percent 

101 percent or 

more

State

Number

(000)

Number

(000) Percent

Number

(000) Percent

Number

(000) Percent

Number

(000) Percent

Totala 19,699 3,796 19.3 3,659 18.6 8,581 43.6 3,663 18.6

Alabama 354 56 15.8 75 21.3 171 48.3 52 14.6

Alaska 39 11 28.5 8 21.3 14 36.9 5 13.2

Arizona 377 103 27.4 74 19.6 137 36.2 63 16.8

Arkansas 161 27 16.7 32 19.7 84 52.3 18 11.3

California 1,911 518 27.1 578 30.3 468 24.5 346 18.1

Colorado 219 37 16.8 45 20.6 99 45.1 38 17.4

Connecticut 219 38 17.3 35 15.9 89 40.7 57 26.1

Delaware 67 11 15.8 13 19.4 27 40.2 16 24.6

District of Columbia 68 25 36.6 14 21.2 21 30.5 8 11.8

Florida 1,632 263 16.1 227 13.9 821 50.3 321 19.6

Georgia 699 168 24.0 132 18.8 289 41.3 111 15.8

Guam 15 3 18.1 5 29.8 4 27.9 4 24.2

Hawaii 82 11 12.9 21 25.5 42 50.7 9 10.9

Idaho 69 9 12.9 13 18.2 36 51.6 12 17.3

Illinois 904 254 28.0 115 12.7 380 42.0 156 17.2

Indiana 270 41 15.1 47 17.5 143 53.0 39 14.4

Iowa 161 26 16.2 29 17.7 71 43.8 36 22.2

Kansas 99 13 13.2 18 17.7 54 54.0 15 15.2

Kentucky 279 70 25.0 51 18.3 131 47.0 27 9.7

Louisiana 401 78 19.4 101 25.2 181 45.1 41 10.3

Maine 85 7 8.7 6 7.6 48 56.3 23 27.4

Maryland 341 61 18.0 61 17.8 145 42.5 74 21.7

Massachusetts 447 73 16.2 62 13.9 204 45.7 108 24.2

Michigan 672 124 18.5 90 13.4 299 44.5 159 23.7

Minnesota 208 15 7.4 56 26.8 87 41.9 50 23.9

Mississippi 230 43 18.7 45 19.7 116 50.2 26 11.3

Missouri 331 61 18.4 56 16.8 161 48.6 54 16.2

Montana 55 9 16.8 8 15.2 24 44.8 13 23.3

Nebraska 75 13 16.9 14 18.6 34 45.2 14 19.3

Nevada 226 60 26.5 42 18.5 81 35.9 43 19.0

New Hampshire 43 4 9.9 3 7.6 24 56.3 11 26.2

New Jersey 376 31 8.2 62 16.6 195 51.7 89 23.6

New Mexico 214 43 19.9 44 20.6 98 45.7 29 13.8

New York 1,520 140 9.2 258 17.0 786 51.7 336 22.1

North Carolina 607 166 27.3 129 21.2 233 38.4 80 13.2

North Dakota 24 4 14.8 5 19.0 10 41.1 6 25.0

Ohio 698 120 17.3 107 15.3 343 49.2 127 18.2

Oklahoma 260 59 22.6 53 20.4 121 46.5 27 10.5

Oregon 358 76 21.3 62 17.3 128 35.7 92 25.7

Pennsylvania 946 139 14.7 112 11.9 440 46.6 254 26.9

Rhode Island 91 19 20.7 11 11.6 42 46.0 20 21.7

South Carolina 301 59 19.6 57 18.8 148 49.0 38 12.6

South Dakota 40 8 21.1 8 20.0 16 40.1 8 18.9

Tennessee 463 116 25.0 83 18.0 215 46.5 49 10.5

Texas 1,595 338 21.2 331 20.8 659 41.3 268 16.8

Utah 76 14 19.1 15 20.2 35 45.8 11 14.9

Vermont 41 3 8.0 4 9.7 18 45.2 15 37.1

Virgin Islands 14 2 17.5 6 47.1 3 20.6 2 14.7

Virginia 342 51 15.0 76 22.2 174 50.9 41 11.9 

Washington 495 95 19.1 79 16.0 220 44.4 102 20.5

West Virginia 163 33 20.5 30 18.5 72 43.9 28 17.1

Wisconsin 323 47 14.6 48 14.9 138 42.6 90 27.9

Wyoming 13 2 18.7 2 16.3 6 48.3 2 16.7

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
86 

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

 

Households with 

shelter deduction

Households at the 

shelter cap Average 

monthly 

shelter 

expense 

(dollars)

Average monthly 

shelter expense 

among households 

with expense 

(dollars)

Average 

shelter 

deduction 

(dollars)d State

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Totala 13,693 69.5 2,779 14.1 635 794 418

Alabama 242 68.4 20 5.6 479 600 307

Alaska 26 65.6 2 4.3 567 710 399

Arizona 213 56.5 47 12.6 473 685 349

Arkansas 86 53.5 6 3.5 386 515 244

California 1,420 74.3 489 25.6 648 829 441

Colorado 170 77.6 44 20.3 711 820 440

Connecticut 178 81.2 56 25.6 928 1,113 616

Delaware 43 64.3 7 10.7 576 758 371

District of Columbia 59 87.3 4 5.2 487 507 310

Florida 1,200 73.6 192 11.8 658 810 427

Georgia 429 61.4 65 9.2 496 692 366

Guam 5 30.4 0 2.6 271 446 254

Hawaii 37 45.2 2 2.1 373 523 270

Idaho 51 73.8 7 9.4 554 635 295

Illinois 600 66.3 99 11.0 559 765 396

Indiana 194 71.7 24 8.9 567 701 360

Iowa 109 67.9 17 10.6 555 659 330

Kansas 78 79.0 9 8.8 588 656 343

Kentucky 160 57.5 9 3.3 396 565 274

Louisiana 262 65.3 28 7.0 470 627 326

Maine 71 82.8 10 11.8 839 941 501

Maryland 216 63.3 46 13.6 594 778 394

Massachusetts 364 81.3 84 18.8 861 1,024 567

Michigan 503 74.9 113 16.8 708 865 479

Minnesota 129 62.1 28 13.2 619 814 436

Mississippi 111 48.1 9 3.7 398 527 291

Missouri 233 70.4 33 10.1 552 675 362

Montana 41 76.0 8 14.1 675 812 418

Nebraska 57 76.3 11 14.3 645 738 381

Nevada 127 56.5 18 7.8 467 688 325

New Hampshire 33 76.7 7 15.5 830 924 500

New Jersey 297 78.8 63 16.8 801 912 476

New Mexico 136 63.5 21 10.0 484 640 320

New York 1,036 68.1 370 24.4 1,024 1,090 576

North Carolina 376 61.9 85 13.9 503 699 409

North Dakota 18 74.3 5 19.6 686 824 461

Ohio 504 72.3 82 11.7 639 793 438

Oklahoma 167 64.2 17 6.4 448 597 299

Oregon 260 72.6 51 14.2 637 816 418

Pennsylvania 782 82.7 195 20.6 815 907 483

Rhode Island 77 84.8 23 24.8 824 949 543

South Carolina 167 55.3 20 6.6 446 585 319

South Dakota 26 64.8 9 22.5 688 876 497

Tennessee 257 55.5 22 4.7 399 610 304

Texas 1,080 67.7 169 10.6 552 708 345

Utah 50 66.3 11 14.7 589 756 369

Vermont 40 98.3 13 31.2 1,185 1,185 643

Virgin Islands 5 33.7 0 3.6 178 302 182

Virginia 227 66.3 21 6.2 469 586 302

Washington 397 80.1 57 11.6 680 811 410

West Virginia 109 67.1 11 6.8 501 627 327

Wisconsin 226 70.1 41 12.6 660 795 401

Wyoming 9 73.4 2 12.7 572 688 352

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
87 

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

 Households with:

 Children

Elderly 

individuals

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities

Single adults with 

children

Adults age 18–49 

without 

disabilities in 

childless 

householdse

State

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Totala 8,064 40.9 5,105 25.9 4,073 20.7 4,925 25.0 2,688 13.6

Alabama 168 47.6 80 22.7 86 24.4 121 34.1 36 10.3

Alaska 16 41.3 8 21.4 6 14.6 7 18.7 9 21.8

Arizona 175 46.3 80 21.1 55 14.5 102 27.0 63 16.7

Arkansas 78 48.3 30 18.6 53 33.0 53 32.7 16 9.8

California 940 49.2 325 17.0 51 2.7 449 23.5 414 21.7

Colorado 94 42.8 55 25.3 41 18.7 59 26.9 26 12.0

Connecticut 69 31.4 65 29.8 53 24.1 49 22.5 35 15.8

Delaware 29 43.7 15 22.1 15 21.8 20 30.4 7 10.7

District of Columbia 20 28.9 15 22.8 12 17.0 16 23.6 17 25.2

Florida 624 38.3 585 35.9 299 18.4 324 19.9 146 8.9

Georgia 327 46.8 156 22.2 154 22.0 233 33.2 87 12.5

Guam 10 63.5 2 15.5 0 0.9 3 21.9 2 16.0

Hawaii 27 32.7 28 34.0 15 17.7 13 15.9 11 12.8

Idaho 33 47.3 16 23.3 19 26.9 18 26.0 6 8.9

Illinois 346 38.3 253 28.0 147 16.3 214 23.7 143 15.9

Indiana 125 46.3 61 22.7 78 28.7 88 32.5 21 7.7

Iowa 66 40.7 30 18.7 37 22.8 40 25.1 30 18.6

Kansas 41 41.4 23 23.7 30 30.2 23 23.0 9 8.9

Kentucky 113 40.6 65 23.3 80 28.7 68 24.2 48 17.2

Louisiana 180 44.9 79 19.6 107 26.8 144 35.8 62 15.4

Maine 28 33.2 29 34.1 28 33.4 16 18.9 5 5.9

Maryland 127 37.1 98 28.7 66 19.3 86 25.3 46 13.5

Massachusetts 138 30.9 137 30.7 129 28.9 95 21.3 61 13.6

Michigan 227 33.8 147 21.9 195 29.0 137 20.3 107 15.9

Minnesota 80 38.5 47 22.4 52 24.9 46 22.1 28 13.4

Mississippi 110 47.7 49 21.1 62 26.9 70 30.5 17 7.6

Missouri 148 44.8 73 22.0 92 27.8 105 31.6 31 9.5

Montana 21 38.5 13 24.5 12 22.9 13 23.9 8 15.5

Nebraska 34 46.1 16 20.8 18 24.2 20 26.4 9 11.6

Nevada 80 35.5 50 22.0 32 14.3 45 20.0 56 24.8

New Hampshire 18 41.9 10 22.8 17 40.3 13 30.0 3 7.3

New Jersey 143 38.0 134 35.7 76 20.3 77 20.5 29 7.7

New Mexico 88 41.1 49 22.8 36 17.1 53 24.6 43 20.2

New York 492 32.4 549 36.1 388 25.5 282 18.5 181 11.9

North Carolina 236 38.8 130 21.3 111 18.2 169 27.8 105 17.3

North Dakota 10 41.7 5 19.8 7 28.9 7 28.4 3 13.0

Ohio 281 40.3 181 25.9 176 25.3 197 28.2 77 11.0

Oklahoma 117 45.2 52 20.1 52 20.1 76 29.4 42 16.1

Oregon 101 28.2 95 26.6 68 19.0 58 16.1 85 23.9

Pennsylvania 320 33.9 291 30.8 240 25.4 204 21.6 141 15.0

Rhode Island 28 30.3 30 32.5 20 22.3 19 21.0 14 15.7

South Carolina 146 48.3 78 26.0 67 22.2 108 35.8 24 7.8

South Dakota 18 45.8 8 19.7 9 23.3 11 28.7 6 14.1

Tennessee 193 41.8 101 21.9 112 24.2 129 27.8 68 14.8

Texas 852 53.4 382 23.9 302 18.9 503 31.5 100 6.3

Utah 39 51.3 13 17.6 16 21.5 23 30.2 10 12.6

Vermont 12 29.6 14 33.6 13 31.4 7 17.6 4 10.6

Virgin Islands 6 42.9 3 24.4 0 2.9 4 28.1 3 21.0

Virginia 154 44.9 95 27.7 90 26.3 100 29.3 24 7.0

Washington 149 30.0 132 26.7 121 24.5 90 18.1 98 19.7

West Virginia 61 37.3 41 25.3 40 24.5 35 21.8 26 16.2

Wisconsin 120 37.2 80 24.9 82 25.3 79 24.3 44 13.7

Wyoming 6 48.7 3 21.2 3 21.8 4 32.7 1 10.0

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
88 

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

 Households with countable:

 Earned Income GA SSI Social Security TANFf

State

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Totala 5,897 29.9 600 3.0 4,506 22.9 5,847 29.7 877 4.5

Alabama 113 31.9 - - 83 23.5 122 34.6 5 1.6

Alaska 11 29.1 10 26.6 6 14.6 10 24.6 3 8.1

Arizona 124 32.8 - - 60 15.8 86 22.7 6 1.6

Arkansas 44 27.1 0 0.3 52 32.5 54 33.4 2 1.4

California 670 35.1 87 4.5 - - 296 15.5 311 16.3

Colorado 64 29.1 24 11.1 45 20.4 65 29.7 15 6.9

Connecticut 54 24.5 15 6.8 54 24.7 77 35.3 12 5.5

Delaware 20 30.5 6 9.0 13 19.2 19 29.0 3 3.9

District of 

Columbia 10 14.1 1 0.9 14 21.3 14 21.1 9 13.3

Florida 475 29.1 5 0.3 456 27.9 564 34.6 41 2.5

Georgia 208 29.7 - - 156 22.2 211 30.2 6 0.8

Guam 8 55.0 1 5.6 - - 2 12.4 1 3.8

Hawaii 24 28.7 6 7.6 18 22.0 26 31.4 5 5.7

Idaho 26 37.5 11 15.7 18 26.5 23 32.5 2 2.6

Illinois 259 28.6 16 1.7 180 19.9 245 27.1 15 1.7

Indiana 88 32.4 0 0.1 74 27.2 89 32.8 2 0.9

Iowa 62 38.7 0 0.2 32 20.1 43 26.9 6 4.0

Kansas 33 32.9 - - 29 29.7 36 35.8 3 3.2

Kentucky 64 22.9 2 0.8 76 27.2 78 28.0 12 4.2

Louisiana 113 28.3 1 0.2 117 29.2 105 26.2 2 0.6

Maine 19 22.8 28 32.7 26 30.2 42 49.7 5 5.5

Maryland 88 25.9 16 4.7 75 21.9 108 31.8 17 4.9

Massachusetts 87 19.5 21 4.7 143 32.0 163 36.5 28 6.4

Michigan 211 31.4 4 0.6 187 27.8 208 30.9 13 2.0

Minnesota 71 34.1 16 7.8 54 25.8 67 32.0 24 11.5

Mississippi 60 26.0 - - 71 30.9 73 31.9 4 1.9

Missouri 85 25.8 0 0.1 88 26.5 112 34.0 10 3.0

Montana 19 35.6 0 0.7 11 20.4 19 34.2 4 6.5

Nebraska 27 35.7 6 8.1 17 22.8 22 29.3 3 4.6

Nevada 73 32.5 - - 33 14.8 55 24.6 8 3.5

New Hampshire 11 24.8 6 15.0 12 29.1 19 43.5 3 6.9

New Jersey 112 29.7 15 3.9 107 28.3 130 34.5 7 1.9

New Mexico 77 36.3 3 1.6 43 20.0 57 26.6 12 5.7

New York 372 24.5 161 10.6 552 36.3 547 36.0 71 4.7

North Carolina 172 28.3 3 0.5 126 20.8 159 26.2 8 1.4

North Dakota 8 31.2 0 1.1 5 21.0 9 35.8 1 5.0

Ohio 207 29.7 5 0.7 181 26.0 225 32.2 25 3.6

Oklahoma 82 31.7 58 22.5 62 23.7 69 26.5 4 1.4

Oregon 108 30.2 2 0.6 65 18.1 113 31.6 17 4.6

Pennsylvania 295 31.2 - - 258 27.3 358 37.8 35 3.7

Rhode Island 20 22.1 0 0.2 24 26.0 33 36.1 6 6.2

South Carolina 78 26.0 0 0.1 72 23.7 95 31.4 10 3.2

South Dakota 12 30.1 0 0.1 8 19.4 12 30.8 3 7.2

Tennessee 113 24.3 - - 116 25.0 138 29.8 17 3.7

Texas 606 38.0 - - 315 19.7 367 23.0 27 1.7

Utah 27 36.0 1 1.0 16 20.6 18 24.2 3 3.5

Vermont 11 27.8 1 1.9 10 25.4 20 50.3 3 7.2

Virgin Islands 4 32.3 1 6.3 - - 3 19.7 0 3.3

Virginia 97 28.2 1 0.2 102 29.7 116 33.9 16 4.8

Washington 118 23.9 57 11.6 130 26.3 154 31.2 22 4.4

West Virginia 38 23.2 4 2.2 42 25.7 52 32.1 2 1.4 

Wisconsin 114 35.3 4 1.1 70 21.7 113 35.0 6 1.8

Wyoming 4 35.2 0 1.6 2 19.5 4 30.8 0 0.8

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
89 

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

 Average countable values (dollars)g

State Earned income GA SSI Social Security TANFf

Total 1,196 246 579 876 425

Alabama 1,056 - 539 798 200

Alaska 1,476 309 536 831 699

Arizona 1,288 - 545 835 207

Arkansas 1,135 144 561 763 146

California 1,183 231 - 984 566

Colorado 1,184 274 552 852 377

Connecticut 1,276 179 565 931 493

Delaware 1,458 104 633 952 284

District of Columbia 1,169 357 581 802 434

Florida 1,304 283 542 839 231

Georgia 1,049 - 547 913 212

Guam 1,611 253 - 832 175

Hawaii 1,283 398 573 857 682

Idaho 1,176 55 572 827 119

Illinois 1,301 130 590 868 302

Indiana 1,163 1,083 561 807 173

Iowa 1,187 196 589 872 348

Kansas 1,168 - 555 786 255

Kentucky 1,126 231 589 838 233

Louisiana 965 231 593 758 212

Maine 1,418 18 530 921 474

Maryland 1,372 216 527 886 547

Massachusetts 1,445 320 614 920 453

Michigan 1,162 172 592 945 351

Minnesotah 1,212 228 606 844 12

Mississippi 1,132 - 534 768 138

Missouri 1,240 292 552 856 210

Montana 1,234 493 517 860 534

Nebraska 1,140 140 546 873 411

Nevada 1,261 - 668 898 343

New Hampshire 1,425 174 597 920 734

New Jersey 1,394 192 575 898 378

New Mexico 1,133 237 540 796 329

New York 1,154 442 630 892 556

North Carolina 949 239 493 833 213

North Dakota 1,327 337 522 874 296

Ohio 1,102 382 598 889 382

Oklahoma 1,079 35 524 768 248

Oregon 1,111 368 602 938 431

Pennsylvania 1,243 - 580 957 295

Rhode Island 1,257 200 648 897 383

South Carolina 1,101 89 579 859 217

South Dakota 1,222 510 557 861 405

Tennessee 1,090 - 540 814 180

Texas 1,233 - 613 847 189

Utah 1,291 307 576 810 418

Vermont 1,319 119 565 995 468

Virgin Islands 1,046 198 - 938 196

Virginia 971 378 545 801 308

Washington 1,391 93 594 862 390

West Virginia 1,143 317 584 876 270

Wisconsin 1,224 376 641 977 508

Wyoming 1,189 367 529 868 372

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
90 

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

 Households with earned income

Average earned income deduction 

(dollars)

State

Number 

(000) Percent

Average 

earned income 

(dollars)

All 

householdsi

Households with 

deduction

Totala 5,897 29.9 1,196 74 240

Alabama 113 31.9 1,056 67 211

Alaska 11 29.1 1,476 86 295

Arizona 124 32.8 1,288 85 257

Arkansas 44 27.1 1,135 61 227

California 670 35.1 1,183 83 236

Colorado 64 29.1 1,184 69 236

Connecticut 54 24.5 1,276 62 255

Delaware 20 30.5 1,458 89 291

District of Columbia 10 14.1 1,169 33 233

Florida 475 29.1 1,304 78 260

Georgia 208 29.7 1,049 62 210

Guam 8 55.0 1,611 177 322

Hawaii 24 28.7 1,283 73 257

Idaho 26 37.5 1,176 88 235

Illinois 259 28.6 1,301 74 260

Indiana 88 32.4 1,163 75 232

Iowa 62 38.7 1,187 92 239

Kansas 33 32.9 1,168 77 233

Kentucky 64 22.9 1,126 53 225

Louisiana 113 28.3 965 55 193

Maine 19 22.8 1,418 65 285

Maryland 88 25.9 1,372 73 274

Massachusetts 87 19.5 1,445 60 289

Michigan 211 31.4 1,162 74 233

Minnesota 71 34.1 1,212 86 295

Mississippi 60 26.0 1,132 68 227

Missouri 85 25.8 1,240 64 248

Montana 19 35.6 1,234 88 247

Nebraska 27 35.7 1,140 81 228

Nevada 73 32.5 1,261 82 252

New Hampshire 11 24.8 1,425 71 285

New Jersey 112 29.7 1,394 84 278

New Mexico 77 36.3 1,133 82 226

New York 372 24.5 1,154 72 234

North Carolina 172 28.3 949 56 189

North Dakota 8 31.2 1,327 83 265

Ohio 207 29.7 1,102 65 220

Oklahoma 82 31.7 1,079 68 215

Oregon 108 30.2 1,111 67 222

Pennsylvania 295 31.2 1,243 79 248

Rhode Island 20 22.1 1,257 55 251

South Carolina 78 26.0 1,101 63 220

South Dakota 12 30.1 1,222 79 249

Tennessee 113 24.3 1,090 53 218

Texas 606 38.0 1,233 101 246

Utah 27 36.0 1,291 93 258

Vermont 11 27.8 1,319 73 265

Virgin Islands 4 32.3 1,046 68 209

Virginia 97 28.2 971 55 194

Washington 118 23.9 1,391 82 278

West Virginia 38 23.2 1,143 53 228

Wisconsin 114 35.3 1,224 86 245

Wyoming 4 35.2 1,189 84 237

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
91 

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

 

Total 

entrant 

households

Entrant households 

eligible for and receiving 

expedited service

Entrant households eligible 

for but not receiving 

expedited service

Entrant households not 

eligible for expedited 

service

State

Number 

(000)

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Totala 784 393 50.2 46 5.9 344 43.9

Alabama 12 6 48.6 0 2.0 6 49.4

Alaska 2 1 37.6 0 3.0 1 59.4

Arizona 21 12 54.7 2 8.7 8 36.6

Arkansas 8 3 35.0 1 7.7 4 57.4

California 66 53 80.6 3 4.4 10 15.0

Colorado 13 9 69.2 1 3.9 4 26.9

Connecticut 6 3 52.8 - - 3 47.2

Delaware 2 1 48.5 0 3.6 1 47.8

District of Columbia 3 2 59.4 0 5.1 1 35.4

Florida 42 19 45.1 - - 23 54.9

Georgia 22 14 63.6 1 3.0 7 33.4

Guam 1 0 19.5 0 5.5 0 74.9

Hawaii 2 1 49.6 - - 1 50.4

Idaho 4 2 44.7 - - 2 55.3

Illinois 26 13 49.0 6 21.2 8 29.7

Indiana 10 6 56.7 2 20.9 2 22.5

Iowa 7 3 39.0 1 7.4 4 53.6

Kansas 4 1 34.4 0 8.4 2 57.2

Kentucky 14 8 58.0 - - 6 42.0

Louisiana 18 6 35.7 1 6.3 10 58.1

Maine 2 1 34.2 0 13.0 1 52.9

Maryland 22 10 45.7 1 4.5 11 49.8

Massachusetts 23 13 59.1 1 5.5 8 35.4

Michigan 25 14 54.2 1 3.5 11 42.3

Minnesota 9 5 58.7 0 4.2 3 37.1

Mississippi 4 2 53.8 0 5.7 2 40.5

Missouri 17 11 64.1 1 4.1 5 31.9

Montana 2 1 59.9 0 2.9 1 37.2

Nebraska 5 3 52.6 0 2.1 2 45.4

Nevada 12 4 32.3 1 6.7 7 61.0

New Hampshire 2 1 43.9 0 3.5 1 52.6

New Jersey 4 1 20.7 - - 3 79.3

New Mexico 13 8 60.3 0 3.3 5 36.4

New York 36 22 61.7 2 4.3 12 34.0

North Carolina 30 15 50.8 2 7.5 13 41.8

North Dakota 1 0 22.8 0 11.2 1 66.0

Ohio 27 9 31.9 6 20.9 13 47.2

Oklahoma 14 8 57.2 1 6.3 5 36.5

Oregon 12 7 58.7 - - 5 41.3

Pennsylvania 34 29 84.4 - - 5 15.6

Rhode Island 2 1 22.5 0 7.5 2 69.9

South Carolina 10 3 30.2 1 10.9 6 58.9

South Dakota 1 1 50.4 0 3.7 1 46.0

Tennessee 17 8 46.2 3 19.9 6 33.9

Texas 118 29 24.8 5 4.3 83 70.9

Utah 4 1 39.2 0 4.4 2 56.3

Vermont 1 1 38.5 0 5.1 1 56.4

Virgin Islands 0 0 88.6 - - 0 11.4

Virginia 8 4 52.9 1 14.3 3 32.8

Washington 23 8 34.8 2 8.0 13 57.2

West Virginia 5 2 45.8 0 3.6 2 50.6

Wisconsin 15 8 55.8 - - 7 44.2

Wyoming 1 1 56.4 0 3.8 0 39.7

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
92 

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

 Race and Hispanic status of household headj

 

White, not 

Hispanic

African American, 

not Hispanic

Hispanic, any 

race

Other, not 

Hispanick

Missing/

unknownl

State

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Totala 7,693 39.1 4,775 24.2 2,327 11.8 898 4.6 4,007 20.3

Alabama 148 41.7 188 53.1 4 1.1 3 0.9 11 3.1

Alaska 14 36.7 2 5.2 0 1.2 18 46.2 4 10.7

Arizona 158 41.9 26 6.9 110 29.2 53 14.0 30 8.0

Arkansas 89 55.3 61 38.2 3 1.7 3 1.9 5 2.9

California 497 26.0 294 15.4 604 31.6 156 8.2 361 18.9

Colorado 39 17.9 9 4.2 26 11.8 6 2.6 139 63.5

Connecticut 80 36.8 43 19.7 59 27.1 4 1.9 32 14.5

Delaware 7 10.7 7 10.0 1 1.2 0 0.2 52 78.0

District of Columbia 1 1.4 63 92.9 2 2.5 1 1.3 1 1.9

Florida 510 31.3 393 24.1 561 34.4 10 0.6 158 9.7

Georgia 233 33.3 399 57.0 19 2.7 12 1.7 37 5.3

Guam 0 0.9 0 0.3 - - 12 79.5 3 19.2

Hawaii 16 19.3 2 1.9 2 2.2 38 46.0 25 30.6

Idaho 57 82.3 1 0.9 6 8.3 2 3.1 4 5.4

Illinois 315 34.8 211 23.4 44 4.9 30 3.3 304 33.6

Indiana 186 68.7 61 22.4 13 4.7 6 2.1 6 2.1

Iowa 89 55.5 19 11.5 2 1.0 3 1.7 49 30.3

Kansas 42 41.9 8 8.4 4 3.8 3 2.6 43 43.3

Kentucky 232 83.0 38 13.7 4 1.3 3 1.2 2 0.8

Louisiana 109 27.2 215 53.5 4 1.0 3 0.9 69 17.3

Maine 78 91.7 2 2.6 0 0.4 2 2.4 2 2.9

Maryland 117 34.2 190 55.6 11 3.2 12 3.6 11 3.4

Massachusetts 243 54.3 67 14.9 95 21.2 24 5.4 19 4.2

Michigan 309 46.0 200 29.7 18 2.8 9 1.3 136 20.3

Minnesota 78 37.3 44 21.2 4 1.8 19 9.1 64 30.7

Mississippi 61 26.3 112 48.4 1 0.3 2 0.7 56 24.2

Missouri 218 65.8 91 27.6 1 0.5 5 1.6 15 4.6

Montana 38 69.8 0 0.6 0 0.8 8 15.3 7 13.5

Nebraska 42 56.7 13 17.3 4 5.0 3 3.7 13 17.3

Nevada 93 41.2 59 26.1 43 18.9 16 7.0 15 6.9

New Hampshire 34 79.8 1 2.1 1 3.5 1 2.3 5 12.3

New Jersey 157 41.6 73 19.5 19 5.1 21 5.5 106 28.2

New Mexico 69 32.4 4 2.0 56 26.4 32 14.9 52 24.3

New York 544 35.8 440 28.9 346 22.8 108 7.1 82 5.4

North Carolina 260 42.8 281 46.2 6 1.0 20 3.3 41 6.7

North Dakota 17 68.8 1 5.4 0 0.5 6 23.7 0 1.6

Ohio 469 67.3 205 29.4 1 0.2 13 1.8 9 1.3

Oklahoma 148 57.1 40 15.2 16 6.3 28 11.0 27 10.4

Oregon 272 76.1 13 3.7 6 1.6 19 5.3 48 13.3

Pennsylvania 560 59.2 249 26.4 6 0.6 109 11.5 22 2.3

Rhode Island 45 49.5 12 13.5 15 16.7 3 3.3 15 17.0

South Carolina 111 36.8 172 57.0 5 1.6 5 1.6 9 3.0

South Dakota 19 47.3 1 3.1 0 0.9 11 28.2 8 20.5

Tennessee 74 16.0 48 10.3 0 0.1 3 0.7 337 72.9

Texas 133 8.3 156 9.8 185 11.6 14 0.9 1,108 69.5

Utah 50 65.9 2 3.0 2 2.7 3 4.3 18 24.1

Vermont 33 80.7 1 1.3 0 0.2 1 1.8 7 16.0

Virgin Islands 0 1.9 10 71.8 2 15.0 0 1.9 1 9.4

Virginia 163 47.6 146 42.6 7 2.1 9 2.6 18 5.2

Washington 90 18.1 9 1.8 5 1.0 15 3.0 377 76.2

West Virginia 151 92.4 7 4.6 - - 1 0.4 4 2.6

Wisconsin 186 57.6 87 26.9 2 0.8 11 3.5 36 11.3

Wyoming 10 79.9 0 1.2 1 9.2 1 8.0 0 1.6

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
93 

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

 Standard Utility Allowance (SUA)-usage and entitlementm

 

Total 

households

Households with 

heating/cooling SUA

Households with 

another SUA

Households 

with no SUA

State

Number 

(000)

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Totala 19,699 12,542 63.7 1,427 7.2 5,098 25.9

Alabama 354 247 69.7 14 4.0 93 26.3

Alaska 39 15 37.9 14 35.5 10 26.7

Arizona 377 195 51.6 44 11.7 137 36.4

Arkansas 161 89 55.3 5 3.0 67 41.7

California 1,911 1,345 70.4 46 2.4 520 27.2

Colorado 219 136 62.1 41 18.6 42 19.3

Connecticut 219 173 78.9 4 1.8 42 19.2

Delaware 67 36 54.3 4 5.7 27 40.1

District of Columbia 68 63 93.4 1 1.6 3 4.9

Florida 1,632 1,031 63.2 141 8.6 460 28.2

Georgia 699 432 61.8 18 2.6 249 35.6

Guam 15 - - 8 49.8 8 50.2

Hawaii 82 1 0.6 41 49.7 41 49.7

Idaho 69 50 71.8 7 10.2 12 18.0

Illinois 904 472 52.1 105 11.6 328 36.3

Indiana 270 183 67.8 8 3.1 79 29.1

Iowa 161 106 65.6 20 12.3 36 22.1

Kansas 99 73 74.1 6 5.9 20 20.1

Kentucky 279 166 59.6 8 2.8 95 33.9

Louisiana 401 255 63.7 25 6.1 116 29.0

Maine 85 59 68.9 15 17.3 12 13.8

Maryland 341 159 46.5 32 9.4 139 40.8

Massachusetts 447 320 71.5 46 10.4 81 18.1

Michigan 672 480 71.5 43 6.4 136 20.3

Minnesota 208 113 54.1 28 13.2 44 20.9

Mississippi 230 129 56.2 2 1.0 69 29.8

Missouri 331 226 68.3 24 7.2 81 24.4

Montana 55 37 68.3 3 6.2 14 25.5

Nebraska 75 52 69.2 8 11.3 15 19.5

Nevada 226 112 49.7 16 7.2 97 43.2

New Hampshire 43 22 52.7 11 25.6 9 21.7

New Jersey 376 249 66.2 14 3.7 109 29.0

New Mexico 214 128 59.9 19 8.9 67 31.2

New York 1,520 919 60.5 98 6.5 160 10.5

North Carolina 607 357 58.7 27 4.5 197 32.4

North Dakota 24 17 68.0 2 9.9 5 22.0

Ohio 698 480 68.8 32 4.6 186 26.7

Oklahoma 260 162 62.3 16 6.1 82 31.6

Oregon 358 244 68.3 24 6.7 89 25.0

Pennsylvania 946 790 83.6 17 1.8 119 12.6

Rhode Island 91 73 79.7 0 0.1 18 20.3

South Carolina 301 176 58.2 1 0.3 98 32.5

South Dakota 40 24 59.5 1 2.4 12 31.0

Tennessee 463 250 53.9 13 2.8 200 43.2

Texas 1,595 1,017 63.8 158 9.9 308 19.3

Utah 76 41 54.3 10 12.7 25 33.0

Vermont 41 40 99.2 0 0.8 - - 

Virgin Islands 14 - - 0 3.6 13 96.4

Virginia 342 173 50.7 49 14.3 116 33.8

Washington 495 308 62.3 100 20.3 87 17.5

West Virginia 163 115 70.6 5 3.3 43 26.2

Wisconsin 323 195 60.3 50 15.6 78 24.1

Wyoming 13 8 61.4 1 9.4 4 29.2

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
94 

Table B.12. Distribution of participating categorically eligible households by public assistance status and by State

 Categorically eligible households

 

Total 

households

Total 

households

Pure public assistance 

householdsn

Other categorically 

eligible householdso

State

Number 

(000)

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Totala 19,699 18,148 92.1 4,410 22.4 13,737 69.7

Alabama 354 354 100.0 63 17.9 291 82.1

Alaska 39 12 30.2 11 28.2 1 2.0

Arizona 377 377 99.9 48 12.6 329 87.3

Arkansas 161 37 22.9 34 21.2 3 1.7

California 1,911 1,911 100.0 342 17.9 1,570 82.1

Colorado 219 219 100.0 64 29.1 155 70.9

Connecticut 219 219 100.0 61 28.0 157 72.0

Delaware 67 67 100.0 16 23.9 51 76.1

District of Columbia 68 68 100.0 20 29.2 48 70.8

Florida 1,632 1,632 100.0 395 24.2 1,236 75.8

Georgia 699 699 100.0 108 15.4 591 84.6

Guam 15 15 100.0 1 8.0 14 92.0

Hawaii 82 82 100.0 25 30.9 57 69.1

Idaho 69 69 100.0 14 20.8 55 79.2

Illinois 904 904 100.0 158 17.4 747 82.6

Indiana 270 214 79.3 57 21.0 158 58.3

Iowa 161 161 99.9 30 18.4 131 81.5

Kansas 99 27 27.1 25 24.8 2 2.2

Kentucky 279 279 100.0 51 18.2 228 81.8

Louisiana 401 85 21.2 80 20.0 5 1.2

Maine 85 85 100.0 26 30.5 59 69.5

Maryland 341 341 100.0 89 25.9 253 74.1

Massachusetts 447 447 99.9 153 34.1 295 65.9

Michigan 672 672 100.0 159 23.6 513 76.4

Minnesota 208 208 100.0 86 41.4 122 58.6

Mississippi 230 230 100.0 53 23.0 177 77.0

Missouri 331 89 26.9 74 22.2 15 4.6

Montana 55 55 100.0 12 21.2 43 78.8

Nebraska 75 75 100.0 15 20.7 59 79.3

Nevada 226 226 100.0 29 12.9 196 87.1

New Hampshire 43 28 65.9 12 27.7 16 38.2

New Jersey 376 376 100.0 104 27.7 272 72.3

New Mexico 214 214 100.0 42 19.8 171 80.2

New York 1,520 1,518 99.9 589 38.8 929 61.1

North Carolina 607 607 100.0 102 16.9 505 83.1

North Dakota 24 24 100.0 5 19.7 20 80.3

Ohio 698 698 100.0 156 22.4 542 77.6

Oklahoma 260 260 100.0 54 21.0 205 79.0

Oregon 358 358 100.0 69 19.3 288 80.7

Pennsylvania 946 946 100.0 200 21.2 745 78.8

Rhode Island 91 91 100.0 24 26.2 67 73.8

South Carolina 301 301 100.0 60 19.9 241 80.1

South Dakota 40 10 24.5 8 19.3 2 5.2

Tennessee 463 112 24.3 104 22.5 8 1.7

Texas 1,595 1,595 100.0 230 14.4 1,366 85.6

Utah 76 18 23.4 14 18.9 3 4.5

Vermont 41 41 100.0 11 27.4 30 72.6

Virgin Islands 14 14 100.0 1 7.4 13 92.6

Virginia 342 95 27.7 90 26.3 5 1.4

Washington 495 495 100.0 145 29.3 350 70.7

West Virginia 163 163 100.0 32 19.8 131 80.2

Wisconsin 323 323 100.0 58 17.9 265 82.1

Wyoming 13 2 15.7 2 14.5 0 1.3

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
95 

Table B.13. Distribution of participating households by poverty status and by State, and effect of SNAP benefits on the 

poverty status of SNAP households

 Distribution of households in relation to poverty guidelinesp

 

Based on 

cash only

Based on cash and 

SNAP benefits

Difference in 

percentage points

State

50 

percent 

or less

51 to 

100 

percent

101 

percent 

or more

50 

percent 

or less

51 to 

100 

percent

101 

percent 

or more

50 

percent 

or less

51 to 

100 

percent

101 

percent 

or more

Totala 37.8 43.6 18.6 26.8 45.2 28.0 -11.1 1.7 9.4

Alabama 37.1 48.3 14.6 23.8 55.8 20.5 -13.4 7.5 5.8

Alaska 49.8 36.9 13.2 35.2 41.8 23.0 -14.6 4.9 9.8

Arizona 47.1 36.2 16.8 39.8 36.5 23.7 -7.3 0.4 6.9

Arkansas 36.4 52.3 11.3 25.9 57.4 16.7 -10.5 5.1 5.4

California 57.4 24.5 18.1 35.9 39.0 25.1 -21.4 14.5 7.0

Colorado 37.5 45.1 17.4 27.1 46.3 26.6 -10.4 1.2 9.1

Connecticut 33.2 40.7 26.1 24.7 35.7 39.6 -8.6 -5.0 13.6

Delaware 35.2 40.2 24.6 27.1 40.8 32.1 -8.1 0.6 7.4

District of Columbia 57.8 30.5 11.8 41.7 43.8 14.5 -16.0 13.3 2.7

Florida 30.0 50.3 19.6 21.2 50.0 28.8 -8.8 -0.3 9.1

Georgia 42.8 41.3 15.8 31.3 45.8 22.9 -11.5 4.5 7.0

Guam 47.9 27.9 24.2 28.7 27.4 43.9 -19.1 -0.6 19.7

Hawaii 38.4 50.7 10.9 15.5 56.2 28.2 -22.8 5.5 17.3 

Idaho 31.1 51.6 17.3 21.1 53.8 25.1 -10.1 2.2 7.9

Illinois 40.7 42.0 17.2 32.0 43.4 24.6 -8.8 1.4 7.4

Indiana 32.6 53.0 14.4 23.1 54.0 22.9 -9.5 0.9 8.5

Iowa 34.0 43.8 22.2 23.4 49.1 27.4 -10.5 5.3 5.2

Kansas 30.8 54.0 15.2 20.6 55.1 24.3 -10.3 1.1 9.2

Kentucky 43.3 47.0 9.7 34.3 51.9 13.8 -9.0 4.9 4.1

Louisiana 44.7 45.1 10.3 31.6 52.3 16.1 -13.1 7.3 5.8

Maine 16.3 56.3 27.4 11.6 47.4 40.9 -4.7 -8.8 13.5

Maryland 35.8 42.5 21.7 27.4 42.8 29.8 -8.3 0.3 8.1

Massachusetts 30.1 45.7 24.2 22.2 37.4 40.4 -7.9 -8.3 16.2

Michigan 31.9 44.5 23.7 24.8 42.6 32.6 -7.1 -1.8 8.9

Minnesota 34.2 41.9 23.9 28.6 39.1 32.3 -5.6 -2.8 8.4

Mississippi 38.4 50.2 11.3 27.2 56.4 16.4 -11.2 6.2 5.0

Missouri 35.1 48.6 16.2 25.9 49.7 24.4 -9.3 1.1 8.1

Montana 31.9 44.8 23.3 22.1 46.4 31.4 -9.8 1.6 8.2

Nebraska 35.5 45.2 19.3 24.1 47.9 27.9 -11.4 2.7 8.7

Nevada 45.1 35.9 19.0 37.2 37.9 25.0 -7.9 2.0 5.9

New Hampshire 17.5 56.3 26.2 12.4 48.7 38.9 -5.1 -7.6 12.7

New Jersey 24.7 51.7 23.6 16.0 49.9 34.1 -8.7 -1.8 10.5

New Mexico 40.5 45.7 13.8 30.1 47.6 22.4 -10.4 1.8 8.6

New York 26.2 51.7 22.1 13.8 39.7 46.6 -12.4 -12.0 24.5

North Carolina 48.4 38.4 13.2 37.0 43.2 19.8 -11.4 4.8 6.6

North Dakota 33.9 41.1 25.0 24.1 40.4 35.6 -9.8 -0.7 10.6

Ohio 32.6 49.2 18.2 23.0 50.8 26.2 -9.5 1.6 8.0

Oklahoma 43.0 46.5 10.5 32.9 50.1 17.0 -10.0 3.5 6.5

Oregon 38.6 35.7 25.7 30.6 36.3 33.1 -8.0 0.6 7.4

Pennsylvania 26.6 46.6 26.9 19.8 42.2 38.0 -6.7 -4.4 11.1

Rhode Island 32.4 46.0 21.7 23.7 42.1 34.2 -8.7 -3.9 12.5

South Carolina 38.4 49.0 12.6 27.6 52.1 20.3 -10.8 3.0 7.7

South Dakota 41.0 40.1 18.9 29.3 42.0 28.7 -11.7 1.9 9.8

Tennessee 43.0 46.5 10.5 33.8 50.2 16.0 -9.2 3.7 5.5

Texas 41.9 41.3 16.8 28.8 46.4 24.8 -13.2 5.1 8.0

Utah 39.3 45.8 14.9 26.9 49.3 23.8 -12.4 3.5 8.9

Vermont 17.6 45.2 37.1 12.0 31.6 56.4 -5.7 -13.6 19.3

Virgin Islands 64.6 20.6 14.7 44.4 33.7 21.8 -20.2 13.1 7.1

Virginia 37.2 50.9 11.9 24.7 56.2 19.1 -12.5 5.3 7.2

Washington 35.1 44.4 20.5 26.7 46.4 26.9 -8.4 2.0 6.4

West Virginia 39.0 43.9 17.1 29.5 48.5 22.0 -9.5 4.6 4.9

Wisconsin 29.5 42.6 27.9 21.8 39.9 38.3 -7.6 -2.7 10.4

Wyoming 35.0 48.3 16.7 28.3 44.5 27.3 -6.7 -3.9 10.5

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
96 

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

 

Preschool-age 

children

School-age 

children

Total 

children

Non-elderly 

adults

Elderly 

adults

State

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Number 

(000) Percent

Totala 5,030 12.8 12,074 30.7 17,103 43.6 16,609 42.3 5,559 14.2

Alabama 103 13.7 245 32.7 347 46.3 319 42.5 84 11.2

Alaska 12 13.4 25 27.6 37 41.0 44 49.3 9 9.7

Arizona 115 14.0 273 33.2 389 47.3 344 41.8 89 10.9

Arkansas 50 13.7 122 33.5 172 47.2 161 44.2 31 8.6

California 485 12.6 1,415 36.8 1,901 49.5 1,589 41.4 353 9.2

Colorado 55 12.5 147 33.3 203 45.7 181 41.0 59 13.3

Connecticut 39 10.2 97 25.6 136 35.8 172 45.5 71 18.7

Delaware 17 12.5 42 31.3 59 43.8 61 44.7 16 11.5

District of Columbia 13 11.5 24 22.0 37 33.5 57 52.0 16 14.5

Florida 404 13.3 824 27.1 1,228 40.4 1,153 37.9 658 21.7

Georgia 203 13.5 518 34.3 721 47.8 619 41.0 170 11.2

Guam 9 19.8 17 37.5 26 57.3 16 36.6 3 6.2

Hawaii 17 10.9 44 27.7 62 38.7 66 41.7 31 19.6

Idaho 24 15.2 50 32.1 74 47.4 64 41.2 18 11.4

Illinois 229 12.8 546 30.5 775 43.3 733 40.9 284 15.8

Indiana 91 15.1 197 32.5 288 47.5 256 42.1 63 10.3

Iowa 46 13.9 98 29.5 144 43.4 156 47.1 32 9.5

Kansas 27 12.8 68 32.2 95 45.0 92 43.5 24 11.5

Kentucky 68 11.4 171 28.5 239 39.9 290 48.4 70 11.7

Louisiana 107 12.5 294 34.3 401 46.8 374 43.5 83 9.7

Maine 16 10.2 39 25.1 55 35.3 70 44.7 32 20.1

Maryland 89 14.0 163 25.6 252 39.6 278 43.7 106 16.7

Massachusetts 68 9.0 197 25.9 265 34.9 340 44.8 153 20.2

Michigan 147 11.8 323 25.9 470 37.6 618 49.5 161 12.9

Minnesota 56 13.4 130 31.3 186 44.7 178 43.0 51 12.3

Mississippi 65 13.0 179 35.6 244 48.6 207 41.2 51 10.1

Missouri 97 13.7 222 31.5 319 45.3 308 43.7 78 11.0

Montana 15 13.1 29 26.2 44 39.3 53 47.8 14 12.9

Nebraska 25 15.0 56 33.9 81 48.9 68 41.0 17 10.1

Nevada 52 12.1 131 30.4 184 42.5 196 45.2 53 12.3

New Hampshire 10 12.4 24 28.7 35 41.1 39 46.7 10 12.2

New Jersey 105 14.0 225 30.1 331 44.1 265 35.3 154 20.6

New Mexico 53 11.8 138 30.9 190 42.7 201 45.2 54 12.2

New York 286 10.5 719 26.5 1,006 37.0 1,105 40.7 605 22.3

North Carolina 146 13.6 295 27.4 441 41.1 496 46.1 137 12.8

North Dakota 8 16.3 14 26.7 22 43.0 24 46.9 5 10.0

Ohio 179 12.9 400 28.7 579 41.6 624 44.9 188 13.5

Oklahoma 84 14.8 178 31.6 262 46.4 246 43.5 57 10.0

Oregon 66 10.9 131 21.6 198 32.4 310 50.8 102 16.8

Pennsylvania 185 10.4 444 24.8 629 35.2 840 47.0 317 17.7

Rhode Island 20 13.3 30 19.6 50 32.8 70 45.8 32 21.3

South Carolina 86 13.4 216 33.5 302 46.9 261 40.5 81 12.6

South Dakota 13 14.8 30 34.3 43 49.1 36 41.2 8 9.6

Tennessee 118 12.4 296 31.1 414 43.6 430 45.2 107 11.2

Texas 589 15.7 1,446 38.5 2,035 54.2 1,314 35.0 409 10.9

Utah 30 16.5 64 35.1 95 51.6 75 40.6 14 7.8

Vermont 7 9.4 17 23.0 23 32.4 34 47.0 15 20.6

Virgin Islands 4 13.6 8 29.6 12 43.2 12 42.9 4 14.0

Virginia 88 12.3 236 33.1 323 45.4 291 40.9 97 13.7

Washington 91 10.6 204 23.7 296 34.3 420 48.7 146 17.0

West Virginia 34 10.7 79 25.0 112 35.7 156 49.7 46 14.6

Wisconsin 79 12.5 181 28.7 260 41.2 285 45.1 87 13.7

Wyoming 4 15.1 9 30.9 13 46.1 13 43.5 3 10.4

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
97 

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

 

Children with 

disabilities 

Non-elderly adults 

with disabilities

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities

Adults age 18–49 

without 

disabilities in 

childless 

householdse

Adults age 18–49

without 

disabilities not 

subject to work 

requirements or a 

time limit

State

Number

(000) Percent

Number

(000) Percent

Number

(000) Percent

Number

(000) Percent

Number

(000) Percent

Totala 573 1.5 3,728 9.5 4,301 11.0 2,864 7.3 7,874 20.0

Alabama 9 1.3 81 10.8 91 12.1 38 5.0 171 22.7

Alaska 0 0.5 6 6.2 6 6.7 10 11.2 22 24.6

Arizona 9 1.1 48 5.9 57 7.0 67 8.2 179 21.7

Arkansas 12 3.3 46 12.7 58 16.0 17 4.7 81 22.3

California - - 51 1.3 51 1.3 433 11.3 795 20.7

Colorado 2 0.5 41 9.3 43 9.8 28 6.3 88 19.8

Connecticut 8 2.2 48 12.6 56 14.8 36 9.5 66 17.3

Delaware 2 1.6 14 10.0 16 11.6 8 5.7 29 21.7

District of Columbia 2 1.4 10 9.5 12 11.0 18 16.6 19 17.1

Florida 57 1.9 261 8.6 318 10.5 155 5.1 536 17.7

Georgia 19 1.3 144 9.5 163 10.8 94 6.2 318 21.1

Guam 0 0.1 0 0.2 0 0.3 3 6.8 11 24.0

Hawaii 1 0.5 14 9.0 15 9.5 11 6.9 31 19.3

Idaho 1 0.9 18 11.6 20 12.5 7 4.3 35 22.5

Illinois 22 1.2 131 7.3 153 8.5 148 8.3 342 19.1

Indiana 13 2.1 69 11.4 82 13.5 25 4.1 136 22.3

Iowa 5 1.5 34 10.3 39 11.9 33 10.1 75 22.6

Kansas 4 1.9 28 13.1 32 15.0 10 4.7 44 21.0

Kentucky 10 1.7 74 12.4 85 14.1 56 9.4 127 21.2

Louisiana 17 1.9 98 11.4 114 13.3 66 7.7 167 19.5

Maine 2 1.1 28 17.7 29 18.7 5 3.5 31 19.5

Maryland 8 1.2 60 9.4 68 10.7 46 7.3 137 21.5

Massachusetts 17 2.3 121 15.9 138 18.2 61 8.0 125 16.5

Michigan 19 1.6 186 14.9 205 16.4 113 9.0 239 19.1

Minnesota 6 1.4 48 11.6 54 13.0 29 7.0 83 20.1 

Mississippi 11 2.2 54 10.7 65 13.0 19 3.9 106 21.0

Missouri 11 1.5 86 12.2 96 13.7 34 4.8 159 22.6

Montana 1 1.0 12 10.6 13 11.6 10 8.9 26 23.5

Nebraska 2 1.4 17 10.2 19 11.6 9 5.4 36 21.5

Nevada 10 2.3 29 6.7 39 9.0 57 13.2 77 17.9

New Hampshire 2 2.4 17 19.8 19 22.2 3 3.8 16 19.6

New Jersey 5 0.6 73 9.7 78 10.4 31 4.2 126 16.9

New Mexico 6 1.4 32 7.1 38 8.5 47 10.5 94 21.0

New York 67 2.5 358 13.2 425 15.6 193 7.1 453 16.7

North Carolina 10 1.0 103 9.6 113 10.5 108 10.1 203 18.9

North Dakota 1 1.2 7 13.5 8 14.7 3 6.8 11 22.4

Ohio 22 1.6 162 11.6 183 13.2 82 5.9 310 22.3

Oklahoma 5 1.0 48 8.6 54 9.5 44 7.9 131 23.2

Oregon 7 1.1 66 10.9 73 12.0 91 15.0 102 16.7

Pennsylvania 27 1.5 225 12.6 252 14.1 165 9.2 355 19.9

Rhode Island 2 1.3 19 12.6 21 13.9 16 10.8 25 16.6

South Carolina 10 1.5 60 9.4 70 10.9 25 3.9 148 22.9

South Dakota 1 1.2 9 10.0 10 11.1 6 7.0 18 20.3

Tennessee 11 1.2 107 11.3 119 12.5 75 7.8 200 21.0

Texas 74 2.0 244 6.5 318 8.5 105 2.8 808 21.5

Utah 3 1.7 14 7.8 18 9.5 10 5.2 43 23.4

Vermont 1 1.1 13 17.6 14 18.7 5 6.3 13 18.4

Virgin Islands - - 0 1.5 0 1.5 3 11.3 6 20.8

Virginia 13 1.9 82 11.6 96 13.4 25 3.5 150 21.0

Washington 11 1.3 114 13.2 125 14.5 102 11.9 163 18.9

West Virginia 3 1.0 39 12.6 43 13.6 29 9.2 69 22.0

Wisconsin 12 1.9 75 11.8 87 13.7 47 7.4 133 21.1

Wyoming 0 0.7 3 9.2 3 9.8 1 4.9 7 24.7

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
98 

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

 

All 

participants

U.S.-born 

citizens

Naturalized

citizens Refugees

Other 

noncitizens

Citizen children 

living with a 

noncitizenq

State

Number

(000) Percent

Number

(000)

Column 

Percent

Number

(000)

Column 

Percent

Number

(000) 

Column 

Percent

Number

(000)

Column 

Percent

Number

(000)

Column 

Percent

Totala 39,271 100.0 35,834 100.0 1,738 100.0 315 100.0 1,384 100.0 3,177 100.0

Alabama 750 1.9 748 2.1 1 0.1 - - 1 0.1 29 0.9

Alaska 90 0.2 85 0.2 3 0.1 0 0.1 2 0.2 3 0.1

Arizona 822 2.1 746 2.1 25 1.4 13 4.1 38 2.8 108 3.4

Arkansas 364 0.9 361 1.0 1 0.0 - - 2 0.2 9 0.3

California 3,843 9.8 3,261 9.1 326 18.8 49 15.4 207 15.0 771 24.3

Colorado 443 1.1 417 1.2 11 0.6 6 1.9 9 0.7 38 1.2

Connecticut 379 1.0 352 1.0 11 0.6 4 1.3 12 0.9 13 0.4

Delaware 136 0.3 132 0.4 1 0.0 1 0.2 2 0.2 4 0.1

District of Columbia 109 0.3 106 0.3 2 0.1 0 0.0 1 0.1 2 0.1

Florida 3,039 7.7 2,394 6.7 369 21.3 29 9.1 246 17.8 243 7.6

Georgia 1,509 3.8 1,475 4.1 14 0.8 2 0.6 19 1.4 91 2.9

Guam 45 0.1 41 0.1 3 0.1 - - 1 0.1 9 0.3

Hawaii 159 0.4 144 0.4 10 0.6 0 0.0 4 0.3 8 0.3

Idaho 156 0.4 147 0.4 3 0.2 3 0.9 3 0.2 8 0.3

Illinois 1,792 4.6 1,634 4.6 75 4.3 8 2.7 74 5.4 166 5.2

Indiana 607 1.5 587 1.6 11 0.6 5 1.4 5 0.3 17 0.5

Iowa 331 0.8 314 0.9 4 0.2 10 3.2 4 0.3 15 0.5

Kansas 212 0.5 203 0.6 3 0.2 4 1.1 3 0.2 7 0.2

Kentucky 600 1.5 574 1.6 8 0.5 7 2.2 10 0.7 7 0.2

Louisiana 859 2.2 853 2.4 1 0.1 - - 4 0.3 16 0.5

Maine 157 0.4 149 0.4 4 0.2 1 0.4 3 0.2 2 0.1

Maryland 637 1.6 598 1.7 14 0.8 5 1.6 19 1.4 31 1.0

Massachusetts 758 1.9 624 1.7 66 3.8 9 2.7 59 4.3 40 1.3

Michigan 1,249 3.2 1,155 3.2 40 2.3 19 6.1 35 2.5 29 0.9

Minnesota 415 1.1 358 1.0 31 1.8 19 6.1 7 0.5 22 0.7

Mississippi 501 1.3 500 1.4 0 0.0 - - 1 0.1 5 0.1

Missouri 704 1.8 685 1.9 12 0.7 3 1.1 4 0.3 10 0.3

Montana 112 0.3 111 0.3 0 0.0 0 0.0 1 0.0 1 0.0

Nebraska 167 0.4 152 0.4 4 0.2 7 2.3 3 0.2 17 0.5

Nevada 432 1.1 399 1.1 9 0.5 4 1.2 21 1.5 61 1.9

New Hampshire 84 0.2 80 0.2 2 0.1 1 0.3 1 0.1 1 0.0

New Jersey 750 1.9 635 1.8 66 3.8 3 1.0 45 3.3 90 2.8

New Mexico 446 1.1 425 1.2 4 0.2 1 0.2 17 1.2 31 1.0

New York 2,715 6.9 2,160 6.0 354 20.3 27 8.5 175 12.6 228 7.2

North Carolina 1,075 2.7 1,047 2.9 9 0.5 2 0.7 16 1.2 85 2.7

North Dakota 51 0.1 47 0.1 0 0.0 3 1.1 1 0.0 2 0.0

Ohio 1,391 3.5 1,356 3.8 17 1.0 5 1.6 12 0.9 31 1.0

Oklahoma 564 1.4 557 1.6 2 0.1 0 0.1 4 0.3 27 0.8

Oregon 610 1.6 578 1.6 8 0.5 4 1.4 19 1.4 38 1.2

Pennsylvania 1,786 4.5 1,741 4.9 14 0.8 11 3.5 20 1.5 36 1.1
Table B.16 (continued)

99 

 

All 

participants

U.S.-born 

citizens

Naturalized

citizens Refugees

Other 

noncitizens

Citizen children 

living with a 

noncitizenq

State

Number

(000) Percent

Number

(000)

Column 

Percent

Number

(000)

Column 

Percent

Number

(000) 

Column 

Percent

Number

(000)

Column 

Percent

Number

(000)

Column 

Percent

Rhode Island 152 0.4 129 0.4 11 0.6 5 1.6 7 0.5 6 0.2

South Carolina 644 1.6 638 1.8 3 0.2 1 0.2 3 0.2 18 0.6

South Dakota 87 0.2 85 0.2 0 0.0 2 0.6 0 0.0 3 0.1

Tennessee 951 2.4 930 2.6 5 0.3 3 1.1 13 0.9 43 1.4

Texas 3,758 9.6 3,463 9.7 93 5.3 23 7.2 180 13.0 635 20.0

Utah 184 0.5 170 0.5 6 0.3 5 1.4 3 0.2 13 0.4

Vermont 72 0.2 69 0.2 1 0.1 1 0.3 1 0.1 - - 

Virgin Islands 27 0.1 23 0.1 2 0.1 0 0.1 1 0.1 2 0.1

Virginia 712 1.8 679 1.9 16 0.9 4 1.3 13 0.9 32 1.0

Washington 862 2.2 761 2.1 58 3.3 2 0.7 41 2.9 37 1.2

West Virginia 314 0.8 312 0.9 0 0.0 - - 1 0.1 3 0.1

Wisconsin 632 1.6 615 1.7 6 0.3 4 1.4 7 0.5 30 0.9

Wyoming 29 0.1 29 0.1 0 0.0 - - 0 0.0 1 0.0

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
100 

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

 

Total 

noncitizen 

participants Children

Non-elderly 

adults

Elderly 

adults

State

Number

(000)

Number

(000) Percent

Number

(000) Percent

Number

(000) Percent

Totala 1,699 373 21.9 814 47.9 513 30.2

Alabama 1 - - 1 76.7 0 23.3

Alaska 3 0 16.4 2 71.0 0 12.6

Arizona 51 9 18.4 27 53.5 14 28.1

Arkansas 2 1 28.8 1 63.7 0 7.6

California 256 52 20.5 149 58.3 54 21.2

Colorado 15 5 31.1 5 34.0 5 35.0

Connecticut 16 4 23.7 6 36.7 6 39.6

Delaware 3 1 47.3 1 31.3 1 21.4

District of Columbia 1 0 5.0 1 55.5 1 39.6

Florida 275 42 15.4 131 47.6 102 37.0

Georgia 21 1 5.9 11 51.6 9 42.5

Guam 1 0 14.2 1 41.9 1 44.0

Hawaii 4 - - 2 36.2 3 63.8

Idaho 6 2 28.2 3 43.6 2 28.2

Illinois 83 12 14.9 28 33.5 43 51.6

Indiana 9 3 32.5 6 61.0 1 6.5

Iowa 14 6 41.4 7 53.8 1 4.7

Kansas 6 2 32.5 3 47.6 1 20.0

Kentucky 17 8 45.2 8 45.1 2 9.7

Louisiana 4 2 44.4 2 41.5 1 14.1

Maine 4 1 33.9 1 35.9 1 30.1

Maryland 24 6 24.7 7 30.4 11 44.9

Massachusetts 68 22 32.7 23 34.0 23 33.3

Michigan 54 25 45.5 19 35.7 10 18.8

Minnesota 26 11 40.5 12 47.2 3 12.3

Mississippi 1 1 100.0 - - - - 

Missouri 7 1 19.3 4 55.1 2 25.6

Montana 1 0 14.7 1 72.1 0 13.2

Nebraska 11 4 37.5 5 51.1 1 11.3

Nevada 25 4 14.8 13 52.8 8 32.4

New Hampshire 2 0 23.8 1 43.0 1 33.2

New Jersey 48 14 28.9 22 45.2 13 25.9

New Mexico 17 2 9.1 8 43.9 8 46.9

New York 201 42 20.8 85 42.3 74 36.9

North Carolina 19 9 49.5 7 37.6 2 13.0

North Dakota 4 1 34.2 2 56.7 0 9.1

Ohio 17 4 24.9 9 51.7 4 23.4

Oklahoma 5 0 8.9 2 46.3 2 44.7

Oregon 24 5 20.1 14 59.0 5 20.9

Pennsylvania 31 8 24.6 18 58.0 5 17.4

Rhode Island 12 4 32.5 2 19.9 6 47.6

South Carolina 4 0 12.0 2 56.2 1 31.7

South Dakota 2 1 34.3 1 52.4 0 13.3

Tennessee 16 6 35.8 5 31.9 5 32.4

Texas 203 32 15.9 117 57.7 54 26.4

Utah 7 2 28.5 4 58.4 1 13.1

Vermont 2 1 44.1 1 42.4 0 13.5

Virgin Islands 2 0 11.7 1 55.9 1 32.4

Virginia 17 4 25.4 7 43.5 5 31.1

Washington 43 6 14.4 18 41.8 19 43.7

West Virginia 1 1 41.1 0 30.1 0 28.8

Wisconsin 12 4 30.1 7 57.3 1 12.6

Wyoming 0 - - - - 0 100.0

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
APPENDIX B FOOTNOTES

103

APPENDIX B FOOTNOTES

a

 Due to rounding, some individual categories may not match the table total.

b Because net income is not used in their benefit determinations, 24,480 MFIP households 

and 608,146 SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits are 

excluded from this category. Thus, the average values are based on fewer households than 

the number of total SNAP households shown in Appendix Table A.1. 

c Because deductions are not used in their benefit determinations, 608,146 SSI-CAP 

households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits are excluded from this 

category. Thus, the average values are based on fewer households than the number of total 

SNAP households shown in Appendix Table A.1. 

d Average shelter deduction (dollars) is calculated across households with a shelter deduction. 

e With some exceptions, adult SNAP participants age 18–49 without disabilities in childless 

households are subject to work requirements and a time limit. 

f This category does not include households receiving a noncash benefit or a noncountable 

cash benefit (for example, households participating in MFIP). 

g Average values are calculated across households with income source. 

h TANF income is not included in the MFIP gross income or used in the MFIP benefit 

calculation. Because of Federal Quality Control System constraints, this means that only a 

placeholder TANF amount, typically $1, may be reported for MFIP households in the SNAP 

Quality Control data file. Three households reported actual TANF amounts in fiscal year 

2018. 

i Because this deduction is not used in their benefit determinations, 774,553 SSI-CAP 

households are excluded from this category. Thus, the average values are based on fewer 

households than the number of total SNAP households shown in Appendix Table A.1.

j Codes to allow reporting of multiple races were implemented beginning in April 2007. We 

have grouped the codes together to form general race/ethnicity categories. Reporting of 

race/ethnicity is voluntary and was missing for 17 percent of participants in fiscal year 2018. 

As a result, race/ethnicity distributions for fiscal year 2018 are not comparable to 

distributions for years prior to fiscal year 2007. 

k “Other” race includes household heads that are Asian, Native American, or those who 

reported multiple races that do not fit into the following categories: White, not Hispanic; 

African American, not Hispanic; or Hispanic, any race. 

l “Missing/unknown” race includes household heads for which racial/ethnic information was 

not recorded on the application, is not available because the application was not found, or is 

unknown, and households with no household head and no adult listed on the file. 

m Because this deduction is not used in their benefit determinations, 24,480 MFIP households 

and 608,146 SSI-CAP households in States that use standardized SSI-CAP benefits are 

excluded from this category. Thus, the average values are based on fewer households than 

the number of total SNAP households shown in Appendix Table A.1. 

n Pure Public Assistance (PA) households are those in which each member (1) received SSI, 

(2) was covered by a cash TANF benefit, or (3) received General Assistance (GA) income.
104

o Other categorically eligible households are identified as such in the SNAP Quality Control 

data but are not pure cash PA households. Most are typically eligible through broad-based 

categorical eligibility or because of the receipt of noncash TANF benefits or services such 

as child care or transportation subsidies. 

p Defined as the fiscal year 2018 SNAP net income screen (see Appendix C). 

q Noncitizens may be inside or outside the SNAP unit. 

– No sample data in this category. 

n.a. Not applicable.
APPENDIX C 

FISCAL YEAR 2018 SNAP PARAMETERS

107 

Table C.1. 2017 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) poverty income guidelines

Household size (individuals)

Contiguous United States,

Guam, and the Virgin Islands Alaska Hawaii

1 $12,060 $15,060 $13,860 

2 16,240 20,290 18,670

3 20,420 25,520 23,480

4 24,600 30,750 28,290

5 28,780 35,980 33,100

6 32,960 41,210 37,910

7 37,140 46,440 42,720

8 41,320 51,670 47,530

Each additional member +4,180 +5,230 +4,810

Source: 82 Federal Register 8831, January 31, 2017. 

Note: HHS issued these numbers, which identify the annual income thresholds for poverty status based on 

household size. These values provide the basis for the fiscal year 2018 SNAP gross and net monthly 

income eligibility standards.

Table C.2. SNAP maximum allowable gross monthly income eligibility standards in fiscal year 2018

Household size (individuals)

Contiguous United States, 

Guam, and the Virgin Islands Alaska Hawaii

1 $1,307 $1,632 $1,502

2 1,760 2,199 2,023

3 2,213 2,765 2,544

4 2,665 3,332 3,065

5 3,118 3,898 3,586

6 3,571 4,465 4,107

7 4,024 5,031 4,628

8 4,477 5,598 5,150

Each additional member +453 +567 +522

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Note: The fiscal year 2018 SNAP gross monthly income limits were based on the 2017 poverty guidelines issued 

by HHS (see Appendix Table C.1). FNS derived the fiscal year 2018 gross income limits by multiplying the 

2017 poverty guidelines by 130 percent, dividing the results by 12, and then rounding up to the nearest 

dollar. 
108 

Table C.3. SNAP maximum allowable net monthly income eligibility standards in fiscal year 2018 

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Note: The fiscal year 2018 SNAP net monthly income limits were based on the 2017 poverty guidelines issued by 

HHS (see Appendix Table C.1). FNS derived the fiscal year 2018 net income limits by dividing the 2017 

poverty guidelines by 12 and rounding up to the nearest dollar. 

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

contiguous United States and outlying areas in fiscal year 2018 

Deduction

Contiguous 

United States Alaska Hawaii Guam

Virgin 

Islands

Standard deduction . . . . . 

1 to 2 people $160 $273 $225 $321 $141

3 people 160 273 225 321 141 

4 people 170 273 225 341 170

5 people 199 273 229 399 199 

6 or more people 228 285 263 457 228 

Maximum excess shelter 

expense deduction 535 854 720 627 421

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Notes: The Homeless Household Shelter Deduction was $143.

Certain State-specific programs did not apply all Federal SNAP deductions in the benefit calculation. Only 

the earnings deduction was used in the benefit calculation for MFIP households. No deductions were used 

for SSI-CAP households with standardized benefits. States with nonstandardized SSI-CAP benefits used 

the standard deduction and the excess shelter deduction when calculating benefit levels for SSI-CAP 

households.

Household size (individuals)

Contiguous United States, 

Guam, and the Virgin Islands Alaska Hawaii

1 $1,005 $1,255 $1,155

2 1,354 1,691 1,556

3 1,702 2,127 1,957

4 2,050 2,563 2,358

5 2,399 2,999 2,759

6 2,747 3,435 3,160

7 3,095 3,870 3,560

8 3,444 4,306 3,961

Each additional member +349 +436 +401
109 

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

fiscal year 2018 

Household size 

(individuals)

Contiguous 

United States

Alaska 

Urban

Alaska 

Rural I

Alaska 

Rural II Hawaii Guam

Virgin 

Islands

1 $192 $230 $293 $357 $358 $283 $247

2 352 422 538 655 657 519 453

3 504 604 771 938 941 743 648

4 640 767 979 1,191 1,195 944 823

5 760 911 1,162 1,415 1,419 1,121 978

6 913 1,094 1,395 1,698 1,703 1,345 1,173

7 1,009 1,209 1,542 1,876 1,883 1,487 1,297

8 1,153 1,382 1,762 2,145 2,152 1,699 1,482

Each additional 

member +144 +173 +220 +268 +269 +212 +185 

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Notes: These maximum benefit values were based on 100 percent of the cost of the Thrifty Food Plan in June 

2017 for a reference family of four, rounded to the lowest dollar increment. 

Due to the unusual nature of Alaska’s terrain and climate, areas outside major urban centers are less 

accessible to food distributors. Therefore, the value of the maximum benefit was adjusted to account for 

differences in the estimated cost of the Thrifty Food Plan in various regions of the State. For this purpose, 

all regions of Alaska were classified as Rural I, Rural II, or Urban. 

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

fiscal year 2018 

Household size 

(individuals)

Contiguous 

United 

States 

Alaska 

Urban

Alaska 

Rural I

Alaska 

Rural II Hawaii Guam

Virgin 

Islands

1 to 2 people $15 $18 $24 $29 $29 $23 $20

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Note: The minimum benefit, applicable to one- and two-person households, is equal to 8 percent of the maximum 

benefit for single-person households.

APPENDIX D 

SOURCE AND RELIABILITY OF ESTIMATES

113 

SOURCE AND RELIABILITY OF ESTIMATES

The estimates in this report are derived from a sample of households selected for review as 

part of the SNAP Quality Control System (SNAP QC). The system is designed to determine (1) 

if households are eligible for participation in SNAP and are receiving the correct benefit amount 

or (2) if household participation is correctly denied or terminated. It is based on State samples 

(from the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) of 

approximately 54,854 participating SNAP households and a separate State sample of denials and 

terminations. Each month, State agencies select an independent sample of participating SNAP 

households. Annual required State samples depend upon the size of a State’s caseload and 

generally range from approximately 300 to 1,200 reviews. 

TARGET UNIVERSE

The target universe of this study is all participating households (active cases) subject to 

quality control review in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and the Virgin Islands.37

Our analyses do not use the separate State samples of denials and terminations.

Although most participating SNAP households are included in the target universe, certain 

types of households not subject to review are excluded. Specifically, the universe includes all 

households receiving SNAP benefits during the review period except those in which all 

participants (1) died or moved outside the State, (2) received benefits through a disaster 

certification authorized by FNS, (3) were under investigation for SNAP fraud (including those 

with pending fraud hearings) and/or were appealing a notice of adverse action, or (4) received 

restored benefits in accordance with the State manual but were otherwise ineligible. The 

sampling unit within the universe each month is the active SNAP household as specified in FNS 

regulations. 

DATA EDITING

The estimates in this report are derived from the fiscal year 2018 SNAP QC data file, an 

edited version of the raw data file generated by the Quality Control System. The raw fiscal year 

2018 data are made up of monthly samples from October 2017 through September 2018. 

Households with an incomplete Quality Control review or those found ineligible for SNAP 

benefits were dropped from the edited data file. In addition, one February household and one 

June household from Rhode Island were dropped from the edited data file due to incomplete data 

as a result of computer systems issues.38 Of the 54,854 sample cases in the raw data file, 2,896 

were determined to be not subject to review. Of those cases subject to review, 7,238 did not 

undergo a complete review because the household failed to cooperate, could not be located, or all 

 

37 Participating households in Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands have been included in the target universe since 

fiscal year 1993. Prior to that, the universe excluded households in those areas.

38 For detailed information on the editing and weighting of data for Rhode Island, see Technical Documentation for 

the Fiscal Year 2018 SNAP QC Database and QC Minimodel (Cronquist et al. 2019). Available at 

https://host76.mathematica-mpr.com/fns/. 
114 

members had died or moved. An additional 861 households were found either ineligible for 

SNAP or eligible for SNAP but ineligible for a positive benefit and thus were dropped from the 

data file.

39 An additional 121 households were dropped from the file due to internal 

inconsistencies that could not be resolved, as discussed below. The final unweighted number of 

households in the fiscal year 2018 SNAP QC file is 43,738 (Appendix Table D.1). Appendix 

Table D.2 shows the distribution of these unweighted households by State. 

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

file

 Fiscal year 

2018 SNAP 

QC sample

Percentage of 

cases 

sampled

Percentage of 

cases subject 

to review

Number of cases sampled 54,854 100.0 n.a.

Cases not subject to review 2,896 5.3 n.a.

Cases deselected to correct for oversampling 0 0.0 n.a.

Cases subject to review 51,958 94.7 100.0

Incomplete cases 7,238 13.2 13.9

Cases completed 44,720 81.5 86.1

Not eligible for SNAP 584 1.1 1.1

Not eligible for a positive benefit 277 0.5 0.5

Eligible for a positive benefit 43,859 80.0 84.4

Dropped due to unresolved inconsistencies 121 0.2 0.2 

SNAP households in the final file 43,738 79.7 84.2

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

Failure to complete reviews for all cases subject to review may bias the sample results if the 

characteristics of households not reviewed differ significantly from those of reviewed 

households. In the absence of direct measures of such differences, the ratio of completed reviews 

to total cases subject to review provides an indication of the magnitude of any potential bias. For 

fiscal year 2018, the completion rate was 86 percent, 2 percentage points lower than in fiscal 

year 2017. 

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 2018 SNAP QC Database and QC Minimodel. For 

instance, in most cases, a household’s net countable income should equal the household’s gross 

countable income minus the total deductions for which the household is eligible. Also, the SNAP 

benefit level should equal the household’s maximum benefit minus 30 percent of the household’s 

net countable income. Exceptions are households participating in MFIP and SSI-CAP in States 

with standardized benefit amounts. These households are subject to different eligibility and 

 

39 Eligible one- and two-person SNAP units are guaranteed a minimum benefit. However, it is possible for larger 

units to be eligible for SNAP but have net income high enough that they do not qualify for a positive benefit. The 

eligible households dropped from the data file were found by the reviewer to have a benefit overissuance equal to or 

greater than the recorded benefit.
115 

benefit determination rules, and their data have been edited accordingly. Additionally, if the 

value of deductions exceeds gross income, net income is equal to zero. 

Although most inconsistencies in these basic relationships were resolved in the editing 

process, the measures could not be reconciled for 121 records in the raw data file. These 121 

records were therefore dropped from the edited data file. 
116 

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

 SNAP households

State Number Percent

Total 43,738 100.0

Alabama 1,109 2.5

Alaska 564 1.3

Arizona 846 1.9 

Arkansas 1,067 2.4

California 766 1.8

Colorado 788 1.8

Connecticut 836 1.9

Delaware 657 1.5

District of Columbia 942 2.2

Florida 992 2.3

Georgia 1,000 2.3

Guam 424 1.0

Hawaii 639 1.5

Idaho 988 2.3

Illinois 779 1.8

Indiana 894 2.0

Iowa 908 2.1

Kansas 910 2.1

Kentucky 1,007 2.3

Louisiana 767 1.8

Maine 913 2.1

Maryland 768 1.8

Massachusetts 971 2.2

Michigan 845 1.9

Minnesota 978 2.2

Mississippi 991 2.3

Missouri 909 2.1

Montana 724 1.7

Nebraska 863 2.0

Nevada 913 2.1

New Hampshire 621 1.4

New Jersey 727 1.7

New Mexico 953 2.2

New York 902 2.1

North Carolina 1,077 2.5

North Dakota 458 1.0

Ohio 959 2.2

Oklahoma 1,015 2.3

Oregon 883 2.0

Pennsylvania 807 1.8

Rhode Island 417 1.0

South Carolina 1,013 2.3

South Dakota 705 1.6

Tennessee 1,027 2.3

Texas 873 2.0

Utah 881 2.0

Vermont 680 1.6

Virgin Islands 232 0.5

Virginia 779 1.8

Washington 846 1.9

West Virginia 858 2.0

Wisconsin 960 2.2

Wyoming 307 0.7

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.
117 

WEIGHTING

The estimates for fiscal year 2018 in this report are based on a sample of 43,738 valid 

observations. The sample records have been weighted to match SNAP Program Operations totals

after adjustment to remove households ineligible for benefits as well as those receiving benefits 

issued through the SNAP disaster assistance program, as these households are not included in the 

SNAP QC data file.

40 The weighting procedure matches to SNAP Program Operations totals for 

(1) the monthly number of participating households by State and stratum, (2) the monthly 

number of participants by State, and (3) the monthly total benefits issued by State.41 Appendix 

Table D.3 compares the Quality Control System sample-based estimates to aggregate program 

participation data for fiscal year 2018. 

The fiscal year 2018 weighting methodology is similar to that used for the fiscal year 2000 

through fiscal year 2017 SNAP QC data files.42 However, it differs from the weighting 

methodology used in the development of the SNAP QC data files prior to fiscal year 2000. 

SNAP QC data files before fiscal year 2000 are weighted to match the monthly number of SNAP 

households by State and stratum, unadjusted for ineligible households or the disaster assistance 

program. 

 

40 The adjusted total number of households and benefits are lower than Program Operations data figures by about 2 

and 7 percent, respectively.

41 Estimates for Rhode Island are weighted across 7 months, instead of 12 months as in all other States. For detailed 

information on the editing and weighting of data for Rhode Island, see Technical Documentation for the Fiscal Year 

2018 SNAP QC Database and QC Minimodel (Cronquist et al. 2019). Available at https://host76.mathematicampr.com/fns/. 

42 The fiscal year 2000–2004 SNAP QC data files were previously weighted to match the disaster- and erroradjusted monthly numbers of SNAP households, but not individuals or benefits, by State and stratum. For the fiscal 

year 2009 report, the fiscal year 2003 and fiscal year 2004 SNAP QC data files were updated to match the current 

weighting methodology. For the fiscal year 2018 report, the fiscal year 2000–2002 SNAP QC data files were 

updated to match the current weighting methodology.
118 

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

 Fiscal year 2018

Average monthly value Program data

Program data 

with 

adjustments 

for 

incomplete 

dataa 

Adjustments 

for disaster 

assistance b

Adjustments 

for ineligible 

households

Edited SNAP 

QC data file

Number of households 19,725,879 20,179,711 127,773 352,914 19,699,024

Number of participants 39,705,148 40,519,120 363,561 884,772 39,270,787

Value of benefits (dollars) 5,033,982,241 5,069,867,791 146,556,640 221,198,700 4,702,112,451

Average household size 2.01 2.01 2.85 2.51 1.99

Average benefit per person 

(dollars)

126.78 125.12 - 250.01 119.74 

Average benefit per 

household (dollars)

255.20 251.24 - 626.78 238.70 

Sources: Fiscal year 2018 Program Operations Data and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control data 

file. 

a In FY 2018, we used imputed values for households, participants, and/or benefits in North Carolina, Rhode Island, and the 

Virgin Islands due to incomplete Program Operations data. As a result, these values, used to weight the FY 2018 QC data 

file, do not match FNS administrative records. For detailed information on the imputation of values, see Technical 

Documentation for the Fiscal Year 2018 SNAP QC Database and QC Minimodel (Cronquist et al. 2019). Available at 

https://host76.mathematica-mpr.com/fns/. 

b Adjustments are made for households and individuals who received disaster SNAP assistance only. Adjustments 

are made to benefits for disaster SNAP benefits issued to disaster SNAP households as well as replacement benefits 

issued to qualifying ongoing SNAP households. As a result, the average disaster SNAP benefit per person cannot be 

calculated from the information in this table.

COMPARISON TO REPORTED DATA

Appendix Table D.4 compares the reported and calculated values of selected variables for 

fiscal year 2018. Reported values and averages reflect those in the SNAP QC data file before any 

editing has taken place. Calculated values and averages are based on the edited data file used for 

this report. 
119 

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

 Households with:

Variable

All 

households

Earned 

income

Elderly

individuals Children

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities

.Average gross income (dollars) . . . . . 

Calculated 844 1,365 916 1,059 1,027

Reported 844 1,366 917 1,059 1,027

.Average net income (dollars)a . . . . . 

Calculated 383 641 433 502 480

Reported 377 632 427 493 478

.Average total deduction (dollars)b . . . . . 

Calculated 562 771 561 652 582

Reported 559 771 559 649 579

.Average SNAP benefit (dollars)c . . . . . 

Calculated 239 294 121 387 182

Reported 238 294 121 386 182

.Percentage with zero gross income . . . . . 

Calculated 19.3 0.0 6.7 14.8 0.0

Reported 19.4 0.1 6.7 15.0 0.0

.Percentage with zero net income . . . . . 

Calculated 35.7 20.2 18.1 33.6 13.3 

Reported 39.1 21.5 25.0 35.0 17.0

Percentage with minimum benefit . . . . . 

Calculated 9.3 7.8 20.4 1.9 12.7

Reported 8.9 7.2 19.6 1.7 12.3

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control data file. 

a Because net income is not used in their benefit determination, 24,480 households participating in MFIP and 608,146

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, 608,146 SSI-CAP households in States that use 

standardized SSI-CAP benefits are excluded from this comparison.

c Reported benefit adjusted for reported overissuance errors, underissuance errors, and partial benefits received in 

the initial certification month. 

APPENDIX E 

SAMPLING ERROR OF ESTIMATES

123 

SAMPLING ERROR OF ESTIMATES

The estimates of the characteristics of SNAP households in this report are based on a sample 

of households and, consequently, are subject to statistical sampling error. One indicator of the 

magnitude of the sampling error associated with a given estimate is its standard error. Standard 

error measures the variation in estimated values that would be observed if multiple replications 

of the sample were drawn. The magnitude of the standard error depends on (1) the degree of 

variation in the variable within the population from which the sample is drawn; (2) the design of 

the sample, including such issues as stratification and sampling probabilities; and (3) the size of 

the sample on which the estimate is based. This appendix presents estimates of the standard 

errors associated with key statistics and describes the methods for estimating the standard errors 

of other statistics for which standard errors have not been directly calculated. 

STANDARD ERRORS

The standard error of an estimated proportion of households ( ) based on a simple random 

sample is 

(1) , 

where p is the weighted estimate of the proportion, N is the number of households in the 

population, and n is the sample size.43 The standard error of an estimated number of households 

( ) based on a simple random sample is 

(2) . 

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. 

 

43 More precisely, n is the sample size (number of households) corresponding to the population that forms the 

denominator or “base” of the proportion being estimated. When the base is all SNAP households in fiscal year 2018 

 . Sample sizes for selected demographic subgroups for fiscal year 2018 are shown in the sample size 

column of Appendix Table E.1. For subgroups not shown in Appendix Table E.1, the sample size can be 

approximated by multiplying the total sample size (43,738) by the ratio of the subgroup population size to the total 

population size (N). For example, in fiscal year 2018, and there were 5,105,000 elderly households 

(households with at least one or more elderly individuals). Thus, the approximate sample size for elderly households 

in fiscal year 2018 would be calculated as . In this case, the 

approximation can be compared to the true sample size of households with elderly individuals of 10,745, as shown 

in Appendix Table E.1.
124 

The bootstrap method requires the computation of 500 sets of replicate household weights. 

Each set is calculated using a nonlinear programming method based on a random sample of the 

SNAP QC data file. These replicate weights then are used to calculate standard errors. The 

following discussion presents standard errors of selected estimates that were computed using the 

bootstrap method. It then presents a simple method for approximating standard errors of 

estimates for which individual standard errors have not been computed. 

STANDARD ERRORS OF ESTIMATED NUMBERS OF HOUSEHOLDS

The standard errors of selected estimates of SNAP households in fiscal year 2018 are shown 

in Appendix Table E.1. These standard errors can be used to compute confidence intervals for 

the estimated number of households with a particular characteristic.44 For example, the estimated 

number of SNAP households that receive the minimum benefit is 1,836,000 (Appendix Table 

A.1) and the corresponding standard error is 38,726 (Appendix Table E.1). The 95 percent 

confidence interval thus extends from 1,759,000 to 1,914,000.45

For standard errors not shown in Appendix Table E.1, the approximate standard error (SE) of 

an estimated number of households for fiscal year 2018 can be calculated using Equation (3): 

 (3) , 

where SN is the naive standard error from Equation (2) above and d is the square root of the 

design effect for the population subgroup and characteristic of interest from Appendix Table E.2. 

The design effect reflects the loss of precision due to the different sampling rates in different 

strata of the SNAP QC sample. It is the ratio of the variance computed by the bootstrap method 

(Appendix Table E.1) to the naive variance.46 When the population subgroup (for example, 

households with an elderly individual) is listed in Appendix Table E.2 but the characteristic of 

interest is not, the average square root of the design effect for the subgroup from the right-hand 

column of Appendix Table E.2 is used. When neither the subgroup nor the characteristic is listed, 

use the average square root of the design effect for all SNAP households, 1.56. 

For example, to estimate the standard error of the number of households containing an 

elderly individual with zero net income, the first step is to obtain the size of the estimate. As 

shown in Appendix Table A.3, 924,000 households with elderly individuals have zero net 

income. 

 

44 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.

45 Calculated as: and . 

46 The variance and naive variance are the standard error and naive standard error squared, respectively.
125 

The next step is to calculate the naive standard error. Using Equations (1) and (2), the value 

is 18,941.47 Multiplying 18,941 by the square root of the design effect (d), 1.74, from Appendix 

Table E.2 yields an estimated standard error of 32,909. 

STANDARD ERRORS OF ESTIMATED PERCENTAGES

Comparing Equations (1) and (2), it is apparent that the standard error of an estimated 

percentage of households, SP, is equal to the standard error of the corresponding count of 

households, SN, divided by the number of households in the population that forms the base of the 

percentage:

(4) . 

For example, Appendix Table A.17 shows that, of the 8,064,000 households with children, 

1,194,000 (14.8 percent) have no gross income. The standard error of the number of 

households with children with no gross income is 32,019 (Appendix 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, 8,064,000 

households with children. The resulting standard error of the percentage estimate is 0.4 

percentage points, and the corresponding 95 percent confidence interval extends from 14.0 to 

15.6 percent around the point estimate of 14.8 percent.

Equation (4) can also be applied to standard errors not shown in Appendix Table E.1. First, 

calculate the adjusted naive standard error of the number of households using Equation (3). 

Then, divide the resulting standard error by the size of the population that forms the base of the 

percentage. Returning to an earlier example—of the 5,105,000 households with elderly 

individuals, 924,000 (18.1 percent) have zero net income. Dividing the adjusted naive standard 

error (calculated above as 18,941) by 5,105,000 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 2018 are provided in 

Appendix Table E.3. For example, the standard error of the mean gross income for all SNAP 

households in fiscal year 2018 is $3.75 (Appendix Table E.3) and the mean itself is $844 

(Appendix Table A.2). Therefore, a 95 percent confidence interval extends from approximately 

$836 to $851. 

Generalized approximation methods, such as that used in Equation (3), work well for 

standard errors of estimated numbers and percentages because standard errors depend only on 

 

47 Equation (1): 

 

Equation (2): , 

where 5,105,000 is the estimated population of elderly households, 924,000 is the estimated population of elderly 

households with zero net income, 10,745 is the sample size of elderly households (Appendix Table E.1), and 18,941

is the standard error.
126 

sample size, estimated proportion, and design effects. Generalized methods are less appropriate 

for standard errors of means because the standard error depends upon the variance as well as the 

sample size and design effects. Nevertheless, a rough approximation of the magnitude of 

standard errors of means not included in Appendix Table E.3 can be obtained from Appendix 

Table E.4, which shows for each variable in Appendix Table E.3 the average, minimum, and 

maximum value of that variable’s standard error as a percentage of the variable’s mean value. 

These three values are shown for all SNAP households and for selected subgroups. The standard 

errors in Appendix Table E.4 incorporate design effects. 
127 

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

 Households (000) with: 

 

Zero 

gross 

income

Zero 

net 

income

Minimum 

benefits 

Earned 

income

Elderly 

individuals Children

Schoolage 

children

Non-elderly 

individuals 

with 

disabilities

Sample 

size

Estimated 

population 

(000)

All SNAP households 63.27 82.08 38.73 69.59 60.09 80.31 63.23 49.35 43,738 19,699

With elderly 

individuals 20.80 32.94 30.68 21.46 60.09 13.99 13.45 8.36 10,745 5,105

Without elderly 

individuals 60.48 76.71 27.00 68.00 0.00 77.38 60.89 49.33 32,993 14,594

With children 32.02 43.38 13.81 63.22 13.99 80.31 63.23 31.79 17,841 8,064

With school-age 

children 26.96 40.23 11.09 51.39 13.45 63.23 63.23 30.24 14,298 6,493

Without children 56.53 75.19 37.39 40.59 59.12 0.00 0.00 45.42 25,897 11,635

With earnings 1.59 34.90 23.17 69.59 21.46 63.22 51.39 20.44 12,931 5,897

With non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities 0.13 22.15 19.92 20.44 8.36 31.79 30.24 49.35 10,081 4,073

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

Note: Standard errors were estimated using the bootstrap method.
128 

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

 Households with: 

Base of estimated 

number

Zero 

gross 

income

Zero net 

income

Minimum 

benefits 

Earned 

income

Elderly 

individuals Children

Schoolage 

children

Non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities

Average 

square root 

of design 

effect

All SNAP 

households 1.70 1.82 1.41 1.61 1.46 1.73 1.43 1.29 1.56

With elderly 

individuals 1.69 1.74 1.55 1.72 n.a. 1.57 1.57 1.36 1.60

Without elderly 

individuals 1.77 1.94 1.48 1.74 n.a. 1.93 1.53 1.38 1.68

With children 1.49 1.52 1.70 2.10 1.60 n.a. 2.64 1.51 1.79

With school-age 

children 1.48 1.61 1.65 1.90 1.60 n.a. n.a. 1.52 1.63

Without children 1.88 2.15 1.47 1.67 1.65 n.a. n.a. 1.45 1.71

With earnings n.a. 1.68 1.66 n.a. 1.75 2.79 2.03 1.49 1.89

With non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities 0.50 1.61 1.48 1.61 1.48 1.74 1.72 n.a. 1.45

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

Note: The design effect is the ratio of the variance computed by the bootstrap method to the naive variance for the specific cell of the table. The average 

square root of design effect for each row is a simple arithmetic average of the values for each cell in the row.

n.a. = not applicable.
129 

Table E.3. Standard errors of estimated means

 

Gross 

income

Net 

income Benefits 

All 

deductions

Total 

resources

Household 

size

Certification 

period Earningsa TANFa SSIa

Shelter 

deductiona

All SNAP households 3.75 2.08 0.35 2.40 0.69 0.00 0.06 9.32 9.44 4.30 1.93

With elderly 

individuals 7.43 6.82 1.41 5.03 1.49 0.01 0.15 46.67 28.89 6.70 4.83

Without elderly 

individuals 4.71 2.66 0.84 2.82 0.78 0.01 0.06 9.43 9.69 5.68 2.09

With children 6.84 5.25 2.61 3.79 1.29 0.02 0.03 12.09 9.77 12.53 2.64

With school-age 

children 8.30 6.56 3.03 4.38 1.56 0.03 0.04 14.32 11.22 13.56 2.95

Without children 5.85 4.18 0.73 3.06 0.76 0.00 0.09 18.35 25.01 4.53 2.84

With earnings 9.06 8.09 2.33 4.04 1.75 0.02 0.05 9.32 23.63 16.72 3.11

With non-elderly 

individuals with 

disabilities 6.56 7.14 2.21 5.14 1.43 0.02 0.16 26.02 17.14 5.69 4.65

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

Note: Standard errors were estimated using the bootstrap method.

a For households with a nonzero amount.
130 

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

 

Standard error as

percentage of the mean amount

Number of households in base of mean (000) Averagea Lowestb Highestc

19,699 (All SNAP households) 0.9 0.1 4.1

5,105 (Households with elderly individuals) 2.6 0.8 9.1

8,064 (Households with children) 1.5 0.3 6.8

5,897 (Households with earnings) 2.1 0.5 8.0

4,073 (Households with non-elderly individuals with 

disabilities) 2.2 0.6 7.6

Source: Fiscal year 2018 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control sample.

Note: Standard errors from Appendix Table E.3 and mean amounts from applicable text tables.

a Average standard error across all 11 variables in Appendix Table E.3 expressed as a percentage of the mean 

amount.

b Lowest of the standard errors across all 11 variables in Appendix Table E.3 expressed as a percentage of the mean 

amount.

c Highest of the standard errors across all 11 variables in Appendix Table E.3 expressed as a percentage of the mean 

amount.
APPENDIX F 

DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENT

133 
134 
135 
136 
INDEX

139

INDEX

Page(s) 

Able-bodied adults .................... (see Non-elderly adults without disabilities and without children) 

Age ..................................................................................................3, 6, 7, 15, 18-22, 24-27, 33-38, 

Tables A.1, A.2, A.14-A.16, A.23, A.24, A.26, A.29, B.5, B.14, B.15, B.17, E.1-E.3

Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Act) .........................................................3, 33 

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) ...........................................11, 31, 33 

Asset limit ......................................................................................................... (see Resource limit) 

Assets, countable...................................................................................................... (see Resources) 

Asylees .......................................................................................................................................7, 36 

Benefits ............................................................ 1-12, 15-20, 23-28, 33-38, 113-115, 117, 118, 124, 

Tables A.1, A.2, A.5-A.7, A.9-A.12, A.14, A.15, A.17-A.20, A.22, 

A.27-A.29, B.1, B.2, B.13, C.4-C.6, D.1, D.3, D.4, E.1-E.3

Maximum ............................................................................ 2, 9, 10, 18, 27, 28, 33, 35-37, 114, 

Tables A.1, A.2, A.9-A.12, A.17, A.19, C.5, C.6 

Minimum........................................................................................................ 9, 10, 27, 36, 124, 

Tables A.1, A.2, A.9, A.10, A.12, A.17, A.19, A.27, C.6, D.4, E.1, E.2 

Prorated ..............................................................................................................................24, 25 

Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE) ................................................................4, 11, 31, 33 

Categorically eligible households ..................................................... 3, 4, 6, 10, 33, 36, Table B.12 

Certification period (see also Expedited service, Recertification) ..................................8, 9, 33, 35, 

Tables A.2, A.12, A.15, A.18, A.20, B.2, E.3 

Child support income .................................................................................. 17, 38, Tables A.6, A.7 

Child support payment deduction ................................ 5, 33, 34, 38, Tables A.9-A.11, A.17-A.20 

Children...................... 3, 5, 7, 15, 17, 18, 21-27, 33-38, 125, Tables A.1-A.3, A.5, A.6, A.8-A.12, 

A.14-A.19, A.21-A.24, A.26, A.27, A.29, B.5, B14-B.17, D.4, E.1-E.4

Citizenship (see also Noncitizen) ............................................................................ 7, 24, 25, 34-36, 

Tables A.1, A.2, A.22, A.23, A.27, B.16, B.17 

Contributions...................................................................................................... 38, Tables A.6, A.7 

Countable resources .......................................................... 3, 6, 8, 33, 34, 36, Tables A.5, A.17, E.3 
140

Deductions .......................................... 5, 6, 9, 10, 28, 33-38, 114, 115, Tables A.2, A.7, A.9-A.11, 

A.15, A.17-A.20, A.28, B.2, B.4, B.8, C.4, D.4, E.3 

 Child support payment ............................................ 5, 33, 34, 38, Tables A.9-A.11, A.17-A.20 

Dependent care............................................................... 5, 34, 38, Tables A.9-A.11, A.17-A.20 

 Earned income ....................................................... 5, 34, 38, Tables A.9-A.11, A.17-A.20, B.8 

Excess shelter expense ..................... 6, 34, 37, 38, Tables A.9-A.11, A.17-A.20, B.4, C.4, E.3 

Medical expense....................................................... 5, 34, 35, 38, Tables A.9-A.11, A.17-A.20 

Standard ..................................................................... 5, 10, 34, 37, 38, Tables A.17, A.19, C.4 

Deemed income ........................................................................................... 34, 38, Tables A.6, A.7 

Dependent care deduction .................................................... 5, 34, 38, Tables A.9-A.11, A.17-A.20 

Deportees ................................................................................................... (see Stay of deportation) 

Earned income ................................................................................ 6, 10, 17-22, 24, 27, 31, 34, 38, 

Tables A.1, A.2, A.6-A.12, A.16-A.22, A.27, B.6-B.8, D.4, E.1, E.2 

Earned income deduction ............................................. 5, 34, 38, Tables A.9-A.11, A.17-A.20, B.8 

Educational loans ................................................................................................. 4, Tables A.6, A.7 

Elderly individuals ......... 3-6, 8-10, 15, 17-19, 21-27, 34-37, 124, 125, Tables A.1-A.3, A.5, A.6, 

A.8-A.12, A.14-A.19, A.21-A.23, A.25-A.27, A.29, B.5, B.14, B.15, B.17, D.4, E.1-E.4

Elderly Simplified Applications Project (ESAP)..................................................... 8, 9, 31 

Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) ...........................................................................1, 10, 31, 34, 37 

Energy assistance ........................................................................................... 4, 38, Tables A.6, A.7 

Entrant households ........................................................................................... 34, Tables A.13, B.9 

Excess shelter expense deduction .................................................................................6, 34, 37, 38, 

Tables A.9-A.11, A.17-A.20, B.4, C.4, E.3 

Expedited service households ...................................................................... 8, 34, Tables A.13, B.9 

Gender ................................................................................................. 24, Tables A.23, A.24, A.29 

General Assistance (GA) ......................................................................4, 21, 22, 31, 33, 34, 36, 38, 

Tables A.1, A.2, A.6-A.10, A.16-A.20, B.6, B.7 

Gross income ......................... 3-6, 8-11, 15-24, 26-28, 33, 34, 38, 114, 115, 125, Tables A.1-A.5, 

A.7, A.9, A.10, A.15-A.20, A.27, A.28, B.2, B.3, C.1, C.2, D.4, E.1-E.3

Gross income limit ....................................................................................... 4, 11, 33, 34, Table C.2 

Homeless household shelter estimate ...................................................................... 6, 34, Table C.4 
141

Household composition ........................................................................................... 9, 15-27, 34-37, 

Tables A.1, A.2, A.5, A.9, A.10, A.14-A.17, A.19, A.26, B.5 

 Married head with children households ............................ 17, 18, 21-23, 35, Tables A.14-A.16 

 Single adult with children households ....................... 17, 18, 21-23, 37, Tables A.14-A.16, B.5 

Household head .................................................................. 17, 18, 35, 36, Tables A.21, A.25, B.10 

Household size ................................. 5, 9, 10, 15, 17, 18, 23, 27, 34-37, 114, Tables A.2, A.4, A.5, 

A.7, A.15, A.17-A.20, A.24, A.28, B.2, C.1-C.3, C.5, C.6, D3, E.3 

Households, participating ............................................ 1, 16, 36, 113, 117, Tables A.1-A.22, A.27, 

B.1, B.3-B.6, B.8, B.10, B.11, B.13, D.2, D.4

Income, monthly countable ....................... 3-6, 8-10, 15-24, 27, 28, 31, 33-38, 114, 115, 124, 125, 

Tables A.1-A.12, A.15-A.22, A.27, A.28, B.2, B.3, B.6-B.8, C.1-C.3, D.4, E.1-E.3

 Child support .......................................................................................... 17, 38, Tables A.6, A.7 

Earned ....................................................................................... 6, 10, 17-22, 24, 27, 31, 34, 38, 

Tables A.1, A.2, A.6-A.12, A.16-A.22, A.27, B.6-B.8, D.4, E.1, E.2 

General Assistance (GA) ................................................................4, 21, 22, 31, 33, 34, 36, 38, 

Tables A.1, A.2, A.6-A.10, A.16-A.20, B.6, B.7 

Gross ................................ 3-6, 8-11, 15-24, 26-28, 33, 34, 38, 114, 115, 125, Tables A.1-A.5, 

A.7, A.9, A.10, A.15-A.20, A.27, A.28, B.2, B.3, C.1, C.2, D.4, E.1-E.3

Net .......................... 3-5, 9, 15, 18, 23, 27, 28, 34-36, 38, 114, 115, 124, 125, Tables A.1-A.5, 

A.7, A.9, A.10, A.15, A.17-A.20, A.27, A.28, B.2, C.1, C.3, D.4, E.1-E.3

Social Security ..................18, 19, 24, 35, 38, Tables A.1, A.2, A.6-A.10, A.16-A.20, B.6, B.7 

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) ................ 4, 8, 10, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24, 31, 33, 35-38, 114, 

Tables A.1, A.2, A.6-A.10, A.16-A.20, A.27, B.6, B.7, C.4, E.3 

Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) .......... 4, 6-8, 10, 11, 17, 18, 21, 22, 26, 27, 

31, 33, 36-38, Tables A.1, A.2, A.6-A.10, A.12, A.16-A.22, A.27, B.6, B.7, E.3 

Unearned ............................................................ 33, 38, Tables A.1, A.2, A.6-A.10, A.17-A.20 

Initial certification households ...........................................................................8, 9, 35, Table A.13 

Lawful permanent resident noncitizens .........................................................................7, 24, 35, 36 

Married-head households ........................................................ 17, 18, 21-23, 35, Tables A.14-A.16 

Maximum benefit ...................................................................... 2, 9, 10, 18, 27, 28, 33, 35-37, 114, 

Tables A.1, A.2, A.9-A.12, A.17, A.19, C.5, C.6 

Medical expense deduction ............................................ 5, 34, 35, 38, Tables A.9-A.11, A.17-A.20 
142

Medical deduction demonstrations ............................................................................................5, 37 

Metropolitan households .............................................................................. 35, 37, Tables A.1, A.2 

Micropolitan households .............................................................................. 35, 37, Tables A.1, A.2 

Minimum benefit .................................................... 9, 10, 27, 36, 124, Tables A.1, A.2, A.9, A.10, 

A.12, A.17, A.19, A.27, C.6, D.4, E.1, E.2 

Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) ...................... 10, 31, 34, 36, 114, Tables C.4, D.4 

Net income .................... 3-5, 9, 15, 18, 23, 27, 28, 34-36, 38, 114, 115, 124, 125, Tables A.1-A.5, 

A.7, A.9, A.10, A.15, A.17-A.20, A.27, A.28, B.2, C.1, C.3, D.4, E.1-E.3

Net income limit ...................................................................................................... 3, 36, Table C.3 

Noncitizens .................................. 7, 24, 25, 34-36, Tables A.1, A.2, A.22, A.23, A.27, B.16, B.17 

Asylees .................................................................................................................................7, 36 

 Lawful permanent resident noncitizens .............................................................7, 24, 35, 36 

Nonimmigrant visitors to the United States .........................................................................7, 36 

Refugees ......................................................................... 7, 24, 25, 36, Tables A.22, A.23, B.16 

 Stay of deportation ...............................................................................................................7, 36 

Non-elderly adults .................................... 17, 19, 24-26, 36, Tables A.23, A.25, A.26, A.29, B.15 

Non-elderly adults without disabilities and without children ............ 17, 19, 20-22, 25, 27, 37, 38, 

Tables A.1, A.2, A.14-A.16, A.23, A.26, B.5, B.15 

Non-elderly individuals with disabilities ...................... 15, 17, 19, 21-25, -27, 37, Tables A.1-A.3, 

A.5, A.6, A.8-A.12, A.14-A.19, A.21-A.23, A.26, A.27, B.5, B.15, D.4, E.1-E.4 

Nonimmigrant visitors to the United States ...............................................................................7, 36 

Nonparticipating household head ........................................................ 36, Tables A.21, A.22, A.25 

Participants ............................................................................. 7-16, 20, 24-27, 34, 37, 38, 113, 117, 

Tables A.1, A.14, A.23-A.26, A.29, B.1, B.14-B.17 

Poverty, individuals in ......................................................................................... 11-17, Table B.13 

Poverty guidelines ........................................ 3, 4, 11, 15, 16, 26, 27, 34, 36, Tables A.1-A.5, A.15, 

A.18, A.20, A.28, B.2, B.3, B.13, C.2, C.3 

Preschool-age children ....... 25, 36, Tables A.1, A.2, A.5, A.9, A.10, A.17-A.19, A.23, A.26, B.14 

Prorated benefit ........................................................................................................................24, 25 

Pure Public Assistance (PA) ............................................................................ 4, 31, 36, Table B.12 

Race/Hispanic status ............................................................................ 25, Tables A.21, A.23, B.10 
143

Recertification ........................................................................................................8, 33, Table A.13 

Refugees ............................................................................... 7, 24, 25, 36, Tables A.22, A.23, B.16 

Resource limit ........................................................................................................3, 4, 6, 11, 34, 36 

Rural .................................................................................................... 37, Tables A.1, A.2, C.5, C.6 

School-age children .................................................... 24, 25, 37, Tables A.1, A.2, A.5, A.9, A.10, 

A.17-A.19, A.23, B.14, E.1-E.3

Self-employment income ......................................................................... 34, Tables A.6, A.7, A.25 

Sex ................................................................................................................................ (see Gender) 

Shelter deduction ................................................................. (see Excess shelter expense deduction) 

Single adult with children households ............................. 17, 18, 21-23, 37, Tables A.14-A.16, B.5 

Single-person households ....... 3, 18-24, 35, 37, Tables A.4, A.5, A.14-A.17, A.19, A.24, C.1-C.6 

Social Security .......................18, 19, 24, 35, 38, Tables A.1, A.2, A.6- A.10, A.16-A.20, B.6, B.7 

Social Security Administration (SSA) .....................................................................................10, 37 

SSI-Combined Application Project (SSI-CAP) ....................... 9, 10, 31, 34, 36, 37, 114, Table C.4 

Standard deduction........................................................... 5, 10, 34, 37, 38, Tables A.17, A.19, C.4 

Standard error............................................................................................. 123-130, Tables E.1-E.4

Standard utility allowance (SUA) .............................................................. 6, 10, 31, 37, Table B.11 

State diversion payments ...........................................................................................................4, 38 

States ...................... 1, 2, 4-10, 33-35, 37, 38, 113, 114, 117, Tables A.29, B.1-B.17, C.1-C.6, D.2 

Stay of deportation .....................................................................................................................7, 36 

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) ...................... 4, 8, 10, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24, 31, 33, 35-38, 114, 

Tables A.1, A.2, A.6-A.10, A.16-A.20, A.27, B.6, B.7, C.4, E.3 

Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) ................ 4, 6-8, 10, 11, 17, 18, 21, 22, 26, 27, 

31, 33, 36-38, Tables A.1, A.2, A.6-A.10, A.12, A.16-A.22, A.27, B.6, B.7, E.3 

Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) ............................................................ 9, 31, 33, 35, 37, Tables A.24, C.5 

Unearned income ..................................................... 33, 38, Tables A.1, A.2, A.6-A.10, A.17-A.20 

Unemployment income .................................................................................. 7, 38, Tables A.6, A.7 

Veterans’ benefits .................................................................................... 7, 35, 38, Tables A.6, A.7 

Wage supplementation ....................................................................................... 38, Tables A.6, A.7 

Wages ................................................................................................................. 34, Tables A.6, A.7 
144

Work registration ...........................................................................................35, 37, 38, Table A.25 

Work requirements and a time limit ................................................ 7, 9, 20, 33, 37, 38, Table B.15 

Workers’ compensation ............................................................................... 35, 38, Tables A.6, A.7