Background 

This is the second report in a series of 

publications that presents estimates of the 

percentage of eligible persons, by State, who 

participate in the Food Stamp Program. This 

issue presents food stamp participation rates for 

States in September 1997 and the changes in 

State rates between September 1994 and 

September 1997. This information can be used 

to examine States’ performance over this period 

and help understand the effects on food stamp 

participation rates of a strong economy with 

expanding job opportunities and the very early 

consequences of welfare reform and food stamp 

changes that were brought about by the Personal 

Responsibility and Work Opportunity 

Reconciliation Act of 1996. 

Findings 

In September 1997, about 62 percent of eligible 

people in the United States received food 

stamps. Participation rates varied widely among 

States from a low of 45 percent in Nevada to 92 

percent in West Virginia. 

Nationwide, the food stamp participation rate 

fell by nine percentage points – from 71 percent 

to 62 percent – between September 1994 and 

September 1997. Participation rates fell in every 

region of the country and in all but five States. 

Arizona’s participation rate fell the most – by 22 

percent points, from 73 percent to 51 percent – 

while Oklahoma’s and the District of 

Columbia’s participation rates rose the most – 

by 8 and 10 percentage points, respectively. As a 

result of the large disparity in the rate changes, 

the variation in participation rates among States 

actually widened between September 1994 and 

September 1997. 

The estimates are derived using a statistical 

approach known as shrinkage estimation that 

draws on data from the Current Population 

Survey, the Decennial census, and 

administrative records. The shrinkage estimator 

averages sample estimates of participation rates 

with predictions from a regression model that is 

based on indicators of socioeconomic 

conditions. Shrinkage estimates are substantially 

more precise than direct sample estimates from 

the Current Population Survey or the Survey of 

Income and Program Participation, the leading 

sources of current data on household income and 

program eligibility. Nevertheless, the estimated 

participation rates are based on fairly small 

samples of households in many States and the 

uncertainty associated with the estimates for 

these States is large. 

REACHING THOSE IN NEED: FOOD STAMP PARTICIPATION 

RATES IN THE STATES

Office of Research and Analysis July 2000

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all of its programs and activities on the 

basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, 

parental status, religion, sexual orientation, political beliefs, genetic information, reprisal, or because all or part 

of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all 

programs.) 

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, 

large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). 

To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence 

Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410; or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-

8339 (Local or Federal relay), or (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federalrelay). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.