Surveys that ask apparently eligible persons why they do not participate have typically found large proportions of respondents saying that they do not believe they are eligible for benefits. Uncertainty about eligibility leads households to discount the value of potential benefits. Even households who fully understand their potential food stamp amount may differ in how much they value the benefit. Because the benefit can be spent only for food, households who place a high priority on covering their food expenditures may be more likely to participate than households whose biggest worry is, for example, paying the landlord. Research on food insecurity and hunger has shown that households in apparently similar financial circumstances can experience quite different levels of food insecurity, although little is known about what causes the differences.
Households take into account the time, hassle, and psychological effects of participation.
The low-income household weighs the expected food stamp benefit against the expected costs of participation. The process can also involve uncertainty and confusion. Some people who begin the application process fail to complete it because they become uncertain about what to do next or how to comply with requirements such as providing documentation on eligibility factors. Households who are approved for benefits must be recertified periodically, which involves a somewhat streamlined repetition of the application process. Some types of recipients face a further requirement to participate in employment or training activities.