Trends in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Participation Rates: 2000 to 2007

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, helps low-income individuals purchase food so that they can obtain a nutritious diet. Ability to reach the target population is an important measure of SNAP's performance. Of the 39 million people eligible for benefits in an average month in 2007, 26 million (66 percent) participated. SNAP also provided 81 percent of the benefits that all eligible people could receive because the neediest, who are eligible for higher benefits, participated at higher rates than other people. Participation rates remained relatively high for children, individuals in households with incomes below the poverty line, and recipients of TANF or SSI.