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Food Stamp Program

History/Purpose

The Food Stamp Program provides a basic safety net to millions of people. The idea for the program was born in the late 1930s, with a limited program in effect from 1939 to 1943. It was revived as a pilot program in 1961 and was extended nationwide in 1974. The current program structure was implemented in 1977 with a goal of alleviating hunger and malnutrition by permitting low-income households to obtain a more nutritious diet through normal channels of trade.

People Who Benefit from Food Stamps

Monthly participation data

2003 Participation Rates State-by-State

2004 Characteristics of Food Stamp Households

Program Access Index (PAI) by State

Benefits/Participation

The program provides monthly benefits to eligible low-income families which can be used to purchase food. Through the electronic benefit transfer systems (EBT) the use of food stamp “coupons” is no longer the means in which a client receives their benefits. EBT replaces paper coupons through use of a benefits card, similar to a bank card. USDA reports that all 50 states, DC, and Puerto Rico are now using EBT systems.

The average monthly participation level in fiscal year (FY) 2003 was 21.26 million individuals. One of the strengths of the Food Stamp Program is its ability to respond to local, state, and national economic changes and emergencies.

The Food Stamp Program is targeted toward those most in need. Of all food stamp households in FY 2003 (the year for which the most recent detailed USDA data are available), 55 percent contain children; households with children receive 79.3 percent of all food stamp benefits. Roughly 18 percent of food stamp households contain an elderly person and 23 percent contain a disabled person. Approximately 88 percent of food stamp households have gross incomes below the poverty line ($18,100 for a family of four in 2002). Approximately 38.4 percent of food stamp households have gross incomes at or below half of the poverty line.

Eligibility

Eligibility for the Food Stamp Program is based on financial and non-financial factors. The application process includes completing and filing an application form, being interviewed, and verifying facts crucial to determining eligibility. With certain exceptions, a household that meets the eligibility requirements is qualified to receive benefits. Legal immigrants who are children or disabled can now get food stamps, as can legal immigrants who have legally resided in the United States for at least 5 years. Other legal immigrants and any undocumented immigrants are ineligible for food stamp benefits. Also, many able-bodied, childless, unemployed adults have time limits on their receipt of food stamp benefits.

A household is defined as a person or a group of people living together, but not necessarily related, who purchase and prepare food together. Households, except those with elderly or disabled members, must have gross incomes below 130 percent of the poverty line. All households must have net incomes below 100 percent of poverty to be eligible. Most households may have up to $2,000 in countable resources (e.g., checking/savings account, cash, stocks/bonds). Households with at least one household member who is disabled or age 60 or older may have up to $3,000 in resources. Currently, program benefits provide an average of nearly 90 cents a meal per person.

Funding

The federal government pays 100 percent of food stamp program benefits. Federal and State governments share administrative costs (with the federal government contributing nearly 50 percent). In FY 2003, total federal food stamp costs were $23.88 billion.

Food Stamp Program Links

General Food Stamp Information
Food Stamp Program Frequently Asked Questions
2006 Eligibility Limits
2006 Standard Utility Allowances
2006 ABAWD Exemptions
Cap on Food Stamp Shelter Deduction:
Summary of Current law
A Guide to Food Stamp Program Outreach
Food Stamps for Working Families: Issues and Options
Food Stamp Program Shelter Deduction Fact Sheet

Food Stamp Program Data
Food Stamp Monthly Program Participation Data
2003 Food Stamp Participation Rates State-by-State
2003 Food Stamp Program Access Index (PAI)
2004 Characteristics of Food Stamp Households
Application Processing Timeliness

Food Stamp Legislation
Food Stamp Program Resource Center
2007 Farm Bill Food Stamp Reauthorization Center

Policy Changes
Adjusting Standard Utility Allowances for the 2005-2006 Winter
Significant Improvements to Vehicle Rules of the Food Stamp Program
Deduction Language on Application and Reported Changes
Family Subsistence Supplemental Allowance and National Flood Insurance Program
Food Stamp Eligibility for Residents of Assisted Living Facilities with Meal Options

Archived Food Stamp Links

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