Food Stamp Participation

Nationally, the food stamp participation rate of eligible people in 2002 was 54 percent. In Massachusetts it was 39 percent. In the Mason Square area (the 01109 zip code), the Mass Department of Transitional Aide measured the participation rate in 2005 at 24 percent. In the Northern Berkshires, it ranges between 67 and 98 percent depending on which community you are in.

The Food Stamp Program provided 65 percent of the total of all possible benefits. Approximately 80 percent of those eligible participate who have incomes below poverty. However, only 22 percent of eligible persons participate who have incomes above poverty. The groups with the lowest food stamp participation rates are those hardest to reach: immigrants, seniors, and the working poor. Almost half of food pantry users who are eligible to receive food stamps do not receive them.

The USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service have researched various aspects of the problem of getting people to participate in the Food Stamp Program (FSP) and thus enhance their food security. Overall, the pattern of participation closely follows patterns in poverty and the US economic cycle. However, there are reasons why people who are eligible for benefits do not apply.

1) Lack of information about eligibility. Changes in eligibility rules have at times caused decreases in the participation rate and at other time, increases. Changes add to the confusion about eligibility which cannot be simplified for easy communication to potential participants. For example, restrictions on the eligibility of non-citizens has impacted the program in the past. In 2001, eligibility was restored for many non-citizens as well as vehicle rules were relaxed, causing an increase in participation. Less than half of all eligible non-participants think that they are eligible.

2) A sense that benefits were not needed

3) Dissatisfaction with the size of the benefit

4) The complexity of the application process

5) The stigma attached to participation.

Who’s Participating?

Fifty percent of the participants are children under the age of 18, and one-half of the households include at least one child.

Eight percent of all participants are elderly and about 17 percent of the households include an elderly person. Twenty-three percent of households include someone who is disabled.

Forty-two percent are adults (not including the elderly).

Of the total, approximately four percent are non-citizens. Another three percent are naturalized citizens. The highest racial/ethnic category is 43 percent for non-Hispanic white. African-American’s make up 33 percent and Hispanic’s 19 percent.

Approximately 40 percent of participants live in households with earnings. Households with TANF (welfare assistance) make up 22 percent, households with SSI make up 21 percent, and households with social security make up 17 percent.

In one study on estimating the probabilities and patterns of food stamp use across a lifetime, it is estimated that 49 percent of all children will receive benefits before they reach age 20 and that 51 percent of all adults will receive benefits at some point between the ages of 20 and 65.

Who’s Not Participating?

Ninety-six percent of eligible non-participants know of the program. Two-thirds know where to go to apply. About half have received food stamps before as adults.

Eligible non-participants include the elderly and non-disabled childless adults – less than one-third of them receive benefits. People in households with earnings participate at lower-than-average rates. People in households made up of citizen children but non-citizen parents also participate at lower-than-average rates.

Nearly 60 percent of eligible non-participants would qualify for a benefit of more than $100 per month. Thirty percent would qualify for more than $200.

Sixty-nine percent of non-participants would apply for food stamp benefits if they knew that they were eligible. Twenty-seven percent would not. The reason for not applying most cited by these households is personal independence.