Trends in Food Stamp Program Participation Rates: 1976 to 1990

Excerpts from the report: The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has a keen interest in the extent to which Food Stamp Program (FSP) benefits reach those who are eligible for them. The participation rate—the ratio of the number of participants to the number of eligibles--provides a picture of a program's success in reaching this target population. This report presents trends in participation rates from 1976 to 1990 based on the Current Population Survey (CPS). The CPS contains information to estimate the number of FSP eligibles over many years, but consistently underestimates participation rates. The SIPP-based series of estimates gives a more accurate measure of participation rates at particular points in time since 1984, but cannot support an historical comparison of rates over a longer period. Our objective in sponsoring this research was to establish the context of long-term changes in program participation rates. Thus, the focus of the report is on overall trends rather than levels.