Examines how well the Food Stamp Program serves nonmetropolitan households. Argues that the program is at least as successful in serving low-income rural households as urban households, that participation rates are higher in rural areas, and that recent declines in participation rates have...

Reports on what is known about why eligible low-income working and elderly households don't participate in the Food Stamp Program, and recommends a national survey to assess the extent of the problem and develop an appropriate policy response.

The report notes that a third of the decline in participation occurred because of rising incomes; another 8 percent was related to changes in eligibility rules that restricted benefits for noncitizens and able-bodied adults without dependents. The rest of the decline—just under...

Reports on what is known about why eligible low-income working and elderly households don't participate in the Food Stamp Program, and recommends a national survey to assess the extent of the problem and develop an appropriate policy response.

Although the Food Stamp Program serves a predominantly urban population, nearly 1/4 of food stamp participants live in rural areas. The authors note that the number of food stamp recipients fell 25 percent in urban areas between 1996 and 1998, compared with 17 percent in rural areas. The...