This report describes the characteristics of SNAP households and participants nationwide in FY 2010. It also presents an overview of SNAP eligibility requirements and benefit levels. Nearly half of all participants (47 percent) were children and another 8 percent were age 60 or older.

In fiscal year 2010, about 40.3 million people living in 18.6 million U.S. households participated in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), on average, per month.

This report presents findings showing that, from FY 2008 to FY 2009, the number of SNAP participants increased by 18 percent and the number of eligible individuals increased by 15 percent. The large increase in the number of participants was likely attributable to the deterioration of the...