Mississippi, New Mexico, Oregon, Tennessee, and West Virginia have the largest amount of food stamp participants in the country. According to SNAP each month about 47.6 million people living in 23.1 million U.S. households participated in the USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), on average, per month.

State Data Lab provides data on SNAP programs in all 50 states and you can find where your state stands here.

SNAP households consist of a diverse group because benefits are available to most low-income households with few resources regardless of age, disability status, or family structure. SNAP participants represent a broad cross-section of the nation’s low-income families. In 2013, most participants were children or elderly with 44% of participants under age 18 and 9 percent age 60 or older.

To qualify for the SNAP program, applicants must demonstrate requisite need, including proof that the household’s net income falls below the poverty level. Additional requirements include:

·      Monthly income must be at or below 130% of the poverty line (roughly $2,144/month and $25,700/year

·      A family’s net income after major expense (e.g. housing, child care) must be less than or equal to the poverty line

·      In some states, households must prove they do not have more than 2000 in the bank

Click here to see how your state compares in food stamp participation to these states.