The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities released a report discussing the importance of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). They stated that SNAP is the cornerstone of the nation's safety net and nutrition assistance programs, and has achieved impressive results in meeting the needs of low-income Americans. SNAP currently provides over 47 million participants in over 23 million low-income households with debit cards that can be used to purchase food each month. This report addresses four topic areas: SNAP's effective response to the recession; SNAP's recent temporary growth in spending; SNAP reaching a high share of eligible people; and SNAP's payment accuracy reaching an all-time high.

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities released a quick guide to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility and benefits. This guide can be used to assist individuals in determining eligibility and calculating benefit amounts. Common questions are answered and examples are given for clarity. In addition to this, a resource that assists in locating local human service offices is available, along with a pre-screening eligibility tool that can determine if an individual may qualify for SNAP.

The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities released a report discussing the relationship between SNAP and work among low-income households. The success of the core goals of SNAP in increasing the food purchasing power of eligible low-income households to improve their nutrition and alleviate hunger continues to be well documented. This report discusses previous documentations and addresses labor force participation among SNAP recipients, as well as how SNAP supports work.

Mathematica conducted an exploratory study for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service, to determine existing measures for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) modernization initiatives. These initiatives included call centers, online systems, document imaging, kiosks, partnering, waiving the face-to-face interview, shortened interviews, and online expedited applications. An integrated report summarizes findings on initiatives across the 45 States participating in the study, including how they monitor and measure performance. It also includes suggestions for performance measures and standards to consider.

The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities recently released an updated report reviewing State government SNAP Web sites. States across the U.S. provide general information to the public on their SNAP programs via the Internet, including information on their application process and State policy manuals. In this report, the CBPP reviews all the States' web pages to determine what information and services they offer. In addition to this, the report provides links to the addresses for each States' SNAP web pages and an overview of the types of information and services that State provides.

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities recently published their revised version of "Online Services for Key Low-Income Benefit Programs: What States Provide Online with Respect to SNAP, TANF, Child Care Assistance, Medicaid, CHIP, and General Assistance." This report makes available to the public basic program information in these five main State-administered low-income benefit programs for most States. Application forms and data on the number of program participants is provided, as well as links that will provide additional information on eligibility and benefits.

From the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, this Chartbook provides data on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP provides approximately 46 million people across the country with nutrition assistance and is especially relied upon during economic recessions, since after unemployment insurance, SNAP has been the most responsive Federal program to assist families. Authors provide information on the demographics of the population accessing this program, as well as information on program administration, take-up, and use.

The USDA, Food and Nutrition Service, has created two interactive maps that allow users to find specific information about Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) participation rates. Map users can click on each State to learn about the State's participation rate and how given percentage increases in participation rates could affect the State's economy as well as total SNAP and SFSP participant numbers. The maps' homepage also links to the source of each map's data.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment & Training (SNAP E&T) was designed to help move individuals towards exiting SNAP and reaching economic self-sufficiency through gainful employment. Authored by the National Skills Coalition with funding from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, this user’s guide was designed to provide workforce development stakeholders with information on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment & Training (SNAP E&T, formerly Food Stamp Employment & Training or FSET). Authors provide an overview as well as information for designing and implementing a SNAP E&T program.

TANF potentially serves as a portal for a wide array of programs that provide cash income support, in-kind nutrition and housing assistance, tax credits, and other services to families with low-incomes. This research brief summarizes what we know about the connections between TANF and other important safety net programs. It reviews the size and scope of the various programs, the receipt of other safety net benefits by TANF families, and the implications for policy and research. (author abstract)