Information about SNAP caseload and participation

Program reports available

December 2014 Report on Characteristics of People and Cases on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. This annual report provides a snapshot of the household, demographic and economic characteristics of SNAP cases and eligible people in December of each year. Data are provided on the SNAP caseload, demographics of eligible adults, length of SNAP eligibility and use of other public assistance. Previous reports are available for December 2013, December 2012, December 2011 and December 2010.

County Performance in Context is an interactive website that provides citizens with tools to compare Minnesota counties on measures related to the well-being of children and families, including the SNAP participation rate for people in poverty.

DHS Dashboard provides snapshots of progress on important measures, including participation in SNAP by seniors. Increased participation in SNAP will allow seniors more resources for a nutritious diet, leading to better overall health and lower health care costs.

Evaluation Notes Series, Issue 21: The Growing Food Support Caseload, January 2010. This issue examines different factors behind an increase in the number of people receiving SNAP.

Evaluation Notes Series, Issue 23: Increase Food Support Income Limits and Elimination of the Asset Test: Effects on the Caseload, August 2011 This issue focuses on the poor economy as the largest driver of SNAP caseload growth.

Family Self-Sufficiency and Health Care Program Statistics. This monthly report by DHS tracks financial activity in the major cash, emergency assistance and food assistance programs. A related report, SNAP and State-Funded Food Cases, Recipients and Payments (PDF), provides program details by county. It is organized by calendar year, beginning with January and ending with the most current monthly report. It is also available as an Excel file. Historical data on statewide or county expenditures is available upon request by contacting .

Quality Control Accuracy Report (for the current month) (PDF). This report provides management data on three SNAP performance measures: application processing timeliness, payment accuracy and negative actions. Details about the types of eligibility errors being made can help inform program improvements.

Quality Control Accuracy Report (year-end report) (PDF). Summary data is used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to determine which states will receive bonuses for excellent performance, or sanctions for poor performance.

Steering Committee on State-County Performance and Outcomes This Web page contains information about a committee established by the Minnesota Legislature to define essential human service responsibilities for counties, establish minimum outcome standards for those services and develop uniform data collection and review processes.

Federal reports put Minnesota activity in national context

The Food and Nutrition Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) generates reports about efforts to end hunger and obesity through the administration of 15 federal nutrition assistance programs, including SNAP. This website at the USDA provides program data about SNAP This table shows the number of persons participating in SNAP in the U.S. This table shows the number of households participating in SNAP in the U.S.

About SNAP data

Different methods for gathering and sorting data yield slightly different results. Learn more about those differences.

Formal complaints

The U.S Department of Agriculture prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.)

If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html or at any USDA office, or call 866-632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax 202-690-7442 or email at .

Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339; or 800-845-6136 (En Espanol).

For any other information dealing with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) issues, persons should either contact the USDA SNAP Hotline Number at 800-221-5689, which is also in Spanish or call the State Information/Hotline Numbers (click the link for a listing of hotline numbers by State); found online at http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/contactinfo/hotlines.htm.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.