FACTORS AFFECTING FOOD STAMP PARTICIPATION RATES AND PER CAPITA BENEFITS

Several socioeconomic variables had an impact on Food Stamp Program participation and per capita benefit levels in 1976. Among the significant variables were the unemployment rate, the percentage of the population that was white, the poverty rate, participation in the Aid to Families with Dependent Children Program, cashed-out Food Stamp benefits, region of residence, and metropolitan residence. Metropolitan residence increased participation and per capita benefits. This suggests that successful approaches to administering the program in metropolitan areas may not succeed in nonmetropolitan areas