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Briefing Rooms

Food and Nutrition Assistance Programs and the General Economy: Gallery
Table 1: Changes in the unemployment rate and FSP caseload over different periods of the business cycle since 1974
Figure 1: Unemployment rate and Food Stamp Program caseload, 1969-2001
Figure 2: Unemployment rate and food assistance program expenditures, 1980-2001
Figure 3: Unemployment rate and Food Stamp Program caseload, by household type
Figure 4: Monthly Food Stamp Program caseload and unemployment rate
Figure 5: Input-output multiplier impact on jobs from $1 billion increase in food stamps
Figure 6: Input-output multiplier impact on value added from $1 billion increase in food stamps

 

Table 1. Changes in the unemployment rate and FSP caseload over different periods of the business cycle since 1974
Periods Change in unemployment rate Change in FSP caseload Ratio of caseload to unemployment rate change
  Percentage points Million persons Ratio
Rising unemployment and food stamp caseload
1974-75 3.6 4.9 1.4
1980-81 1.8 4.8 2.7
1990-92 2.2 6.6 3.0
Falling unemployment and food stamp caseload
1977-78 -1.6 -2.5 1.6
1983-88 -4.2 -3.1 0.7
1995-00 -2.1 -10.3 4.9

Note: The historical relationship has not been adjusted for the influence of policy or other factors.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey, unemployment data. USDA, Food and Nutrition Service, Food Stamp Program caseload data.

 

 

Relationship between the food stamp caseload and the unemployment rate.

 

 

Relationship between food assistance expenditures and the unemployment rate.

 

 

Relationship between the unemployment rate and the FSP caseload, with the caseload distinguished by various social-demographic factors.

 

 

Recent monthly data on the FSP caseload and unemployment rate.
Get these data in an Excel spreadsheet.

 

Distribution of jobs by industry from a $1 billion increase in food stamp expenditures, under deficit financing through emergency funding.

 

 

Distribution of value added by industry from a $1 billion increase in food stamp expenditures, under deficit financing through emergency funding.

 
For more information, contact: Kenneth Hanson

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Updated date: October 31, 2005