DURHAM, N.H. - Researchers from the Carsey Institute at the University of New Hampshire are available to discuss the usage patterns and benefits of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps. Researchers also can discuss trends in child poverty.

The U.S. Senate is expected to consider the senate version of the Farm Bill, which funds SNAP, next week. The proposed Senate legislation cuts the SNAP program by about $4 billion over the next decade. The U.S. House is expected to take up the House version of the legislation later this month, which proposes a nearly $21 billion cut over 10 years. Approximately 46 million Americans receive SNAP benefits, more than half of whom are children.

Jessica Carson
Vulnerable families research scientist, Carsey Institute
603-862-3215
Jessica.carson@unh.edu
Carson can discuss patterns of SNAP use by region and place, and trends since the beginning of the recession. She also can discuss the characteristics of who uses SNAP, including median income, family type and poverty status, and households with seniors, children, and disabled members. She also is available to talk about benefits levels and program responsiveness.

Marybeth Mattingly
Director of research on vulnerable families, Carsey Institute
240-593-4297
beth.mattingly@unh.edu
Mattingly can discuss child poverty, how different family policies influence rural, suburban, and urban families, and how families adjust their labor force behavior during times of economic strain. She also examines poverty-related issues, how families cope with economic distress, childhood maltreatment, and foster care across states.

Carsey Research
SNAP
Recent Data Show Continued Growth in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Use
http://carseyinstitute.unh.edu/publication/recent-data-show-continued-growth-supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-use

Reliance on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Continued to Rise Post-Recession
http://carseyinstitute.unh.edu/publication/reliance-supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-continued-rise-post-recession

More Than One in Ten American Households Relies on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance http://carseyinstitute.unh.edu/publication/more-one-ten-american-households-relies-supplemental-nutrition-assistance

Child Poverty
Over Sixteen Million Children in Poverty in 2011
http://carseyinstitute.unh.edu/publication/over-sixteen-million-children-poverty-2011

More Poor Kids in More Poor Places: Children Increasingly Live Where Poverty Persists
http://carseyinstitute.unh.edu/publication/more-poor-kids-more-poor-places-children-increasingly-live-where-poverty-persists

The Carsey Institute conducts policy research on vulnerable children, youth, and families and on sustainable community development. The institute gives policy makers and practitioners the timely, independent resources they need to effect change in their communities. For more information about the Carsey Institute, go to www.carseyinstitute.unh.edu.

The University of New Hampshire, founded in 1866, is a world-class public research university with the feel of a New England liberal arts college. A land, sea, and space-grant university, UNH is the state's flagship public institution, enrolling 12,200 undergraduate and 2,300 graduate students.

-30-