Figure 3. Most common events experienced before receiving SNAP, 2008-12

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Source: USDA 2008-2012; U.S. Census Bureau 2008-2012.

Note: Statistics from a USDA study on why individuals enter and exit SNAP. Data are from the U.S. Census Bureau's Survey of Income and Program Participation from 2008 to 2012. Events include those experienced in the previous four months. Cases with no observable events leading to SNAP participation are excluded, which excludes about 46.5 percent of the total sample. Includes all individuals not receiving SNAP for two months with incomes less than 300% of the federal poverty line. The USDA separately identified those who experienced unemployment of a family member, a decrease in family income, or a change in family composition. This results in mutually exclusive, ranked categories.