The Average Food Stamp Application is 17 Pages Long
Individuals in need of assistance are often forced to pay a time tax that they can’t afford. mRelief is working to change the status quo to ensure that anyone can access the safety net without it contributing to the already stressful circumstance of poverty.
In June 2021, we analyzed the paper (PDF) version of the SNAP (food stamps) application for all 53 participating states and territories. We found that the average paper application was 17 pages long, including all informational pages. Considering that some paper applications included additional programs, we also analyzed which of those pages included questions about SNAP. On average, the paper applications included SNAP content on 9 pages.
The map below shows the number of SNAP specific pages included on the paper application in each state and territory.
Currently, mRelief facilitates SNAP application completion in California, Washington D.C., Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Kansas, and Texas. By building in enhanced question logic, we are able to cut down the number of displayed questions by an average of 56% while still ensuring that applicants provide all the information required for enrollment.
A twenty-two year old woman from Chicago who recently applied through mRelief shared the following about her experience applying using the mRelief application compared to her prior experience with the paper SNAP application:
The paper application was very confusing. It was a lot more wordy and unclear on where to fill out what portions of the form and things of that nature. On the [mRelief] website it was really easy. There was like drop down menus and I was able to control the font of the page. And the questions were very clear...I think it took me less than 10 minutes to apply at the time. I remember thinking it was exceptionally easy.
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