Table of Contents

Component Description

The Food Security section (variable name prefix FSQ) provides individual and household-level interview data on the following topics:

1. Household food security
In the household interview, an adult responded to the U.S. Food Security Survey Module (US FSSM) questions (Bickel G, et al, 2000). There are 18 items for households with children under the age of 18 years and 10 items for households without children. Questions refer to all household members, not just NHANES participants. Three categorical household-level variables were created to characterize the overall food security status for the entire household, the adults in the household, and the children in the household. Responses to the 10 or 18 US FSSM items and the categorical data derived from these responses are released on each household participant’s record.

A question on household member’s use of emergency foods from food banks, soup kitchens, or other organizations in the last 12 months is also included in this section.

2. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/Food Stamp program benefits
All SNAP/Food Stamp benefits questions were collected at the household level. Starting in 2015-2016, the questionnaire for SNAP/Food Stamp benefits in the household interview was redesigned to obtain a more complete picture of all benefit recipients in the household. The data collection instruments were modified to identify each household member’s SNAP/Food Stamp benefit receipt status on the household roster. The data were then summarized at the household level.

Within each household, for each family that participated in NHANES, one adult responded to questions about SNAP/Food Stamp benefits received by all household members. Information collected included whether anyone in the household had ever received SNAP/Food Stamp benefits; whether anyone in the household received benefits in the last 12 months; whether anyone in the household is a current SNAP/Food Stamp benefits recipient; and whether anyone in the household was notified they would receive benefits within the next month. For households with benefit recipients in the past 12 months, the number of months benefits were received; the time since benefits were last received; and the amount of benefits the household received last was also collected. If anyone in the household was notified that they were to receive benefits, the time until they were to receive SNAP/Food Stamp benefits and the amount they expected in benefits was also obtained.

Household-level data on SNAP/Food Stamp benefits are released on all household participants’ records. The time since benefits were last received and the time until anticipated benefits will be received was calculated for each family within the household, based on the family interview date, and released at the family level.

3. Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program benefits 
Data collected for WIC benefits included three household-level questions as well as six individual-level questions for participants aged birth to 5 years, one individual-level question for children 1-5 years, and four individual-level questions for women aged 12 years and over.

In the household interview, an adult from each family responded to the questions on whether anyone in the household received WIC benefits in the last 12 months. Beginning in 2015-2016, questions on current WIC participation in the last 30 days and the number of people in the household receiving WIC benefits were added. These household-level questions are released on all household participants’ records.

For children participants, the target age group for the WIC benefit questions was changed from 0-11 to 0-5 years, starting in the NHANES 2015-2016. Children’s WIC participation data were collected through adult proxy during the household interview as part of the Dietary Behavior and Nutrition questionnaire (DBQ). During a cognitive testing conducted in 2014, considerable recalling errors were observed among proxies for children aged 6-11 years old, which triggered this change in the target group. In addition, starting in 2015-2016, instead of whether these children received benefits in the last 12 months, information was collected on whether they ever received WIC benefits, since the latter provided a preferable time reference for children in this age group. Similarly, information on current participation, total length (in months) of benefits received, and WIC participation during various important periods in early childhood, including prenatal, infancy, and 1-4 years old, was also collected and released on the individual participant’s record.

For female participants 12 years and older, a new WIC module was added in 2015-2016 to determine WIC participation for pregnant and postpartum women separately. The new questions will allow researchers to determine whether a woman participated prenatally and/or postnatally. The new questions were adapted from the National Center for Education Statistics’ Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Birth Cohort (ECLS-B). Women 12 years and older were asked about WIC benefits received during the latest pregnancy, the month of pregnancy when benefits started, and whether benefits were received post-partum. Like previous years, information was also collected on current WIC participation. These questions were administered as part of the Reproductive Health questionnaire (RHQ) during the Mobile Examination Center (MEC) interview, using the Computer-Assisted Personal Interview-CAPI (interviewer administered) system. Due to potential disclosure risk, the WIC benefits data will only be released for women aged 20 years and above in the public dataset. Data for all women 12 years and older will be available in the Research Data Center (RDC) only. Please refer to the Analytic Notes section for more details.

The table in Appendix 1 provides detailed information on each of the four FSQ components described above. Appendix 2 highlights the changes in the FSQ section among the latest five release cycles.

Quality Assurance & Quality Control

The automated interview systems used in NHANES are programmed with built-in consistency checks to reduce data entry errors. All the data were reviewed for accuracy and completeness. NHANES staff reviewed taped interviews, traveled to field sites to observe interviews, read interviewer comments, and attended training and re-training sessions to maintain the high-quality data.

Data Processing and Editing

Frequency counts were checked, "skip" patterns were verified, and the reasonableness of question responses was reviewed. Edits were made to some variables to ensure the completeness, consistency, and analytic usefulness of the data. Edits were also made, when necessary, to address data disclosure concerns.

FSDHH, FSDAD, FSDCH (Household, adult, and child food security category)
Eighteen FSSM questions were asked of households with children under the age of 18. Ten questions were asked of households without children. Three categorical variables, each with four response levels, were created based on the number of affirmative responses for those questions. These categorical variables could be used to characterize the overall food security status for the entire household, the adults in the household, and the children in the household. The algorithms used to derive these categorical variables are described below:

FSDHH (Household food security category):

Count affirmative responses in these 18 items: FSD032a, FSD032b, FSD032c, FSD032d, FSD032e, FSD032f, FSD041, FSD052, FSD061, FSD071, FSD081, FSD092, FSD102, FSD111, FSD122, FSD132, FSD141, and FSD146. Derive the codes as the following:

1 = Household full food security: no affirmative response in any of these items.
2 = Household marginal food security: 1-2 affirmative responses.
3 = Household low food security: 3-5 affirmative responses for household without children under the age of 18; 3-7 affirmative responses for household with children.
4 = Household very low food security: 6-10 affirmative responses for household without children under the age of 18; 8-18 affirmative responses for household with children.

Households with children where no valid response was provided to any of the questions about children’s food security were classified using the specifications for households without children.

FSDAD (Adult food security category):

Count affirmative responses in these 10 items: FSD032a, FSD032b, FSD032c, FSD041, FSD052, FSD061, FSD071, FSD081, FSD092, and FSD102. Derive the codes as the following:

1 = Adult full food security: no affirmative response in any of these items.
2 = Adult marginal food security: 1-2 affirmative responses.
3 = Adult low food security: 3-5 affirmative responses.
4 = Adult very low food security: 6-10 affirmative responses.

FSDCH (Child food security category):

This category is only generated for households with children under the age of 18. Count affirmative responses in these 8 items: FSD032d, FSD032e, FSD032f, FSD111, FSD122, FSD132, FSD141, and FSD146. Derive the codes as the following:

1 = Child full or marginal food security: no affirmative response in any of these items.
2 = Child marginal food security: 1 affirmative response.
3 = Child low food security: 2-4 affirmative responses.
4 = Child very low food security: 5-8 affirmative responses.

Definition of FSSM affirmative response

Affirmative response for FSSM questions are defined as:

No food security categories are assigned if all or most of these items were answered as “don’t know” or “refusal.” There are 29 such records in the 2017-2018 dataset, 19 of them from households with children. These records contain missing values for FSDHH, FSDAD, and FSDCH.

FSD165-FSQ865 (all variables for SNAP/Food Stamp benefits)
Starting in 2015-2016, information on the receipt of SNAP/Food Stamp benefits by all household members was provided in the present file: ever (FSQ165); the number of people ever received (FSD165N); received in the last 12 months (FSQ012); the number of people who received in the last 12 months (FSD012N); currently receiving (FSD230); the number of people currently receiving (FSD230N); number of months received benefits (FSD795); time since last received benefits (FSD225); amount of benefits last received (FSD235); if they anticipate will receive benefits (FSD855); time until they expect to receive them (FSD860); and amount they anticipate will receive. Receipt of SNAP/Food Stamp benefits by all individuals residing in the household, both survey and non-survey participants, was included. In households with more than one family where there were inconsistencies across families, all data were reviewed and reconciled.

FSD230 (Currently receive SNAP/Food Stamp benefits)
In previous cycles, the question on whether any members of the household currently receive SNAP/Food Stamp benefits (i.e., FSQ230) was only asked when the respondent refused to answer, did not know the exact date (day, month, and year) that the household last received SNAP/Food Stamp benefits, or the date reported was more than 30-days prior to the interview day. FSD230 was then derived from reported benefit receiving date (if the reported last benefits receiving date was within 30 days prior to the interview), or the information reported in question FSQ230. Beginning in 2015-2016, in the revised module, the question (i.e., FSQ755) was directly asked to all family respondents and released in FSD230. Respondents with affirmative answers to FSQ755 were followed up with a question asking them to identify all persons living in the household who are currently receiving benefits from a household roster.

FSD225 (Time since last received SNAP/Food Stamp benefits) 
During the household interview, the respondent was asked to report the date that the household last received SNAP/Food Stamp benefits. A variable was then derived by calculating the number of days between the time the household last received the SNAP/Food Stamp benefit and the date of interview for the corresponding family. The derived variable was released as FSD225 at the family level.

FSQ235 (Amount last received SNAP/Food Stamp benefits)
Starting in 2015-2016, the amount last received in benefits was determined by asking about the date and the amount last received by all persons in the household who received SNAP/Food Stamps in the last 12 months. The latest amount received by the household was released at the household level.

FSD795 (number of months received SNAP/Food Stamp benefits)
The number of months SNAP/Food Stamp benefits were received is included for households with current recipients and those who received them in the last 12 months. When a household had both current recipients and past recipients in the last 12 months, the total number of months were calculated by checking for overlapping months. For example, if a household member is currently receiving benefits from May to July, and another household member received benefits from February to May, the total number of months was 6 (2 + 4 = 6), in the past 12 months.

FSD860 (time expected to receive SNAP/Food Stamp benefits)
Starting in 2015-2016, for any household member who anticipated receiving benefits, the date when they expected to receive the benefits was asked. The date was used to calculate the number of days between the family interview and the date they expected to receive SNAP/Food Stamp benefits.

FSD760N (number of people in the household received WIC benefits in the past 30 days)
Beginning in 2015-2016, the family respondent was asked whether anyone living in the household received WIC benefits in the past 30 days. Respondents with affirmative answers were followed up with a question (i.e., FSQ770) asking them to identify all persons living in the household who received benefits from a household roster. In addition to these household-level questions, child and female participants were also asked about whether they were receiving WIC benefits at the time of their own interviews (i.e., FSD660ZC and FSD660ZW). Responses to FSQ770, FSD660ZC, and FSD660ZW were used to derive the data in FSD760N. Receipt of WIC benefits by both survey and non-survey participants residing in the household was included. In households with more than one family where there were inconsistencies across families, all data were reviewed and reconciled

FSD670ZC (number of months the participant received WIC benefits)
This information was collected using two-part (number and unit) questions to allow respondents to report the length in either months or years. The released variable was edited to standardize the reported length to number of months.

FSD652ZW (women received WIC benefits during latest pregnancy)
Information on WIC participation by women during their current (FSQ652a) or last (FSQ652b) pregnancy was obtained. The combined information is included in FSD652ZW.

FSD660ZW (women currently received WIC benefits)
This question was asked of female participants who were pregnant or 0-24 months postpartum at the time of interview. The postpartum screening criterion for this question was added in 2007-2008 to better classify eligibility for WIC benefits and included women 0-2 years postpartum by calculating the differences in years between the reported current age and the age of last delivery. It was then modified in 2015-2016 to include women 0-24 months postpartum by adding a question specifically asking the year and month of the last delivery and comparing those with the interview date.

Analytic Notes

NHANES has assessed household food security with the U.S. Food Security Survey Module (US FSSM) since 1999. Similar modules have been used in various surveys, including the Census Bureau's Current Population Survey (CPS) and a growing number of State, local, and regional studies, such as the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS). For more information on food security measurement, please refer to the USDA's website at: http://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-us/measurement.aspx.

The NHANES household interview included two questionnaires: a sample participant questionnaire to collect information regarding each individual survey participant’s personal health status, and a family questionnaire to collect information at the family level, such as total income for the family, food availability in the family, etc. The sample participant questionnaire was answered by participants themselves (adult proxy for child under 16 years old). The family questionnaire required an adult family member, preferably the head of the family, to respond to these questions for the entire family. The information on household food security status and SNAP/Food Stamp program as well as WIC program benefits in the FSQ section were collected as part of this family questionnaire. In 2017-2018, 463 participants had missing values for all of these items in the FSQ section because the family questionnaire was not administered. Most common reasons for missing the family questionnaire interview were: “no eligible adult respondent in the family available” or “refusal.”

This file contains all data for females 12 years and older, whereas, the publicly released data set (FSQ_J) has limited information for females 12-19 years of age due to possible disclosure risks.

FSQ data were collected in the household and in the MEC. For data items collected in the household interview, the interview sample weights may be used in their analysis. However, if the data analysis requires merging of data collected in the household with data collected in the MEC, examination sample weights should be used for analyses. The recommended weights for each individual component in the FSQ section are listed in the table in Appendix 1. Please refer to the NHANES Analytic Guidelines and the on-line NHANES Tutorial for further details on the use of sample weights and other analytic issues. Both are available on the NHANES website.

References

Codebook and Frequencies

SEQN - Respondent sequence number

Variable Name:
SEQN
SAS Label:
Respondent sequence number
English Text:
Respondent sequence number.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS

FSD032A - HH Worried run out of food

Variable Name:
FSD032A
SAS Label:
HH Worried run out of food
English Text:
Now I am going to read you several statements that people have made about their food situation. For these statements, please tell me whether the statement was often true, sometimes true, or never true for {you/your household} in the last 12 months, that is since last {DISPLAY CURRENT MONTH AND LAST YEAR}. The first statement is . . . {I/we} worried whether {my/our} food would run out before {I/we} got money to buy more.
English Instructions:
Collected at household level.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Often true 795 795
2 Sometimes true 2156 2951
3 Never true 5810 8761
7 Refused 20 8781
9 Don't know 10 8791
. Missing 463 9254

FSD032B - HH Food didn't last

Variable Name:
FSD032B
SAS Label:
HH Food didn't last
English Text:
[The next statement is . . .] The food that {I/we} bought just didn't last, and {I/we} didn't have enough money to get more food.
English Instructions:
Collected at household level.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Often true 577 577
2 Sometimes true 1919 2496
3 Never true 6265 8761
7 Refused 20 8781
9 Don't know 10 8791
. Missing 463 9254

FSD032C - HH Couldn't afford balanced meals

Variable Name:
FSD032C
SAS Label:
HH Couldn't afford balanced meals
English Text:
[The next statement is . . .] {I/we} couldn't afford to eat balanced meals.
English Instructions:
Collected at household level.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Often true 530 530
2 Sometimes true 1663 2193
3 Never true 6559 8752
7 Refused 21 8773
9 Don't know 18 8791
. Missing 463 9254

FSQBOX1 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
FSQBOX1
English Instructions:
BOX 1. CHECK ITEM: IF RESPONSE TO FSD032 'A', 'B', or 'C' IS CODE 1 OR 2 (OFTEN TRUE OR SOMETIMES TRUE), CONTINUE. OTHERWISE, GO TO BOX 3.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS

FSD041 - HH Adults cut size or skip meals

Variable Name:
FSD041
SAS Label:
HH Adults cut size or skip meals
English Text:
In the last 12 months, since last {DISPLAY CURRENT MONTH AND LAST YEAR}, did {you/you or other adults in your household} ever cut the size of your meals or skip meals because there wasn't enough money for food?
English Instructions:
Collected at household level.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 1281 1281
2 No 2118 3399 FSD061
7 Refused 0 3399 FSD061
9 Don't know 4 3403 FSD061
. Missing 5851 9254

FSD052 - HH How often adults cut size/skip meals

Variable Name:
FSD052
SAS Label:
HH How often adults cut size/skip meals
English Text:
How often did this happen?
English Instructions:
Collected at household level.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Almost every month, 327 327
2 Some months but not every month, or 613 940
3 Only 1 or 2 months? 339 1279
7 Refused 0 1279
9 Don't know 2 1281
. Missing 7973 9254

FSD061 - HH Eat less than should

Variable Name:
FSD061
SAS Label:
HH Eat less than should
English Text:
In the last 12 months, did you ever eat less than you felt you should because there wasn't enough money for food?
English Instructions:
Collected at household level.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 1223 1223
2 No 2178 3401
7 Refused 0 3401
9 Don't know 2 3403
. Missing 5851 9254

FSD071 - HH Hungry, but didn't eat

Variable Name:
FSD071
SAS Label:
HH Hungry, but didn't eat
English Text:
[In the last 12 months], were you ever hungry but didn't eat because there wasn't enough money for food?
English Instructions:
Collected at household level.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 787 787
2 No 2616 3403
7 Refused 0 3403
9 Don't know 0 3403
. Missing 5851 9254

FSD081 - HH Lost weight, no money for food

Variable Name:
FSD081
SAS Label:
HH Lost weight, no money for food
English Text:
[In the last 12 months], did you lose weight because there was't enough money for food?
English Instructions:
Collected at household level.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 462 462
2 No 2927 3389
7 Refused 0 3389
9 Don't know 14 3403
. Missing 5851 9254

FSQBOX2 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
FSQBOX2
English Instructions:
BOX 2. CHECK ITEM: IF RESPONSE TO FSD041, FSD061, FSD071, OR FSD081 IS CODE 1 (YES), CONTINUE. OTHERWISE GO TO BOX 3.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS

FSD092 - HH Adults not eat whole day

Variable Name:
FSD092
SAS Label:
HH Adults not eat whole day
English Text:
[In the last 12 months], did {you/you or other adults in your household} ever not eat for a whole day because there wasn't enough money for food?
English Instructions:
Collected at household level.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 291 291
2 No 1278 1569 FSQBOX3
7 Refused 0 1569 FSQBOX3
9 Don't know 2 1571 FSQBOX3
. Missing 7683 9254

FSD102 - HH How often adults not eat for day

Variable Name:
FSD102
SAS Label:
HH How often adults not eat for day
English Text:
How often did this happen?
English Instructions:
Collected at household level.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Almost every month, 96 96
2 Some months but not every month, or 124 220
3 Only 1 or 2 months? 71 291
7 Refused 0 291
9 Don't know 0 291
. Missing 8963 9254

FSQBOX3 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
FSQBOX3
English Instructions:
BOX 3. CHECK ITEM: IF THERE IS AT LEAST 1 CHILD IN THE HOUSEHOLD WHO IS <= 17 (OR IN THE AGE RANGE THAT INCLUDES OR IS LESS THAN THE ONE THAT INCLUDES 17), CONTINUE. OTHERWISE, GO TO FSDHH.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS

FSD032D - HH Relied on low-cost food for child

Variable Name:
FSD032D
SAS Label:
HH Relied on low-cost food for child
English Text:
[The next statement is . . .] (I/we) relied on only a few kinds of low-cost foods to feed {CHILD'S NAME / THE CHILDREN} because there wasn't enough money for food.
English Instructions:
Collected at household level.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Often true 192 192
2 Sometimes true 750 942
3 Never true 4420 5362
7 Refused 11 5373
9 Don't know 12 5385
. Missing 3869 9254

FSD032E - HH Couldn't feed child balanced meal

Variable Name:
FSD032E
SAS Label:
HH Couldn't feed child balanced meal
English Text:
[The next statement is . . .] (I/we) couldn't feed {CHILD'S NAME / THE CHILDREN} a balanced meal, because there wasn’t enough money for food.
English Instructions:
Collected at household level.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Often true 108 108
2 Sometimes true 587 695
3 Never true 4671 5366
7 Refused 11 5377
9 Don't know 8 5385
. Missing 3869 9254

FSD032F - HH Child not eating enough

Variable Name:
FSD032F
SAS Label:
HH Child not eating enough
English Text:
[The next statement is . . .] {CHILD'S NAME WAS /THE CHILDREN WERE} not eating enough because there wasn't enough money for food.
English Instructions:
Collected at household level.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Often true 44 44
2 Sometimes true 245 289
3 Never true 5077 5366
7 Refused 11 5377
9 Don't know 8 5385
. Missing 3869 9254

FSQBOX4 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
FSQBOX4
English Instructions:
BOX 4. CHECK ITEM: IF RESPONSE TO FSD032 'D', 'E', or 'F' IS CODE 1 OR 2 (OFTEN TRUE OR SOMETIMES TRUE)(AFFIRMATIVE), CONTINUE. OTHERWISE, GO TO FSDHH.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS

FSD111 - HH Cut size of child meals

Variable Name:
FSD111
SAS Label:
HH Cut size of child meals
English Text:
In the last 12 months, since {DISPLAY CURRENT MONTH AND LAST YEAR}, did you ever cut the size of {CHILD'S NAME's/any of the children's} meals because there wasn't enough money for food?
English Instructions:
Collected at household level.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 177 177
2 No 870 1047
7 Refused 0 1047
9 Don't know 0 1047
. Missing 8207 9254

FSD122 - HH Child skip meals

Variable Name:
FSD122
SAS Label:
HH Child skip meals
English Text:
[In the last 12 months], did {CHILD'S NAME/any of the children} ever skip meals because there wasn't enough money for food?
English Instructions:
Collected at household level.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 77 77
2 No 969 1046 FSD141
7 Refused 0 1046 FSD141
9 Don't know 1 1047 FSD141
. Missing 8207 9254

FSD132 - HH How often child skip meals

Variable Name:
FSD132
SAS Label:
HH How often child skip meals
English Text:
How often did this happen?
English Instructions:
Collected at household level.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Almost every month, 15 15
2 Some months but not every month, or 48 63
3 Only 1 or 2 months? 14 77
7 Refused 0 77
9 Don't know 0 77
. Missing 9177 9254

FSD141 - HH Child hungry in last 12 months

Variable Name:
FSD141
SAS Label:
HH Child hungry in last 12 months
English Text:
In the last 12 months, {was CHILD'S NAME/were any of the children} ever hungry but there wasn't enough money for food?
English Instructions:
Collected at household level.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 129 129
2 No 917 1046
7 Refused 0 1046
9 Don't know 1 1047
. Missing 8207 9254

FSD146 - HH Child not eat whole day

Variable Name:
FSD146
SAS Label:
HH Child not eat whole day
English Text:
[In the last 12 months], did {CHILD'S NAME/any of the children} ever not eat for a whole day because there wasn't enough money for food?
English Instructions:
Collected at household level.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 31 31
2 No 1015 1046
7 Refused 0 1046
9 Don't know 1 1047
. Missing 8207 9254

FSDHH - Household food security category

Variable Name:
FSDHH
SAS Label:
Household food security category
English Text:
Household food security category for last 12 months
English Instructions:
Calculated at household level.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 HH full food security: 0 5291 5291
2 HH marginal food security: 1-2 1294 6585
3 HH low food security: 3-5 (HH w/o child) / 3-7 (HH w/ child) 1387 7972
4 HH very low food security: 6-10 (HH w/o child) / 8-18 (HH w/ child) 790 8762
. Missing 492 9254

FSDAD - Adult food security category

Variable Name:
FSDAD
SAS Label:
Adult food security category
English Text:
Adult food security category for last 12 months
English Instructions:
Calculated at household level.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 AD full food security: 0 5359 5359
2 AD marginal food security: 1-2 1369 6728
3 AD low food security: 3-5 1158 7886
4 AD very low food security: 6-10 876 8762
. Missing 492 9254

FSDCH - Child food security category

Variable Name:
FSDCH
SAS Label:
Child food security category
English Text:
Child food security category for last 12 months
English Instructions:
Calculated at household level. Only applies if there is at least one child 17 years old or less in the household.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 CH full or marginal food security: 0 4319 4319
2 CH marginal food security: 1 395 4714
3 CH low food security: 2-4 557 5271
4 CH very low food security: 5-8 95 5366
. Missing 3888 9254

FSD151 - HH Emergency food received

Variable Name:
FSD151
SAS Label:
HH Emergency food received
English Text:
In the last 12 months, did {you/you or any member of your household} ever get emergency food from a church, a food pantry, or a food bank, or eat in a soup kitchen?
English Instructions:
Collected at household level.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 994 994
2 No 7776 8770
7 Refused 17 8787
9 Don't know 4 8791
. Missing 463 9254

FSQ165 - HH FS benefit: ever received

Variable Name:
FSQ165
SAS Label:
HH FS benefit: ever received
English Text:
The next questions are about SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program. SNAP benefits are provided on an electronic debit card {or EBT card} {called the DISPLAY STATE NAME FOR EBT CARD}} card in STATE}. Have {you/you or anyone in your household} ever received SNAP or Food Stamp benefits?
English Instructions:
Collected at household level.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 4100 4100
2 No 4619 8719 FSD855
7 Refused 34 8753 FSD855
9 Don't know 38 8791 FSD855
. Missing 463 9254

FSD165N - HH FS benefit: # of people ever received

Variable Name:
FSD165N
SAS Label:
HH FS benefit: # of people ever received
English Text:
How many people in your household ever received SNAP or Food Stamp benefits?
English Instructions:
Collected at household level.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 9 Range of Values 4097 4097
77 Refused 0 4097
99 Don't know 3 4100
. Missing 5154 9254

FSQ012 - HH FS benefit: receive in last 12 months

Variable Name:
FSQ012
SAS Label:
HH FS benefit: receive in last 12 months
English Text:
In the last 12 months, did {you/you or any member of your household} receive SNAP or Food Stamp benefits?
English Instructions:
Collected at household level.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 2562 2562
2 No 1517 4079 FSD855
7 Refused 2 4081 FSD855
9 Don't know 19 4100 FSD855
. Missing 5154 9254

FSD012N - HH FS benefit: # of people received(12m)

Variable Name:
FSD012N
SAS Label:
HH FS benefit: # of people received(12m)
English Text:
In the last 12 months, how many people in your household received SNAP or Food Stamp benefits?
English Instructions:
Collected on household level.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 8 Range of Values 2562 2562
77 Refused 0 2562
99 Don't know 0 2562
. Missing 6692 9254

FSD230 - HH FS benefit: currently receive

Variable Name:
FSD230
SAS Label:
HH FS benefit: currently receive
English Text:
{Do you/Does any member of your household} currently receive SNAP or Food Stamp benefits?
English Instructions:
Collected at household level.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 2215 2215
2 No 347 2562 FSD795
7 Refused 0 2562 FSD795
9 Don't know 0 2562 FSD795
. Missing 6692 9254

FSD230N - HH FS benefit: #people currently receive

Variable Name:
FSD230N
SAS Label:
HH FS benefit: #people currently receive
English Text:
How many people in your household currently receive SNAP or Food Stamp benefits?
English Instructions:
Collected at household level.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 8 Range of Values 2215 2215
77 Refused 0 2215
99 Don't know 0 2215
. Missing 7039 9254

FSD795 - HH FS benefit: # of months received

Variable Name:
FSD795
SAS Label:
HH FS benefit: # of months received
English Text:
During the past 12 months, for how many months did {you/{NAME(S)} get Food Stamps?
English Instructions:
Calculated at household level.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 12 Range of Values 2521 2521
77 Refused 0 2521
99 Don't know 41 2562
. Missing 6692 9254

FSD225 - HH FS benefit: time since last received

Variable Name:
FSD225
SAS Label:
HH FS benefit: time since last received
English Text:
Number of days between the time the household last received Food Stamp benefit and the date of interview.
English Instructions:
Calculated at household level.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 to 387 Range of Values 2298 2298
77777 Refused 21 2319
99999 Don't know 242 2561
. Missing 6693 9254

FSD235 - HH FS benefit: amount received last time

Variable Name:
FSD235
SAS Label:
HH FS benefit: amount received last time
English Text:
How much did {you/your household} receive in food stamp benefits the last time you got them? ENTER DOLLAR AMOUNT.
English Instructions:
Collected at household level.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
5 to 5112 Range of Values 2364 2364
77777 Refused 27 2391
99999 Don't know 169 2560
. Missing 6694 9254

FSD855 - HH FS benefit: anticipate will receive

Variable Name:
FSD855
SAS Label:
HH FS benefit: anticipate will receive
English Text:
Have you or any members in your household recently been notified that {you/she/he/they} will start to get Food Stamps later this month or next month?
English Instructions:
Collected at household level.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 94 94
2 No 8631 8725 FSQBOX5
7 Refused 34 8759 FSQBOX5
9 Don't know 32 8791 FSQBOX5
. Missing 463 9254

FSD860 - HH FS benefit: time will receive

Variable Name:
FSD860
SAS Label:
HH FS benefit: time will receive
English Text:
Number of days between the date of interview and the time the household will receive Food Stamp benefits.
English Instructions:
Calculated at household level.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 to 35 Range of Values 63 63
77777 Refused 0 63
99999 Don't know 31 94
. Missing 9160 9254

FSQ865 - HH FS benefit: amount will receive

Variable Name:
FSQ865
SAS Label:
HH FS benefit: amount will receive
English Text:
What amount in Food Stamps {do you/does he, does she/do they} expect to get at that time?
English Instructions:
Collected at household level.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
16 to 700 Range of Values 65 65
77777 Refused 0 65
99999 Don't know 29 94
. Missing 9160 9254

FSQBOX5 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
FSQBOX5
English Instructions:
BOX 5. CHECK ITEM: IF THERE IS AT LEAST 1 CHILD IN THE HOUSEHOLD WHO IS 0-5 YEARS OLD OR THERE IS A FEMALE IN THE HOUSEHOLD WHO IS BETWEEN 20 AND 59 YEARS OLD, CONTINUE. OTHERWISE, GO TO BOX 6.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS

FSQ162 - HH WIC benefit: receive in last 12 month

Variable Name:
FSQ162
SAS Label:
HH WIC benefit: receive in last 12 month
English Text:
Next are a few questions about the WIC program, that is, the Women, Infants and Children program. In the last 12 months, did {you/you or any member of your household} receive benefits from the WIC program?
English Instructions:
Collected at household level.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 1487 1487
2 No 5378 6865 FSQBOX6
7 Refused 6 6871 FSQBOX6
9 Don't know 18 6889 FSQBOX6
. Missing 2365 9254

FSQ760 - HH WIC benefit: received in last 30 days

Variable Name:
FSQ760
SAS Label:
HH WIC benefit: received in last 30 days
English Text:
Did {you/you or anyone who lives here} receive WIC benefits in the past 30 days? {Here is the list of children 5 years and younger and women ages 12 to 59 years who live here, let me read it to you.}
English Instructions:
Collected at household level.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 1204 1204
2 No 283 1487 FSQBOX6
7 Refused 0 1487 FSQBOX6
9 Don't know 0 1487 FSQBOX6
. Missing 7767 9254

FSD760N - HH WIC benefit: no. people received

Variable Name:
FSD760N
SAS Label:
HH WIC benefit: no. people received
English Text:
How many people in your household received WIC in the past 30 days?
English Instructions:
Collected at household level.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 6 Range of Values 1190 1190
77 Refused 0 1190
99 Don't know 0 1190
. Missing 8064 9254

FSQBOX6 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
FSQBOX6
English Instructions:
BOX 6. CHECK ITEM: IF THE RESPONDENT AGE BETWEEN 0-5 YEARS, CONTINUE WITH FSQ653. IF THE RESPONDENT IS FEMALE AND AGE 12 YEARS OR OLDER, GO TO BOX7. OTHERWISE, GO TO END OF SECTION.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 150 YEARS

FSQ653 - CH WIC benefit: ever received

Variable Name:
FSQ653
SAS Label:
CH WIC benefit: ever received
English Text:
Next are a few questions about the WIC program. Has {SP} ever received benefits from WIC, that is, the Women, Infants, and Children program?
English Instructions:
Collected at individual level in the household interview.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 5 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 873 873
2 No 502 1375 FSQ690
7 Refused 0 1375 FSQ690
9 Don't know 1 1376 FSQ690
. Missing 7878 9254

FSD660ZC - CH WIC benefit: currently receive

Variable Name:
FSD660ZC
SAS Label:
CH WIC benefit: currently receive
English Text:
Is {SP} now receiving benefits from the WIC program?
English Instructions:
Collected at individual level in the household interview.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 5 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 456 456
2 No 416 872
7 Refused 0 872
9 Don't know 1 873
. Missing 8381 9254

FSD675 - CH WIC benefit: received in infancy

Variable Name:
FSD675
SAS Label:
CH WIC benefit: received in infancy
English Text:
Did {SP} receive benefits from WIC when {he/she} was less than one year old?
English Instructions:
Collected at individual level in the household interview.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 5 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 837 837
2 No 33 870
7 Refused 0 870
9 Don't know 3 873
. Missing 8381 9254

FSD680 - CH WIC benefit: received b/w 1-4 yrs old

Variable Name:
FSD680
SAS Label:
CH WIC benefit: received b/w 1-4 yrs old
English Text:
Did {SP} receive benefits from WIC when {he/she} {was/is} between the ages of {1 to {SP AGE/4} years old/12 to {SP AGE} months old}?
English Instructions:
Collected at individual level in the household interview.
Target:
Both males and females 1 YEARS - 5 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 466 466
2 No 149 615
7 Refused 0 615
9 Don't know 2 617
. Missing 8637 9254

FSD670ZC - CH WIC benefit: # of months received

Variable Name:
FSD670ZC
SAS Label:
CH WIC benefit: # of months received
English Text:
How long {did SP receive/has SP been receiving} benefits from the WIC program?
English Instructions:
Collected at individual level in the household interview.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 5 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 to 60 Range of Values 864 864
777 Refused 0 864
999 Don't know 9 873
. Missing 8381 9254

FSQ690 - CH WIC benefit: Mom received while preg.

Variable Name:
FSQ690
SAS Label:
CH WIC benefit: Mom received while preg.
English Text:
Did {SP's} mother receive benefits from WIC, while she was pregnant with {SP}?
English Instructions:
Collected at individual level in the household interview.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 5 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 696 696
2 No 656 1352 End of Section
7 Refused 1 1353 End of Section
9 Don't know 23 1376 End of Section
. Missing 7878 9254

FSQ695 - CH WIC benefit: starting month of preg.

Variable Name:
FSQ695
SAS Label:
CH WIC benefit: starting month of preg.
English Text:
What month of the pregnancy did {SP's} mother begin to receive WIC benefits?
English Instructions:
Collected at individual level in the household interview.
Target:
Both males and females 0 YEARS - 5 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 9 Range of Values 668 668
77 Refused 0 668
99 Don't know 28 696
. Missing 8558 9254

FSQBOX7 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
FSQBOX7
English Instructions:
BOX 7. CHECK ITEM: IF SP CURRENTLY PREGNANT (CODED '1' IN RHD143), CONTINUED WITH FSD652ZW. IF RHQ197 IS CODED '1-24', CONTINUED WITH FSD652ZW. ELSE IF THE MONTH IN RHQ184 WAS "REFUSED" OR "DON'T KNOW" AND [(THE YEAR IN RHQ184) > (CURRENT YEAR - 3)], CONTINUED WITH FSD652ZW. OTHERWISE, SKIPPED TO END OF SECTION. NOTE: RHD 143 AND RHQ197 ARE REPORTED IN THE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SECTION (RHQ); RHQ184 IS INCLUDED IN THE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH QUESTIONNAIRE.
Target:
Females only 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS

FSD652ZW - WM WIC benefit: receive in latest preg.

Variable Name:
FSD652ZW
SAS Label:
WM WIC benefit: receive in latest preg.
English Text:
During {this/your last} pregnancy did you use WIC benefits to buy food for yourself? {Please include any stillbirth or miscarriage.}
English Instructions:
Collected at individual level in the MEC interview.
Target:
Females only 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 99 99
2 No 103 202 FSD652CW
7 Refused 1 203 FSD652CW
9 Don't know 0 203 FSD652CW
. Missing 9051 9254

FSD672ZW - WM WIC benefit: starting month of preg.

Variable Name:
FSD672ZW
SAS Label:
WM WIC benefit: starting month of preg.
English Text:
How many months pregnant were you when you first started to receive WIC benefits to buy food for yourself?
English Instructions:
Collected at individual level in the MEC interview.
Target:
Females only 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 9 Range of Values 97 97
77 Refused 0 97
99 Don't know 2 99
. Missing 9155 9254

FSD652CW - WM WIC benefit: receive post-partum

Variable Name:
FSD652CW
SAS Label:
WM WIC benefit: receive post-partum
English Text:
After your {last} child was born, did you use WIC benefits to buy food for yourself?
English Instructions:
Collected at individual level in the MEC interview.
Target:
Females only 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 81 81
2 No 105 186
3 Currently pregnant 16 202
7 Refused 1 203
9 Don't know 0 203
. Missing 9051 9254

FSQBOX8 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
FSQBOX8
English Instructions:
BOX 8. CHECK ITEM: IF PARTICIPANT CURRENTLY PREGNANT (CODED '1') IN RHD143, CONTINUED WITH FSD660ZW. IF RHQ197 WAS CODED 1-12, CONTINUED WITH FSD660ZW. IF THE MONTH IN RHQ184 WAS "REFUSED" OR "DON'T KNOW" AND (THE YEAR IN RHQ184) > (CURRENT YEAR - 2)], CONTINUED WITH FSD660ZW. OTHERWISE, SKIPPED TO END OF SECTION. NOTE: RHQ184 IS INCLUDED IN THE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH QUESTIONNAIRE (RHQ).
Target:
Females only 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS

FSD660ZW - WM WIC benefit: currently receive

Variable Name:
FSD660ZW
SAS Label:
WM WIC benefit: currently receive
English Text:
Are you now receiving WIC benefits for yourself?
English Instructions:
Collected at individual level in the MEC interview.
Target:
Females only 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 43 43
2 No 160 203
7 Refused 0 203
9 Don't know 0 203
. Missing 9051 9254

Appendix 1

Components of the Food Security (FSQ) section in 2017-2018
Component Data Collection Details Recommended Weights Variable Name Target: Gender Age Label
Household Food Security Food Security (FSQ)
Family Interview


Household level
Interview FSD032A MF (0-150) HH Worried run out of food
FSD032B MF (0-150) HH Food didn't last
FSD032C MF (0-150) HH Couldn't afford balanced meals
FSD041 MF (0-150) HH Adults cut size or skip meals
FSD052 MF (0-150) HH How often adults cut size/skip meals
FSD061 MF (0-150) HH Eat less than should
FSD071 MF (0-150) HH Hungry, but didn't eat
FSD081 MF (0-150) HH Lost weight, no money for food
FSD092 MF (0-150) HH Adults not eat whole day
FSD102 MF (0-150) HH How often adults not eat for day
FSD032D MF (0-150) HH Relied on low-cost food for child
FSD032E MF (0-150) HH Couldn't feed child balanced meal
FSD032F MF (0-150) HH Child not eating enough
FSD111 MF (0-150) HH Cut size of child meals
FSD122 MF (0-150) HH Child skip meals
FSD132 MF (0-150) HH How often child skip meals
FSD141 MF (0-150) HH Child hungry in last 12 months
FSD146 MF (0-150) HH Child not eat whole day
FSDHH MF (0-150) Household food security category
FSDAD MF (0-150) Adult food security category
FSDCH MF (0-150) Child food security category
FSD151 MF (0-150) HH Emergency food received
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/Food Stamp Program Benefits Food Security (FSQ)
Family Interview


Household level
Interview FSQ165 MF (0-150) HH FS benefit: ever received
FSQ165N MF (0-150) HH FS benefit: no. people ever received
FSQ012 MF (0-150) HH FS benefit: receive in last 12 months
FSD012N MF (0-150) HH FS benefit: No. people received (12 m)
FSD230 MF (0-150) HH FS benefit: currently receive
FSD230N MF (0-150) HH FS benefit: no. people currently receive
FSD795 MF (0-150) HH FS benefit: no. months received
FSD225 MF (0-150) HH FS benefit: time since last received
FSQ235 MF (0-150) HH FS benefit: amount received last time
FSD855 MF (0-150) HH FS benefit: anticipate will receive
FSD860 MF (0-150) HH FS benefit: time will receive
FSQ865 MF (0-150) HH FS benefit: amount will receive
Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program Benefits Food Security (FSQ)
Family Interview


Household level
Interview FSQ162 MF (0-150) HH WIC benefit: receive in last 12 month
FSQ760 MF (0-150) HH WIC benefit: receive in last 30 days
FSQ760N MF (0-150) HH WIC benefit: # of people received
Diet Behavior (DBQ)
Household Interview 


Individual level
Interview FSQ653 MF (0-5) CH WIC benefit: Ever received
FSD660ZC MF (0-5) CH WIC benefit: currently receive
FSD675 MF (0-5) CH WIC benefit: received in infancy
FSD680 MF (1-5) CH WIC benefit: received b/w 1-4 yrs old
FSD670ZC MF (0-5) CH WIC benefit: # of months received
FSQ690 MF (0-5) CH WIC benefit: mom received while preg.
FSQ695 MF (0-5) CH WIC benefit: starting month of preg.
Reproductive Health (RHQ)
Mobile Exam Center (MEC)


Individual level
MEC Exam FSD652ZW F (12-150)* WM WIC benefit: receive in latest preg.
FSD672ZW F (12-150)* WM WIC benefit: starting month of preg.
FSD652CW F (12-150)* WM WIC benefit: receive post-partum
FSD660ZW F (12-150)* WM WIC benefit: currently receive

* Due to potential disclosure risk, data from females less than 20 years old are only available through the NCHS Research Data Center.

Appendix 2

Changes in the FSQ section among the last 3 release cycles
Item 2013-2014 2015-2016 2017-2018
Household members ever received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/Food Stamp (FS) benefits Same questions as in 2009-2012 Collected and released at household level.
Response was confirmed by a follow-up question using a household roster for the respondent to identify household members that ever received benefits
No change from 2015-2016
Household members received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/Food Stamp (FS) benefits in the last 12 months Similar to 2009-2012 question; except a household roster is read to the respondent for them to identify each person that received benefits in last 12 months Collected and released at household level.
Response was confirmed by a follow-up question using a household roster for the respondent to identify household members that received benefits in the last 12 months
No change from 2015-2016
Household members currently receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/Food Stamp (FS) benefits Derived and released for all households with member(s) who received SNAP/FS benefits in the last 12 months Collected and released at household level.
Response was confirmed by a follow-up question using a household roster for the respondent to identify household members who currently receive SNAP benefits
No change from 2015-2016
Time since the household last received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/Food Stamp (FS) benefits Same questions as in 2009-2012 Collected and released at household level for all households with member(s) who received SNAP benefits in the last 12 months.
Information was collected for each EBT card issued to the household member(s). Data were then reviewed at the household level to identify the latest time the benefit was received
No change from 2015-2016
Amount of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/Food Stamp (FS) benefits the household received last time Similar to 2009-2012; with the addition of a follow-up question for multi-family households to verify that the amount includes all families in the household Collected and released at household level for all households with member(s) who received SNAP benefits in the last 12 months.
Information was collected for each EBT card issued to the household member(s). Data were then reviewed at the household level to identify the latest benefit amount received
No change from 2015-2016
Number of people in the household who received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/Food Stamp (FS) benefits ever Not collected Collected and released at household level.
A household roster was used for the respondent to identify household members who ever received SNAP benefits
No change from 2015-2016
Number of people in the household who received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/Food Stamp (FS) benefits in the last 12 months A household roster was used for the respondent to identify household members that received benefits in the last 12 months Collected and released at household level.
A household roster was used for the respondent to identify household members who currently receive SNAP benefits or received them in the last 12 months
No change from 2015-2016
Number of people in the household currently receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/Food Stamp (FS) benefits Not collected Collected and released at household level.
A household roster was used for the respondent to identify household members who currently receive benefits
No change from 2015-2016
Number of months the household received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/Food Stamp (FS) benefits Not collected Collected and released at household level.
Information was collected for each household member identified as a current recipient or having received benefits in the last 12 months. Data was then reviewed at household level to determine the total number of months the household has received benefits in the last 12 months
No change from 2015-2016
Household members notified to receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/Food Stamp (FS) benefits in the next 30 days Not collected Collected and released at household level.
Response was confirmed by a follow-up question using a household roster for the respondent to identify household members who were notified to receive benefits in the next 30 days
No change from 2015-2016
Time until the expected date to receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/Food Stamp (FS) benefits Not collected Collected and released for all households with member(s) who anticipate receiving SNAP benefits in the next 30 days. No change from 2015-2016
Amount of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/Food Stamp (FS) benefit anticipated to receive Not collected Collected and released for all households with member(s) who anticipate receiving SNAP benefits in the next 30 days. No change from 2015-2016
HH received WIC benefits in last 30 days Not collected Collected and released at household level.
Response was confirmed by a follow-up question using a household roster for the respondent to identify household members who received WIC benefits in last 30 days
No change from 2015-2016
Number of people in household that received WIC benefits in last 30 days Not collected Collected and released at household level.
A household roster was used for the respondent to identify household members who received WIC benefits in last 30 days
No change from 2015-2016
Child ever receive WIC benefits Not collected Collected and released for children 0-5 years old No change from 2015-2016
Child received WIC benefits in last 12 months Same questions as in 2007-2012 No longer collected Not collected
Child received WIC benefits in infancy Same questions as in 2007-2012 Collected and released for children 0-5 years old No change from 2015-2016
Child received WIC benefits between 1 to 4 years old Same questions as in 2007-2012 Collected and released for children 1-5 years old No change from 2015-2016
Total number of months the child received WIC benefits Same questions as in 2007-2012 Collected and released for children 0-5 years old No change from 2015-2016
Mom received WIC benefits while pregnant with the child participant Same questions as in 2007-2012 Collected and released for children 0-5 years old No change from 2015-2016
The month of pregnancy that mom started to receive WIC benefits Same questions as in 2007-2012 Collected and released for children 0-5 years old No change from 2015-2016
Eligible sample for WIC benefits questions for women Same questions as in 2007-2012 Collected for women 12 years and over, pregnant or 0-24 months postpartum at the time of interview.
New screening question added to ascertain the postpartum time to the month level
No change from 2015-2016
Women received WIC benefits during latest pregnancy Not collected Collected for women who were pregnant or 0-24 months postpartum at the time of interview No change from 2015-2016
The month of the latest pregnancy when the women participant started to receive WIC benefits Not collected Collected for women who were pregnant or 0-24 months postpartum at the time of interview No change from 2015-2016
Number of months the women participant received WIC benefit during her latest pregnancy Same questions as in 2007-2012 No longer collected Not collected
Women received WIC benefits post-partum, last pregnancy Not collected Collected for women who were 0-24 months postpartum at the time of interview No change from 2015-2016