California’s food stamp program, known as CalFresh, is a critical piece of the state’s safety net and serves 3.8 million Californians. More than half are children. Yet compared to other states, fewer eligible Californians actually participate, and the state’s administrative costs are higher. Examining historical data from all 50 states, the authors find that ending mandatory fingerprinting of adult CalFresh enrollees would likely increase participation and reduce costs.
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State SNAP Policies, 1989-2009
![photo - Restaurant Dishwasher and Kitchen Worker](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/restaurant-dishwasher-and-worker-640x427.jpg)
Employment Patterns for CalFresh Adults
![photo - Asian-American Girl Choosing Food in Supermarket](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/asian-american-girl-choosing-food-in-supermarket-640x427.jpg)
Policy Brief: Tracking CalFresh Participation among Young Children
![photo - Mother and Toddler Grocery Shopping](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/mother-and-toddler-grocery-shopping-640x427.jpg)
The CalFresh Food Assistance Program
![photo - Dad Carrying Son on His Shoulders in Park](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/dad-carrying-young-son-on-his-shoulders-640x427.jpg)
The Importance of CalFresh and CalWORKs in Children’s Early Years
![photo - Woman's Hand Pushing Shopping Cart in Grocery Store](https://www.ppic.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/hand-pushing-grocery-cart-blurred-background-640x427.jpg)
The Role of CalFresh in Stabilizing Family Incomes
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