Historically, approximately a third of the eligible elderly population has participated in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the largest of the domestic nutrition assistance programs administered by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). In response to the low participation levels and unique economic circumstances of elderly households, FNS has implemented specific eligibility criteria for elderly households, and has developed several demonstration projects and opportunities to waive federal regulations that seek to address elderly access to SNAP.