In an average month during 1992, 34 million of us — or 13 percent — were participants in one or more of 7 programs: Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), General Assistance, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid, food stamps, Federal or State rent assistance, and public housing.

The median duration of periods of participation in these programs was 8 months during the 1991-to-1993 period. This means that half of all participation periods lasted less than 8 months and half lasted longer.

In 1992, participating persons received a median of $436 a month in family benefits from the combination of AFDC/General Assistance, SSI, and food stamps.