Because the Food Stamps Program includes an eligibility requirement of work availability of at least $20$ hours, in $2000$:

The program actually served as "feeder program" for about $250,000$ recipients who were able to find permanent full$-$time work

About $25,000$ recipients were found guilty of defrauding the program by working in jobs that paid more than the allowable annual income

About $40,000$ applicants chose to withdraw their applications so they would not have to comply with the work requirement

About $400,000$ applicants were denied because, even though willing to work, they could not find jobs