Dynamics of Economic Well-Being: Participation in Government Programs, 2004 to 2007 and 2009 Who Gets Assistance?

"In 2009, almost 45 million people, or 18.6 percent of the U.S. population, participated in major means tested assistance programs in each month, on average.

Individuals were more likely to participate in Medicaid than any of the other programs examined in this report, in 2009. Almost 14 percent of individuals participated in Medicaid in an average
month in 2009..."