The Food Stamp Program (FSP) is the major nutrition assistance program in the United States and one of the largest sources of Federal funds for poor households. Throughout the years, people have debated about the form in which food assistance should be offered - coupons or cash. Coupons supporters argue that cash is simpler, reduces stigma, and give households more control over their total budgets. The Food and Nutrition Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture FNS has sponsored several research projects to examine the cash alternative to food stamps, including the Washington State demonstration, which cashes-out food stamp benefits as part of a large welfare reform initiative, the Family Independence Program (FIP).