About These Data

These datasets power State Smart, NPP's interactive publication that shows how federal money impacts the states. Together, these datasets provide a comprehensive look at how dollars are spent in each state and how states contribute back to the federal budget.

Notes and Sources

The total amount of money paid by the U.S. government directly to or on behalf of individuals. This amount includes unemployment benefits, SNAP (food stamps), and Social Security and Medicare benefits. Refundable tax credits (for example, the Earned Income Tax Credit) are excluded. Years represent calendar year.
Data are available at the state level and go back to 2002.

Note: the colors that represent high and low values on the map are re-calibrated for each year.