In January 2006 food stamp participation dipped to 26,614,529 persons, 73,911 fewer than in December 2005. Nonetheless, the overall caseload was still nearly 1.2 million persons higher than the prior January and nearly 7.7 million persons higher than in January 2002. Food Stamp Program growth in recent years also reflects continuing wage stagnation, state actions to improve access, and the effects of the food stamp reauthorization implementation.