The top state to receive food stamps is Mississippi.

The Department of Agriculture revealed that 22 percent of residents in Mississippi rely on food stamps. As of April this year, the figure has rised 2.8 percent , with more than 15 percent of the US population relying on benefits.

This means that one out of six Americans reportedly receive food stamps from the government.

Not only does Mississippi top the states for welfare, but it is also the most obese state with 32.5 percent of adults having a BMI over 30 – and 7 out of 10 adults being overweight.

Over 47.5 million American citizens (almost one out of six), rely on the food stamp program. The rise in food stamps has been seen in Illinois and Wyoming, while other states such as Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Pennsylvania and Utah have shown the numbers drop.

Mississippi showed the largest share of its population relying on food stamps, but Washington DC showed the rates slightly higher – at 23 percent.

One in five residents in Oregon, New Mexico, Louisiana, Tennessee, Georgia and Kentucky receive food stamps.

Government welfare is provided to people who are unemployed, has an illness or disability, the elderly, veterans, and those who have dependent children.