Do state Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program policies influence program participation among seniors?

Jordan W. Jones, Charles Courtemanche, Augustine Denteh, James Marton, Rusty Tchernis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Senior participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has traditionally been lower than other groups among those eligible, with historical estimates below 50%. We examine the impacts of state SNAP policies on program participation among low-income senior (age 60 and older) and nonsenior households using data from the 2001 to 2014 December Current Population Survey Food Security Supplement. Our results suggest that policies designed to expand SNAP eligibility modestly increased participation among seniors but led to larger increases among nonseniors. In contrast, we find little evidence of effects of policies related to transaction costs, stigma, or outreach on either group.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)591-608
Number of pages18
JournalApplied Economic Perspectives and Policy
Volume44
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2022

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 Agricultural & Applied Economics Association.

Keywords

  • SNAP
  • eligibility
  • participation
  • seniors

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Development
  • Economics and Econometrics

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