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Purchases over the SNAP benefit cycle: Evidence from supermarket panel data

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  • Katherine Harris‐Lagoudakis
  • Hannah Wich

Abstract

This paper investigates the effect of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit disbursement on intramonthly household level purchases made from a supermarket retailer. We find that spending, the likelihood of shopping, the bulk expenditure share and the national brand expenditure share increase by $2, 1.5, 2, and 0.6% points, respectively, on the day that SNAP benefits are disbursed. We also compare and contrast estimates that use variation in the indicator for benefit receipt to estimates that utilize variation in the probability of SNAP benefit receipt. We find substantial differences between the two approaches for the outcome of spending.

Suggested Citation

  • Katherine Harris‐Lagoudakis & Hannah Wich, 2024. "Purchases over the SNAP benefit cycle: Evidence from supermarket panel data," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 62(4), pages 1426-1448, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ecinqu:v:62:y:2024:i:4:p:1426-1448
    DOI: 10.1111/ecin.13241
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    References listed on IDEAS

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