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From paper to plastic: How the transition to EBT affected SNAP enrollment

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  • Melvin, Shamar
  • Smith, Travis A.

Abstract

We duplicate and then build upon Ganong and Liebman (2018) work documenting the effects of unemployment and state policies on enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly The Food Stamp Program). Using the same data and modeling approach, we focus on changes in SNAP enrollment due to counties transitioning from paper vouchers (“stamps”) to Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards. We find the transition to EBT increased SNAP enrollment by roughly 12 percent. Results are robust across several specifications.

Suggested Citation

  • Melvin, Shamar & Smith, Travis A., 2022. "From paper to plastic: How the transition to EBT affected SNAP enrollment," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 220(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolet:v:220:y:2022:i:c:s0165176522003263
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econlet.2022.110852
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mulligan, Casey B., 2012. "The Redistribution Recession: How Labor Market Distortions Contracted the Economy," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780199942213.
    2. David N. Figlio & Craig Gundersen & James P. Ziliak, 2000. "The Effects of the Macroeconomy and Welfare Reform on Food Stamp Caseloads," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 82(3), pages 635-641.
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    4. Hanson, Kenneth & Oliveira, Victor, 2012. "How Economic Conditions Affect Participation in USDA Nutrition Assistance Programs," Economic Information Bulletin 134682, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    5. Peter Ganong & Jeffrey B. Liebman, 2018. "The Decline, Rebound, and Further Rise in SNAP Enrollment: Disentangling Business Cycle Fluctuations and Policy Changes," American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, American Economic Association, vol. 10(4), pages 153-176, November.
    6. Neeraj Kaushal & Qin Gao, 2011. "Food Stamp Program and Consumption Choices," NBER Chapters, in: Economic Aspects of Obesity, pages 223-247, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    7. Atasoy, Sibel & Mills, Bradford F. & Parmeter, Christopher F., 2010. "The Dynamics of Food Stamp Program Participation: A Lagged Dependent Variable Approach," 2010 Annual Meeting, July 25-27, 2010, Denver, Colorado 60963, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    8. Callaway, Brantly & Sant’Anna, Pedro H.C., 2021. "Difference-in-Differences with multiple time periods," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 225(2), pages 200-230.
    9. Goodman-Bacon, Andrew, 2021. "Difference-in-differences with variation in treatment timing," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 225(2), pages 254-277.
    10. Michael A. Kuhn, 2021. "Electronic Benefit Transfer and Food Expenditure Cycles," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 40(3), pages 744-773, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Pourya Valizadeh & Bart L. Fischer & Henry L. Bryant, 2024. "SNAP enrollment cycles: New insights from heterogeneous panel models with cross‐sectional dependence," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 106(1), pages 354-381, January.

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