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Hunger pains? SNAP timing and emergency room visits

Author

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  • Cotti, Chad D.
  • Gordanier, John M.
  • Ozturk, Orgul D.

Abstract

This project uses quasi-random assignment of SNAP receipt dates linked to Medicaid healthcare records to examine whether ER use is affected by the timing of benefits. We find an increase in ER usage at the end of the benefit month, but only among older recipients. The estimated effect is much larger when the end of the benefit cycle coincides with the end of the calendar month, which is when other transfer payments are also depleted. This suggests that within this older group, increased food insecurity leads to increased ER utilization. Further, we find that the share of ER visitors that received SNAP benefits on the day of their ER visit is 3.1% lower than in the SNAP population. This is consistent with benefit receipt altering household behaviors and routines (notably, we observe, by increasing shopping), which may crowd out healthcare utilization. This particular effect is present across all age groups, although the magnitude is smallest for children.

Suggested Citation

  • Cotti, Chad D. & Gordanier, John M. & Ozturk, Orgul D., 2020. "Hunger pains? SNAP timing and emergency room visits," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jhecon:v:71:y:2020:i:c:s0167629619301316
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2020.102313
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Marks, Mindy & Prina, Silvia & Tahaj, Redina, 2023. "Short-Term Labor Supply Response to the Timing of Transfer Payments: Evidence from the SNAP Program," IZA Discussion Papers 16299, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    2. 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.
    3. Dahan, Momi & Sayag, Doron, 2024. "Scarcity and consumption priorities," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 108(C).
    4. Schanzenbach, Diane Whitmore, 2023. "Understanding SNAP: An overview of recent research," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 114(C).
    5. Sam Sims, 2021. "The impact of timing of benefit payments on children's outcomes," CEPEO Briefing Note Series 11, UCL Centre for Education Policy and Equalising Opportunities, revised Feb 2021.
    6. Di Fang & Michael R. Thomsen & Rodolfo M. Nayga & Wei Yang, 2022. "Food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from a survey of low-income Americans," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 14(1), pages 165-183, February.
    7. Cotti, Chad D. & Gordanier, John M. & Ozturk, Orgul D., 2021. "Does distributing SNAP benefits later in the month smooth expenditures?," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).
    8. Alloush, Mo & Bloem, Jeffrey R., 2022. "The psychological toll of food insecurity," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 204(C), pages 618-630.
    9. Marks, Mindy & Prina, Silvia & Gernhardt, Roy, 2023. "Government Shutdown and SNAP Disbursements: Effects on Household Expenditures," IZA Discussion Papers 16452, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    10. Timothy K. M. Beatty & Joakim A. Weill, 2024. "Social Security and High-Frequency Labor Supply: Evidence from Uber Drivers," Finance and Economics Discussion Series 2024-079, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (U.S.).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    SNAP benefits; Health outcomes; Consumption cycles;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs

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