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Do State SNAP Policies Influence Program Participation among Seniors?

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Listed:
  • Jordan W. Jones
  • Charles J. Courtemanche
  • Augustine Denteh
  • James Marton
  • Rusty Tchernis

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 percent. We examine the impacts of state SNAP policies on program participation among low-income senior (age 60 and older) and non-senior households using data from the 2001-2014 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 non-seniors. In contrast, we find little evidence of effects of policies related to transaction costs, stigma, or outreach on either group.

Suggested Citation

  • Jordan W. Jones & Charles J. Courtemanche & Augustine Denteh & James Marton & Rusty Tchernis, 2021. "Do State SNAP Policies Influence Program Participation among Seniors?," NBER Working Papers 29037, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:29037
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I32 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Measurement and Analysis of Poverty
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
    • J14 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of the Elderly; Economics of the Handicapped; Non-Labor Market Discrimination
    • Q18 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Policy; Food Policy; Animal Welfare Policy

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