Graduate Thesis Or Dissertation
 

Examining the Causes of Variation between States in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program’s Participation Rates: Empirical and Case Study Analysis

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  • The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the largest federal nutrition assistance program in the US aiming at improving health and nutrition among low-income individuals and households. SNAP is a means tested program that provides monthly cash benefits to eligible households and individuals whose assets and net monthly incomes are below a certain threshold determined by the federal government. The benefits can be used to purchase eligible food items from participating grocery stores and farmers markets. While the number of SNAP recipients has grown enormously since the program inception in 1961, many eligible households and individuals still do not enroll in the program. Participation rate, which is the percentage of eligible households who actually participate in the program, varies greatly among states. Some states achieved a 100% participation rate, meaning that all eligible households and individuals are enrolled in the program. Other states are lagging behind in terms of enrolling all those in need. Although SNAP is federally funded, and the eligibility criteria are determined on the national level, state governments are responsible for the program administration. States also share the administrative costs with the federal government. In addition, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA)¬ - also known as welfare reform - gave states the latitude to implement several polices that affect SNAP outcomes. In particular, states can affect SNAP outcomes through policies that impact the cost of enrolling in the program, the availability of information, and the stigma attached to participation. This dissertation employs a mixed methodology to examine the key political, policy, demographic and administrative variables that led to variations between states in SNAP participation rates. An empirical examination shows that some SNAP policies are important factors in explaining SNAP participation rates. For example, simplified reporting, whereby SNAP recipients need not report changes in their incomes or assets once they take place contributed to increasing participation rates. Also, using a broad-based categorical eligibility and extending certification period have a positive effect on participation rates. Fingerprinting, on the other hand, played a significant role in reducing participation rates in states where this requirement was imposed. Other SNAP policies do not seem to be significant in affecting participation rates such as online applications, operating call centers, and using telephone interviews during application. The results of two qualitative case studies in California and Oregon suggest that political factors, state-specific policies and demographics, and governance structures also matter. Political variables, for example, play an important role in affecting public sentiments towards public assistance and welfare recipients, leading to either an encouraging or inhibiting environment for participating in SNAP. Additionally, state demographics, particularly related to Hispanic and African American proportions of the population, are another potential cause for variations in SNAP participation rates.
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