Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management

Food insecurity has been recognized as a major stressor, resulting in serious health problems for low-income families and children. SNAP plays an important role in helping these families cope during economic downturns. However, few studies have examined the impacts of SNAP characteristics, namely benefit level and duration, on food insecurity. Moreover, it is not yet known whether SNAP moderates (i.e., buffers) the relationship between employment hardships (unemployment and underemployment) and food insecurity during and after the Great Recession. This study has two specific aims: (1) What is the dynamics of SNAP participation during and after the Great Recession among low-income families with children? (2) Does SNAP participation moderate relationship between employment hardships and food insecurity during and after the Great Recession? If so, to what degree SNAP benefit level and duration buffer the relationship between employment hardships and food insecurity?

The 2008 panel (Wave 1 through Wave 16) of the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) is used to address the research aims. Sample includes low-income householders who are at least 18 years old and have at least one related child living in the household at the baseline. Weighted descriptive statistic is used to document the dynamics of SNAP participation over time. Multivariate regression models are also used to examine relationship between employment hardships and food insecurity; the relationship between SNAP participation and food insecurity. Moreover, to examine moderating effects of SNAP participation, interaction terms between employment hardships (unemployment and underemployment) and SNAP participation benefit level and duration are entered into the main effects models and tested for statistical significance.

The results indicate that SNAP participation increases over time and SNAP participation reduces food insecurity. Preliminary results suggest that greater intensity (benefit level) and duration of SNAP participation are associated with more reduction in food insecurity. SNAP participation buffers or reduces negative effects of employment hardships on food insecurity. Additionally, greater intensity (benefit level) and duration of SNAP have a stronger moderating effect on the association between employment hardships and food insecurity than lesser intensity and duration of SNAP participation.

This study provides a more nuanced understanding of how different patterns of SNAP participation affect food insecurity in low-income families. The findings inform policy on the most effective level of benefits and duration of receipt, particularly among those who experienced employment hardships and food insecurity during economic downturns. Moreover, the study contributes findings about whether and to what degree SNAP benefit level and duration buffer the effects of employment hardships on food insecurity. Study results are poised to inform and help frame responsive food assistance policies targeting low-income families.