Introduction
Policymakers have suggested and implemented work requirements for safety-net programs
such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. If these work requirements
impact program participation, they may lead to greater food insecurity. This paper
investigates the effects of implementing the work requirement for the Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program on emergency food assistance usage.
Methods
Data were used from a cohort of food pantries in Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi,
which imposed the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program work requirement in 2016.
Event study models were run in 2022, leveraging geographic variation in exposure to
the work requirement to measure changes in the number of households served by the
food pantries.
Results
The 2016 introduction of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program work requirement
increased the number of households served by food pantries. The impact is concentrated
among urban food pantries. On average, an urban agency exposed to the work requirement
served 34% more households in the 8 months after the work requirement than an agency
with no exposure.
Conclusions
Individuals who lose Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program eligibility owing to
the work requirement remain in need of assistance and seek other sources of food.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program work requirements thus increase the burden
on emergency food assistance programs. Work requirements for other programs may also
lead to increased emergency food assistance use.
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 07, 2023
Publication stage
In Press Journal Pre-ProofIdentification
Copyright
© 2023 American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
