美联储-SNAP紧急拨款、粮食充足率和经济困难的终止（英）-2023.6-19页_522kb

Summary

Title and Authors

Termination of SNAP Emergency Allotments, Food Sufficiency, and Economic Hardships
By Kabir Dasgupta and Alexander Plum (2023-046)

Abstract Summary

This paper analyzes the effects of terminating SNAP Emergency Allotments (EA) using state-level staggered dissolution data. Findings show that EA termination is associated with a statistically significant decrease in food sufficiency (1 percentage point) and an increase in difficulties meeting household expenses (1 percentage point), based on Census Bureau surveys.

Introduction

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) supports low-income households with nutritional funds. During the COVID-19 pandemic, EA was introduced to boost SNAP benefits, benefiting millions. This study focuses on the nationwide termination of EA in early 2023, examining its impact on food sufficiency and economic hardships through state-level variations.

Methodology

The authors employ a staggered difference-in-differences framework based on Callaway & Sant’Anna (2021) using nationally representative data from the Census Bureau's Household Pulse Surveys (Aug 2020–Nov 2022). The analysis exploits state-level variations in EA termination timing (March 2021–August 2022) to estimate causal effects on food sufficiency and economic hardships indicators.

Results

Key outcomes include:

• A 1 percentage point decline in adults reporting sufficient food consumption after EA termination.
• A 1 percentage point increase in difficulties paying for food, rent, and other expenses.
  Effects vary by state; Alaska showed mitigated negative impacts due to higher average SNAP benefits post-termination. Results align with prior studies on pandemic-era SNAP expansions.

Conclusion

Ending SNAP EA exacerbates food insecurity and economic strain, potentially affecting vulnerable populations. The findings highlight the need for caution in policy rollbacks and suggest further research on underlying mechanisms like participation declines or benefit reductions.