This research will study (1) whether higher SNAP benefits can increase SNAP participation among eligible seniors using data from the December Food Security Supplements (FSS) of the current Population Survey. (2) We will also analyze the effects of changes in SNAP benefits on the food and non-food expenditures (healthcare, housing, transportation, other) of elderly SNAP participants using data from the Quarterly Interview Surveys of the Consumer Expenditure Survey (CE).
To estimate the effects of benefit changes, we will use the natural experiments provided by the increase in SNAP benefits as a result of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the decrease in 2013 following the sunset of this benefit expansion.