The Association of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Participation and Food Insufficiency among Households with Children in the United States during COVID-19

Abstract

BackgroundAs the expansion of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and pandemic emergency assistance programs ended in late 2021, little is known about subsequent trends in food insufficiency (FI) among households with children. ObjectivesThis research examined the association between SNAP participation and FI among households with children in the United States, particularly non-Hispanic Black (Black) and Hispanic households. MethodsThis cross-sectional analysis used Household Pulse Survey data collected from December 2021 to May 2022. Spatial analysis was conducted to visualize FI and SNAP participation rates across 50 states. With state SNAP policy rules as exogenous instruments and sociodemographic factors as control variables, 2-stage probit models were utilized to assess the SNAP and FI association among all (n = 135,074), Black (n = 13,940), and Hispanic households with children (n = 17,869). ResultsApproximately 13.9% [95% confidence interval (CI): 13.85%, 13.99%] of households experienced FI, and 20.4% (CI: 20.35%, 20.51%) received SNAP benefits. Among Black and Hispanic households, higher rates were observed, with 23.3% (CI: 23.12%, 23.4%) and 20.8% (CI: 20.61%, 20.95%) experiencing FI and 36.3% (CI: 36.1%, 36.5%) and 26.9% (CI: 26.61%, 27.13%) receiving SNAP benefits. These rates varied across states, ranging from 8% (Utah) to 21.1% (Mississippi) for FI and from 8.8% (Utah) to 32.7% (New Mexico) for SNAP participation. SNAP participants demonstrated a 12% lower likelihood of FI than nonparticipants (CI: –0.18, –0.05, P < 0.001). Among Black households, SNAP participants had a 29% lower likelihood of FI than nonparticipants (CI: –0.54, –0.03, P < 0.001). However, SNAP participation was not significant among Hispanic households (P = 0.99), nor did it narrow the FI gap between Hispanic and non-Hispanic households (P = 0.22). ConclusionsSNAP participation was associated with lower levels of FI among households with children, particularly for Black households. However, there was no significant association between SNAP participation and FI among Hispanic households with children.