RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The Effect of Safety Net Programs on Food Insecurity
JF Journal of Human Resources
JO J Hum Resour
FD University of Wisconsin Press
DO 10.3368/jhr.51.3.1013-5987R1
A1 Schmidt, Lucie
A1 Shore-Sheppard, Lara
A1 Watson, Tara
YR 2015
UL http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/early/2015/11/20/jhr.51.3.1013-5987R1.abstract
AB We investigate to what extent major safety net program benefits affect food insecurity in families. We impute program eligibility and benefits in each state for 2001-2009, accounting for cross-program eligibility rules. We use simulated eligibility and benefits for a nationally representative sample as instruments for imputed eligibility and potential benefits. Among non-immigrant, low-income single-parent families, $1000 in potential cash or food benefits reduces the incidence of food insecurity by 1.1 percentage points on a base of 33 percent. Cash and food both reduce food insecurity. The results highlight the importance of jointly considering a full range of safety net programs.