Projects
SNAP Analysis for Health Impact Assessment of U.S. Farm Bill
2012-2013
Prepared For
The Pew Charitable Trusts
Two of the changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) proposed in the 2014 U.S. Farm Bills were (1) eliminating the standard utility allowance for those receiving a nominal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program benefit and (2) eliminating broad-based categorical eligibility for SNAP.
Mathematica used two microsimulation models—the MATH SIPP+ model and the QC Minimodel—to assess the effects of the proposed changes on SNAP eligibles and participants. Separately, we used National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data to examine the health profile of SNAP participants, including the number who are overweight or obese, have type 2 diabetes, have cardiovascular disease, or have risk factors for metabolic syndrome. We also estimated the effect on SNAP participants and benefits of converting SNAP to a state block grant program.
Evidence & Insights From This Project
Publication
The Effects of Proposed Changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program on Eligibility, Participation, and Benefits
The Health Impact Project, a collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Pew Charitable Trusts, is conducting a health impact assessment (HIA) intended to inform congressional consideration of changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) included in the 2013 Farm Bill reauthorization. This issue brief updates and summarizes some of the estimates that Mathematica provided in support of the HIA in the original analysis. It finds that the majority of individuals who would be affected under proposed legislative changes live in poverty, and a substantial percentage are children under age 18, elderly people age 60 or older, or nonelderly disabled individuals.
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