The Effect of Safety-Net Programs on Food Insecurity

• Autores: Lucie Schmidt, Lara D. Shore-Sheppart, Tara. Watson
• Localización: Journal of human resources, ISSN 0022-166X, Vol. 51, Nº 3, 2016, págs. 589-614
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • 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 nonimmigrant, low-income, single-parent families, $1,000 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.