Understanding SNAP use patterns among older adults

2022  Journal Article

Understanding SNAP use patterns among older adults

Pub TLDR

This study analyzes SNAP participation patterns among older adults aged 51–69, revealing that long-term recipients dominate the group, indicating that low participation rates are due to challenges in enrollment rather than ongoing use. Additionally, younger adults (51–59) show lower persistence in SNAP participation compared to their older counterparts (60–69), highlighting unique challenges faced as they approach retirement.

 

College of Health researcher(s)

OSU Profile

Abstract

Participation rates by older adults in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) have increased since 2010 but remain lower than other groups despite high food insecurity. This study examines patterns of SNAP participation among older adults aged 51–69 years. Using longitudinal SNAP administrative data from Oregon (2014–2018), we find that older adults with long-term SNAP receipt (>55 months) represent the majority of this group at any given time, suggesting that lower participation rates likely reflect challenges of take-up, rather than persistence. But younger cohorts (ages 51–59) experience lower persistence than older cohorts (ages 60–69), suggesting that approaching retirement presents a distinct set of challenges.

Giordono, L.S., Rothwell, D.W., Grutzmacher, S.K., Edwards, M.E. (2022) Understanding SNAP use patterns among older adultsApplied Economic Perspectives and Policy44(2)