Critical Analyzing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): An Analysis of State Policy Options and State Participation Rates

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the most important anti-hunger program in the United States (US). Still, state participation rates vary. Federal regulations offer state agencies different policy options. Some, like broad-based categorical eligibility (BBCE), are considered expansive and increase income and asset limits. Others, like monthly reporting, are restrictive by requiring regular contact with the state agency.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights calls for a right to an adequate standard of living, including food, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) calls for a right to adequate food. Although the US has not ratified the ICESCR, it sets a standard of moral responsibility that the US should provide for its members.

A human rights policy analysis (HRPA) will examine SNAP. A HRPA shifts the lens from a needs- to a rights-based analysis. The research question asks: Does a state’s decision to select either more restrictive or expansive SNAP policy options influence their state SNAP participation rates? It is hypothesized that states who elect more expansive state options will have higher participation rates.

An independent samples t-test compared SNAP participation rates for states that elect BBCE to those that do not. There was a significant difference for states that elect BBCE (M = 87.03 SD = 1.53) and those that do not (M = 75.64, SD = 3.22; t (49) = 3.39, p < .001). States that elect BBCE have on average an 87% participation rate compared to a 76% participation rate for those who do not.

An independent samples t-test compared SNAP participation rates for states that have a certification length of at least 12 months for all households and those who have shorter certification lengths. There was a marginally significant difference between those with certification lengths of at least 12 months (M = 87.18, SD = 9.93) and those who elected a shorter certification length (M = 81.39, SD = 11.30; t(49) = 1.95, p =.06). States who elect longer certification lengths have on average 87% SNAP participation rate, compared to an average of 81% rate for states who elect a shorter certification length.

An independent samples t-test compared SNAP participation rates for states that elect simplified reporting and those that elect another reporting type (change, monthly, combined). There was a significant difference between simplified reporting (M = 81.16, SD = 2.33) and those that elect another reporting type (M = 87.85, SD = 1.79; t (49) = -2.29, p =.03). States who elect simplified reporting have an average of 81% participation rate, compared to an average of 88% for states who elected another reporting type.

Selecting expansive BBCE and certification length policies led to higher average participation rates, supporting the hypothesis. However, selecting a restrictive reporting type led to higher average participation rates. Reporting changes and interacting with the state agency more frequently may lead to fewer caseload interruptions and higher participation rates, despite the burden it may pose on participants. Implications for social work practice, research, and teaching are explored.