We are pleased to announce that Insight Policy Research was acquired by Westat, effective June 15, 2022. Branded as “Westat Insight,” we are currently operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of Westat and continue to provide our clients with the best-in-class services they have come to expect. Our combined experience now offers expanded expertise in health, education, and social policy as well as deeper methodological skills in survey research, evaluation, data analytics, and technical assistance. Learn more here.
We are pleased to announce that Insight Policy Research was acquired by Westat, effective June 15, 2022. Branded as “Westat Insight,” we are currently operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of Westat and continue to provide our clients with the best-in-class services they have come to expect. Our combined experience now offers expanded expertise in health, education, and social policy as well as deeper methodological skills in survey research, evaluation, data analytics, and technical assistance. Learn more here.
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703-504-9480

Characteristics and Circumstances of Zero-Income SNAP Households

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Project Overview

The purpose of this 3-year project was to examine the characteristics, circumstances, and spending patterns of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) households with zero income. The percentage of zero-income households has been steadily increasing, starting long before the economic downturn of 2008 and 2009. Generally, the SNAP caseload closely follows the national unemployment rate, but the relationship was less clear for zero-income households.

For this study, Insight—

  • Prepared a descriptive analysis of the characteristics of zero-income SNAP units, including demographic information; SNAP recipient history; and measures of participation dynamics, including entry rates, spell lengths, exit rates, and reentry rates
  • Analyzed spending patterns based on electronic benefit transaction (EBT) transaction records
  • Examined households’ circumstances, including variability in zero-income status, family composition, sources of income if/when they have income, and survival strategies

The study had five primary components:

  • A cross-sectional analysis of Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) data to provide information about the demographic, family, and employment characteristics of zero-income SNAP units as compared to other SNAP units and non-SNAP households with similar income
  • A longitudinal component to address the circumstances of zero-income units using SIPP data and the redemption patterns of zero-income units over several years using EBT data
  • A qualitative component involving 50 in-depth interviews with zero-income respondents, both English speaking and non-English speaking, to provide greater detail on the characteristics, circumstances, and buying patterns of zero-income households
  • An event-history analysis to measure techniques used to document and examine the “dynamics” of individuals being zero-gross-income SNAP participants
  • A policy analysis to assess the relationship between zero-income SNAP caseload growth and decline and economic conditions and policy changes

Products

Final report, Characteristics and Circumstances of Zero-Income SNAP Households (May 2014)

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