Researchers examined whether reducing administrative burdens in SNAP could improve household financial health. The interventions targeted a specific point in the process: scheduling mandatory caseworker interviews. Missed interview appointments account for as many as half of all food stamp program denials nationwide, so the researchers tested changes that made scheduling and rescheduling easier.
The analysis, presented in an NBER working paper by Tatiana Homonoff (NYU Wagner), Min S. Lee and Katherine Meckel (UC San Diego), used individual-level credit-report data from the University of California Consumer Credit Panel and SNAP administrative records for each city. The study compares people who gained or maintained benefits after the process became more flexible with those denied only because of the earlier, stricter procedures.
In Los Angeles (data covering 2020–21 and about 65,000 applicants), a new caseworker hotline increased successful enrollments and led to fewer delinquent credit card accounts, higher credit scores, and hundreds of dollars less debt across the year. In San Francisco (data from 2014–2016 and about 40,000 people), allowing more time to reschedule before renewal deadlines raised recertification rates and produced similar financial improvements. Together, the evidence suggests that enhanced scheduling flexibility and related integrity processes helped applicants pay down credit card balances and carry less debt.
Difficult words
- administrative — related to management or official procedures
- burden — extra work or obstacles that make tasks harderburdens
- denial — a decision that stops someone from getting somethingdenials
- caseworker — a staff member who helps clients with benefits
- reschedule — to change an appointment to a different timerescheduling
- delinquent — describing payments that are overdue or unpaid
- recertification — the process of renewing someone's eligibility for benefits
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How might easier scheduling for benefits interviews affect a household's monthly budget? Give reasons.
- What other administrative barriers, besides interview scheduling, could prevent people from receiving benefits?
- Do you think similar scheduling changes would have the same effect in different cities? Why or why not?
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