A study reported measurable economic benefits when counties made SNAP application and recertification processes more flexible. The interventions focused on scheduling mandatory caseworker interviews, a step that causes many program denials when appointments are missed.
The researchers used individual-level credit report data from the University of California Consumer Credit Panel and SNAP administrative records to estimate effects. The work is presented as an NBER working paper and was led by Tatiana Homonoff, Min S. Lee and Katherine Meckel.
In Los Angeles, a new hotline allowed applicants to control when they scheduled interviews, which increased successful enrollments and improved recipients’ financial outcomes: fewer delinquent credit card accounts, higher credit scores, and lower year-end debt. San Francisco saw similar gains when officials gave more time to reschedule missed renewal appointments. The combined evidence shows scheduling flexibility helped people reduce credit card balances and carry less debt.
Difficult words
- recertification — process of renewing eligibility for a program
- intervention — a planned action to change a situationinterventions
- schedule — to plan a time for something to happenscheduling
- mandatory — required by a rule or official policy
- caseworker — a staff person who helps program applicants
- denial — an official refusal to give or allow somethingdenials
- delinquent — late or overdue in paying money owed
- credit score — a number showing how reliable a borrower's payments arecredit scores
- recipient — a person who receives benefits or assistancerecipients
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you think flexible scheduling would help people in your area? Why or why not?
- How can missed appointments affect a family's money and credit? Give one or two reasons.
- What practical steps could local offices take to make scheduling easier for applicants?
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