Do SNAP Households Pay Different Prices throughout the Benefit Month?

Citation

Valizadeh, Pourya; Smith, Travis A.; & Ver Ploeg, Michele (Online ahead of print). Do SNAP Households Pay Different Prices throughout the Benefit Month?. Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy.

Abstract

For households participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), food expenditures spike upon benefit arrival. We show the price component of expenditure is sensitive to benefit arrival: by the beginning of the fourth week of the benefit month, households pay 20% less on food items. This decline is not induced by changes in shopping behaviors (usage of SNAP, bulk purchases, on-sale, branded, and discount stores) but rather concentrated among a subset of households with financial constraints and/or a preference for higher-quality foods. Increased benefit adequacy and/or financial stability for participants could help households smooth their purchasing power.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/aepp.13094

Reference Type

Journal Article

Journal Title

Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy

Author(s)

Valizadeh, Pourya
Smith, Travis A.
Ver Ploeg, Michele

Year Published

Online ahead of print

Reference ID

13257