Food and financial coping strategies during the monthly Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program cycle

Abstract

One in seven Americans participates in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), making it the largest federally funded food assistance program. SNAP benefits are distributed once per month and both food spending and calorie consumption tend to decrease as time from benefit distribution increases. The monthly SNAP benefit cycle has serious implications for the health and financial stability of low-income families, a growing number of whom rely on SNAP as their sole source of income. Relatively little is known about the specific coping strategies households use to manage the SNAP cycle. The purpose of this study is to provide a critical exploration of the nature and timing of coping strategies for managing the SNAP cycle, including implications these coping mechanisms have for health and financial stability. This paper presents data from a prospective cohort study of mothers (n = 12) receiving SNAP benefits in Philadelphia between 2016 and 17. Both in-depth qualitative and survey methods were used. Participants reported on a variety of coping strategies they used to manage the SNAP cycle, including adjustments to shopping and eating patterns, mental accounting, emotional resilience, and social support. Instrumental social support was particularly vital in the final days of the benefit cycle, as were skipping meals and purchasing less expensive, energy-dense foods. Constant vigilance was required throughout the month to manage financial instability. The coping strategies for managing the SNAP cycle have short-term benefits, such as buffering against hunger and financial instability, however these survival strategies may have negative long-term repercussions for physical and financial health.

Impacts of COVID-19 on Trade and Economic Aspects of Food Security: Evidence from 45 Developing Countries

“…However, as noticed by Devereux et al [11] and Farrell et al [13], a closure of open-air markets and a ban on street vendors (the two most common food outlets in poorer countries) may disrupt food access even in a situation when consumption is reoriented on local products. Prior to the current health crisis, many food-insecure households have reported such food coping strategies as, for example, seeking resources from the charitable food sector or relying on social networks for support [164,165]. Amidst COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions, most of the nutrition assistance programs have been frozen.…”

COVID-19 and Food Insecurity: an Uneven Patchwork of Responses

“…Many other common food insecurity coping strategies are also challenging amidst COVID-19 public health advisories and restrictions. Prior to this current crisis, food-insecure households have reported numerous techniques for making ends meet, including seeking resources from the charitable food sector (e.g., food pantries, soup kitchens) and relying on social networks for support [8]. Proper adherence to social distancing makes sharing meals with neighbors or family difficult, and congregate meals at senior centers and soup kitchens are all but impossible, particularly without clear guidance from health officials about how to serve meals safely.…”

Food Insecurity and the Risk of Obesity, Depression, and Self-Rated Health in Women

“…49,50 Qualitative research also reveals that SNAP recipients' coping strategies toward the end of the month often include skipping meals and seeking instrumental Willis, et al; Women's Health Reports 2020, 1.1 http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/whr.2020.0049 food supports from family and friends. 51 These findings coupled with the relatively high rates of food insecurity observed in our targeted community samples and differences in the intake of some food types suggest that an investigation of the potential interplay between community group membership and the structure of food assistance programs could be an important policy-relevant area for future research.…”