| By: |
Dickert-Conlin, Stacy;
Fitzpatrick, Katie;
Tiehen, Laura |
| Abstract: |
This research seeks to understand the role of information, in the form of
media campaigns, and changes in transaction costs, in the form of online
applications and call centers, in the growth in county-level SNAP caseloads.
We find that SNAP radio advertisements are associated with a small increase in
the SNAP caseload, though the magnitude of the estimates are sensitive to the
econometric specification. The SNAP television ads, which were run only in
2006, are negatively correlated with caseloads. We find evidence of
endogeneity in the placement of the advertising campaigns, leading to a
positive bias in the estimated effect of the radio ad campaigns and a negative
bias in the estimated effect of the TV ad campaigns. We also find the
modernization policies are generally negatively correlated with caseloads,
suggesting that providing information via the web and call centers did not
successfully lower transaction costs in a uniform way that lead to higher SNAP
participation. |
| Keywords: |
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP, food stamps, food assistance, outreach, advertising, Consumer/Household Economics, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Food Security and Poverty, H53, I3, |
| Date: |
2011 |
| URL: |
http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:aaea11:103215&r=cul |