Household food security responses for SNAP participants and nonparticipants

Abstract

We investigate the distinct associations between Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation and different experiences of food-related hardship. Using a generalization of the Rasch model with USDA Economic Research Service 2022 data for 10 adult-referenced food security survey items, we find evidence of uniform differential item function. The gap in odds of response between the first item (food-related worry) and the third item (difficulty acquiring balanced meals) was larger for SNAP households than for non-SNAP households. Similar differences were observed for other survey items. We consider whether SNAP policy or program changes could increase beneficial impacts differentially for particular food-related hardships.