Understanding the Food Stamp Program Participation Decisions of TANF Leavers

by Robert M. Goerge, Mairead Reidy, Sandra Lyons, Meejung Chin, Allison Harris, and J. William Levedahl

This paper evaluates factors affecting the decision by families that leave the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program to participate in the Food Stamp Program (FSP). Linked Illinois State-level administrative data are combined with Census data and data from the Illinois Families Study survey to evaluate the FSP take-up decision of TANF leavers 3 years after leaving the welfare rolls. Results indicate that in Chicago, neighborhood characteristics and knowledge of FSP eligibility at the district office level are important factors in understanding the FSP participation decision of TANF leavers even after individual or family-level demographic characteristics are taken into account. This evidence suggests that the density of social networks among the food-stamp-eligible population in the district office areas may mediate the effects of office outreach and communication strategies.

Keywords: Food Stamp Program, FSP, food assistance, program nonparticipants, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, TANF, TANF leavers, Food Assistance and Nutrition Research Program, FANRP

In this publication...

• Entire Report
• Abstract, Contents
• Report Overview
• The Food Stamp Program and the Importance of Nonparticipation
• Research Questions and Hypotheses
• Research on FSP Take-up
• Methodology
• Results
• Conclusion
• References