A Qualitative Analysis of SNAP and Minimum Wage Policies as Experienced by Workers with Lower Incomes

Caitlin E Caspi, Molly De Marco, Emily Welle, Claire Sadeghzadeh, Leah Chapman, Lisa J. Harnack, Rebekah J Pratt

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Work-related policies, including minimum wage and food assistance work requirements, can affect food security for people with lower incomes. This study conducted 112 qualitative interviews to understand participant policy experiences in two contexts (Raleigh, North Carolina and Minneapolis, Minnesota). Participants experienced frequent, destabilizing changes to their United States Department of Agriculture Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, which they identified as part of a broader safety net. Raleigh workers described an unsupportive policy environment; Minneapolis workers reaped few benefits from an ongoing wage increase. Many workers face complex financial tradeoffs; more sophisticated evaluations should consider broader policy contexts and long-range effects.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)521-539
Number of pages19
JournalJournal of Hunger and Environmental Nutrition
Volume17
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2022

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Keywords

  • People with lower incomes
  • minimum wage
  • policy evaluation
  • qualitative
  • snap
  • work requirements

PubMed: MeSH publication types

  • Journal Article

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