class: center, middle, inverse, title-slide # How Place and Poverty Intersect ## Geographic Barriers and Low SNAP Take-up ### .hi-green[Marianne Bitler], UC Davis & NBER ### .hi-green[Jason Cook], University of Utah ### .hi-green[Sonya R. Porter], US Census Bureau --- htmltools::includeCSS("https://raw.githubusercontent.com/jasoncookecon/SNAP_Distance/blob/main/my-css.css") # Disclaimer > Any opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not reflect the views of the U.S. Census Bureau. The statistical summaries reported in this paper have been cleared by the Census Bureau's Disclosure Review Board release authorization number CBDRB-FY21-CES014- 049. All results have been reviewed to ensure that no confidential information is disclosed. --- <!-- install.packages(c("pagedown", "xaringan")) --> <!-- pagedown::chrome_print("C:/Users/Jason/Box/SNAP/Distance/Presentation/SNAP_Distance_Bitler_Cook_Porter.html") --> # Motivation - US somewhat unique within advanced economies in design of safety net. System very federalized with various levels of government running programs. - People apply to many programs and rules not harmonized and application is not automatic as in much of the developed world `\(\Rightarrow\)` low take-up is more of issue in US than other places (.smallest[.red[Currie, 2006; Currie and Gahvari, 2008]]). -- - Social program take-up: Hot topic in public econ, yet understudied. - Emphasis on understanding role of barriers to accessing safety net. - Barriers impact both .hi-red[take-up] (how many people enroll) and .hi-red[targeting] (what types of people enroll). --- # .smallest[Competing Models to Explain Low Take-Up] ## .hi-red[Neoclassical model] - People make decisions balancing costs and benefits in a utility maximizing framework. - Incomplete take-up is a function of barriers: - **Incomplete information**: Program existence, eligibility rules. - **Stigma**: Either concerns about whether you should participate or about how others will judge you. - **Transaction costs**: E.g., travel costs, difficultly with documentation, time costs. -- Under this framework, .hi-green[barriers could be efficient if improve targeting], i.e., deter those without need or target those in need .smallest[(.red[Ackerlof, 1978; Nichols & Zeckhauser, 1982; Besley & Coate, 1992; Kleven & Kopczuk, 2011])]. --- # .smallest[Competing Models to Explain Low Take-Up] ## .hi-red[Behavioral science model] - Limited bandwidth or stress impairs people. Suggests incomplete take-up might be harmful or inefficient (.smallest[.red[Bertrand, Mullainathan, & Shafir, 2004]]). ## .hi-red[Administrative Burden] - Government actors may intentionally create "administrative burden" such as learning costs, compliance costs, and psychological costs to limit use, possibly due to limited capacity (.smallest[.red[Herd and Moynihan, 2019]]). Under these models, .hi-red[barriers could be inefficient if worsen targeting], e.g., if the poor face limited bandwidth or scarcity, more needy individuals could be deterred by hassle costs.<sup>*</sup> .footnote[<sup>*</sup> Though take up and targeting alone are not enough to assess normative implications (.smallest[.red[Finkelstein & Notowidigdo, 2019]]).] --- class: inverse, middle count: false # Literature --- # Finkelstein and Notowidigdo (2019) - Model for social welfare incorporates social costs and perceptions of costs of application (.red[looking at targeting is not enough]). - Fit parameters with RCT on Medicaid participants not on SNAP. - Did information and application help affect take-up and targeting? -- - Assistance `\(>\)` information `\(>\)` status quo; Compliers are better off. - Worse targeting for all interventions. -- - Quantify costs of assessing eligibility? - Understanding expense of eligibility assessment would help determine size of wedge between social and private welfare. - Efforts to cut cost of eligibility would help shrink wedge. - SNAP average administrative costs low relative to benefit amount. --- # Literature Remaining literature can be conceptualized as studying how different types of barriers impact .red[take-up] and .red[targeting]. --- # Barriers Impact Take-Up ## Information Barriers - SNAP-eligible people often don't realize eligibility (.smallest[.red[Bartlett et al., 2004]]); providing information increases take-up (.smallest[.red[Daponte, Sanders, & Taylor, 1999; Finkelstein and Notowidigdo, 2019]]). - Informational interventions matter in some other contexts as well: **EITC** (.smallest[.red[Bhargava and Manoli, 2015]]) and **SSDI** (.smallest[.red[Armour, 2018]]), but not others: **FAFSA** (.smallest[.red[Bettinger et al., 2012]]). --- # Barriers Impact Take-Up ## Transaction Costs in SNAP - Reducing transaction costs in **SNAP** increases take-up via: application help (.smallest[.red[Schanzenbach, 2001; Finkelstein and Notowidigdo, 2019]]), certification periods (.smallest[.red[Kabbani and Wilde, 2003]]), certification reporting requirements (.smallest[.red[Gray, 2018; Hanratty, 2006; Unrath, 2021]]). - Less time for **SNAP** recertification interviews leads to more churning (.smallest[.red[Homonoff and Somerville, 2021]]) - Switching to automated **SNAP** application process decreases take-up (.smallest[.red[Wu, 2021]]) --- # Barriers Impact Take-Up ## Transaction Costs in Other Programs - Learning costs with **WIC**, relative to SNAP, influenced by what stores carry (.smallest[.red[Barnes, 2021]]). - **WIC** participation during COVID affected by pick up and enrollment rules (in person/not) (.smallest[.red[Barnes and Petry, 2021; Whaley and Anderson, 2021; Vasan, Kenyon, and Roberto, 2021]]). - Access to program offices matters: **SSA** offices (.smallest[.red[Deshpande and Li, 2019]]) and **WIC** program offices/vendors (.smallest[.red[Rossin-Slater, 2013; Ambrozek, 2021]]). <!-- - Assistance in completing **FAFSA** (.smallest[.red[Bettinger et al., 2012]]) --> <!-- - Online **UI** applications (.smallest[.red[Stange and Ebenstein, 2010]]) --> --- # Barriers Impact Targeting ## Information Barriers - Complexity worsens targeting of low-income cases for EITC (.smallest[.red[Bhargava and Manoli, 2015]]). - Information mailers induce less-needy households to enroll in SNAP (.smallest[.red[Finkelstein and Notowidigdo, 2019]]). --- # Barriers Impact Targeting ## Transaction Costs - Closing SSA offices had mixed impacts on who is deterred (.smallest.red[Deshpande and Li, 2019]). - SNAP application assistance reduces targeting across all dimensions (.smallest[.red[Finkelstein and Notowidigdo, 2019]]). - Automated application system reduces take-up, but it improves targeting efficiency for new recipients and worsens among recertifiers (.smallest[.red[Wu, 2021]]). - Recertification rules reduce take-up and lower retention, but improve targeting (.smallest[.red[Unrath, 2021]]). -- To our knowledge, no documented **SNAP** interventions .hi-red[increase take-up] and .hi-red[improve targeting]. --- # Our Contribution - First assessment of how access to in-person assistance via opening/closing SNAP offices and SNAP-authorized stores (.red[coming soon]) impacts participation and targeting. - Provide evidence that reducing transaction costs via access to SNAP offices .hi-red[increases participation] and .hi-red[improves targeting]. - Our setting includes multiple relevant actors: SNAP-authorized stores and program offices. - Literature has looked at one of these in isolation with limited focus on private actors (.smallest[.red[Handbury & Moshary, 2021; Beatty, Bitler, and van Der Werf, 2021; Meckel, 2020]]). --- # Our Contribution - Link Census data on .red[residential location] with .red[administrative SNAP data] and information on .purple[SNAP offices] and .purple[SNAP-authorized retailers]. - Not possible to study this question with existing surveys due to limited sample sizes and data quality issues. -- - Study population within states and don’t have to focus samples with limited generalizability (previous RCT literature). - Rich administrative data on other programs and mobility. -- - Samples which permit us to explore .red[staggered adoption designs]. - We establish a .red[first stage] for work to come on outcomes. --- class: inverse, middle count: false # Institutional Background --- # SNAP - Backbone of US safety net. - Only US safety net program available to nearly all low-income households. - Means tested (income and asset tests) and includes work requirements for some households (i.e., ABAWDs). - Certification periods typically 6-12 months (seniors 24+ months; ABAWD 3 months). - In-person or phone interview required along with income verification. --- # SNAP ## Application Process .pull-left[ - Some heterogeneity across states. - Many states have online application portals and hotlines. - Most people still submit applications in person. - Most states have switched from face-to-face to phone interview. - Provide household information and records of income/assets. ] .pull-right[ .center[ <img src="SNAP_Distance_Bitler_Cook_Porter_files/figure-html/unnamed-chunk-1-1.png" width="100%" /> <img src="SNAP_Distance_Bitler_Cook_Porter_files/figure-html/unnamed-chunk-2-1.png" width="75%" /> .caption[**Source**: Arizona Department of Economic Security Website.] ] ] --- # SNAP ## Role of SNAP Offices - Provide in-person assistance navigating application process. - **Application prevalence**: .hi-red[in-person] `\(>\)` online `\(>\)` fax `\(>\)` email `\(>\)` phone. - SNAP offices report that typically 80% of applications are in person. - Typically provide resources to connect SNAP applicants to other assistance programs (e.g., HUD, TANF, Medicaid/Medicare, LEAP, WIC). - Some offices allow .red[direct applications to other programs] (typically TANF, but also sometimes HUD and Medicaid). - Some offices even help find jobs, daycare, and housing. --- class: inverse, middle count: false # Data --- # Data .pull-left[ - .hi-red[SNAP Administrative Data] - Master Address File - MAFARF - HUD Administrative Data - ACS - HHS TANF Administrative Data - Collected 243 SNAP office closings and 336 openings. ] .pull-right[ <!-- - **AZ** ('09-'18), **CO** ('12,'13), **HI** ('13-'18), **ID** ('10-'18), **IL** ('08-'16), **IN** ('04-'18) **KY** ('14-'18), **MD** ('09-'16), **MI** ('10-'16), **MS** ('10-'18), **ND** ('04-'18), **NJ** ('06-'18), **NY** ('13-'18), **OR** ('09-'18), **TN** ('04-'18), **UT** ('12-'18), **VA** ('09-'13) --> .center[![:scale 100%](figs/SNAP_data.png)] ] --- class: inverse, middle count: false # Measuring Access to SNAP Offices --- # Measuring Access to SNAP Offices - We count number of SNAP recipients in administrative records residing within given distance to each SNAP office in each year. - In the case of overlap, we assign case to the closest office (i.e., .red["No Overlap"]). - Show robustness to counting cases multiple times if overlap - Perform similar exercise for any person with a Census PIK to use as denominator (.red[awaiting disclosure]). -- - Next, we illustrate method for counting cases within a ring of an office using data on SNAP offices and SNAP-authorized stores. - Use SNAP-authorized stores for this example to avoid Census disclosure issues --- class: black-slide .center[ <img src="SNAP_Distance_Bitler_Cook_Porter_files/figure-html/unnamed-chunk-3-1.png" width="70%" /> ] .caption[ **Data Source:** *SNAP-Authorized Stores* - USDA's Store Tracking and Redemption System (STARS); *SNAP Offices* - Collected by authors. ] - Here, SNAP-authorized stores (dots) in 1 mile of SNAP Offices (diamonds). --- class: black-slide .center[ <img src="SNAP_Distance_Bitler_Cook_Porter_files/figure-html/unnamed-chunk-4-1.png" width="70%" /> ] .caption[ **Data Source:** *SNAP-Authorized Stores* - USDA's Store Tracking and Redemption System (STARS); *SNAP Offices* - Collected by authors. ] - Here, SNAP-authorized stores (dots) in 1 mile of SNAP Offices (diamonds). - We assign dots to closest SNAP Office (signified by matching color). - We then count number of dots assigned to each SNAP office each year. --- class: black-slide .center[ <img src="SNAP_Distance_Bitler_Cook_Porter_files/figure-html/unnamed-chunk-5-1.png" width="70%" /> ] .caption[ **Data Source:** *SNAP-Authorized Stores* - USDA's Store Tracking and Redemption System (STARS); *SNAP Offices* - Collected by authors. ] - In context of paper, the dots are SNAP admin cases. - Compute counts for offices both before they open and after they close. - Compute counts for various case types (e.g., no gross income) --- # SNAP Offices ## Overlap - Within a mile, .hi-red[12%] of cases overlap in .hi-red[rural] counties. - Within a mile, .hi-blue[28%] of cases overlap in .hi-blue[urban] counties. ## Distances - Most analyses focus on SNAP cases within **1 mile of the SNAP Office**. - Roughly **25th percentile** of distance distribution for both rural and urban counties. - Also explore distances of `\(\color{#b92e34 }{(1,10]}\)` miles for .hi-red[rural] and `\(\color{#07506F }{(1,4]}\)` for .hi-blue[urban]. - **75th percentile** of distance distribution. --- class: inverse, middle count: false # Share Affected by Openings/Closings --- # Share Affected by Openings/Closings <img src="SNAP_Distance_Bitler_Cook_Porter_files/figure-html/unnamed-chunk-7-1.png" width="100%" /> - **"Any Office":** All offices, including those that neither open nor close. - **Meaningful share of recipients live near SNAP offices.** - Of the .hi-red[27,540,000 rural clients] we observe: <sup>*<sup/> - 695,000 live < 1 mile of opening office (781,000 for closing office). - Of the .hi-blue[24,590,000 urban clients] we observe: - 452,000 live < 1 mile of opening office (843,000 for closing office). .footnote[<sup>*</sup> Recall we only observe a subset of states in administrative data.] --- # .smaller[Client Characteristics by SNAP Office Type] .center[![:scale 100%](figs/char1.png)] - .hi-red[Rural]: Monthly income ~ $200 lower near **opening/closing** offices. - .hi-blue[Urban]: Monthly income ~ $100 lower near **closing** offices. - **All**: Monthly income higher for recipients far away from offices. --- # .smaller[Client Characteristics by SNAP Office Type] .center[![:scale 100%](figs/char2.png)] - .hi-blue[Urban Counties]: Lower share of Black recipients near opening offices. - **Both**: Recipients far away from offices are less likely to be Black/Hispanic and more likely to be White. --- # .smaller[Client Characteristics by SNAP Office Type] .center[![:scale 100%](figs/char3.png)] - Characteristics relatively balanced across office type. --- class: inverse, middle count: false # Empirical Design --- # Empirical Design ## Preferred Specification - Two-way Fixed Effects `$$y_{it} = \sum_{\tau, \tau\neq 1}\beta_\tau 1(t-E_i = \tau) + \gamma_i + \theta_t + \epsilon_{it}$$` - `\(i\ -\)` SNAP office - `\(t\ -\)` calendar year - `\(E_i\ -\)` year of opening/closing -- - Panel design hinges on exogenous timing of openings/closings. - Unobserved determinants of SNAP participation not differentially trending across office types. --- # Empirical Design `$$y_{it} = \sum_{\tau, \tau\neq 1}\beta_\tau 1(t-E_i = \tau)+ \gamma_i + \theta_t + \epsilon_{it}$$` - Run on a panel balanced over main event times `\(\tau \in [-3,3]\)`. - Coefficients estimated for all event times, but only report `\(\tau \in [-3,3]\)`. - Cluster standard errors by SNAP office (location where SNAP office will be/is/used to be). -- - Sample includes all SNAP offices and event time is only calculated for treated offices (i.e., opening or closing). - Test robustness to heterogeneous treatment effects (.smallest[.red[de Chaisemartin and D'Haultfœuille, 2020]]). --- # Empirical Design ## Exogeneity of our Variation - SNAP recipients .red[far away from offices] have higher income and more likely to be White. - `\(\Rightarrow\)` Analysis only focuses on recipients in close vicinity of offices. - Office changes unlikely to target neighborhood characteristics in such close vicinity. - Characteristics of SNAP recipients .red[near offices] relatively similar across office types (i.e., opening/closing/any). - **Caveat:** Urban offices tend to open in whiter neighborhoods and close in lower-income neighborhoods. -- - Importantly, we leverage .red[timing] of changes. - Will use Dun & Bradstreet firms to check whether openings and closings affected by aggregate retail trends. --- class: inverse, middle count: false # Results --- # Mean Distance to Office (Miles) - .hi-red[Goal:] Measure how travel distances are impacted by SNAP office openings/closings. - Use the Census Master Address file (MAFX); a static file of all known residential locations in US. - Measure average travel distance from every MAFX address within 1 of SNAP Office during years leading up to and following opening/closing. --- # Mean Distance to Office (Miles) .center[ <table class=" lightable-paper table" style='font-family: "Arial Narrow", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; width: auto !important; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: auto !important; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;'> <thead> <tr> <th style="text-align:center;text-align: center;"> </th> <th style="text-align:center;text-align: center;"> Closing<br>Rural </th> <th style="text-align:center;text-align: center;"> Closing<br>Urban </th> <th style="text-align:center;text-align: center;"> Opening<br>Rural </th> <th style="text-align:center;text-align: center;"> Opening<br>Urban </th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 4em; "> Distance </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> 0-1 </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #D1E5F0 !important;"> 0-1 </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> 0-1 </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #D1E5F0 !important;"> 0-1 </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 4em; "> Model </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> TWFE </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #D1E5F0 !important;"> TWFE </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> TWFE </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #D1E5F0 !important;"> TWFE </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 4em; "> Avg. Estimate </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> 5.63***<br>(1.16) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #D1E5F0 !important;"> 1.97***<br>(0.70) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> -5.35***<br>(1.03) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #D1E5F0 !important;"> -1.30***<br>(0.26) </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 4em; "> Baseline Y </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> .56 </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #D1E5F0 !important;"> .63 </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> 5.3 </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #D1E5F0 !important;"> 1.6 </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 4em; background-color: white !important;"> Event Study </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;background-color: white !important;"> ![:scale 100%](figs/cl_rur_meaoffdismaf1_twfenov_s_ES.png) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #D1E5F0 !important;background-color: white !important;"> ![:scale 100%](figs/cl_urb_meaoffdismaf1_twfenov_s_ES.png) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;background-color: white !important;"> ![:scale 100%](figs/op_rur_meaoffdismaf1_twfenov_s_ES.png) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #D1E5F0 !important;background-color: white !important;"> ![:scale 100%](figs/op_urb_meaoffdismaf1_twfenov_s_ES.png) </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> ] .caption[.center[ **Data Source:** SNAP Administrative Data - various states and years; Census Master Address File (MAFX). ]] --- # Mean Distance to Office (Miles) - .hi-red[Rural Counties]: Open/closings change average distance by 5 miles. - .hi-blue[Urban Counties]: Open/closings change average distance by 1-2 miles. - Distances change enough to move from office being walkable to requiring transit to access. -- Next, we explore impact of SNAP office closings and openings on total counts of new SNAP clients living within a mile radius. --- # \# of New SNAP Clients - Short Distance ## Office Closings .smallest[] .pull-left[ <table class=" lightable-paper table" style='font-family: "Arial Narrow", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; width: auto !important; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: auto !important; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;'> <thead> <tr> <th style="text-align:center;text-align: center;"> </th> <th style="text-align:center;text-align: center;"> Closing<br>Rural </th> <th style="text-align:center;text-align: center;"> Closing<br>Urban </th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 5em; "> Distance </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> 0-1 </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #D1E5F0 !important;"> 0-1 </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 5em; "> Model </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> TWFE </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #D1E5F0 !important;"> TWFE </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 5em; "> Avg. Estimate </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> -3.17<br>(12.6) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #D1E5F0 !important;"> -88.0<br>(62.5) </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 5em; "> Baseline Y </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> 224 </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #D1E5F0 !important;"> 1,020 </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 5em; background-color: white !important;"> Event Study </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;background-color: white !important;"> ![:scale 100%](figs/cl_rur_nclnew1_twfenov_s_ES.png) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #D1E5F0 !important;background-color: white !important;"> ![:scale 100%](figs/cl_urb_nclnew1_twfenov_s_ES.png) </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> .caption[.center[ **Data Source:** SNAP Administrative Data - various states and years. ]] ] .pull-right[ - **Rural & Urban Counties**: Temporary spike during closing year. - .hi-blue[Urban Counties:] 3 years after closing, roughly 90 fewer clients (.blue[8.8% decrease relative to baseline]). ] --- # \# of New SNAP Clients - Short Distance ## Heterogeneity by Gross Income .pull-left[ .center[ **Closing, Rural** <img src="SNAP_Distance_Bitler_Cook_Porter_files/figure-html/unnamed-chunk-13-1.png" width="100%" /> ] ] .pull-right[ .center[ **Closing, Urban** <img src="SNAP_Distance_Bitler_Cook_Porter_files/figure-html/unnamed-chunk-14-1.png" width="100%" /> ] ] .caption[.center[ **Data Source:** SNAP Administrative Data - various states and years. ]] - **Puzzle:** Temporary spike driven by cases with gross income `\( \in (0,100] \)` %FPL. - Participation falls for clients with no gross income. --- # \# of New SNAP Clients - Short Distance ## Heterogeneity .center[![:scale 100%](figs/heteroFX_cl.png)].caption[ **Data Source:** SNAP Administrative Data - various states and years. ] - Cases with no gross income fell the most. - Elderly case increase is driven by mobility (.red[awaiting disclosure]). --- # \# of New SNAP Clients - Long Distance ## Office Closings .smallest[] .pull-left[ .center[ <table class=" lightable-paper table" style='font-family: "Arial Narrow", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; width: auto !important; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: auto !important; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;'> <thead> <tr> <th style="text-align:center;text-align: center;"> </th> <th style="text-align:center;text-align: center;"> Closing<br>Rural </th> <th style="text-align:center;text-align: center;"> Closing<br>Urban </th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 5em; "> Distance </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> 1-10 </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #D1E5F0 !important;"> 1-4 </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 5em; "> Model </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> TWFE </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #D1E5F0 !important;"> TWFE </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 5em; "> Avg. Estimate </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> 59.5<br>(48.2) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #D1E5F0 !important;"> 309.4**<br>(153.6) </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 5em; "> Baseline Y </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> 596 </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #D1E5F0 !important;"> 1,710 </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 5em; background-color: white !important;"> Event Study </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;background-color: white !important;"> ![:scale 100%](figs/cl_rur_nclnew10_twfenov_s_ES.png) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #D1E5F0 !important;background-color: white !important;"> ![:scale 100%](figs/cl_urb_nclnew4_twfenov_s_ES.png) </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> ] .caption[.center[ **Data Source:** SNAP Administrative Data - various states and years. ]] ] .pull-right[ - Persistent increase in caseloads. - Similarly driven by cases with some gross income (.red[awaiting disclosure]). - Currently working on testing robustness to population changes and short-distance office relocations. ] --- # \# of New SNAP Clients - Short Distance ## Office Openings .smallest[] .pull-left[ .center[ <table class=" lightable-paper table" style='font-family: "Arial Narrow", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; width: auto !important; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: auto !important; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;'> <thead> <tr> <th style="text-align:center;text-align: center;"> </th> <th style="text-align:center;text-align: center;"> Opening<br>Rural </th> <th style="text-align:center;text-align: center;"> Opening<br>Urban </th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 5em; "> Distance </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> 0-1 </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #D1E5F0 !important;"> 0-1 </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 5em; "> Model </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> TWFE </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #D1E5F0 !important;"> TWFE </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 5em; "> Avg. Estimate </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> 35.9***<br>(11.9) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #D1E5F0 !important;"> 294.2***<br>(60.7) </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 5em; "> Baseline Y </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> 153 </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #D1E5F0 !important;"> 466 </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 5em; background-color: white !important;"> Event Study </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;background-color: white !important;"> ![:scale 100%](figs/op_rur_nclnew1_twfenov_s_ES.png) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #D1E5F0 !important;background-color: white !important;"> ![:scale 100%](figs/op_urb_nclnew1_twfenov_s_ES.png) </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> ] .caption[.center[ **Data Source:** SNAP Administrative Data - various states and years. ]] ] .pull-right[ - **Rural & Urban Counties**: Large, immediate impacts that increase with time. - By **three years** after opening: - .hi-red[Rural Counties]: 53 additional SNAP clients (.red[35% increase]). - .hi-blue[Urban Counties]: 332 additional SNAP clients (.blue[71% increase]). ] --- # \# of New SNAP Clients - Short Distance ## Heterogeneity by Gross Income .pull-left[ .center[ **Opening, Rural** <img src="SNAP_Distance_Bitler_Cook_Porter_files/figure-html/unnamed-chunk-18-1.png" width="100%" /> ] ] .pull-right[ .center[ **Opening, Urban** <img src="SNAP_Distance_Bitler_Cook_Porter_files/figure-html/unnamed-chunk-19-1.png" width="100%" /> ] ] .caption[.center[ **Data Source:** SNAP Administrative Data - various states and years. ]] - Biggest participation impacts for cases without gross income. - Evidence of .red[improved targeting]. --- # \# of New SNAP Clients - Short Distance ## Heterogeneity .center[![:scale 100%](figs/heteroFX_op.png)].caption[ **Data Source:** SNAP Administrative Data - various states and years. ] - Increases in program participation across many subgroups. --- # \# of New SNAP Clients - Long Distance ## Office Openings .smallest[] .pull-left[ <table class=" lightable-paper table" style='font-family: "Arial Narrow", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; width: auto !important; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: auto !important; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;'> <thead> <tr> <th style="text-align:center;text-align: center;"> </th> <th style="text-align:center;text-align: center;"> Opening<br>Rural </th> <th style="text-align:center;text-align: center;"> Opening<br>Urban </th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 5em; "> Distance </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> 1-10 </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #D1E5F0 !important;"> 1-4 </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 5em; "> Model </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> TWFE </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #D1E5F0 !important;"> TWFE </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 5em; "> Avg. Estimate </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> 170.4***<br>(47.4) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #D1E5F0 !important;"> 595.1***<br>(133.6) </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 5em; "> Baseline Y </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> 405 </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #D1E5F0 !important;"> 1,731 </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 5em; background-color: white !important;"> Event Study </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;background-color: white !important;"> ![:scale 100%](figs/op_rur_nclnew10_twfenov_s_ES.png) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #D1E5F0 !important;background-color: white !important;"> ![:scale 100%](figs/op_urb_nclnew4_twfenov_s_ES.png) </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> .caption[.center[ **Data Source:** SNAP Administrative Data - various states and years. ]] ] .pull-right[ - Similar pattern as for 1 mile rings. - By **three years** after opening: - .hi-red[Rural Counties]: 271 additional SNAP clients (.red[67% increase]). - .hi-blue[Urban Counties]: 768 additional SNAP clients (.blue[44% increase]). ] --- # Take-Away - SNAP office openings/closings generates meaningful differences in access. - These differences in access substantially impact participation rates (.red[particularly for cases without income]). - **Within 1 mile:** - **Closing offices** experience an uptick in cases during the closing year. Possibly clearing out application queue. Subsequent modest declines in participation (.blue[urban counties]). - **Opening offices** experience large persistent increases in participation. --- class: inverse, middle count: false # Robustness --- #Robustness Next, we test robustness to changing: 1. **Model:** Use .red[de Chaisemartin and D'Haultfœuille, 2020] estimator that is robust to heterogeneous treatment effects. 1. **Overlap:** Allowing cases to be counted multiple times if within a mile of multiple offices. 1. **Outcome:** Measuring number of cases as opposed to number of clients. -- <br/> **Summary:** Results are not substantially impacted. --- # Rural Closings - Robustness .center[ <table class=" lightable-paper table" style='font-family: "Arial Narrow", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; width: auto !important; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: auto !important; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;'> <thead> <tr> <th style="text-align:center;text-align: center;"> </th> <th style="text-align:center;text-align: center;"> New<br>Clients </th> <th style="text-align:center;text-align: center;"> New<br>Clients </th> <th style="text-align:center;text-align: center;"> New<br>Clients </th> <th style="text-align:center;text-align: center;"> New<br>Cases </th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 4em; "> Distance </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> 0-1 </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> 0-1 </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> 0-1 </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> 0-1 </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 4em; "> Model </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> TWFE </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> deCh/DH (AER) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> TWFE </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> TWFE </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 4em; "> Overlap </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> No </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> No </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> Yes </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> No </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 4em; "> Avg. Estimate </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> -3.2<br>(12.6) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> 13.9<br>(13.0) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> -10.1<br>(14.5) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> -6.6<br>(7.7) </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 4em; "> Baseline Y </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> 223.6 </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> 204.5 </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> 295.4 </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> 121.6 </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 4em; "> Main Specification </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> X </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 4em; background-color: white !important;"> Event Study </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;background-color: white !important;"> ![:scale 100%](figs/cl_rur_nclnew1_twfenov_s_ES.png) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: white !important;"> ![:scale 100%](figs/cl_rur_nclnew1_deChnov_s_ES.png) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: white !important;"> ![:scale 100%](figs/cl_rur_nclnew1_twfeall_s_ES.png) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: white !important;"> ![:scale 100%](figs/cl_rur_ncanew1_twfenov_s_ES.png) </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> ] .caption[.center[ **Data Source:** SNAP Administrative Data - various states and years. ]] --- # Urban Closings - Robustness .center[ <table class=" lightable-paper table" style='font-family: "Arial Narrow", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; width: auto !important; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: auto !important; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;'> <thead> <tr> <th style="text-align:center;text-align: center;"> </th> <th style="text-align:center;text-align: center;"> New<br>Clients </th> <th style="text-align:center;text-align: center;"> New<br>Clients </th> <th style="text-align:center;text-align: center;"> New<br>Clients </th> <th style="text-align:center;text-align: center;"> New<br>Cases </th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 4em; "> Distance </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> 0-1 </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> 0-1 </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> 0-1 </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> 0-1 </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 4em; "> Model </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> TWFE </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> deCh/DH (AER) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> TWFE </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> TWFE </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 4em; "> Overlap </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> No </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> No </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> Yes </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> No </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 4em; "> Avg. Estimate </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> -88.0<br>(62.5) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> 84.2<br>(82.9) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> -101.9<br>(67.3) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> -78.7<br>(48.0) </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 4em; "> Baseline Y </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> 1,020 </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> 856 </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> 1,250 </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> 651 </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 4em; "> Main Specification </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> X </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 4em; background-color: white !important;"> Event Study </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;background-color: white !important;"> ![:scale 100%](figs/cl_urb_nclnew1_twfenov_s_ES.png) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: white !important;"> ![:scale 100%](figs/cl_urb_nclnew1_deChnov_s_ES.png) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: white !important;"> ![:scale 100%](figs/cl_urb_nclnew1_twfeall_s_ES.png) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: white !important;"> ![:scale 100%](figs/cl_urb_ncanew1_twfenov_s_ES.png) </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> ] .caption[.center[ **Data Source:** SNAP Administrative Data - various states and years. ]] --- # Rural Openings - Robustness .center[ <table class=" lightable-paper table" style='font-family: "Arial Narrow", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; width: auto !important; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: auto !important; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;'> <thead> <tr> <th style="text-align:center;text-align: center;"> </th> <th style="text-align:center;text-align: center;"> New<br>Clients </th> <th style="text-align:center;text-align: center;"> New<br>Clients </th> <th style="text-align:center;text-align: center;"> New<br>Clients </th> <th style="text-align:center;text-align: center;"> New<br>Cases </th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 4em; "> Distance </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> 0-1 </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> 0-1 </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> 0-1 </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> 0-1 </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 4em; "> Model </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> TWFE </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> deCh/DH (AER) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> TWFE </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> TWFE </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 4em; "> Overlap </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> No </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> No </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> Yes </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> No </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 4em; "> Avg. Estimate </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> 35.9***<br>(11.9) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> 26.5***<br>(9.2) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> 26.7**<br>(13.1) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> 20.2***<br>(7.1) </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 4em; "> Baseline Y </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> 153 </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> 144 </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> 235.2 </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> 121.6 </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 4em; "> Main Specification </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> X </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 4em; background-color: white !important;"> Event Study </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;background-color: white !important;"> ![:scale 100%](figs/op_rur_nclnew1_twfenov_s_ES.png) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: white !important;"> ![:scale 100%](figs/op_rur_nclnew1_deChnov_s_ES.png) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: white !important;"> ![:scale 100%](figs/op_rur_nclnew1_twfeall_s_ES.png) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: white !important;"> ![:scale 100%](figs/op_rur_ncanew1_twfenov_s_ES.png) </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> ] .caption[.center[ **Data Source:** SNAP Administrative Data - various states and years. ]] --- # Urban Openings - Robustness .center[ <table class=" lightable-paper table" style='font-family: "Arial Narrow", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; width: auto !important; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: auto !important; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;'> <thead> <tr> <th style="text-align:center;text-align: center;"> </th> <th style="text-align:center;text-align: center;"> New<br>Clients </th> <th style="text-align:center;text-align: center;"> New<br>Clients </th> <th style="text-align:center;text-align: center;"> New<br>Clients </th> <th style="text-align:center;text-align: center;"> New<br>Cases </th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 4em; "> Distance </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> 0-1 </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> 0-1 </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> 0-1 </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> 0-1 </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 4em; "> Model </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> TWFE </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> deCh/DH (AER) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> TWFE </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> TWFE </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 4em; "> Overlap </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> No </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> No </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> Yes </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> No </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 4em; "> Avg. Estimate </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> 294.2***<br>(60.7) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> 508.4<br>(317.3) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> 281.8***<br>(74.1) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> 160.0***<br>(33.1) </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 4em; "> Baseline Y </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> 466 </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> 424.3 </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> 711.6 </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> 241.6 </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 4em; "> Main Specification </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;"> X </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 4em; background-color: white !important;"> Event Study </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: #FDDBC7 !important;background-color: white !important;"> ![:scale 100%](figs/op_urb_nclnew1_twfenov_s_ES.png) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: white !important;"> ![:scale 100%](figs/op_urb_nclnew1_deChnov_s_ES.png) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: white !important;"> ![:scale 100%](figs/op_urb_nclnew1_twfeall_s_ES.png) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; background-color: white !important;"> ![:scale 100%](figs/op_urb_ncanew1_twfenov_s_ES.png) </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> ] .caption[.center[ **Data Source:** SNAP Administrative Data - various states and years. ]] --- class: inverse, middle count: false # Further outcomes which provide context --- class: white-slide .pull-left[ <table class=" lightable-paper table" style='font-family: "Arial Narrow", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; width: auto !important; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: auto !important; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;'> <thead> <tr> <th style="text-align:center;text-align: center;"> </th> <th style="text-align:center;text-align: center;"> SNAP<br>Offices </th> <th style="text-align:center;text-align: center;"> SNAP<br>Stores </th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 4em; "> Closing<br>Rural </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> ![:scale 100%](figs/cl_rur_nsnaoff1_twfeall_s_ES.png) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> ![:scale 100%](figs/cl_rur_nsnasto1_twfenov_s_ES.png) </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 4em; "> Closing<br>Urban </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> ![:scale 100%](figs/cl_urb_nsnaoff1_twfeall_s_ES.png) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> ![:scale 100%](figs/cl_urb_nsnasto1_twfenov_s_ES.png) </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 4em; "> Opening<br>Rural </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> ![:scale 100%](figs/op_rur_nsnaoff1_twfeall_s_ES.png) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> ![:scale 100%](figs/op_rur_nsnasto1_twfenov_s_ES.png) </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 4em; "> Opening<br>Urban </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> ![:scale 100%](figs/op_urb_nsnaoff1_twfeall_s_ES.png) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> ![:scale 100%](figs/op_urb_nsnasto1_twfenov_s_ES.png) </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> .caption[ **Data Sources:** SNAP Admin - various states & years; HUD PICS/TRACS Admin; USDA's Store Tracking and Redemption System (STARS) ] ] .pull-right[ - Count of SNAP offices within a mile of focal office increases for closings and decreases for openings. - Result of offices relocating short distances. - Working on robustness to eliminating short-distance relocations. - No clear pattern for SNAP-authorized stores. ] --- class: white-slide .pull-left[ <table class=" lightable-paper table" style='font-family: "Arial Narrow", arial, helvetica, sans-serif; width: auto !important; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: auto !important; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;'> <thead> <tr> <th style="text-align:center;text-align: center;"> </th> <th style="text-align:center;text-align: center;"> Section 8 </th> <th style="text-align:center;text-align: center;"> Public<br>Housing </th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 4em; "> Closing<br>Rural </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> ![:scale 100%](figs/cl_rur_nsec8voucli1_twfenov_s_ES.png) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> ![:scale 100%](figs/cl_rur_npubhoucli1_twfenov_s_ES.png) </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 4em; "> Closing<br>Urban </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> ![:scale 100%](figs/cl_urb_nsec8voucli1_twfenov_s_ES.png) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> ![:scale 100%](figs/cl_urb_npubhoucli1_twfenov_s_ES.png) </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 4em; "> Opening<br>Rural </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> ![:scale 100%](figs/op_rur_nsec8voucli1_twfenov_s_ES.png) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> ![:scale 100%](figs/op_rur_npubhoucli1_twfenov_s_ES.png) </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align:center;width: 4em; "> Opening<br>Urban </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> ![:scale 100%](figs/op_urb_nsec8voucli1_twfenov_s_ES.png) </td> <td style="text-align:center;width: 7em; "> ![:scale 100%](figs/op_urb_npubhoucli1_twfenov_s_ES.png) </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> .caption[ **Data Source:** SNAP Admin - various states & years; HUD PICS/TRACS Admin; USDA's Store Tracking and Redemption System (STARS) ] ] .pull-right[ - Noisy increase in HUD program participation for SNAP office openings. - Recall that offices connect applicants to other programs, sometimes can even apply directly. ] --- # Conclusion - Access to SNAP offices .hi-red[substantially increases program participation]. - Particularly important for families without income (i.e., .hi-red[improved targeting]). - Interesting because many states are fully online with active help phone lines. - Face-to-face assistance may provide additional aid overcoming transaction costs? (.smallest[.red[Wu, 2021]]) - Policy implications to increase in-person assistance for applications. - Similar to mobile WIC clinics? --- # Next Steps - Qualitatively examine mechanisms for why offices may matter. - Similar analysis for distance to SNAP-authorized retailers and businesses more generally (D&B). - Robustness to population changes. - Mobility and case composition outcomes. - Use as IV to explore impact of SNAP on labor supply, cross-program participation, and health. --- class: white-slide, center, middle count: false .huge[**Thank you**] --- count: false # References Akerlof, G. A. (1978). "The Economics of "Tagging" as Applied to the Optimal Income Tax , Welfare Programs , and Manpower Planning". In: _American Economic Review_ 68.1, pp. 8-19. Ambrozek, C. (2021). "WIC participant responses to vendor disqualification". Armour, P. (2018). "The role of information in disability insurance application: An analysis of the social security statement phase-in". 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