| Project: Evaluation of Three Models Designed to Increase Participation of Eligible Elderly in the Food Stamp Program |
| Award Year: 2002 |
| Amount of award, fiscal 2002: $1,050,000.00 |
| Institution: Mathematica Policy Research, Inc. |
| Principal Investigator: James Ohls |
| Status: Completed |
| Detailed Objective: This study tests which of three models in six demonstration sites can most cost effectively increase participation of the eligible elderly in the Food Stamp Program (FSP). The three models involve (1) simplification of the FSP application, (2) assistance in completing the FSP application, or (3) the option of receiving FSP benefits in the form of a package of commodities. Six States have entered into an agreement with the Food and Nutrition Service. Under the Simplified Eligibility model, elderly individuals are given a short one-page application that excludes information not relevant to elderly-only households. The Application Assistance model provides elderly people with help in understanding program requirements, filling out the application, and assembling the documents needed to apply for food stamps. The Alternative Food Stamp Commodity Benefit model gives elderly households the option of receiving packages of commodities each month instead of getting benefits through an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card. For each model, the evaluation will measure the changes in elderly participation and benefit levels, conduct surveys and focus groups to measure client satisfaction; and provide a process analysis of the implementation of the demonstration and a detailed cost analysis. |
| Topic: Elderly, Program Operations, SNAP/Food Stamp Program |
Output:
Cody, S. Food Stamp Program--Elderly Nutrition Demonstrations: Interim Report on Elderly Participation Patterns, E-FAN-04-009, USDA, ERS, June 2004.
Cody, S., and J. Ohls. Evaluation of the USDA Elderly Nutrition Demonstrations: Volume I, Evaluation Findings, Contractor and Cooperator Report No. 9-1, July 2005.
Nogales, R., S. Cody, and J. Ohls. Evaluation of the USDA Elderly Nutrition Demonstrations: Volume II, Demonstration Summaries, Contractor and Cooperator Report No. 9-2, July 2005. |