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The Impact of ABAWD Time Limit Reinstatement on SNAP Participation and Employment
Tracy Vericker1, Laura Wheaton2, Kevin Baier1
1Westat, Rockville, MD.
Objective:
Estimate the impact of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) time limit for able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWD) on SNAP participation, employment, and earnings.
Design:
A quasi-experimental study using state administrative SNAP and earnings data to compare outcomes for SNAP participants before and after the time limit went into effect.
Participants:
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participants in the study cohorts in Colorado, Missouri, and Pennsylvania (N = 153,599).
Main Outcome Measures:
Monthly SNAP participation, quarterly employment, annual earnings.
Analysis:
Logistic and ordinary least squares multivariate regression models.
Results:
Time limit reinstatement reduced SNAP participation by 7 to 32 percentage points in the 12th month of time limit reinstatement but did not generate evidence of improved employment or annual earnings (1 year after time limit reinstatement, employment decreased by 2 to 7 percentage points and annual earnings decreased by $247 to $1,230).
Conclusions And Implications:
The ABAWD time limit reduced SNAP participation but did not improve employment and earnings. SNAP may provide helpful support to participants as they seek to enter or re-enter employment, and removing this support may be detrimental to their employment prospects. These findings can inform decisions about requesting waivers or pursuing changes to ABAWD legislation or regulations.
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