SNAP Enrollment Information Letters for Seniors
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services · Pennsylvania, USA · 2016
Summary
Most eligible seniors did not enroll in SNAP despite qualifying. An information letter tripled enrollment relative to do-nothing. Adding active enrollment assistance tripled it again. The cost per enrollee ($20–60) was trivial relative to annual benefit value ($1,300). The study challenged the assumption that low take-up reflects low need, showing that administrative friction and information gaps drive most non-enrollment.
Research question
"Can informational letters and enrollment assistance increase SNAP take-up among eligible elderly residents?"
Methodology
Intervention
Three arms: control (no contact), information letter only, information + active enrollment assistance
Assignment
Randomized controlled trial (individual)
Sample size
30,000 elderly individuals
Primary outcome
SNAP enrollment rate over 9 months
Effect estimate
Control: 6% → Information only: 11% → Information + Assistance: 18%
Decision
Enrollment assistance program expanded; cost-benefit ratio highly favorable ($20 cost → $1,300/year in benefits received)
Result
Positive
Control: 6% → Information only: 11% → Information + Assistance: 18%
Evidence strength
Strong
Randomized trial, replicated across multiple sites or studies.
Replication status
Replicated
Institution
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
Location
Pennsylvania, USA
Year
2016
Policy area
Benefits Enrollment
Mechanism
Simplification