Browsing by Subject "SNAP"
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Item Open Access Best Practices for Modernizing Integrated Public Benefits Applications(2023-04-19) Holtzman, RachelMany state agencies around the country are trying to modernize applications for public benefits programs in their state. This work often involves developing an integrated application for two or more public benefits, and then engineering an online portal on which to host the integrated application. Because most state agencies lack the technological expertise to do this work in-house, they hire third party vendors and consulting firms to help. This report thus seeks to answer the question: What can be learned about best practices for equitable applications, from states that have modernized their remote integrated benefits applications for Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and/or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs since the Affordable Care Act? To answer this question, the researcher conducted 24 interviews with Subject Matter Experts involved in designing, building, launching, administering, and/or researching integrated benefits applications. Findings include best practices for the processes of hiring, building, launching, and conducting outreach related to integrated benefits applications. States must also ensure that the benefits applications are human-centered, meaning that the features and capabilities of the application facilitate equitable access and successful enrollment by applicants with diverse backgrounds, identities, and needs.Item Open Access Doubled SNAP Dollars and Nudges: An Analysis of Two Pilot Programs Aimed at Increasing the Purchase of Healthy Foods(2020) Noriega-Goodwin, Danton RobertoWhat people choose to eat is a public policy and health concern. Fresh produce and similarly healthy foods are often less preferred to unhealthy foods. Unhealthy foods can at times be cheaper and more accessible than healthy foods, making it difficult for consumers to avoid temptation at grocery or convenience stores. This dissertation is an analysis of two different pilot programs which aim to increase the purchase of healthy foods, specifically produce. The first pilot program is a financial incentive known as "Double Up Food Bucks". The program is targeted towards SNAP participants, encouraging them to purchase more fresh produce by effectively doubling purchasing power. The second pilot program is a set of three behavioral nudges designed to increase the purchase of bananas in a convenience store environment. The impact of each pilot program was measured using a pre- and post-experiment difference-in-differences design. The results of both pilots are modest and support a growing body of evidence that traditional interventions, like financial incentives, and behavioral interventions, like nudges, can successfully increase healthy food purchases at the margin.