LAUSR

Key Points Questions How frequently do Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants with young children—who are at higher risk for food insecurity—face disrupted benefits because of administrative issues (known as churning), and are specific policies associated with reduced churning? Findings In this cross-sectional study of 70 799 Massachusetts SNAP participants with young children, 40.9% of participants experienced benefit losses that lasted up to 30 days because of administrative reasons, including missed deadlines for submitting recertification forms, completing certification interviews, or providing eligibility verifications. Policies that simplified caseworker assignments and reduced the burden of interim eligibility reporting requirements were associated with significant decreases in churning. Meaning The findings of this study suggest that SNAP participants with young children are at high risk of losing benefits when facing recertification deadlines; administrative policies may help reduce interruptions in benefit delivery to households with young children.