Research Report Joint SNAP and Medicaid/CHIP Program Eligibility and Participation in 2011
Laura Wheaton, Victoria Lynch, Pamela J. Loprest, Erika Huber
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More than one-third of all children were eligible for both Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid/Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) benefits in 2011, the most recent year of data available. Far fewer adults were jointly eligible. Reasons for the difference include childrens high poverty rates and state eligibility policies. However, joint participation rates (the percent of eligibles receiving benefits) suggest that many eligibles were not participating. In four out of five of states with available data, less than three-quarters of those jointly eligible (adults and children) were receiving both benefits. Efforts to streamline and integrate application systems have the potential to improve program reach to families in need.
Research Areas Health and health care Social safety net
Tags Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Welfare and safety net programs Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program  Hunger and food assistance Medicare Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Policy Centers Center on Labor, Human Services, and Population