Brief 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 and Medicaid/Children's Health Insurance Program benefits in 2011, the most recent year of data available. Far fewer adults were jointly eligible for reasons including childrens' high poverty rates and state eligibility policies. However, joint participation rates (the share of eligible people receiving benefits) suggest that many eligibles were not participating. In four out of five of states with available data, less than three-quarters of jointly eligible adults and children were receiving both benefits. Efforts to streamline and integrate application systems could improve program reach to families in need.

Research and Evidence Health Policy Family and Financial Well-Being Tax and Income Supports
Expertise Social Safety Net Medicare and Medicaid
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)
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