In the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, churn occurs when recipients exit the program and then reenter within four months. According to our analysis of six states, churning cases made up 17 to 28 percent of cases ever receiving benefits in fiscal year 2011. Most churn occurs at a client's scheduled recertification or interim report and is caused by procedural difficulties or changes in household income or other circumstances. We estimate the benefits forgone among households seemingly eligible while off the program and the added administrative costs associated with case closings and reopenings.
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