Timing of SNAP disbursement and crime incidence in the United States.

The timing of welfare benefit distribution is critical but often neglected when evaluating the efficacy of welfare programs. Taking the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as an example, this study explores whether and how variation in the timing of food assistance distribution affects...

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Publicado en:Contemporary Economic Policy Vol. 44; no. 2; pp. 275 - 299
Autor principal: Xu, Licheng
Formato: Artículo
Publicado: Wiley-Blackwell Apr2026
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Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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        atl: Timing of SNAP disbursement and crime incidence in the United States.
      aug:
        au: Xu, Licheng
        affil: Department of Economics, Business School, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
      su:
        United States
        Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (U.S.)
        Robbery
        Americans
        Economic crime
        Public welfare
        Public welfare policy
        Crime statistics
        Food relief
      sug:
        subj:
          Robbery
          Americans
          Economic crime
          Public welfare
          Public welfare policy
          Crime statistics
          United States
          Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (U.S.)
          Community Food Services
          International assistance
          Administration of Human Resource Programs (except Education, Public Health, and Veterans' Affairs Programs)
          Other Individual and Family Services
          Health and Welfare Funds
          Emergency and Other Relief Services
          Food relief
      keyword:
        crime incidence
        disbursement schedule
        food security
        SNAP
        crime incidence
        disbursement schedule
        food security
        SNAP
      ab: The timing of welfare benefit distribution is critical but often neglected when evaluating the efficacy of welfare programs. Taking the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as an example, this study explores whether and how variation in the timing of food assistance distribution affects crime incidence. Analyzing crime data from 36 U.S. states (2006–2017) and SNAP administrative data, it finds that more distribution days and a longer staggering period in SNAP reduce financially motivated crime, especially robbery. The most extended schedule could yield a $2.7 million nationwide benefit from fewer robberies.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
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    language: English
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