195 - Barriers and Facilitators to Enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program among Latino Children in Immigrant Families in a New Destination City: A Mixed Methods Analysis

Publication Number: 195.3926

Erika Estrada Ibarra, Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Glen Burnie, MD, United States; Marzena Maksym, Centro SOL, New York, NY, United States; Fernando Mena-Carrasco, Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, United States; Sarah Polk, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States

Background: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a means-tested program that enables families with a gross monthly income at or below 130% of the federal poverty line to purchase needed food. SNAP participation has been associated with positive outcomes for children including decreased food insecurity, improved diet quality and decreased school absenteeism.
Latine children are less likely to receive SNAP than non-Latine children, although almost one in three US Latine children live in poverty. Among eligible families, 41% of Latine families compared to 56% of Black and 61% of White families participate in SNAP. Latine children in mixed status families are even less likely to receive SNAP benefits.

Objective: To understand the experiences of Latine parents in applying and participating in SNAP in order to identify policy and programmatic opportunities to improve equity in access to this important public benefit.

Design/Methods: In 2023 in Baltimore, MD, we surveyed 153 Spanish-speaking, Latine parents regarding their familiarity and use of SNAP benefits. Next, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 24 survey participants to further understand their experience with the SNAP application process.

Results: 153 Latine parents completed the survey. Most were female (91%) immigrants (99%) with non-English language preference (87%). While 60% reported food insecurity and 97% were aware of SNAP, only 79% had every applied of whom only 74% were currently receiving SNAP benefits. 74% reported it was difficult or very difficult to apply. Reasons not to apply included fear of legal consequences (35%), difficulty applying (24%) and not knowing how to apply (21%). Interview results substantiated and enriched survey results. Parents described fears related to the possibility of legal consequences for themselves or their children should they apply for SNAP for their eligible children. The application process was arduous and confusing particularly regarding proof of income. Participants reported racist and discriminatory treatment by enrollment staff. Language access was the most prominent practical barrier to benefit enrollment. Despite challenges, receipt of SNAP was reported in reduce stress and improve psychological wellbeing and household diet quality.

Conclusion(s): Immigrant Latine parents in Baltimore, MD face practical and fear-based barriers to enrolling their eligible, US citizen children in SNAP in the context of high rates of food insecurity. Increasing the availability and use of interpreter services could facilitate enrollment and result in more equitable participation.

Survey results from 153 Spanish-speaking, Latine parents in Baltimore, MD in 2023 regarding their knowledge of and experience with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program


Demographic characteristics of 24 parent participants of semi-structured interview regarding their experience with and suggestions regarding the process of applying for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program