The evaluation examined the impact of a $30 per child per month benefit on child, adult and household food security relative to a $60 monthly benefit. It found that the $30 benefit was as effective in reducing the most severe category of food insecurity among children during the summer as the $60 benefit.

This Congressional report summarizes the implementation and evaluation of two approaches tested in the summers of 2011 through 2013. 

SNAP is designed to reduce food insecurity – reduced food intake or disrupted eating patterns in a household due to lack of money or other resources – but data quantifying this effect is limited. The objectives of this study were to: Assess how food security and food expenditures vary with SNAP participation.

This report compares spending patterns across consumption categories for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) households, eligible nonparticipating households, and ineligible households with incomes between 130 and 300 percent of poverty. It also estimates how small increases in income are allocated across consumption categories, analyzes how SNAP eligibility might change under an expenditure-based poverty threshold, and explores the use of savings and credit across the three participation and eligibility groups.

This new edition of the guide documents minor corrections and changes, bringing the procedures described in the original publication up to date.