Confusing Assistance Requirements Contribute to Food Insecurity Among College Students

Food insecurity among college students is associated with negative physical and mental health and lower academic performance and graduation rates. A recent research study(opens in new tab/window) in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior(opens in new tab/window), published by Elsevier, investigates why over half of college students eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)—the nation’s largest food assistance program—do not apply.

Lead study author Suzanna M. Martinez, PhD, MS, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, explained, “In California, SNAP is known as CalFresh and despite policies and communication to improve college students’ access to CalFresh, participation remains low, with approximately 78% of those eligible not receiving benefits.”

While CalFresh benefits are paid by the federal government, county agencies are responsible for implementing policies, determining eligibility, processing applications, and distributing funds. This study conducted focus groups and interviews with county staff to determine how agency workers interpret the complex criteria for students to meet SNAP eligibility. Questions focused on how students’ applications differed from community applicants, steps taken when processing student applications, student-specific training, and suggested improvements to the process.

Five central themes were identified in interviews: (1) a need for more consistency in policy dissemination and program administration, (2) student exemptions and the application process are perceived as challenges for students, (3) facilitators of successfully processing student SNAP applications, (4) tracking policy changes is burdensome, and (5) eliminate the student rules.

Study findings illustrate that SNAP rules are challenging for students as well as those involved in the implementation of the rules. Also, eligibility requirements written over 50 years ago, based on the assumption that college students are primarily from middle-class families, are outdated. The research supports simplifying the student SNAP process to increase participation for eligible students, especially for historically minoritized racial and ethnic groups and low-income students for whom equitable access to SNAP benefits is critical.

Dr. Martinez added, "The timing of this study resulted in a natural experiment since COVID-19–related SNAP modifications streamlined the student application process and reduced administrative burden. These modifications alleviated some challenges discussed by county workers, confirming existing opinions to eliminate the student rules.”

Notes for editors

The article is "SNAP Student Rules Are Not So Snappy: Lessons Learned From a Qualitative Study of California County Agency Workers,” by Suzanna M. Martinez, PhD, MS; Sonali Singh, MPH; Erin Esaryk, MPH; and Lorrene Ritchie, PhD, RD (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2023.12.004(opens in new tab/window)). It appears in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, volume 56, issue 3 (March 2024), published by Elsevier.

The article is openly available for 90 days at https://www.jneb.org/article/S1499-4046(23)00579-1/fulltext(opens in new tab/window).

The authors acknowledge the California State Legislature for funding provided to the University of California (UC) to address students’ basic needs, including this study.

Full text of the article is also available to credentialed journalists upon request; contact Eileen Leahy at +1 732 406 1313 or [email protected](opens in new tab/window) to obtain a copy. To schedule an interview with the author(s), please contact Suzanna M. Martinez, PhD, MS, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, at [email protected](opens in new tab/window).

An audio podcast featuring an interview with Suzanna M. Martinez, PhD, MS, and other information for journalists are available at www.jneb.org/content/media(opens in new tab/window). Excerpts from the podcast may be reproduced by the media with permission from Eileen Leahy.

About the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior (JNEB)

The Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior (JNEB), the official journal of the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior (SNEB), is a refereed, scientific periodical that serves as a resource for all professionals with an interest in nutrition education and dietary/physical activity behaviors. The purpose of JNEB is to document and disseminate original research, emerging issues, and practices relevant to nutrition education and behavior worldwide and to promote healthy, sustainable food choices. It supports the Society's efforts to disseminate innovative nutrition education strategies, and communicate information on food, nutrition, and health issues to students, professionals, policymakers, targeted audiences, and the public.

The Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior features articles that provide new insights and useful findings related to nutrition education research, practice, and policy. The content areas of JNEB reflect the diverse interests of health, nutrition, education, Cooperative Extension, and other professionals working in areas related to nutrition education and behavior. As the Society's official journal, JNEB also includes occasional policy statements, issue perspectives, and member communications. www.jneb.org(opens in new tab/window)

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