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Welfare program participation among US farmworkers

Author

Listed:
  • Hill, Alexandra E.
  • Whitnall, Sarah C.
  • Saunders, Elizabeth C.A.
  • Beatty, Timothy K.M.

Abstract

This study examines US farmworker participation in social safety net programs, providing the first comprehensive comparison across the National Agricultural Workers Survey, the American Community Survey, and the Current Population Survey. We measure levels, trends, and predictors of farmworker participation rates in six programs: the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), Medicaid, Unemployment Insurance (UI), the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program (NSLP), and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Across surveys, we find that participation rates among income-eligible farmworker households are consistently highest for Medicaid (71%–79%) and the EITC (75%) and lowest for UI (21%). We evaluate how survey design and data collection methodologies shape these estimates through question wording, farmworker coverage, nonresponse, and measurement error. Comparing across surveys, we identify multiple persistent predictors of participation, including citizenship, gender, age, and educational attainment. These findings inform targeted outreach and policy interventions to enhance participation among US farmworkers and mitigate health and economic disparities.

Suggested Citation

  • Hill, Alexandra E. & Whitnall, Sarah C. & Saunders, Elizabeth C.A. & Beatty, Timothy K.M., 2026. "Welfare program participation among US farmworkers," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 142(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jfpoli:v:142:y:2026:i:c:s0306919226000783
    DOI: 10.1016/j.foodpol.2026.103111
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    JEL classification:

    • Q13 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Markets and Marketing; Cooperatives; Agribusiness
    • L13 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Oligopoly and Other Imperfect Markets

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