SNAP Cycle and Cost-Related Delays in Medical Care

Managing chronic medical conditions requires daily adherence to pharmaceutical regimens, yet low-income families frequently face unstable budget constraints that force immediate spending trade-offs between nutrition and out-of-pocket healthcare costs. This paper explores how the time since benefit receipt of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) affects healthcare access for low-income families managing chronic medical conditions. Empirical estimation reveals significant fluctuations in medication use, particularly during Days 20–23, when benefits are nearly exhausted. We observe a unique dual-peak pattern in medication use: an initial spike right after benefits are received (Days 0–3) due to immediate shopping disruptions, followed by a sharp increase in medication rationing around three weeks later, driven by liquidity constraints. We also identify sub-population heterogeneity based on benefit adequacy and food insecurity. Low-allotment households exhibit a 23 percentage point increase in medication non-adherence early in the cycle (Days 8–11) compared to those with higher allotments. Conversely, while high-allotment households remain stable early on, their adherence rates decline significantly by the third week, indicating depleted financial buffers. These results suggest that improving SNAP benefit amounts and adjusting issuance frequency could enhance medication adherence and alleviate healthcare access challenges for vulnerable families.