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Schedule:
Sunday, January 24, 2027
Continental 1-4 (Hilton San Francisco Union Square)
* noted as presenting author
Background
Recent research examining the impact of the discontinuation of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) emergency allotments (EA) nationwide found that ending these benefits was significantly associated with higher rates of food insecurity among participating households (Rosenbaum et al., 2023). However, there is a gap in the literature comparing food security before and after Emergency Allotment termination among participants co-enrolled in both Senior Nutrition Program (SNP) and SNAP, as well as whether disparities exist by race or ethnicity, income, gender, age, or living arrangement. To address these gaps, the primary objective of this study was to assess the relationship between the discontinuation of SNAP EA in 2023 and the food security status of SNP participants. The secondary objective was to examine whether racial disparities exist in food security among SNP clients receiving SNAP benefits.
Methods
This study employed a cross-sectional design. A survey was administered twice to participants enrolled in SNP, once in May 2023 (n=407) and again in May 2024 (n=850). The surveys were distributed at 39 congregate meal sites located in one northern County in California. In addition to English, surveys were available in Chinese, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, and Portuguese. Food insecurity was assessed using the short form of the U.S. Household Food Security Survey Module. Multiple regression models were conducted for both the 2023 and 2024 survey data.
Results
Participants reported increased food insecurity from 2023 to 2024, rising from 27.3% to 50.3% in the overall sample, and from 15.1% to 28.2% among a subsample cohort surveyed in both years (n=185). In 2024, Asian American/Pacific Islander participants were more likely to be food insecure compared with White participants (OR=1.81, 95% CI: 1.11–2.96). Multiple regression analyses also showed that participants with incomes at or below 100% federal poverty line were more likely to experience food insecurity (OR=2.67, 95% CI: 1.38–5.18) in 2023, and this association was more pronounced in 2024 (OR=5.18, 95% CI: 3.27–8.23). In addition, food insecurity was more prevalent among participants aged 60 to 64 and those living alone.
Conclusion and Implications
The results suggest an increase in food insecurity among SNAP and SNP co-enrolled participants. In addition, food insecurity was more prevalent among racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with very low income, those living alone, and adults aged 60 to 65. A key limitation is that we cannot determine whether the change was due to the discontinuation of the EAs or other factors. Additionally, because the data is from one county, the findings may not be generalizable.
Though with these limitations, these findings still highlight the growing need for food services among vulnerable older adults, particularly as the enactment of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in 2025 may lead to the loss of SNAP benefits to a greater number of able-bodied low-income older adults aged 60 to 65. Policy responses may consider reinstating benefit enhancements and strengthening the coordination between the SNP and SNAP to better support older adults at heightened risk for food insecurity.