The Direct and Intergenerational Effects of Criminal History-Based Safety Net Bans in the U.S.
Published in NBER Working Paper, 2023
Recommended citation: Mueller-Smith, Michael G., James M. Reeves, Kevin Schnepel, and Caroline Walker (2023). "The Direct and Intergenerational Effects of Criminal History-Based Safety Net Bans in the US.." National Bureau of Economic Research
Abstract: We study the lifetime banning, as introduced by United States Public Law 104-193, of individuals convicted of felony drug offenses after August 22, 1996 from ever receiving future SNAP benefits. Using a regression discontinuity design that leverages CJARS criminal history records with federal administrative and survey data, we estimate the causal impact of safety net assistance bans, finding significant reductions in SNAP benefit take-up, which creates unintentional spillovers to spouses and children and persist long after ban revocations occurred. While we observe limited changes to other adult outcomes, children’s cognitive and educational outcomes worsen, especially those impacted at young ages.