One More Saturday Night: Food Stamp Timing and Monthly Consumption Patterns

25 Pages Posted: 10 Feb 2015

See all articles by Elena Castellari

Elena Castellari

University of Connecticut - Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics; Catholic University of Milan

Chad Cotti

University of Connecticut - Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics

John M. Gordanier

University of South Carolina

Orgul D. Ozturk

University of South Carolina - Moore School of Business - Department of Economics

Date Written: February 3, 2015

Abstract

In this paper we examine the relationship between the timing of food stamp receipt and consumption patterns. We combine data on state distribution dates with scanner data on a panel of households. Consistent with previous work we find that purchases of a variety of goods are higher on receipt days. Additionally, we find that when receipt days are more likely to be on weekends, total monthly consumption within the same households is affected. In particular, purchases of beer are higher in months where food stamps are distributed on a Saturday or Sunday than in months where benefits are distributed during the week in food stamp eligible households. For food stamp eligible households, total beer purchases are between 4 and 7 percent higher in those months.

Keywords: SNAP Benefits, Food Stamps, EBT, Impatience

JEL Classification: I38, H75, D91

Suggested Citation

Castellari, Elena and Cotti, Chad and Gordanier, John M. and Ozturk, Orgul D., One More Saturday Night: Food Stamp Timing and Monthly Consumption Patterns (February 3, 2015). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2559615 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2559615

Elena Castellari (Contact Author)

University of Connecticut - Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics ( email )

Catholic University of Milan ( email )

1 Largo A. Gemelli
Milano (Milan), MI Milano 20123
Italy

Chad Cotti

University of Connecticut - Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics ( email )

1376 Storrs Road, Unit 4066
Storrs, CT 06269
United States

John M. Gordanier

University of South Carolina ( email )

701 Main Street
Columbia, SC 29208
United States

Orgul D. Ozturk

University of South Carolina - Moore School of Business - Department of Economics ( email )

The Francis M. Hipp Building
1705 College Street
Columbia, SC 29208
United States

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