Food stamp participation by elderly households: effect of selected factors

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between selected economic, social, and institutional variables and participation in the Food Stamp Program by elderly households. Data reported by elderly households (i.e., having one member aged 60 or over) were drawn from data collected in the states of California and Virginia for the North Central Regional Project NC-152.

Interviewers collected data by conducting personal interviews with households between July, 1979 and May, 1980. Of the 150 elderly households, 59 had participated in the Food Stamp Program at some time in the 12 months preceding the interview and 91 were eligible for the program at the time of the interview but had not participated.

Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the data. The overall significance of the regression of participation in the Food Stamp Program on the linear combination of predictors was found to be statistically significant at the .05 level. The hypothesized relationships supported by the results were: (1) households receiving Supplemental Security Income are more likely tc participate than households net receiving SSI; (2) single person households are less likely to participate than households with more than one member; (3) households with a head aged 65 or over are less likely to participate than households with a head aged 59 or under; (4) households that have heard about the Food Stamp Program from a welfare worker are more likely to participate than households that have not beard about the Program from a welfare worker.