Findings from the Evaluation of the Elderly Nutrition Demonstrations 2005 Food Assistance Research Conference USDA, ERS February 16, 2005 Scott Cody Jim Ohls
Elderly FSP Participation! 27 Percent of Eligibles Participate Health of Elderly At Risk Baby Boomers Near Retirement! Reasons for Not Participating Perceived Lack of Need Lack of Information Low Expected Benefits High Cost of Applying for Benefits Stigma
Elderly Nutrition Demonstrations! Initiated in Six States in 2002! Test of Three Models Simplified Eligibility Application Assistance Commodity Alternative
Simplified Eligibility! Document Citizenship Only! Electronic Validation of Reported Information! Demonstration Outreach and Phone Center! Florida
Application Assistance! One-on on-one one Assistance by Workers or Volunteers! In Senior Centers, Libraries, Homes! Electronic Applications! Arizona, Maine and Michigan
Commodity Alternative! Packages Distributed Once or Twice a Month! Pick-up at Senior Centers or Community Agencies! Limited Home Delivery! Connecticut, North Carolina
Evaluation Objectives! Impact on Participation! Examine Who Is Drawn In by Pilots! Impact on Satisfaction! Understanding Process! Examine Costs
Methodology! Pre-Post Comparison Group! Administrative Participation Data! Focus Groups and Survey! Site Visits and Administrative Interviews
Gadsden County, FL 30 Percent Change in Elderly FSP Participation Net Impact: 22.3 Percent Gadsden County Total State Comparison Sites 20 10 0-10 Jan-02 Oct-03-20
Leon County, FL 50 Percent Change in Elderly FSP Participation Net Impact: 23.5 Percent Leon County Total State Comparison Sites 40 30 20 10 Jan-02 Oct-03 0
Participation Impacts 21 Months Simplified Eligibility Florida (Gadsden) Florida (Leon) 22.3 23.5 Arizona (Pinal) -2.4 Application Assistance Arizona (Yavapai) Maine Michigan 5.3 30.9 36.8 Commodity Alternative Benefit Connecticut 3.8 North Carolina 35.8-10 0 10 20 30 40 Percent Impact
Percent of Households with $10 FSP Benefit Application Assistance Demonstrations Commodity Alternative Benefit Demonstrations 100% 80% 60% Benefit More than $10 Benefit More than $10 100% 80% 60% Benefit More than $10 Benefit More than $10 40% 40% Benefit = $10 20% 0% Benefit = $10 Demonstration Households Benefit = $10 Nondemonstration Households 20% 0% Demonstration Households a Benefit = $10 Nondemonstration Households a Reflects the level of benefits households would receive if they participated in regular FSP.
Percent of Households with Someone Age 70 or Older Application Assistance Demonstrations Commodity Alternative Benefit Demonstrations 100% 80% 60% Age Between 60 and 70 Age Between 60 and 70 100% 80% 60% Age Between 60 and 70 Age Between 60 and 70 40% 20% Over Age 70 Over Age 70 40% 20% Over Age 70 Over Age 70 0% Demonstration Households Nondemonstration Households 0% Demonstration Households Nondemonstration Households
Client Perceptions and Satisfaction Common Themes! Overall Demonstration Satisfaction! Assistants Respect Clients! FSP Barriers Include: " Lack of Awareness " Application Burden " Stigma! EBT More Convenient, Less Stigma
Satisfaction Among Commodity Demonstration Participants 79.6 79.5 Percent of Respondents 37.1 48.4 14.8 Connecticut North Carolina 11.7 53.2 5.6 1.3 0 Very Satisfied Somewhat Satisfied Somewhat Dissatisfied Very Dissatisfied Plan to Continue
Policy Implications Elderly Participation Can Be Increased! Outreach and Staff Quality Matter! Program Awareness Is Limited! Application Burden Is an Obstacle
Scott Cody SCody@Mathematica @Mathematica-MPR.comMPR.com 202-484 484-46964696 Second Interim Report: http://www.ers ers.usda.gov/publications/efan04009