Scoping Review of the Relationship Between Non-Food Social Safety Net Programs and Food Security

Background

Households with low incomes are more likely to experience food and nutrition insecurity due to limited financial resources for necessities. Social safety net programs may improve food and nutrition security by relieving households’ financial strain. Although the relationship between federal nutrition assistance programs and food security is well understood, to date, no reviews have been conducted on the relationship between non-food social safety net programs and food and nutrition security. This evidence is needed to inform evidence-driven policymaking, particularly in the context of increasing food insecurity in recent years.

Objective

Conduct a scoping review to summarize the state of the evidence on the relationship between participation in non-food social safety net programs in the US and food and nutrition security.

Study Design, Settings, Participants

We systematically searched 6 databases for peer-reviewed studies examining the relationship between non-food social safety net programs and food security, nutrition security, or related constructs.

Measurable Outcome/Analysis

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-Sr)

Results

Sixty-five articles have been identified that examine a wide range of social safety net programs including tax credits (n=14), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (n=11), Medicaid (n=9), housing assistance (n=5), unemployment insurance (n=9), stimulus payments (n=4), and others (n=13). Twenty-one studies focus on COVID-19 pandemic-era social safety net programs. We will synthesize across studies to describe differences in the relationship between social safety net program participation and food or nutrition security by: program type, multiple vs. single program participation, food vs. nutrition insecurity, participant demographics, and elements of program administration such as disbursement method. We will identify gaps in the existing evidence base and directions for future research. Full results are forthcoming.

Conclusions

A review on the relationship between non-food social safety net program participation and food and nutrition security can inform policymaking, resource allocation, and efforts to ensure the potential nutrition benefits of such programs are realized equally among participants.

Funding

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation