Perry Singleton, associate professor of economics, received a $46,500 grant from the University of Kentucky’s Center for Poverty Research to fund his project, "The Effect of Social Security Retirement Benefits on Food-Related Hardship among Older Americans."

Singleton’s project builds from earlier research showing that individuals who file early claims for Social Security retirement benefits at the age of 62 are more likely to face economic hardship. His research will examine whether those facing food hardship before they turn 62 are able to use Social Security benefits to reduce this hardship, or whether transitioning to a fixed income through social security increases the persistence of food hardship. This project will also assess whether increased food insecurity among the working class during the Great Recession affected the relationship between Social Security benefits and food-related hardship.

The University of Kentucky’s Center for Poverty Research (UKCPR) was established in 2002 in order to support research on causes, consequences, and correlates of poverty, inequality, and food insecurity across the United States. UKCPR works at the interdisciplinary juncture of economics, public policy, political science, public health, sociology, and social work. It also sponsors conferences of low-income populations and helps with grant-making and mentoring programs.

Singleton, who is also a senior research associate with the Center for Policy Research, specializes in public finance and health economics. His research has been published in journals including Journal of Public Economics, Journal of Human Resources, and National Tax Journal. Singleton’s work has previously received funding from institutions including the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Social Security Administration. 

You can read more about the UKCPR on their website.

04/27/20