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Center for Policy Research

Policy Brief

Adopting the Standard Medical Deduction Increased State SNAP Enrollment and Benefits

Yuwei Zhang, Jun Li, Dongmei Zuo, and Colleen M. Heflin

C.P.R. Policy Brief No. 10

February 2024

Yuwei Zhang headshot

Yuwei Zhang


Jun Li

Jun Li


Colleen Heflin

Colleen Heflin


The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a critical safety net program that helps reduce food insecurity among low-income households in the United States. However, many eligible households do not participate in SNAP due to burdensome administrative requirements. To make it easier for more older adults and people with disabilities to participate in SNAP, many states have adopted the Standard Medical Deduction (SMD) to simplify administrative requirements. This brief summarizes findings from a study that examined the associations between state SMD adoption and SNAP participation and benefits from 2004 to 2019.

CPR Policy Briefs present concise summaries of findings from recent research conducted by CPR affiliates in the areas of crime and the law, economic wellbeing and poverty, education, energy and the environment, families, health, public finance, social welfare, urban and regional economics, and other policy-relevant domains.

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Center for Policy Research

Policy Brief

Adopting the Standard Medical Deduction Increased State SNAP Enrollment and Benefits

Yuwei Zhang, Jun Li, Dongmei Zuo, and Colleen M. Heflin

C.P.R. Policy Brief No. 10

February 2024

Yuwei Zhang headshot

Yuwei Zhang


Jun Li

Jun Li


Colleen Heflin

Colleen Heflin


The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a critical safety net program that helps reduce food insecurity among low-income households in the United States. However, many eligible households do not participate in SNAP due to burdensome administrative requirements. To make it easier for more older adults and people with disabilities to participate in SNAP, many states have adopted the Standard Medical Deduction (SMD) to simplify administrative requirements. This brief summarizes findings from a study that examined the associations between state SMD adoption and SNAP participation and benefits from 2004 to 2019.

CPR Policy Briefs present concise summaries of findings from recent research conducted by CPR affiliates in the areas of crime and the law, economic wellbeing and poverty, education, energy and the environment, families, health, public finance, social welfare, urban and regional economics, and other policy-relevant domains.

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Lerner Center for Public Health Promotion and Population Health