Language
English (en)
Publication Date
12-12-2025
Summary
How do websites for public-benefit programs affect access to benefits?
This brief examines the state websites for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), investigating whether there is a relationship between site design and experience of administrative burdens in SNAP. The authors examine page design using Google’s Lighthouse service and draw upon data from the Workforce Economic Inclusion and Mobility Survey of a nationally representative sample of 2,511 low-wage U.S. workers to examine administrative burdens in SNAP. Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture are used to investigate the relationship between SNAP page design and SNAP quality-control measures. The finding suggest that improvements to main-page accessibility can reduce some administrative burdens.
Document Type
Research Brief
Category
Financial Inclusion
Subarea
Income Policy
Original Citation
Zhang, G., Roll, S., & Despard, M. (2025). Is public website design an administrative burden? The case of SNAP (CSD Research Brief No. 25-54). Washington University, Center for Social Development. https://doi.org/10.7936/sx54-ce94
Project
Workforce Economic Inclusion and Mobility (WEIM)
Keywords
Workforce Economic Inclusion and Mobility ; administrative burden ; public benefits ; policy ; United States ;
Recommended Citation
Zhang, G., Roll, S., & Despard, M. (2025). Is public website design an administrative burden? The case of SNAP (CSD Research Brief No. 25-54). Washington University, Center for Social Development. https://doi.org/10.7936/sx54-ce94
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7936/sx54-ce94