Family Dynamic in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Participation: Parental and Sibling Associations Across the Life Course

Abstract Research on correlations in social program use within families has emphasized either intergenerational (parent–child) or intragenerational (sibling) ties, but rarely both together. Using the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (1975–2019; 59,865 person-wave observations nested in 9934 sibling dyads from 3044 parental families), we estimated three-level mixed-effects logistic models to examine how family history of SNAP use—distinguishing early-life exposure from adult history of parents and siblings (“ever” versus current participation)—is associated with adults’ SNAP participation. Descriptively, SNAP use and socioeconomic disadvantage vary sharply by enrollment status and race. In multivariable models, two patterns emerge. First, early-life exposure is associated with adult participation in pooled analyses and among White respondents, but it is not statistically significant for Black respondents once adult family history is included. Second, adulthood family history—parents’ and siblings’ ever participation—is consistently associated with adult enrollment, whereas current parental or sibling use shows little additional association after adjusting for covariates and fixed effects. Race-stratified estimates share this adulthood pattern for both White and Black respondents. Findings highlight the importance of family networks across the life course: accumulated program experience within kin—rather than simultaneous use—correlates with adult enrollment. We interpret these results through a strengths-based, equity-aware lens in which family members share information and logistical support that help navigate administrative burden.