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Transgender and gender diverse adults are under-enrolled in food assistance programmes and report negative experiences when accessing benefits: an analysis of the US Transgender Survey

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To evaluate eligibility and participation in nutrition assistance programmes (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infants and Children (WIC)) among transgender and gender diverse (TGD) adults in the USA and to capture their experiences when accessing food benefits. DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional analysis of the US Transgender Survey (USTS) dataset – the largest survey of TGD adults in the US SNAP and WIC participation and experiences when visiting the public assistance office were reported using descriptive statistics; stratified analyses were conducted based on race using multivariate logistic regression modelling. SETTING: The USTS was completed electronically in the USA. PARTICIPANTS: 27 715 TGD adults. RESULTS: Approximately 40·9 % of the full sample were SNAP eligible, yet only 30·6 % of those eligible were receiving the benefit; 0·45 % of the sample reported receiving WIC. TGD adults avoided the public assistance office because they feared being mistreated (3·2 %), were identified as transgender (46·2 %), were denied equal treatment (6·5 %) or were verbally harassed (5·2 %). People of colour were more likely to be denied equal treatment and verbally harassed at the public benefits office than their white peers. The impact of age, education level, employment status, relationship status and census region varied within each racial group. CONCLUSIONS: Far more TGD adults need food assistance compared with the general population, yet fewer are receiving the benefit. Culturally informed interventions are urgently needed to resolve the root causes of food insecurity, increase SNAP participation and address the negative experiences of TGD adults when accessing food benefits.

Source: Public Health Nutrition

DOI: 10.1017/s1368980025101614

Authors: Whitney Linsenmeyer, Timothy Chrusciel, Heather Schier, Rowan Hollinger, Athena Sherman

Institutions: Saint Louis University, Appalachian State University, Emory University

Language: English

Topic: Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Good health and well-being, No poverty

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,550