Table 1.

Summary of terms

Marginal propensity to spend food stamps (MPSFS)	The decrease in a household’s total (SNAP plus non-SNAP) food expenditures induced by decreasing available SNAP benefits by $1. A lower value indicates less influence of a reduction in SNAP benefits on household food expenditures
Marginal propensity to spend income (MPSInc)	The decrease in a household’s total (SNAP plus non-SNAP) food expenditures induced by decreasing other income by $1. A lower value indicates less of an influence of a reduction in income on household food spending
Difference (MPSFS – MPSInc)	The additional decrease in expenditure resulting from lost income being in the form of food stamps instead of other income. A lower value indicates greater substitutability between food stamps and other income

SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.