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We study how eligibility expansions in the U.S. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program affect take-up
among previously eligible households and social welfare. Using an event study with administrative take-up
data, we document a “woodwork effect”: Expanding eligibility raises take-up among previously eligible
households. An online experiment and administrative survey provide evidence that information frictions,
rather than stigma, drive SNAP’s woodwork effect. To interpret our findings, we develop a model of welfare
programs with incomplete take-up and woodwork effects. Given our empirical results and certain modeling
assumptions, expanding SNAP eligibility would raise social welfare.
