Effect of COVID-19 Stimulus Payments in Mitigating Food Hardship.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global economic and social systems, affecting food security, particularly among vulnerable individuals and households. Economic Impact Payments were introduced to provide financial relief and address the income gaps caused by pandemic-related economic disruptions. Methods: This study utilized Census Household Pulse Survey data from September 2020 to March 2021 to assess the effectiveness of Economic Impact Payments in mitigating food hardship among low-income households. Data from 494,433 participants meeting the eligibility criteria for Economic Impact Payments were obtained across 3 rounds of payments. Ordered logistic regression analysis was used to test the impact of Economic Impact Payments on food hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Findings showed that the reduction in food hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with the Economic Impact Payment disbursement period, even after adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education level, marital status, employment status, income, and household composition. Key reasons for food hardship included an inability to afford additional food purchases, fear of going out, and the unavailability of desired food items. Conclusions: Economic Impact Payment disbursements were associated with reductions in food hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic, with similar benefits observed across racial, income, and employment groups. Developing strategic policies and mechanisms for timely and effective financial aid distribution is essential to mitigating similar challenges in the future.