Date of Conferral

9-17-2026

Date of Award

September 2026

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Policy and Administration

Advisor

Jennifer Morrison

Abstract

In Washington, DC, African American single mothers continued to experience food insecurity despite available assistance, as financial and bureaucratic barriers limited access to and utilization of these programs. This problem is relevant because identifying barriers to food assistance can inform recommendations to improve Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) implementation and effectiveness. Findings from existing literature, conducted primarily from clients’ perspectives, found that food insecurity remained prevalent among African American single mothers. However, limited research has examined the perspectives of SNAP workers, known as street-level bureaucrats, who implement food assistance policies and mediate access to benefits. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to examine SNAP caseworkers’ perceptions of policy implementation through the lens of street-level bureaucracy theory. Five themes emerged: constrained discretion, emotional labor, administrative burden, documentation barriers, and advocacy beyond eligibility. Documentation requirements emerged as the most significant barrier to SNAP benefits and contributed to inequities in program access. The findings indicated that administrative processes affecting program accessibility may contribute to persistent food insecurity among African American single mothers. The findings may contribute to positive social change by informing policies and administrative practices that promote equitable access to SNAP benefits, improve program accessibility for vulnerable households, and reduce food insecurity among African American single mothers.

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