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March 2022 key findings
The following insights come from a 10-minute multiple choice and open response survey conducted by Providers to a random sample of 5,546 of over 5M Providers users from March 1 - March 14, 2022. All respondents are EBT cardholders.
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insight1
INSIGHT 01
Borrowing and debt decreased, driven partly by users who had received tax refunds.
Source: Random sample of Providers users
Far fewer users borrowed money or had debt.
52% of users reported borrowing money or using credit to cover their expenses in the past 30 days, down 14% from last month.
The decrease in borrowing was driven by users who had received tax refund:
Debt was down across all categories as well:
34%
of users reported spending their tax refund on paying down debt
The [tax refund] money went too quickly because all bills were so far behind. Normally I'm able to get my kids ready for summer with clothes and etc. I didn't get any of that. Rent is still behind. My car still needs work
Providers user, Ohio
This year I'm more anxious to get the refund so that I can get ahead a little bit and make sure I have some groceries in the cabinets
Providers user, Florida
insight2
INSIGHT 02
More Providers users paid rent on time in March, but housing insecurity has increased overall.
Source: Random sample of Providers users
However, most other measures of housing insecurity increased:
While more users paid rent on time, housing insecurity is increasing.
46% of users paid their rent on time, or already have, up 17% from last month.
This increase was also driven by users who had received a tax refund:
54%
of users who received a tax refund paid March rent on time
37%
of users who had yet to receive a tax refund paid March rent on time
12%
of users reported living in unstable housing, up 15% from last month
5%
of users reported being evicted, up 21% since from month
12%
of users reported staying in a shelter at least one night in the past 30 days, up 7% from last month
Me and my children are couch hopping at the moment because I got out of an abusive relationship. We're running out of favors and desperately need help finding housing I can afford. The shelters are full when I check in with them. I don't see things getting better for us and it's really hard.
Providers user, Florida
insight3
INSIGHT 03
Black users are facing disproportionately high levels of food and housing insecurity.
Source: Random sample of Providers users
Black Providers users are struggling.
Black Providers users were more likely to:
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Have lost or quit a job in the past 30 days
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Have had work hours reduced in the past 30 days
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Be not working and looking for work
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Be unsure they can stay in their current housing because they can no longer afford it
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Have had others move in with them in the past 30 days
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Have not paid their utility bills in full
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Have had utilities shut off
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Not have most things they need at home
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Have borrowed or used credit to cover expenses
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Be carrying debt—to others, on past-due rent or mortgage, and on utilities and other bills
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Think the money they have on hand would only last 1-2 days
Black Providers users were less likely to:
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Feel very certain about being able to remain in their housing
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Have paid rent on time
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