HPS
Providers Household Pulse Survey: February 2024
The following insights come from a <10-minute multiple choice and open response survey conducted by Providers. This month, responses came from 4,105 randomly selected households out of over 5M Providers users from February 1 - February 14, 2023. All respondents are EBT cardholders.
FOOD INSECURITY
Food insecurity indicators remained level from last month, but are 20-50% higher year-on-year.
35% of respondents skipped meals in the last month, a 20% increase from last February.
45% of respondents ate less in the last month, a 32% YoY increase.
33% of respondents visited a food pantry at least once in the last month, a 38% YoY increase.
29% of respondents relied on family and/or friends for their meals last month, a 53% YoY increase.
“I have someone who has been paying for my internet, helping me out with gas and groceries because I can’t afford everything on my salary.” – Jamie, OR
FINANCIAL INSECURITY
Participation in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) among surveyed households has grown 29% year-on-year
Over 45% of surveyed households are enrolled in the ACP, with 24% of them reporting that internet access will become altogether unaffordable if the program expires.
Nearly 15% of ACP-enrolled respondents say they will need to cut spending on necessities such as rent, groceries, and other bills in order to keep internet services if the ACP is discontinued.
Almost 60% of ACP-enrolled respondents are first-time broadband subscribers through the ACP.
“[The ACP] has given us access to being able to communicate with our family, and it's helping me to find work since I don't have a vehicle. It's also helping my 3-year-old’s education because he can watch videos that teach lessons.” – Bri, MI
HOUSING INSECURITY
Housing instability levels have hovered around 13% over the past year
The share of respondents in unstable housing (e.g motel, car, or shelter) rose 7% in February to 12.5% overall.
The share of surveyed users who say they will not be able to stay where they currently are for the next 30 days rose 18% to 5% overall.
Around 6% of respondents stayed in a shelter at least one night in the last month.
“Since my husband, son and myself lost our home back in October 2023, we’ve had the hardest time of our lives trying to hold ourselves together.” – Patricia, OH