More than 41 million people rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to buy their groceries. When the COVID-19 pandemic began, the program ramped up.
Pandemic-related policies made it easier for states to afford to cover more people and made that coverage more stable for millions of Americans who rely on the program for health care.
A tax credit expansion played a big role in child poverty reduction. But the government’s failure to reach all eligible Americans meant many families never got that temporary benefit.
Despite a series of federal measures requiring greater efforts to preserve family unity, many policies make life harder for people swept up in the system.
Social scientists determined that body mass index growth declined for children of low-income parents in states that had expanded their Medicaid programs.
Proponents of using the child tax credit to alleviate poverty need to reach an agreement with those who insist that it must encourage low-income parents to work.
Ryan Conrad, York University, Canada and Emma McKenna, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa
Government support programs like CERB and EI provide a safety net. During COVID-19, sex workers accessed various financial support — future policy needs to address the rights and security of sex workers.
Long-term increases like this are unusual. So is the fact that this increased governmental generosity began with a measure approved by Congress when Republicans held majorities in both chambers.
Associate Dean of the College of Community and Public Affairs, and Professor of Public Administration, Binghamton University, State University of New York