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.
Family stability can benefit a whole household.
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Social scientists determined that body mass index growth declined for children of low-income parents in states that had expanded their Medicaid programs.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi strongly supported the 2021 expansion of the child tax credit.
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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.
Some tools of the trade for sex workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
(Ryan Conrad)
Ryan Conrad, York University, Canada y 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.
Buying enough groceries with government benefits is getting easier.
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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.
About 1 in 9 Americans live below the poverty level.
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Early estimates US poverty rate estimates indicate that policies intended to soften the blow of economic upheaval made a big difference.
Starting in October 2021, SNAP benefits will be 25% higher than before the pandemic due to a lasting policy change.
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An economist explains what it would cost to give SNAP benefits to all Americans in households earning up to about $100,000 per year – and why it would be worth it.
Tens of millions of American families are getting a monthly allowance from Uncle Sam.
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If the plan is fully phased in as proposed, workers could get up to $4,000 a month for a total of 12 weeks in paid leave to care for a newborn, another loved one or themselves within 10 years.
Keeping kids above the poverty line contributes to their stability in adulthood.
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For middle-class and wealthy families, securing government aid tends to be free of hassles. For low-income families, the process is often stigmatizing and the benefits meager.
High-quality day care has always been scarce in the U.S.
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Associate Dean of the College of Community and Public Affairs, and an Associate Professor of Public Administration, Binghamton University, State University of New York