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.
Growth outpaced new enrollment from the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion.
bymuratdeniz/E+via Getty Images
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.
Of the 10 most child-friendly states, only one has attempted to ban abortion.
Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post via Getty Images
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.
Social Security makes it more likely the elderly have enough food.
skynesher/E+ via Getty Images
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.
Thomas Barwick/DigitalVision via Getty Images
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.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
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 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.
Buying enough groceries with government benefits is getting easier.
Katrina Wittkamp/DigitalVision via Getty Images
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.
AP Photo/Lynne Sladky
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.
Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
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.
Thomas Barwick/DigitalVision via Getty Images
Associate Dean of the College of Community and Public Affairs, and Professor of Public Administration, Binghamton University, State University of New York