Economy
Chad Stone Statement on August Jobs Report
"Today’s disappointing jobs report shows that labor market conditions continue to improve only at a glacial pace compared with what’s needed to restore employment to normal levels. Unemployment remains too high and the share of the population with a job remains depressed at levels last seen in the 1980s (see chart). Under these conditions, it’s disappointing that the Federal Reserve will likely begin tapering off its asset purchases (known as ‘quantitative easing’); it’s absolutely appalling that lawmakers have not enacted a balanced alternative to the sequestration budget cuts that would take effect only when the economy is stronger." Read more

Related:
- Off the Charts Blog: Today’s Jobs Report in Pictures
- Chartbook: The Legacy of the Great Recession
- Key Things to Know About Unemployment Insurance
- Policy Basics: How Many Weeks of Unemployment Compensation Are Available?
- Policy Basics: Unemployment Insurance
SNAP Enrollment Remains High Because the Job Market Remains Weak
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) historically has been the most responsive federal program after unemployment insurance in assisting families and communities during economic downturns. The recent downturn was no exception.
While SNAP enrollment growth has slowed substantially in the last year, national enrollment is at an all-time high. Some critics have claimed that the fact that SNAP enrollment has not declined in tandem with the recent decline in the unemployment rate indicates most of SNAP’s enrollment growth of recent years is not related to the economy. The reality, however, is that SNAP enrollment and costs are high because the job market remains weak.
Related:
Basics
A recession is a significant decline in the size of the U.S. economy lasting more than a few months, normally visible in a variety of economic indicators. Economic stimulus policies aim to avert a recession or lessen its severity by boosting the economy in the short term. The unemployment insurance system helps people who have lost their jobs by temporarily replacing part of their wages, typically for up to 26 weeks.
Policy Basics:
- Introduction to Unemployment Insurance
- How Many Weeks of Unemployment Compensation Are Available?
Chart Book:
- The Legacy of the Great Recession
Featured Experts
The Center examines the impact of changes in the economy on federal and state budgets, as well as the likely effectiveness of economic stimulus proposals. We also examine trends in employment and promote reforms to strengthen the unemployment insurance system.
New
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Census Data Show Poverty and Inequality Remained High in 2012 and Median Income Was Stagnant, But Fewer Americans Were Uninsured
September 20, 2013
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Statement of Robert Greenstein on the Census Bureau's 2012 Poverty, Income, and Health Insurance Data
September 17, 2013
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Policy Basics: How Many Weeks of Unemployment Compensation Are Available?
Updated September 16, 2013
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A Guide to Statistics on Historical Trends in Income Inequality
Revised September 11, 2013
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Averting a Budget Crisis Is Not Enough: Criteria for Evaluating Fall Budget Proposals
September 10, 2013
- More:
- View All By Date
Of Interest
Conference: America's Fiscal Future
Chart Book: The Legacy of the Great Recession
Federal Fiscal Relief Is Working As Intended
Stimulus Keeping 6 Million Americans Out of Poverty in 2009, Estimates Show
State-By-State Estimates of Key Stimulus Provisions Affecting Low- and Moderate-Income Individuals




