Poverty and Opportunity
The nation suffers from persistent poverty and stagnant incomes of low- and moderate-income people. Policy Futures develops federal and state policies to reduce poverty and promote opportunity. It documents and amplifies what works, develops and advances reforms to address intractable poverty, and examines how to implement programs more effectively. It focuses in particular on reducing child poverty and enhancing longer-term economic success for today’s children and young adults.
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Important Investments in Build Back Better Would Expand Pathways to Quality Jobs, Promote Equity
Congress should ensure that provisions to help people improve their employment opportunities and increase their earnings potential are included in a compromise Build Back Better (BBB)...
Cash Assistance Boosted Infants’ Brain Development, Study Shows
When mothers with low incomes received just over $300 in monthly cash assistance during the first year of their children’s lives, their infants’ brains displayed more high-frequency brain...
Hardship Among Solo Caregivers Reveals Need for Rental Assistance, Other Supports
A top priority in recovery legislation should be stronger, more equitable supports for families with children, including a major expansion of rental assistance and in particular Housing...
Policy Brief: Labor Market Facing SNAP and Medicaid Participants Offers Low-Paying, Volatile Jobs
A new paper by two leading academic researchers shows how adults who are likely to participate in SNAP (formerly food stamps) or Medicaid are generally working, but they often earn low wages and...
Most Workers in Low-Wage Labor Market Work Substantial Hours, in Volatile Jobs
A large share of the people who would face work requirements are employed, but they also experience high levels of job displacement and unemployment, and their wages have grown little, as our...
Improving the Child Tax Credit for Very Low-Income Families
The nation’s poorest, most vulnerable children should not be locked out of receiving the full benefit of tax credits intended to help families offset the costs of raising...
The INS Public Charge Guidance: What Does it Mean For Immigrants Who Need Public Assistance?
Many legal immigrants fear that if they receive various public benefits, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) or State Department will decide they are likely to become a “public...
Greenstein: “America’s concern for the poor is about to be tested”
With the 115th Congress convening today, CBPP President Robert Greenstein’s Washington Post op-ed explains that GOP leaders will likely pursue radical changes in core safety net programs...
How State Tax Policies Can Stop Increasing Inequality and Start Reducing It
Over the last three and one-half decades, income gains in the American economy have accrued largely to the richest households, while many middle- and lower-income Americans haven’t shared in the...
Online Applications Guide
The introduction to this guide follows below. For the full report, please see the PDF.
Introduction
1Why a Guide on Selecting a School Meals Online Application?
A well-designed...