Parolin provides some of the strongest evidence so far that TANF’s decline was primarily driven by less participation among families meeting the eligibility criteria and by lower benefits, and not less need for assistance.

Substantial relief and recovery measures helped fuel an economic recovery beginning in May 2020 that made the deepest recession in the post-World War II era also the shortest.

The federal-state unemployment insurance (UI) system helps many people who have lost their jobs by temporarily replacing part of their wages. (See “Policy Basics: Unemployment Insurance.”) Under...

The Inflation Reduction Act moves toward a fairer tax system, makes health coverage and prescription drugs more affordable, and addresses the global challenge of climate change.

The Inflation Reduction Act’s revenue package would increase IRS funding to reduce the tax gap, require corporations to pay a 15 percent minimum tax, and narrow the carried interest loophole.

Over the last 25 years, the national TANF average monthly caseload has fallen dramatically even as poverty and deep poverty remained widespread.

Background To align with federal TANF law, this report uses the terms “Indian tribe” and “Indian” to refer to federally recognized tribes (including Alaska Native Villages) and their...

Deficits (or Surpluses) For any given year, the federal budget deficit is the amount of money the federal government spends (also known as outlays) minus the amount of money it collects from taxes...

Chairman Himes, Ranking Member Steil, and members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify. I am Sharon Parrott, President of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a...

In fiscal year 2022, the federal government is estimated to spend $5.8 trillion, amounting to 23.5 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP). Of that $5.8 trillion, over $4.8 trillion is...

The nation’s most pressing housing problem centers on the millions of people with low incomes who are not able to afford safe, stable housing.

Promoting safe and stable housing is foundational to children’s well-being and is consistent with TANF’s stated purpose to assist families in need.

“Administrative burden exacerbates inequity,” the Office of Management and Budget recently said of economic and health assistance programs. That is because burdens “do not fall equally on all entities and individuals, leading to disproportionate underutilization of critical services and programs, as well as unequal costs of access, often by the people and communities that need them the most.”

It includes 13 provisions that would increase Social Security benefits, 12 of which would be temporary, applying for only five years.

How Do the Trust Funds Work? Social Security’s financial operations are handled through two federal trust funds: the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) trust fund and the Disability...

As members of Congress negotiate an economic reconciliation package, it’s imperative to include provisions closing the Medicaid coverage gap.

The House bill would prevent multinational corporations from avoiding the minimum tax on Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income by “blending” their taxes and income in low- and high-tax countries.

The proposal includes some important improvements to the Child Tax Credit compared to current law but has significant weaknesses.

The House Appropriations Committee on June 30 approved a bill that would provide 140,000 more households access to the Housing Choice Voucher program.

June is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month, a time to celebrate LGBTQ individuals and families. It is also a time to honor leaders of the fight for LGBTQ rights and to...

This chart book describes the relationship between housing and health, then highlights cross-sector policy solutions that promote positive health outcomes, greater housing stability, and advancements in racial, health, and housing equity.

The share of jobless individuals receiving benefits through the regular federal-state unemployment insurance (UI) system has declined over several decades (excluding the temporary pandemic-related...

By overturning Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey, the Supreme Court has taken away the guaranteed right of people to make the most basic decisions about their bodies, their pregnancies, their families, and their futures.

The robust response helped make the COVID-19 recession the shortest on record.

This paper aims to correct some misconceptions about WIC and the current shortage by explaining how WIC obtains infant formula and how policymakers have responded to the shortage thus far.

The economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic caused millions of households to fall behind on rent, putting them at risk of eviction and homelessness. Expanding ongoing rental assistance programs to meet significant unmet need is a critical first step, starting with a major expansion of vouchers.

The COVID relief effort was robust and featured a number of successful policy innovations. As a result, the nation achieved historic gains against poverty and lowered hardship.