The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant, created in 1996, provides temporary financial assistance to few poor families — including those with no other means to meet basic...

Since TANF’s creation in 1996, its reach has declined dramatically. In 2019, for every 100 families in poverty, only 23 received direct financial assistance from TANF.

Because millions of people continue to experience severe hardship as they struggle to pay rent and remain safely in their homes during the pandemic, it is essential that policymakers substantially expand rental assistance in year-end legislation.

Exemptions and Deductions Exemptions and deductions indirectly reduce the amount of taxes a filer owes by reducing his or her “taxable income,” which is the amount of income on which a filer...

Under a Progressive Tax System, Marginal Rates Rise With Income The federal income tax system is progressive, meaning that it imposes a higher average tax rate on higher-income people than on...

A central tenet of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), the primary cash assistance program for families with children, is that TANF should provide temporary support while parents engage...

In Arkansas, nearly 1 in 4 of those subject to work requirements lost coverage.

HUD’s Family Self-Sufficiency program is unique from many other governmental programs designed to promote work among low-income people.

With COVID-19 still not under control — in fact, cases are spiking in many parts of the country — and the economic recovery slowing, additional well-designed relief measures are vital to relieving hardship.

COVID-19 has triggered a severe state budget crisis. While the full magnitude of this crisis is not yet clear, state revenues are declining precipitously and costs are rising sharply with many businesses closed and tens of millions of people newly unemployed.

While this program provides important nutritional benefits, its support is limited in contrast to the benefits provided under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

While other major federal nutrition programs operate in Puerto Rico the same as in the states and territories, it is disadvantaged with respect to household food assistance.

Read in English   Puerto Rico recibe una subvención en bloque (en inglés block grant) provista de una cantidad fija de fondos federales para financiar el Programa...

States, localities, tribal nations, and U.S. territories like Puerto Rico still face large shortfalls for this fiscal year and the next in funding schools, health care, and other basic public services.

States now have an important opportunity to enhance and expand the P-EBT program they built over the past few months to help ease the ongoing hardship low-income families face over the coming months.

The Administration weakened federal standards for short-term plans, and it argues that they just represent a cheaper option for informed consumers who understand the risks. But as enrollment in these plans rises, they are leaving more people without comprehensive coverage.

The Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) Medicaid expansion has helped narrow longstanding disparities in health coverage and access to care for people of color, and preliminary evidence suggests it is also...

A growing body of research shows that Medicaid expansion is yielding significant benefits for those gaining coverage, their families, and their communities.

As states seek cost-saving options to address their substantial budget shortfalls due to the COVID-19 economic crisis, they should consider ways to reduce prescription drug spending rather than cuts in benefits or provider reimbursement rates.

State and local SNAP agencies can play a vital role in informing program participants of the availability of the cash payment and connecting them to resources to secure these payments.

These payments can provide a lifeline to families whose low TANF benefits may be their only source of income.