Economic Support

Economic support programs are intended to serve people who are unemployed, disabled, have low earnings, or experience other economic or material hardship. They operate under two broad categories: social insurance (such as Social Security and unemployment insurance) and means-tested transfers (such as SNAP/Food Stamps and Medicaid), sometimes called social assistance.

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Focus on Poverty, 40(2), December 2025: Guaranteed Income Programs in the United States

  • Edited by James T. Spartz
  • Focus on Poverty & Classroom Supplement
  • December 2025
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Luke Shaefer on the RX Kids Cash Transfer Program

  • Luke Shaefer
  • Podcasts
  • November 11 2025
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Effects of Unconditional Child Tax Credit Transfers on Parents’ Mental Health

  • Edited by James T. Spartz
  • Focus on Poverty & Classroom Supplement
  • December 2025
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Unconditional Monthly Income Supplements at Birth

  • Edited by James T. Spartz
  • Focus on Poverty & Classroom Supplement
  • December 2025
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The Student Loan Crisis: Policy, Burden, and Borrower Well-Being

  • Fenaba R. Addo, Dominique J. Baker, Daniel A. Collier
  • Webinar
  • October 29 2025
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IRP Book Talk: Diana Hernandez and Jennifer Laird on Energy Insecurity

  • Diana Hernandez and Jennifer Laird
  • Podcasts
  • October 15 2025
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Navigating Disability Benefits: New Research on Administrative Burden and Work Incentives

  • Debra L. Brucker, Mike Levere, and Ramonia Rochester
  • Webinar
  • August 27 2025