Poverty & Income Support

Introduction

Alleviation of poverty is an important goal of public policy for equity reasons, but also its reduction would lessen social spillover costs. Reductions in poverty can be achieved through expansion of employment opportunities and development of marketable job skills. The social safety net providing temporary support through income, nutritional, and housing assistance is placing increasing emphasis on permanent transitions to employment. Upjohn Institute research examines programs and policies for education, job skill development, and economic development as instruments for poverty reduction and social advancement. Recent studies have focused on the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and Supplemental Nutritional Assistance.

Issues

What are the costs and benefits of government intervention in low wage labor markets with minimum and living wages?
How do income support programs interact with unemployment insurance?
What share of the population in poverty participates in the labor market?
To what extent does the EITC alleviate poverty?

Selected Institute Research

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Unemployment Insurance
Christopher O’Leary, Upjohn Institute
Kevin Hollenbeck, Upjohn Institute
Current Research Project

Use of Unemployment Insurance and Employment Services by Newly Unemployed Leavers from Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
Christopher O’Leary, Upjohn Institute
Kenneth Kline, Upjohn Institute
Final Report submitted to U.S. Department of Labor, December 2009

Working After Welfare: How Women Balance Jobs and Family in the Wake of Welfare Reform
Kristin S. Seefeldt, National Poverty Center, University of Michigan
Upjohn Institute Press, 2008

Leaving Welfare: Employment and Well-Being of Families that Left Welfare in the Post-Entitlement Era
Gregory Acs, Urban Institute
Pamela Loprest, Urban Institute
Upjohn Institute Press, 2004

More Institute Research about Poverty & Income Support