Social Safety Net

The Center for American Progress believes that a strong social safety net is critical to helping low-income individuals and families build financial security, weather unexpected hardships, and support a thriving economy. The following research and analyses detail how a chronically underfunded safety net harms millions of people across the country over the course of generations. The proposed solutions contained here—and in CAP’s work broadly—highlight the crucial role a strong and responsive safety net plays in the fight to build an inclusive economy.

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Strengthening Early Childhood Health, Housing, Education, and Economic Well-Being Through Holistic Public Policy Report
A child stacks duplo legos to make a tower in a Head Start classroom for children ages 3 to 5.

Strengthening Early Childhood Health, Housing, Education, and Economic Well-Being Through Holistic Public Policy

The preschool years present a critical developmental period sensitive to changes in public health and social policy, for which robust investments in programs that support families can improve intergenerational outcomes.

Year 2 of the American Rescue Plan: Stories of Historic Recovery Article

Year 2 of the American Rescue Plan: Stories of Historic Recovery

On the second anniversary of the American Rescue Plan, Americans share how the legislation has affected their lives and communities.

the Center for American Progress Action Fund

Keeping Americans with disabilities from poverty must remain a priority In the News

Keeping Americans with disabilities from poverty must remain a priority

Mia Ives-Rublee discusses how the Supplemental Security Income program helped her overcome the structural barriers to employment and economic security that millions of disabled people experience and urges lawmakers to strengthen the program.

The Hill

Mia Ives-Rublee

Data on Poverty in the United States

Data on Poverty in the United States

The Center for American Progress’ new poverty data project contains U.S. Census Bureau data on the national, state, and congressional district levels, all in one place. Below, users can explore data on poverty and more than a dozen other topics that measure the health of the economy, as well as identify potential solutions to the problems these data reveal.

Expanding the Safety Net During a Recession Prevents Worsening Economic Pain Report
Staten Island residents receive food and other items on September 30, 2021.

Expanding the Safety Net During a Recession Prevents Worsening Economic Pain

New U.S. Census Bureau data show how more accessible and larger boosts to safety net programs kept poverty low during the COVID-19 recession, preventing a deeper economic crisis and spurring a faster economy recovery.

Rose Khattar, Justin Schweitzer, Kyle Ross

In the wealthiest country in the world, no one should be hungry In the News

In the wealthiest country in the world, no one should be hungry

Ahead of the upcoming White House Conference on Hunger, Health, and Nutrition, Arohi Pathak urges lawmakers to take meaningful action to address food insecurity in the United States.

The Hill

Arohi Pathak

TANF Must Be Able To Respond Faster and Stronger to Economic Crises Report
Woman alone on street with bags of food

TANF Must Be Able To Respond Faster and Stronger to Economic Crises

By reforming Temporary Assistance for Needy Families as a strong automatic stabilizer, policymakers can keep millions of Americans out of poverty and counteract recessionary pressures.

Justin Schweitzer

The ARP Grew the Economy, Reduced Poverty, and Eased Financial Hardship for Millions Report
A woman and her two children shop for groceries in Kissimmee, Florida.

The ARP Grew the Economy, Reduced Poverty, and Eased Financial Hardship for Millions

Data show that in just one year, the 2021 American Rescue Plan eased hardship for millions of Americans and demonstrated the need for further federal investment to build a long-term, equitable economy that works for all.

Kyle Ross, Arohi Pathak, Seth Hanlon, 6 More Mia Ives-Rublee, Justin Schweitzer, Michela Zonta, Natasha Murphy, Osub Ahmed, Marina Zhavoronkova

Massive Safety Net Loopholes Hurt Poor Puerto Rican Residents Article
A blue tarp that was used to protect the roof of a home damaged by Hurricane Maria in 2017 shows wear and tear two years later in September 2019 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Massive Safety Net Loopholes Hurt Poor Puerto Rican Residents

The federal safety net excludes Puerto Rican residents from normal benefits. The Build Back Better Act would change that in a major way

Nick Buffie

How Weak Safety Net Policies Exacerbate Regional and Racial Inequality Report

How Weak Safety Net Policies Exacerbate Regional and Racial Inequality

While all low-income individuals and families, particularly those of color, struggle to avoid falling into poverty, some receive less support solely because of where they live.

Alexandra Cawthorne Gaines, Bradley Hardy, Justin Schweitzer

Making CTC and EITC Expansions Permanent Would Reduce Poverty and Grow the Economy Article
Children pick up free lunch at a middle school in Arlington, Virginia, March 2020. (Getty/Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP)

Making CTC and EITC Expansions Permanent Would Reduce Poverty and Grow the Economy

The child tax credit and earned income tax credit benefit low-income and working families, help families get back to work, and promote future work, while lifting children out of poverty and alleviating hunger.

Arohi Pathak

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