Publications
The Hamilton Project produces and commissions policy proposals and analyses to promote broad-based economic growth by embracing a significant role for well-designed government policies and public investment.
Papers
Changes in the safety net over recent decades and their impact
This paper examines the U.S. safety net's evolution, effectiveness, and critiques.
Economic Security & Inequality
Social Insurance
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Papers
A primer on SNAP work requirements
Economic Security & Inequality
Employment & Wages
Social Insurance
Posts
Work permit applications suggest prior immigration is still pushing up labor supply—for now
Employment & Wages
Immigration
Posts
Higher new Census population estimates will affect the employment report
Employment & Wages
Immigration
Explore All Publications
Papers
May 1, 2025
Changes in the safety net over recent decades and their impact
This paper examines the U.S. safety net's evolution, effectiveness, and critiques.
Papers
April 7, 2025
A primer on SNAP work requirements
An explainer on work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP; formerly known as the Food Stamp Program) summarizes the research on…
Posts
September 3, 2024
Trump administration budgets and programs for people of limited means
The Trump administration’s budgets proposed significant cuts to social programs for people with low and moderate incomes.
Posts
April 22, 2024
Event recap—Securing the safety net for working-age adults
On April 17, The Hamilton Project hosted a webcast to discuss the safety net for non-elderly adults who do not have dependent children and do not receive disab…
Papers
April 17, 2024
The safety net should work for working-age adults
Able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) receive minimal support from traditional safety net programs. Many struggle to work because of health conditions…
Papers
April 17, 2024
The austere US safety net for poor, non-elderly adults who are not raising children and do not receive disability benefits
The safety net remains starkly inadequate for non-elderly childless adults without disability benefits, leading to higher rates of deep poverty, homelessness, …
Papers
April 17, 2024
Poverty and poverty reduction among non-elderly, nondisabled, childless adults in affluent countries: The United States in cross-national perspective
Social policy in the United States leaves too many of its citizens exposed to financial hardship and poverty, in large part due to major gaps in coverage. In c…
Papers
October 5, 2023
A primer on SNAP work requirements (2023)
An explainer on work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP; formerly known as the Food Stamp Program) summarizes the research on…