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
Read More
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
January 9, 2025
Low-income workers experience—by far—the most earnings and work hours instability
This analysis documents how instability is a defining characteristic of low-income workers’ earnings and hours.
Policy Proposals
October 24, 2024
A federal guarantee for earned paid time off
Betsey Stevenson proposes a federal earned paid time off policy that would apply to all workers and all types of leave.
Posts
September 12, 2024
Assessing the state of household finances in nine charts
An assessment of household finances finds that consumer spending is solid, but income growth has been relatively weak.
Posts
June 20, 2024
Beyond hunger: The role of SNAP in alleviating financial strain for low-income households
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is central to the U.S. safety net’s ability to help families weather financial shocks.
Posts
April 23, 2024
The changing demographics of business ownership
Recent business ownership gains among Black and Hispanic or Latino families have shrunk longstanding racial and ethnic gaps.
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…