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
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…
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, …
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…
High mortgage rates are probably here for a while (November 2023)
An analysis identifies factors behind the increase in mortgage rates and the gap between mortgage rates and U.S. Treasury securities.
Have workers gotten a raise?
A comprehensive evaluation of real pay changes since the pandemic looks at pay measures, inflation effects, and the distributional breakdown.
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…
The power of policy to reduce poverty: Lessons from the pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, poverty dropped to a historic low, demonstrating the power of effective policy.
Deteriorating household finances will not support strong spending
An analysis of household finances finds that Americans face a financial choice: slow down their spending or take on more debt.
