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
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 work requirements and their efficacy.
Economic Security & Inequality
Employment & Wages
Social Insurance
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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
Posts
Low-income workers experience—by far—the most earnings and work hours instability
Economic Security & Inequality
Employment & Wages
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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…
Posts
November 16, 2023
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.
Posts
October 24, 2023
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.
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…
Posts
September 7, 2023
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.
Papers
August 1, 2023
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.
Policy Proposals
June 27, 2023
Increasing financial access to contraception for low-income Americans
Changes to Title X could increase the affordability of contraception for low-income Americans. A randomized control trial suggests that doing so would increase…