Understanding Poverty and the Safety Net

Ryan’s “Opportunity Grant” Would Likely Force Cuts in Food and Housing Assistance

House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan maintains that consolidating 11 safety-net and related programs into a single “Opportunity Grant” would give states the flexibility to provide specialized services to low-income people.  But providing these additional services would require cutting assistance funded through the Opportunity Grant to other needy people.  And because SNAP (formerly food stamps) and housing assistance together make up more than 80 percent of the Opportunity Grant, the cuts would almost certainly reduce families’ access to these programs, which are effective at reducing poverty — particularly deep poverty. Read more

Related:

• History Suggests Ryan Block Grant Would Be Susceptible to Cuts
• Ryan’s Rhetoric Doesn’t Match His Proposal’s Reality
• Why Ryan’s Proposed Work Requirements Are Cause for Concern
• Greenstein: Ryan “Opportunity Grant” Proposal Would Likely Increase Poverty and Shrink Resources for Poverty Programs Over Time
• Ryan Roundup: What You Need to Know About Chairman Ryan’s Poverty Proposal

Ryan Adds Momentum to Expanding EITC for Childless Workers

House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan highlighted the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) as one of the most effective anti-poverty programs and joined growing bipartisan calls to expand it for childless adults (including non-custodial parents), the lone group that the federal tax system taxes into poverty. We applaud this step, though we encourage him to reconsider some of his proposals to offset the cost — which would hit vulnerable families — and his opposition to a much-needed increase in the minimum wage. Read more

Related:

• Reagan’s Actions Made Him a True EITC Champion
• Lone Group Taxed Into Poverty Should Receive a Larger EITC
• Obama Budget Would Extend EITC’s Pro-Work Success to Childless Workers
• Commentary: One Anti-Poverty Initiative Both Sides Can Agree On
• What Difference Would Ryan’s EITC Expansion Make for Childless Workers?

More: Poverty and Income Analyses