The U.S. Safety Net since the Great Recession: Trends and Reforms, 2007-2017

Area of Science:

• Social Work
• Public Policy Analysis
• Economics

Background:

• The Great Recession (2007-2009) significantly impacted low-income families.
• There is an ongoing debate regarding the balance between welfare state adequacy and market-oriented policies in the U.S.
• Understanding the effectiveness of antipoverty policies during economic downturns is crucial for social work practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the response of U.S. antipoverty policies to the economic needs of low-income families during and after the Great Recession.
• To examine trends in public assistance in relation to Great Recession-era policy changes.
• To analyze the impact of market-oriented policies on the social safety net's countercyclical function.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of key policy changes affecting antipoverty programs from 2007 to 2017.
• Examination of caseloads, program inclusion, and generosity for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

Main Results:

• U.S. antipoverty policy continued its market-oriented trajectory.
• The reemphasis on employment conditionalities weakened the social safety net's ability to counteract economic downturns.
• Public resources were inequitably redistributed between those employed and unemployed.

Conclusions:

• The study highlights the limitations of current antipoverty policies in effectively supporting low-income populations during economic crises.
• Social workers have a critical role in advocating for policy reforms to enhance economic well-being and social justice.
• Strengthening the social safety net requires a shift away from solely employment-focused conditionalities.