SNAP as a long-term investment

Proposed changes to the US federal budget could entail drastic cuts to vital elements of the social safety net. Given these latest rounds of threats, it's important to reaffirm the many ways in which these programs benefit families—lifting children out of poverty and, in the long run, paying for themselves.

Below, explore key takeaways from research on SNAP — one of the largest anti-poverty programs in the United States.

Check out this video to hear Hilary Hoynes review the evidence on SNAP, as part of an event hosted with the Berkeley Food Institute + Goldman School of Public Policy. Or, read our research brief to learn more about this paper.

Income, wealth, and environmental inequality in the US

A new article in CEPR highlights research from Reed Walker, Suvy Qin, + coauthors that leverages 40 years of administrative data to improve our understanding of the relationship between wealth and exposure to air pollution. The researchers find that, at all income levels, Black individuals are exposed to significantly higher levels of air pollution than white individuals. Learn more.

Hilary Hoynes and Reed Walker on the Future of Family

Hilary Hoynes and Reed Walker were recently cited in a New York Times op-ed by Paul Krugman on the importance of the Biden administration’s new support for child care and education. Among the cited work was Hoynes’ research on SNAP benefits and other safety net investments in children.

Check out the full article here.