- Following the economic downturns of 1980-1982 and 1990-92, it took five years for unemployment numbers to drop back to the lower levels prior to those periods of decline. At best, we likely can expect the same with this recession.
- By 2007, the inflation-adjusted incomes of families among the poorest 20% of U. S. households had not recovered to their peaks on the eve of the 2001 recession.
- Unemployment benefits were claimed by up to 60% of the unemployed in the early 1970s, but by only 40% over the past twenty years.
- The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly Food Stamps) is designed to help working families of low-income; enrollment could drop among the growing numbers of unemployed able-bodied adults without children.
- Congress may need to consider using Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) funding to assist the growing numbers of unemployed, while relaxing the program's work requirement.
- Although the earned income tax credit, the largest cash assistance program for low-income working families, successfully encourages work, particularly among single mothers, it is an unreliable safety net during times of rising unemployment and reduced incomes.
- Each 1 percentage point rise in national unemployment will increase Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Program enrollment by 1 million people. A 1-point jump also will translate to an additional 1.1 million uninsured adults.
For more information visit The Urban Institute site.
Challenges ahead. Your thoughts?
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