How Can Safety Net Programs Be Improved in 2017?
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) would all benefit from reforms to make them more accountable and accessible to low-income families, according to a new report from the American Enterprise Institute. The report recommends reforming TANF to ensure that the program reaches the most vulnerable families; ensuring that SNAP beneficiaries aren’t discouraged from seeking work; and expanding the EITC to workers without children. The federal government spends approximately $160 billion per year on the three programs, but that money could be spent more efficiently on lifting families out of poverty, according to the report.