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The More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same? The Safety Net and Poverty in the Great Recession

Year: 2013

Type: article

Abstract: Much attention has been given to the large increases in safety net spending during the Great Recession. We examine the relationship between poverty, the safety net, and business cycles historically and test whether there has been a significant change in this relationship. We find that post–welfare reform, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families did not respond during the Great Recession and extreme poverty is more cyclical than in prior recessions. Food Stamps and Unemployment Insurance are providing more protection—or no less protection—in the Great Recession, and there is some evidence of less cyclicality for 100% poverty.

Source: Journal of Labor Economics

DOI: 10.1086/683096

Authors: Marianne Bitler, Hilary Hoynes

Institutions: National Bureau of Economic Research, IZA - Institute of Labor Economics, University of California, Davis, University of California, Berkeley

Language: English

Topic: Income, Poverty, and Inequality

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: No poverty, Reduced inequalities, Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W1524112244

FWCI: 23.74

Cites: 50

Cited by: 176

Related to: 10