Motivation
Millions of families across the country rely on income and nutrition support programs such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps). Access to these programs can vary widely, however, based on location, family composition, and other factors. Understanding and addressing these disparities is critical to ensuring equitable opportunities for all families. Whether you're a policymaker, researcher, advocate, or simply curious about programs that support family well-being, the resources available here will provide the insights you need to make informed decisions and drive meaningful change toward a future where all families thrive.
Explore these tools to learn more about how access to family support programs varies by state and family type:
The Supporting Families Index measures how access to income and nutrition support programs varies across states.
The Family Eligibility Tool compares program eligibility by family income and composition across states.
The State Expenditures Dashboard displays indicators of states' economic situations and state budgets for social programs.
Equity-Focused Policy Research
Research papers, briefs, and journal articles from RWJF’s Equity-Focused Policy Research program highlight changes to policy and practices that could help address inequalities in access to income supports and increase families’ participation in the economy.
Program Descriptions
Learn more about programs that support families:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children
- Child and Adult Care Food Program
- Earned Income Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
- Paid Family Leave
- Universal Basic Income
Discover more about RWJF’s collaboration with Mathematica and consult acronym glossary here.