Securing the Biggest Gap in Our Safety Net

TL/DR –

The U.S. safety net significantly fails non-elderly, childless adults, aged 18-64, who aren’t classified as severely disabled, despite this group comprising nearly a third of the country’s non-institutionalized population. This demographic has a deep poverty rate that is double that of children, and they represent half of those living in deep poverty, the majority of the country’s homeless, and those most likely to spend over half their limited income on rent. It is suggested that increasing access to supports such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, food and rental aid, basic health coverage, job training, and mental health care would aid this group and their ability to work, and in turn, benefit the nation’s economy.

U.S. Safety Net Lacking for Non-elderly, Childless Adults

The U.S. safety net has substantially reduced poverty for children and older adults over the past 50 years. However, this story differs for non-elderly adults aged 18-64, without children, and without a severe or long-lasting disability. Comprising nearly a third of the nation’s non-institutionalized population, this group is often overlooked, despite a deep poverty rate double that of children.

Due to a weak safety net, these individuals represent half of those living in deep poverty in America, are predominantly homeless, and are highly likely to spend more than half of their limited income on rent. This indicates a need for federal and state policymakers to extend support to this group, such as expanding access to the Earned Income Tax Credit, food and rental assistance, health coverage, job training, and mental health care.

Contrasting with elderly adults and children, social programs only lift 8 percent of these adults out of poverty. This is primarily because they lack access to benefits available to other Americans, such as federal cash assistance, adequate food aid through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), federal rental assistance, and health insurance.

More than hindering these individuals, their struggle to contribute productively to the workforce also negatively impacts the nation’s economy. Policymakers often suggest that more government assistance would undermine their work ethic, but extreme poverty, hunger, lack of stable housing and medical care, along with inadequate job training and mental health services, make it harder for them to secure and maintain employment. Many in this group suffer from health ailments, though they may not receive disability benefits.

Fortunately, there is a way forward. We can significantly reduce poverty for these non-elderly, childless adults, as we have done for the elderly and children. This can be achieved through stronger Earned Income Tax Credit, improved food and rental assistance, basic health coverage in all states, a more comprehensive unemployment insurance system, and higher federal minimum wage. Other affluent countries have proven this possibility by ensuring basic living necessities for such individuals, a provision we should also guarantee for the benefit of these individuals and the nation as a whole.

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