Highlighted Publications




 

Leifheit et al. (2026) examined which state-level factors were associated with rising homelessness across U.S. states between 2019 and 2024. They analyzed annual state-level data on homelessness counts, rents, unemployment, eviction moratoria, emergency rental assistance, overdose deaths, immigration, and climate-related property damage. Their primary finding was that eviction moratoria and climate-related disasters were the factors most consistently associated with year-over

Gabbay et al. (2026) examined whether children living above the standard Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) income eligibility threshold still experience food insecurity. They analyzed data from the 2024 National Survey of Children’s Health, focusing on more than 33 million US children living in households above 200% of the federal poverty level. They found that about 659,000 children in these households experienced food insecurity, with nearly half living betwe

Wu and Meyer (2025) examined how automating welfare caseworker services affected enrollment in SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid programs in Indiana. Their primary research question asked what happens to welfare participation and program targeting when automated systems replace face-to-face caseworker assistance. They analyzed administrative records covering nearly 3 million welfare recipients linked to IRS income data during Indiana’s phased rollout of an IBM automation system betwee

Halpern-Meekin et al. (2026) ask how financial resources shape the emotional and relational rewards of motherhood among low-income mothers. They analyze semi-structured interviews with 80 mothers from the Baby’s First Years study; 40 received $333 per month and 40 received $20. They find that mothers used money not only for needs, but also to create meaningful moments of connection with children. The most common positive parenting experiences were spending time with children

Taylor (2025) examines whether placing foster children in family homes rather than congregate care improves long-term outcomes. He uses national administrative foster care data (2010–2015) linked to survey outcomes at age 21, and applies an instrumental variable based on exits from foster families. He finds that family placement substantially improves outcomes, increasing a combined index of employment, education, and reduced incarceration, homelessness, and substance abuse b

Kleinman (2026) studies whether making it easier to sign up for public benefits increases SNAP enrollment among older adults who already receive SSI. She uses American Community Survey data and compares states that adopted a simplified enrollment system to those that did not. Using a difference-in-differences approach, she finds that easier sign-up leads to higher participation. SNAP enrollment rises by about 8–10 percentage points, or roughly 17–24 percent above the starting

Price and Song (2024) examine whether temporary cash assistance has long-term effects on adult earnings and children’s outcomes. They use data from the Seattle-Denver Income Maintenance Experiment, linked to Social Security administrative records over roughly 40 years. They find that adults who received cash assistance earned about $1,800 less annually (a 7.4% decline) and were 6.3 percentage points more likely to apply for disability benefits (about a 20% increase). These ef

Uzzi et al. (2025) examine whether neighborhood conditions shaped by past redlining and present-day racialized economic segregation are associated with fatal opioid overdose deaths. They analyze census-tract–level data from Chicago, combining Cook County Medical Examiner overdose records with historical redlining maps and contemporary census data from 2017–2019 and 2020–2022. They find that neighborhoods experiencing high levels of disadvantage in the past and/or present had

Wang et al. (2026) ask whether state adoption of broad-based categorical eligibility (BBCE) increases SNAP participation, and how much of that increase comes from newly eligible versus already eligible households. They analyze state-level SNAP participation from 1996–2016 using administrative SNAP Quality Control data combined with state policy and economic data. Using a difference-in-differences design that allows effects to vary over time and across states, they find that B

Anders and Rafkin (2025) examine whether expanding SNAP income-eligibility limits increases program use among households that were already eligible. Using administrative SNAP Quality Control data from 1996–2016, they track state-level changes in eligibility thresholds and their effect on participation. They find that a 10-percentage-point increase in the income limit raises take-up among always-eligible households by about 1–2 percent. For every newly eligible person who enro

This study asked whether federal and state Universal Free School Meal (UFSM) policies increased student participation in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP). Using school-level meal claims from 25 U.S. states between 2019 and 2024, the authors conducted a difference-in-difference analysis. They found that federal UFSM policies during the COVID-19 pandemic raised participation by 10 percentage points for lunches and 8 for breakfasts. Whe

This study asked whether participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during early childhood can protect against the long-term cardiovascular effects of food insecurity. Researchers followed 1,071 children from birth to age 22 using data from the Future of Families–Cardiovascular Health Among Young Adults study. They found that early food insecurity was linked to worse cardiovascular health, with a 2.2-point lower Life’s Essential 8 score and 1.4 time

This study asked whether food insecurity in early childhood is linked to poorer cardiovascular health in young adulthood and whether participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can reduce these risks. Researchers analyzed data from 1,071 children in the Future of Families–Cardiovascular Health Among Young Adults study, following them from ages 3–5 to about age 22. Early childhood food insecurity was associated with a 2.2-point lower overall Life’s Es

This article asks whether states can affordably implement a targeted, fully refundable Child Tax Credit (CTC) to reduce child poverty....

This study asks how the duration and timing of childhood net worth poverty (NWP)—household wealth below 25% of the federal poverty...

This study investigated whether the Massachusetts Medicaid Flexible Services Program (FSP) reduced food insecurity, housing insecurity,...

This study investigates whether the quality of aid project management affects violent conflict in Africa. Using geo-coded data on all...

This study asks whether long-term economic outcomes are influenced by exposure to peers from wealthier families. Using data from over...

This paper investigates whether increases in local government spending benefit all racial groups equally, focusing on labor market and...

This study examines how the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (FRA) will affect state compliance with federal work requirements under the...