Source Sector(s)
Academic
Benefits Program
SNAP: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
WIC: Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children
Other Supplemental Nutrition Programs
Medicaid/CHIP
UI: Unemployment Insurance
Level of Government
Federal/National
State/Provincial
Local/Municipal
Location
United States
Format
Academic Article
Government Documents
An extensive literature in economics documents large and persistent declines in earnings following involuntary job loss. Though Unemployment Insurance provides the largest buffer against lost income, due to the structure of the program, the neediest are less-well insured (in terms of dollars transferred and percentage of lost earnings replaced) compared to middle and higher income job losers. This has important implications in light of the historic number of job losses during the COVID-19 pandemic.