Young Adults Face Higher Material Hardship and Lower Safety Net Access than Other Adults

Young adults can face significant financial hardship while being less likely than other adults to access the public benefits that could help. This Urban Institute brief uses nationally representative 2025 survey data to examine food insecurity, housing and utility challenges, medical expenses, and access to the safety net among adults ages 18–24. For Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) practitioners, the findings provide a useful reminder that young adults may need help navigating program rules and application processes that do not always fit their circumstances. The resource can help agencies consider how eligibility processes, outreach, referrals, and service delivery can better connect young adults to TANF and other supports during a critical period of transition to adulthood.