Due in large part to welfare reform, employment rates have increased among single mothers. From the Urban Institute, this article examines these trends in relation to increasing income among this population due to employment and the Earned Income Tax Credit. Such income supplements can equate to higher Social Security and retirement benefits among this population.

This article provides a concise overview of Federal legislation involving IDA's (AFIA, TANF, privately funded) and discusses their interaction and impacts on TANF, Medicaid, SCHIP, Food Stamps, and SSI.

This latest in a series of MDRC how-to guides identifies program features and administrative practices that can help states better target financial work incentives to intended beneficiaries, increase participation among eligible incentive recipients, and maximize the benefits of the incentives. Making Work Pay draws on in-depth investigations by MDRC researchers of pioneering financial work support programs in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Canada. The lessons it contains should prove especially timely as state and local governments, straining under severe budgetary pressures, strive to sustain earnings supplement programs and make their delivery more efficient.

This policy brief gives tips for encouraging saving for retirement of low-income families. It outlines the benefits for state and federal governments to promote retirement saving. Improvements and changes to TANF, food stamps, SSI, and Medicaid programs are outlined.

This report from the Center for the Study of Social Policy reviews State policies that support families, children and low-wage workers while also contributing to states’ economic stability.

From the Housing Assistance Council, this article reviews strategies for improving conditions for low-income families in rural areas through Individual Development Account Programs. IDAs have been proven to help low-income families save money to then build assets. Specifically, this resource provides information from three case studies around the country on IDA programs serving the population in rural areas.

This brief from the Annie E. Casey Foundation reviewed a model to help low-income families in rural communities achieve long-term economic stability. The model combines strategies for increasing income, building assets, and accumulating wealth over time.

The Carsey Institute at the University of New Hampshire conducted this study and found that predatory mortgage lending is prevalent in rural areas. Additionally, authors conclude that rural minorities are more likely to take out higher-cost mortgage loans. Focusing on predatory lending for mortgages, this practice can have a significant effect on low-income working families by threatening their assets and savings.

Authored by Amy Brown. This series of reports, as part of the Aspen Institute's Economic Opportunities Program and funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, explore various lessons learned from innovative approaches to EITC campaigns. The series covers pilot projects, financial literacy in the workplace, connecting asset building to Workforce Development One-Stops, market research and asset development strategies, partnering with commercial tax preparation firms, and using technology.

This brief, from the Urban-Brookings Policy Center, reviews the impact of a minimum wage increase, and considers raising federal tax credits as a substitute. Authors rationalize the possibility of increasing tax credits such as the EITC, and conclude that this would prove to be costly and infeasible.