Policy Brief Policy Brief: Employment Patterns for CalFresh Adults By Tess Thorman, Caroline Danielson, Stephanie Barton Jul 13, 2022 Most CalFresh participants work, but unemployment and job instability are common. CalFresh assistance may help some stay connected to the workforce; however, work patterns may affect the length and impact of benefits. Policymakers and administrators should ensure that processes for getting and keeping benefits accommodate workers.
blog post How Did Pandemic Stimulus Funds Affect Income Inequality in California? By Sarah Bohn, Tess Thorman, Joseph Herrera Jul 12, 2022 Income inequality initially increased in the 2020 recession, but federal stimulus payments helped to reduce the worst effects—especially for low-income families.
blog post School Meals May Help Families Fight Food Inflation By Caroline Danielson, Niu Gao Jun 1, 2022 The rising cost of food and other necessities is an especially large challenge for low-income families. For households with schoolchildren, school meals can help address the impact of higher prices and increase access to nutritious food.
blog post How Did the Pandemic Transform California’s Safety Net? By Caroline Danielson Mar 11, 2022 Government investments and service innovations reduced the economic hardship caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. The impact of these approaches can inform safety net policy beyond the pandemic.
blog post Expansions to Food Assistance Could Reduce Child Poverty By Caroline Danielson, Tess Thorman Oct 1, 2021 Long-term commitments to expand CalFresh and school meals, two of California’s largest food assistance programs, could lift an estimated 90,000 children out of poverty.
Report California’s Safety Net in Recession and Recovery By Caroline Danielson Jun 3, 2021 As California emerges from the COVID-19 shutdown, the social safety net can play a key role in facilitating an equitable recovery. Evidence from the last recession and recovery shows that safety net programs do grow in response to increased need. But the state can take additional steps to deliver benefits more effectively and equitably.
blog post CalFresh during the Pandemic By Caroline Danielson Oct 21, 2020 Enrollment in CalFresh, the state’s largest nutrition safety net program, has risen substantially during COVID-19. Still, many California households report not having enough food and lack a connection to the nutrition safety net.
blog post Providing Meals for School Children as COVID-19 Persists By Niu Gao, Caroline Danielson Sep 9, 2020 The US Department of Agriculture recently announced that it would continue to waive certain restrictions on school meals for the rest of 2020. This extends a key support for many California children, regardless of whether they are in school or learning remotely.
Fact Sheet The CalFresh Food Assistance Program By Caroline Danielson, Daniel Tan Sep 1, 2020 Participation in CalFresh—which helps millions of low-income Californians buy groceries—has risen amid the coronavirus pandemic. This fact sheet provides a snapshot of the program, including its impact on poverty and recent changes to expand access.
