blog post Video: Learning from CalFresh Pandemic Boosts By Stephanie Barton Sep 17, 2024 PPIC researcher Tess Thorman discusses a new report that explores how increased CalFresh food assistance benefits affected eligible households during the pandemic—and what this experience means for addressing economic downturns in the future.
Report Learning from CalFresh Pandemic Boosts By Tess Thorman, Patricia Malagon, Caroline Danielson Aug 26, 2024 Emergency allotments increased CalFresh benefits during the pandemic, although the lowest-income households did not see an initial boost. Examining how this pandemic aid affected household resources, work decisions, and participant retention can offer insights into crafting a CalFresh response for the next economic downturn—and improving the program in the near term.
Policy Brief Policy Brief: Learning from CalFresh Pandemic Boosts By Tess Thorman, Patricia Malagon, Caroline Danielson, Stephanie Barton Aug 21, 2024 At the start of the pandemic, emergency allotments to CalFresh boosted assistance to households that had more resources beyond CalFresh; households with fewer resources received a later and smaller boost. Those who received the higher benefits of the first boost were more likely to stay in the workforce and to stay on CalFresh while eligible.
blog post Examining the Reach of Universal School Meals in California By Caroline Danielson Aug 15, 2024 In the 2022–23 school year, California became the first state to provide free school meals to all children regardless of income. We look at how the state's school nutrition programs are faring overall and examine trends in participation among low-income students.
Fact Sheet California’s Nutrition Safety Net By Tess Thorman, Patricia Malagon Apr 24, 2024 Millions of Californians participate in more than 15 programs designed to help them access nutritious food; these programs also reduce poverty. CalFresh, the largest nutrition program, provides low-income families with monthly food-buying resources. Other large programs serve pregnant Californians, young children, and K–12 students.
blog post California’s Medi-Cal Expansion Is Lowering Poverty among Undocumented Immigrants By Patricia Malagon Apr 18, 2024 At the beginning of this year, California broadened Medi-Cal eligibility to include all undocumented immigrants regardless of age. We examine how the state-funded expansion of coverage could reduce poverty among non-citizens and their families.
Fact Sheet Income Inequality in California By Tess Thorman, Daniel Payares-Montoya Apr 17, 2024 California’s income gap narrowed in 2022, but the disparity between high and low incomes is wider in California than in most other states. Over the longer term, income inequality has been driven by earnings growth among college-educated workers.
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Economic Well-Being By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Lauren Mora, Deja Thomas Nov 8, 2023 Key findings include: A record-high 71 percent of Californians believe that children growing up in the state today will be worse off financially than their parents. Three in ten workers fear losing their jobs to new technology like artificial intelligence. A majority say that California will have bad economic times in the next 12 months; about half approve of how Governor Newsom is handling jobs and the economy.
