Building Family Economic Success: Work Supports

When Paychecks Aren't Enough

Work supports are benefits such as Medicaid, food stamps, tax credits and child care subsidies that can help low-income working families make ends meet.

Untapped Aid

In 2000, just 15% of the 15.7 million children who were eligible to receive child care subsidies actually received this aid.

An Economic Divide

The burden of paying for child care varies according to a family’s financial status. Low-income working families spend 16% of their income on child care whereas higher income families spend just 6%.

Dinner Is Served—Or Is It?

In 2003, households with children were twice as likely to report food insecurity relative to households without children.

Go Local

The Foundation touts a neighborhood-based approach when promoting the use of work supports. This means partnering with community organizations and networks that have a standing, mission-centered commitment to helping low-income families become financially secure.

Losing the Label

Among the challenges advocates must consider: Experts cite a need for public education to counter the perceived — and pervasive — negative stigma associated with receiving work supports.