Congressional Budget Office

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Poverty and Income Security

The share of people living in the United States in families with income below the official federal poverty threshold has fluctuated between about 11 percent and about 15 percent over the past several decades. CBO analyzes a wide variety of federal programs that aim to reduce poverty, alleviate some of poverty's adverse consequences, and enhance income security.

Sub-Topics:

  • Food and Nutrition Programs
  • Medicaid and CHIP
  • Social Security
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Taxes for Low-Income Households (EITC)
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  • The Social Security Disability Insurance Program - Infographic

    July 16, 2012
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Policy Options for the Social Security Disability Insurance Program

report

July 16, 2012

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  • Policy Options for the Social Security Disability Insurance Program

    July 16, 2012
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The Social Security Disability Insurance Program - Infographic

image

July 16, 2012

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Growth in Means-Tested Programs and Tax Credits for Low-Income Households

Feb 2013 - During the past 40 years, federal spending for major means-tested programs and tax credits for low-income households more than tripled as a share of gross domestic product. In 2012, such spending totaled $588 billion.

Federal Grants to State and Local Governments

Mar 2013 - In 2011, the federal government provided $607 billion in grants to state and local governments, accounting for 17 percent of federal outlays and a quarter of spending by states and localities. Nearly half of that amount was for Medicaid.

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  • Updated cost estimates of the farm bills that were considered in the Senate and the House during the 112th Congress

    March 01, 2013
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S. 3240, the Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2012

cost estimate

July 6, 2012

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monthly archive

  • May 2013 (2)
  • April 2013 (14)
  • March 2013 (22)
  • February 2013 (10)
  • January 2013 (11)
  • December 2012 (4)
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Update on CBO's Response to the Supreme Court's Decision Regarding the Affordable Care Act

blog post

July 9, 2012


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S. 3240, Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of 2012

cost estimate

July 6, 2012

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Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2012

cost estimate

July 5, 2012

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monthly archive

  • May 2013 (2)
  • April 2013 (14)
  • March 2013 (22)
  • February 2013 (10)
  • January 2013 (11)
  • December 2012 (4)
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Response to the Supreme Court’s Decision Regarding the Affordable Care Act

blog post

June 28, 2012


monthly archive

  • May 2013 (2)
  • April 2013 (14)
  • March 2013 (22)
  • February 2013 (10)
  • January 2013 (11)
  • December 2012 (4)
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  • September 2012 (6)
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  • July 2012 (11)
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Breakfast with Reporters

blog post

June 14, 2012


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