Means-Tested Transfers in the US: Facts and Parametric Estimates
Guner Nezih,
Christopher Rauh and
Gustavo Ventura
Cambridge Working Papers in Economics from Faculty of Economics, University of Cambridge
Abstract:
How substantial are means-tested transfers in the United States? How have these transfers evolved over time, and what is their impact on the income distribution? We use microdata from the Survey of Income and Program Participation to document the scope of the main means-tested programs for households headed by working-age adults. We report key features of these programs, their generosity, and coverage by household income, marital status, and the number and age of children in the household. We also assess the role of the transfer system in reducing income inequality and document its changing magnitude and effects in recent years. Finally, we provide parametric estimates of transfers as a function of income and household characteristics for use in applied work in macroeconomics and public finance.
Keywords: Households; Income Inequality; Means-tested transfers; Parametric Estimates (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: E62 H24 H31 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024-12-13
Note: cr542
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:cam:camdae:2473
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