Cash Assistance
What Is Universal Basic Income (UBI)?
Universal basic income (UBI) would send regular cash to everyone a plan covers, regardless of income or work. Nationally it remains a proposal: a House bill…
Social Safety Net
The social safety net is the set of public programs that help people meet basic needs when they cannot fully do so on their own, because of age, disability, low income, job loss, illness, or military service. Federal, state, and local governments share the work, with some programs run by federal agencies and others run by states under federal rules.
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October 10last updated
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The Webby-recognized AI behind our articles »
Latest in Social Safety Net
Health Insurance and Coverage
CHAMPVA and Education Benefits for Veterans’ Dependents
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers health coverage and school payments, among other benefits, to the families of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled…
Housing Assistance
How Federal Housing Assistance Works
Explains how Section 8 and public housing work, who qualifies, and why waitlists and landlord refusals leave many families without help.
Social Security
How the 2.8% Social Security Increase Affects Your 2026 Benefits
Nearly 71 million Social Security beneficiaries will see their monthly payments increase by 2.8 percent beginning in January 2026. For the average retiree, that translates to…
Topics in Social Safety Net
Income and service
Social Security covers monthly benefits for retirees, people with disabilities, and survivors, and Veterans Benefits covers the programs that support people who served in the military and their families.
Health coverage
Medicare and Medicaid covers the two large public health insurance programs for older adults, people with disabilities, and people with low incomes.
Basic needs
Food Assistance covers help buying groceries, Housing Assistance covers help with rent and housing costs, and Energy Assistance covers help paying for heating, cooling, and other utilities.
All Articles on Social Safety Net
TRICARE For Life Cataract Surgery Coverage: Costs and How It Works
TRICARE For Life (TFL), in its role as a "wraparound" payer for Medicare, covers medically necessary cataract surgery. Whether it covers the procedure in…
How to Set Up Backup Codes for Your my Social Security Account
The Social Security Administration has updated its security procedures for accessing your personal information online. If you used a Social Security username and password…
Alternatives to SNAP Benefits: Food Assistance Available During the 2025 Government Shutdown
The federal government shutdown reached 43 days in November 2025, making it the longest in U.S. history. The shutdown, which began October 1, disrupted…
How a Government Shutdown Affects SNAP and Other Food Benefits
Learn what a government shutdown means for SNAP balances and future payments, how WIC and school meals differ, and where families can check for help.
FEMA Disaster Aid and Federal Benefits: Will Your Social Security or SNAP Be Affected?
After a disaster, your focus is on safety, shelter, and recovery. The last thing you should worry about is whether getting the help you…
Guide to Medicare’s 2025 Annual Enrollment for 2026 Coverage
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is the single most important time of year for millions of Americans who rely on Medicare for health coverage.…
How Medicare Covers Hearing Aids Through Private Plans
A reader writes to us: Why does the government force the elderly who are already on a fixed budget to pay for a Medicare…
A History of Unemployment Benefits in the United States
Unemployment Insurance is a key part of America's social safety net. This federal-state partnership provides temporary, partial wage replacement to workers who lose their…
What Are Unemployment Benefits?
Unemployment Insurance provides temporary income replacement to eligible workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. The system operates through a…
How to Apply for Unemployment Benefits
Losing a job creates both financial and emotional challenges. The Unemployment Insurance (UI) program provides a critical safety net during this difficult time. These…