Over the past decade, federal, state, and local governments have made a concerted effort to simplify the process for application and recertification of eligibility for work supports (including food stamps, health insurance, and child care subsidies) — all in an attempt to increase take-up rates among those eligible. In some cases, such as Medicaid and the State Child Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), these efforts have made some progress. But in the case of food stamps, take-up rates for working people have remained virtually unchanged since 1994, as the figure below illustrates. Although there have been slight fluctuations, working people received food stamps in 2004 (45.7 percent) at almost the same rate as 1994 (46.5 percent).

 

Working families could increase their income by more than $700 a month if they received the full package of work supports for which they are eligible, including food stamps, the Earned Income Tax Credit, and other work supports. It is estimated, however, that less than 10 percent receive food stamps, health insurance, and child care assistance, for instance. One of the goals of MDRC’s National Work Advancement and Support Centers Demonstration is to test strategies to increase take-up rates among low-wage workers for these work supports — while also providing job retention and advancement services to move them into better-paying jobs.