2012 Assets Learning Conference
 

Eliminating Asset Tests: New Research, Challenges and Approaches

September 20, 2012  9:30 am - 10:45 am

Room: Maryland A

 
Many public benefit programs – those that provide cash assistance, food assistance, public health care and disability income – limit eligibility to those with few or no assets. Asset limits discourage families from accessing critical income-boosting benefits and from building up the personal savings and assets that would allow them to move off public benefit programs. Important progress has been made in the past decade, particularly on Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) asset tests. Yet, with budget shortfalls at the state and federal levels, that progress is in jeopardy. This session will provide new research on the impact of eliminating assets tests on caseloads, cost savings and error rates in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and SNAP programs; lessons from recent set-backs and challenges to the elimination of SNAP asset tests; and a charge for advocates to protect and expand policy gains.
 

Speakers:

  • Rachel Black, New America Foundation
  • Aubrey Mancuso, Voices for Children in Nebraska
  • Ross Yednock, CEDAM
  • Ethan Geiling, CFED (Moderator)
 
 This session is sponsored by the Assets & Opportunity sponsor, Wells Fargo.