RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 A Universal Child Allowance: A Plan to Reduce Poverty and Income Instability Among Children in the United States
JF RSF: The Russell Sage Foundation Journal of the Social Sciences
FD Russell Sage Foundation
SP 22
OP 42
DO 10.7758/RSF.2018.4.2.02
VO 4
IS 2
A1 Shaefer, H. Luke
A1 Collyer, Sophie
A1 Duncan, Greg
A1 Edin, Kathryn
A1 Garfinkel, Irwin
A1 Harris, David
A1 Smeeding, Timothy M.
A1 Waldfogel, Jane
A1 Wimer, Christopher
A1 Yoshikawa, Hirokazu
YR 2018
UL http://www.rsfjournal.org/content/4/2/22.abstract
AB To reduce child poverty and income instability, and eliminate extreme poverty among families with children in the United States, we propose converting the Child Tax Credit and child tax exemption into a universal, monthly child allowance. Our proposal is based on principles we argue should undergird the design of such policies: universality, accessibility, adequate payment levels, and more generous support for young children. Whether benefits should decline with additional children to reflect economies of scale is a question policymakers should consider. Analyzing 2015 Current Population Survey data, we estimate our proposed child allowance would reduce child poverty by about 40 percent, deep child poverty by nearly half, and would effectively eliminate extreme child poverty. Annual net cost estimates range from $66 billion to $105 billion.