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Means-Tested Transfers in the US: Facts and Parametric Estimates

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  • Guner, Nezih
  • Rauh, Christopher
  • Ventura, Gustavo

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Guner, Nezih & Rauh, Christopher & Ventura, Gustavo, 2024. "Means-Tested Transfers in the US: Facts and Parametric Estimates," CEPR Discussion Papers 19801, Centre for Economic Policy Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:19801
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    Cited by:

    1. is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Alexandre Cunha & Guilherme Gallego & Marcelo Santos & Bernardus Van Doornik, 2026. "Labor Market Effects of Unemployment Insurance and UBI in Developing Economies," Working Papers Series 646, Central Bank of Brazil, Research Department.
    3. Bergstrom, Katy & Dodds, William & Lacoste, Nicholas & Rios, Juan, 2026. "Estimating the welfare cost of labor supply frictions," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 253(C).
    4. Qiu, Xincheng & Russo, Nicolo, 2025. "Income Taxation Across Countries," IZA Discussion Papers 18190, IZA Network @ LISER.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • E62 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Fiscal Policy; Modern Monetary Theory
    • H24 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Personal Income and Other Nonbusiness Taxes and Subsidies
    • H31 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - Household

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