The State of the Safety Net: Modeling Key Programs in a Changing Environment

The 2025 budget reconciliation bill, mounting fiscal pressures, and advances in artificial intelligence are prompting states to consider far-reaching changes in safety net benefits, eligibility policies, enrollment systems, and outreach strategies. At the same time, there is growing demand for transformative new proposals to help families afford the cost of living and adapt to labor market changes.

Please join the Urban Institute and our philanthropic partners for a funder-only virtual conversation about the State of the Safety Net Initiative, which provides timely state-by-state data timely state-by-state data on the people served by SNAP, WIC, SSI, TANF, refundable tax credits, and other programs; how effectively programs reach those who are eligible; and what could change under alternative policy scenarios.

Featured participants: Katie Beckmann, David and Lucille Packard Foundation; Gerry Cobb, Pritzker Children’s Initiative, Jeff Poirier, The Annie E. Casey Foundation; Sarah Rosen Wartell, Linda Giannarelli, Sarah Minton, Urban Institute.

Virtual Event for Funders

Co-hosted by the Urban Institute, The Annie E. Casey Foundation, The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, and The J.B. and M.K. Pritzker Foundation.