Single-Headed Family Economic Vulnerability and Reliance on Social Programs

Abstract

Single-headed families are on the rise but many U.S. policies have not kept pace. The proportion of single-headed U.S. households has more than doubled since 1960. They are diverse, including children who live with one parent, grandchildren being raised by a custodial grandparent, and those aged 65 and older who live alone. Single-headed families are more common among Blacks, Hispanics, and second- and third-generation immigrants. The increase in single-headed families is linked to sociodemographic changes such as the decline in marriage rates and greater longevity, particularly among women. Members of single-headed households are more likely to be poor and more likely to struggle with poorer health. Because of their increased vulnerability, they are more likely to rely on social programs. Some poverty-based social programs, particularly Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), have not kept pace with increasing rates of vulnerable single-headed households. Others, notably Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid, have increased support for many single-headed families. Social Security, the major social insurance program, remains the most important source of income for many single-headed households, though a substantial minimum benefit would reduce poverty even more so. Here, we assess the responsiveness of key social policies for their capacity to increase stability for the most vulnerable of single-headed families.