Families and individuals receiving public assistance, by age of family head and family work status
| Total population | Families/individuals receiving public assistance* | Total benefits received | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number | Share of category | Number | Share of category | Rate of receipt | Dollar amount (in billions) | Share of benefits | |
| Overall | |||||||
| Elderly families or individuals not in family households | 29,563,000 | 21.2% | 5,229,000 | 11.8% | 17.7% | $11.213 | 6.6% |
| Non-elderly families or individuals not in family households | 109,680,000 | 78.8% | 38,902,000 | 88.2% | 35.5% | $158.801 | 93.4% |
| Total | 139,243,000 | 44,131,000 | 31.7% | $170.013 | |||
| Among all families or individuals in non-family households | |||||||
| Non-working families/individuals | 42,216,000 | 30.3% | 14,754,000 | 33.4% | 34.9% | $49.025 | 28.8% |
| Working families/individuals | 97,027,000 | 69.7% | 29,376,000 | 66.6% | 30.3% | $120.989 | 71.2% |
| Total | 139,243,000 | 44,130,000 | 31.7% | $170.013 | |||
| Among non-elderly families or individuals in non-family households | |||||||
| Non-working families/individuals | 21,319,000 | 19.4% | 11,050,000 | 28.4% | 51.8% | $41.206 | 24.2% |
| Working families/individuals | 88,361,000 | 80.6% | 27,852,000 | 71.6% | 31.5% | $117.595 | 69.2% |
| Total | 109,680,000 | 38,902,000 | 35.5% | $158.801 | |||
Note: This report focuses on utilization of means-tested public assistance; thus, it does not include Social Security or Medicare, as they are programs available specifically and universally for retired or elderly people. Figures reflect participation by individuals or a co-resident family member in EITC, CTC, SNAP, LIHEAP, WIC, housing assistance, TANF/cash assistance, and/or Medicaid. Data are adjusted to match administrative totals for each program. Elderly families are those in which the family head is age 65 or older. Working families are those in which at least one person is working.
Source: EPI analysis of Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement microdata, pooled years 2012–2014