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Income Support Policies for the Working Poor

Author

Listed:
  • Marchal, Sarah

    (University of Antwerp)

  • Marx, Ive

    (University of Antwerp)

  • Verbist, Gerlinde

    (University of Antwerp)

Abstract

This paper asks what governments in the EU Member States and some US states are doing to support workers on low wages. Using model family simulations, we assess the policy measures currently in place to guarantee an adequate disposable income to working families, taking into account minimum wages, social security contributions, taxes and cash benefits. We show that despite increased efforts over the past decade, disposable incomes of certain types of minimum wage workers still fall well below the EU at-risk-of-poverty thresholds in many countries. Single earners with dependent children are especially at risk of poverty. We discuss the options for making progress.

Suggested Citation

  • Marchal, Sarah & Marx, Ive & Verbist, Gerlinde, 2017. "Income Support Policies for the Working Poor," IZA Discussion Papers 10665, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp10665
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. Richard Blundell & Andrew Shephard, 2012. "Employment, Hours of Work and the Optimal Taxation of Low-Income Families," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 79(2), pages 481-510.
    6. Nada Eissa & Hilary W. Hoynes, 2006. "Behavioral Responses to Taxes: Lessons from the EITC and Labor Supply," NBER Chapters, in: Tax Policy and the Economy, Volume 20, pages 73-110, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    7. Esping-Andersen, Gosta & Garfinkel, Irwin & Han, Wen-Jui & Magnuson, Katherine & Wagner, Sander & Waldfogel, Jane, 2012. "Child care and school performance in Denmark and the United States," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 34(3), pages 576-589.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    direct income support; minimum wages; in-work benefits; in-work poverty;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
    • J88 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Standards - - - Public Policy
    • H75 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Government: Health, Education, and Welfare

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