New digital tool webinar to find social services

The Urban Institute will host a webinar this Friday, March 6 to present its new interactive data tool, which allows users to explore eligibility for major safety net programs and tax credits—and to examine how increased participation could reduce poverty. 

The tool also provides national and state-level data, enabling users to compare program eligibility and participation for programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and housing assistance programs, while comparing data across states and demographic groups and income levels. Additionally, it estimates how increased participation could reduce poverty. 

Using 2023 state and national data, the institute found that 16.8 million households were eligible for public or subsidized housing. Of those, 5.1 million included a child and 5.9 million included a person age 62 or older.

However, only 26 percent of eligible households received public or subsidized housing assistance nationwide. Participation rates varied widely across states — from 14 percent to 50 percent.

An estimated 29.4 million people were eligible for benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program but did not receive support, including 19 million people in working families.

To learn more about the new interactive data tool, people can participate in the webinar this Friday, March 6, where experts will demonstrate how to use the tool.