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These principles provide a framework for key components of low-income assistance, including income and nutrition assistance programs, access to social supports, and access to basic necessities.&nbs
Policymakers should increase food benefits and expand eligibility for food programs.
Policymakers should explore new, more consumer-centered systems for providing low-income assistance.
The following principles guide AARP’s efforts to further budgetary decisions that reflect the needs of all members of society.
Taxation is the primary way governments fund essential programs and services. The following principles support this goal while also ensuring equity in how revenues are raised.
Congress and state legislatures should ensure that all lawfully present non-citizen residents who qualify for essential low-income benefits have access to them.
Asset limits for public-benefit programs should be increased to ensure that they do not discourage saving. These limits should then be indexed to keep up with inflation.
The federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit level should be increased to bring beneficiaries up to the poverty level. States should supplement those benefit payments.
Deficit-reduction efforts should avoid cuts in programs that serve low- and moderate-income populations.