How Have Asset Policies for Cash Welfare and Food Stamps Changed Since the 1990s?

Cash welfare and food stamps are means tested: assets and income must fall below set limits for families to qualify. While this ensures that benefits go to the neediest families, asset limits may also discourage asset building. This Opportunity and Ownership fact sheet examines allowance changes for restricted and unrestricted accounts at the federal and state level. It tracks the different allowances for IDAs, food stamps, and welfare programs from 1992 to 2003.