The Safety Net Response to the Covid-19 Pandemic Recession and the Older Population

We examine how receipt of several major transfer programs changed for individuals age 50-74 during the pandemic recession. Unemployment Insurance and SNAP receipt grew for less educated men and women age 50-61, and both, especially SNAP, provided significant support to those 62 and older. Receipt responded more strongly during the pandemic than during the Great Recession. Medicaid receipt responded much less and little response occurred for the SSI, DI, and social security programs. We provide policy suggestions for reforms of the SSI and DI programs and for safety-net programs in general for greater countercyclical assistance to the older population.