Asset Limits in Public Assistance Programs

For many low-income families, slight changes in their financial circumstances can have dramatic consequences on their wellbeing. Missing a rent payment when hours at work are cut, missing meals when winter comes to pay for heat instead, or missing an opportunity to move to a safer neighborhood because there isn’t money for a security deposit. In these situations, even a small amount of additional resources can make the difference between getting by, falling behind, or getting ahead.

This policy statement argues that asset limits in public assistance programs undermine family's pursuit of financial stability and self-sufficiency by limiting their access to these resources. You can find a copy of this document here.