Black Social Mobility and Building Generational Wealth

In my family’s history I can see a clear arc of social mobility across borders and generations, but progress has stalled in my own lifetime.

July 25, 2025 | Blog Post | Suzanne Wikle

Tying Medicaid to Work Further Limits Who Policymakers Deem Worthy of Health Insurance and Undermines the Affordable Care Act

July 25, 2025 | Blog Post | Ashley Burnside

July Marks a Call to Action for the Disability Community

July 23, 2025 | Blog Post | Ashley Burnside

10 Things to Know About the Child Tax Credit Under the New Trump Reconciliation Bill

Economic justice requires a public benefits system that works both for anyone experiencing a financial emergency and also supports long-lasting economic security. That’s why CLASP advocates for federal and state policies that center racial equity, increase investment, prevent harmful cuts, and streamline access across public programs. We work to make public benefits like SNAP, WIC, rental assistance, and Medicaid more equitable and effective. At the same time, we call for policies like guaranteed income and an expanded Child Tax Credit, which had an enormous impact on poverty in recent years. We envision a future where basic needs are abundantly met, and everyone has the opportunities and resources to flourish; and a system of public benefits that is accessible, equitable, reparative, responsive, easy to navigate, and co-created with directly impacted people.

Featured Expert:

Suzanne Wikle

Associate Director for State Health Policy and Advocacy

Public Benefits Justice

New from CLASP

July 29, 2025 | Blog Post | Public Benefits Justice

Black Social Mobility and Building Generational Wealth

July 25, 2025 | Blog Post | Health and Mental Health

Tying Medicaid to Work Further Limits Who Policymakers Deem Worthy of Health Insurance and Undermines the Affordable Care Act

July 25, 2025 | Blog Post | Federal Spending Priorities

July Marks a Call to Action for the Disability Community

July 23, 2025 | Blog Post | Children, Youth & Families

10 Things to Know About the Child Tax Credit Under the New Trump Reconciliation Bill

July 10, 2025 | Press Release | Children, Youth & Families

In Latest Attack on Immigrants, Trump Administration Attempts to Limit Access to Essentials Like Education and Health Care

No More Double Punishments

People with felony convictions, incarcerated or not, often face “collateral consequences,” which are significant barriers that can range from being denied employment to losing voting rights. Some states subject people with a drug-related felony conviction to restrictions or complete bans on food assistance under SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly food stamps), cash assistance through TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), or both. Public assistance such as TANF and SNAP consistently reduces recidivism, while banning access to assistance has been linked to increases in recidivism. CLASP works to ensure that people transitioning out of incarceration have access to the public benefits support they need to succeed.