Stretched social safety net could see more strain in 2024

Funding for a variety of pandemic-era assistance programs ran out this year, leaving Americans with fewer resources to help cope with rising prices.

Despite low unemployment and rising wages, Americans have increasingly been relying on safety net programs that could come under further strain in the new year with growing demand and federal funding in jeopardy.

Over the course of 2023, funding for a range of Covid-era assistance ran out, including additional food benefits, housing support and funding for child care centers. That’s left many Americans with fewer resources in the new year to help them cope with rising prices that remain about 20% above pre-pandemic levels.

Further challenges await. One of the first items on Congress’ to-do list after returning from the winter holiday break is to take another stab at passing a budget for 2024. The current extensions to last year’s funding are set to expire in two waves — on Jan. 19 and Feb. 2 — and the spending fight could put a number of programs at risk. House Republicans are pushing for spending cuts to social programs, while Senate Democrats are unlikely to have the votes to revive pandemic-era benefits like the child tax credit or rental assistance.