Mapping The Social Services Market: Almost 50 Million Receive Social Support & Over $318 Billion In Spending

In 2012, non‐health social service spending in support of low‐income persons and families, individuals with disabilities, and the elderly totaled $318.2 billion in the United States. The number of individuals living in poverty increased by almost 17% between 2008 and 2012. During this same time period, the overall U.S. population increased by just over three percent.  In general, social services includes six "big players" in four categories of assistance: 1) Food – Supplemental Nutritional Assistance (SNAP); 2) Income – Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC); 3) Housing subsidies – Section 8 . . .