Weathering the Storms: Modernizing the U.S. Benefits System to Support Household Financial Resilience

This report, "Weathering the Storms: Modernizing the U.S. Benefits System to Support Household Financial Resilience," from the Aspen Institute, addresses the issue of household financial resilience in the face of economic shocks. It argues that a modernized benefits system, including unemployment insurance and paid sick leave, is essential for households to weather financial storms. The report proposes a framework for modernizing the benefits system based on four key functions that benefits play in supporting resilience, while also highlighting opportunities for improving the accessibility, sufficiency, interoperability, and delivery of benefits. Ultimately, the report aims to foster an inclusive and equitable system of benefits that ensures the financial resilience of all households.