Washington state pays the highest maximum weekly unemployment benefit in the country — $1,208 a week for new claims filed on or after July 5, 2026 — more than double what many other states offer, according to state-by-state benefit data. Why Washington Tops the List Unemployment insurance is run state by state, not federally, so […]
LIHEAP received full funding for fiscal year 2026 — about $4.05 billion, roughly $20 million more than the prior year — after Congress rejected proposals to eliminate the program. But advocates warn it faces another elimination push in the FY2027 budget process. FY2026 Funding Is Fully Released The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services […]
The VA’s disability compensation and pension claims backlog fell below 70,000 for the first time since February 2020, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced, marking a more than 74% reduction since January 20, 2025. What the VA Actually Reported The VA defines the "backlog" as claims that have been pending for longer than 125 days […]
The Child Tax Credit rose to $2,200 per child and the Earned Income Tax Credit rose to as much as $8,231 for 2026, after the "One Big Beautiful Bill" signed in July 2025 permanently raised the CTC and indexed it to inflation for the first time. What Changed for the Child Tax Credit The maximum […]
Enhanced ACA marketplace premium tax credits expired at the end of 2025, and the impact is now showing up in 2026 bills — average monthly premium payments after tax credits rose 58% for enrollees who kept the same plan, with some estimates putting the increase over 100% for certain subsidized households. What Actually Expired The […]
Medicaid work requirement provisions from the 2025 federal reconciliation law take effect nationally on July 31, 2026, following a public comment period, with Arkansas already running a soft launch of its own version since July 1. What Takes Effect July 31 Under the federal law, Medicaid expansion enrollees in states that adopted the expansion generally […]
The Social Security Administration announced new online self-service tools for disability claims on July 21, 2026, giving SSDI and SSI applicants more visibility into their case status through my Social Security instead of relying solely on phone calls or mailed notices. What the SSA Actually Announced On July 21, 2026, the SSA said it is […]
The early estimate for Social Security’s 2027 cost-of-living adjustment has cooled to roughly 3.7-3.8% as of mid-July 2026, down from earlier-year projections, as inflation eased from its spring peak. The official number won’t be confirmed until October. Where the Estimate Stands Now Independent Social Security analysts — including The Senior Citizens League and former SSA […]
The WIC program’s new income eligibility guidelines took effect July 1, 2026, and the program remains fully funded through September 30, 2026 after Congress protected its cash-value fruit and vegetable benefit in a November 2025 spending deal. New Income Guidelines Effective July 1 State health departments began applying updated WIC income guidelines on July 1, […]
Florida became the first state to bar SNAP recipients from buying soda, energy drinks, candy, and ultra-processed shelf-stable desserts with food benefits, under a federal waiver that took effect April 20, 2026. What the Waiver Restricts Under Florida’s approved SNAP waiver, benefits can no longer be used to buy a defined list of items: soda, […]