The decision to purchase a home often is made without complete information concerning the structural soundness of the dwelling or the condition of its mechanical systems.This paper presents detailed information on the nature and magnitude of unanticipated home repair costs on the basis of data...

Findings of the first comprehensive government study of the Emergency Food Assistance System (EFAS) suggest that public and private food assistance may work in tandem to provide more comprehensive food assistance than either could provide by itself. Five major types of organizations (emergency...

Findings of the first comprehensive government study of the Emergency Food Assistance System (EFAS) suggest that public and private food assistance may work in tandem to provide more comprehensive food assistance than either could provide by itself. Five major types of organizations (emergency...

Direct certification simplifies the process of certifying certain children for free school meals by eliminating the need for households to apply. The 2004 Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act required all local educations agencies (LEAs) to establish a system of direct certification by...

Discusses the diverse capacities and vulnerabilities of different groups of Medicare beneficiaries and how well current information strategies address their needs. Notes that policymakers should be aware of this diversity and the need for transitional and targeted education strategies to reach...

The Food Stamp Program provides assistance to millions of families each month. This report examines how long families tend to receive food stamps, and what circumstances lead them to enter and exit the program. About half the families that begin receiving benefits participate for eight months or...

This report contains the findings of a committee charged with reviewing the HIPAA privacy rule and its impact on health research. The committee found that the rule does not adequately protect the privacy of people’s personal health information and hinders important health research. It...