The Geography of Government Benefits

The share of Americans’ income that comes from government benefit programs, like Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, more than doubled over the last four decades, rising from 8 percent in 1969 to 18 percent in 2009. Related Article »

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All Government BenefitsACCOUNTS FOR17.6%OF PERSONAL INCOME IN 2009Government payments to individuals in more than 50 benefit programs, from food stamps to Medicare.

• 10%
• 20%
• 30%
• 40%

Social SecurityACCOUNTS FOR5.6%OF PERSONAL INCOME IN 2009Pensions for older workers and survivors, workers' compensation.

• 3%
• 6%
• 9%
• 12%

MedicareACCOUNTS FOR4.1%OF PERSONAL INCOME IN 2009Health care reimbursements, mostly for the elderly.

• 2%
• 4%
• 6%
• 8%

MedicaidACCOUNTS FOR3.1%OF PERSONAL INCOME IN 2009Health care reimbursements for low-income adults and children.

• 2%
• 4%
• 6%
• 8%

Income SupportACCOUNTS FOR1.9%OF PERSONAL INCOME IN 2009Aid to low-income families, food stamps, disability payments and the earned-income tax credit.

• 1%
• 2%
• 3%
• 4%

Veterans BenefitsACCOUNTS FOR0.4%OF PERSONAL INCOME IN 2009Medical care and pensions for veterans.

• 1%
• 1.5%
• 2%
• 2.5%

Unemployment InsuranceACCOUNTS FOR1.1%OF PERSONAL INCOME IN 2009Direct payments to those who have recently lost jobs, which spiked after 2008.

• 0.5%
• 1%
• 1.5%
• 2%

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   Seattle

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   San Francisco

   Los Angeles

   Portland

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   Dallas

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   Miami

   Atlanta

   Chicago

   Louisville

   Raleigh

   Memphis

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