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This year, we’ve reformed the Index to focus on unhoused youth and young adults (YYA), aligning it with their experiences and policy needs. Shifting from harm reduction to transformative change, some jurisdictions may see lower scores than before. This is a deliberate strategy, not a setback. Lower scores should motivate, not discourage, jurisdictions. They present an opportunity to adopt policies that effectively tackle and prevent youth homelessness, fostering meaningful progress.
DCT program prevents benefits cliffs
- Income
The jurisdiction has obtained all possible benefit waivers and allows DCTs to be excluded as income to the maximum extent possible
DCT programs should do everything they can to avoid “benefit cliffs” for participants by having comprehensive waivers in place, clear governmental partners helping navigate benefits, and a commitment to minimize the risk of young people losing SNAP, housing vouchers, TANF, etc.
| Key | Metric Score | Type of Policy | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 | Best Practice | Jurisdiction has obtained multiple benefit waivers, including for SNAP, TANF, & housing subsidies and/or allows DCT to be excluded as income for all programs in jurisdiction control. | |
| 1.0 | Moderate Score | Jurisdiction has obtained some waivers and/or excludes DCTs as income for some purposes. | |
| 0.5 | Low Score | There are minimal waivers and/or DCTs are counted as income in most cases. | |
| 0.0 | Very Low Score | DCTs are always counted as income with no mitigation strategies. | |
| No Data | No Data | No Data |
Suggested Citation: National Homelessness Law Center, "Youth Homelessness Index, DCT program prevents benefits cliffs" https://youthhomelessnessindex.org/maps/dct-program-benefits/ (last visited March 3, 2026)
- DCT Programs for Youth
- DCT Program Permanency
- DCT Program Funding
- DCT Amount
- DCT Program Duration
- DCT Program Enrollment
- DCT Program Outreach
- DCT Program Supports
- DCT Program Evaluation
Explore Related Metrics
Income
Until we can finally realize an economic system that isn’t based on exploitation, access to income is a necessary part of survival for young people. Approximately 12% of children ages 14 to 17 and 20% of young adults ages 18 to 24 live in households earning or receiving less than $14,000 per year. With the average rent in United States completely out of reach for anyone below the poverty line, it is not surprising that individuals ages 18 to 25 endure the highest rates of homelessness and housing insecurity than any other age group; 1 in 10 report couch surfing or another form of homelessness at some point each year.
The United States has almost no social safety net for young adults (and a completely inadequate one for families with children or people with disabilities). There is a growing consensus, however, that the solution isn’t to create more bureaucratic programs with complicated eligibility rules but rather to directly transfer cash to the people who would benefit most and trust them to spend it on what they need.
Model Statutes:
These maps are provided as legal information only and should not be used as legal advice for your specific situation. If you need help with any of the issues described on this website, please check out the Homeless Youth Legal Network (HYLN) directory OR email or call HYLN for help finding a referral to a lawyer.
