The analysis, commissioned by Senator Bernie Sanders, examined data across 11 states to track the dependence of low-wage workers on Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). While Walmart remains a primary employer of those on public benefits, Amazon’s rapid growth has placed it at the center of the controversy. Last year alone, over 12,000 Amazon workers in the surveyed regions required SNAP assistance, a program currently restricted to households earning less than 130% of the federal poverty level.
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Taxpayers Subsidize Corporate Profits as Low-Wage Workforce Relies on Aid
With Amazon profits ballooning to $77.67 billion, a new Government Accountability Office report reveals that the number of the company's employees relying on federal food and healthcare assistance has nearly tripled since 2020, fueling a growing political debate over whether the public should bankroll corporate labor costs.
Corporate representatives argue that hiring surges and the availability of part-time roles contribute to these figures, yet labor advocates counter that many employees are forced into precarious, part-time hours despite seeking full-time stability. The findings arrive alongside the rise of gig economy employers like Uber and DoorDash, which now rank among the top firms whose workers rely on safety-net programs. Senator Sanders and his staff contend that these companies prioritize stock buybacks and executive compensation while effectively offloading their payroll obligations onto the federal government.
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