What Do Low Income Families Struggle With?
- Author: Bryan Miller
- Posted: 2024-07-31
For the average family, nearly half of expenditures are devoted to food, transportation, and other necessities. That means that nearly four-fifths of these households are facing a variety of stresses. And these stressors are compounding, pushing families deeper into poverty. The impact on their rights is substantial. But it doesn't have to be this way. There are a number of resources that can help families make ends meet.
A recent study by Jonathan J. Morduch, Professor of Public Policy and Economics at New York University's Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, and Julie Siwicki, Director of the Aspen Institute's Financial Security Program, found that almost every household between 100 percent and 150 percent of the poverty line fell back into poverty at least once a year. And a third of families earning twice the poverty level did so during the year. And this is only the beginning. Low-income families need comprehensive rescue plans that address their unique needs.
Government programs are another source of assistance for low-income families with minor children. These programs can provide cash assistance, food, and even medical treatment. TANF, also known as welfare, is funded by the Department of Health and Human Services. In addition to providing food, utilities, and housing assistance, this program also supports work support. Some states extend TANF assistance beyond sixty months, which is the most common length of eligibility.