Understanding the new 2016 U.S. Census Poverty Data

2 What is RESULTS? RESULTS is a movement of passionate, committed everyday people. Together we use our voices to influence political decisions that will bring an end to poverty.

Empowering People RESULTS volunteers receive training, support, and inspiration to become skilled advocates. 700 active volunteers in over 100 communities around the country Everyday people who want to make a difference In 2017 so far, our activists have… Met face-to-face with U.S. Representatives 128 times and senators 35 times on poverty and health care in the U.S. (349 face-to-face meetings if you include global poverty issues) Over 329 strategic media placements, including editorials, Op-eds, and letters to the editor on protecting Medicaid and other basic assistance programs (550 total if you include global poverty issues)

Hunger and Poverty in the United States New U.S. Census poverty data released September 12: The 2016 poverty rate was 12.7 percent Poverty was down nearly 1 percent between 2015-16 = 2.5 million fewer Americans in poverty 18 percent of children were below the poverty line – including 30.8 percent of Black children and 26.6 percent of Hispanic children -Recent House budgets proposed cutting SNAP by 20 percent, or $125-$150 billion (over 10 years). -93 percent of federal SNAP spending is for food, which means large SNAP budget cuts would need to come from deep benefits & eligibility cuts affecting millions -If similarly large cuts are “reconciled” to the Ag Committees, the only way to achieve it is through a block grant -House budgets also included a recommendation to block grant SNAP -Block granting SNAP would essentially end the program -Eliminates automatic response to recessions, natural disasters, rising food prices, etc. -Allows states to shift funds to other purposes

5 -Recent House budgets proposed cutting SNAP by 20 percent, or $125-$150 billion (over 10 years). -93 percent of federal SNAP spending is for food, which means large SNAP budget cuts would need to come from deep benefits & eligibility cuts affecting millions -If similarly large cuts are “reconciled” to the Ag Committees, the only way to achieve it is through a block grant -House budgets also included a recommendation to block grant SNAP -Block granting SNAP would essentially end the program -Eliminates automatic response to recessions, natural disasters, rising food prices, etc. -Allows states to shift funds to other purposes

Hunger and Poverty by Race From new U.S. Census poverty data: More than 1 in 5 Black Americans live below the poverty line Almost 1 in 4 Hispanics Only 8.8 percent of Whites This is the legacy of structural racism that created the racial wealth gap. -Recent House budgets proposed cutting SNAP by 20 percent, or $125-$150 billion (over 10 years). -93 percent of federal SNAP spending is for food, which means large SNAP budget cuts would need to come from deep benefits & eligibility cuts affecting millions -If similarly large cuts are “reconciled” to the Ag Committees, the only way to achieve it is through a block grant -House budgets also included a recommendation to block grant SNAP -Block granting SNAP would essentially end the program -Eliminates automatic response to recessions, natural disasters, rising food prices, etc. -Allows states to shift funds to other purposes

New USDA Data: Food Insecurity 7 New USDA Data: Food Insecurity 4.6 mil SNAP lifted 4.6 mil people out of poverty, including 2.1 million in 2015 http://www.cbpp.org/research/snap-error-rates-at-all-time-lows?fa=view&id=4159 http://www.cbpp.org/research/food-assistance/chart-book-snap-helps-struggling-families-put-food-on-the-table#part7 http://www.results.org/issues/supplemental_nutrition_assistance_program/

New USDA Data: Food Insecurity 8 New USDA Data: Food Insecurity 4.6 mil SNAP lifted 4.6 mil people out of poverty, including 2.1 million in 2015 http://www.cbpp.org/research/snap-error-rates-at-all-time-lows?fa=view&id=4159 http://www.cbpp.org/research/food-assistance/chart-book-snap-helps-struggling-families-put-food-on-the-table#part7 http://www.results.org/issues/supplemental_nutrition_assistance_program/

Health Coverage Data -Recent House budgets proposed cutting SNAP by 20 percent, or $125-$150 billion (over 10 years). -93 percent of federal SNAP spending is for food, which means large SNAP budget cuts would need to come from deep benefits & eligibility cuts affecting millions -If similarly large cuts are “reconciled” to the Ag Committees, the only way to achieve it is through a block grant -House budgets also included a recommendation to block grant SNAP -Block granting SNAP would essentially end the program -Eliminates automatic response to recessions, natural disasters, rising food prices, etc. -Allows states to shift funds to other purposes The data also shows that the uninsured rate dropped to 8.8 percent from 9.1 percent in 2015 (about 900,000 fewer uninsured Americans).

New Data: Impact of the ACA and Medicaid If all 50 states expanded Medicaid, 4 million more Americans would have health coverage. -Recent House budgets proposed cutting SNAP by 20 percent, or $125-$150 billion (over 10 years). -93 percent of federal SNAP spending is for food, which means large SNAP budget cuts would need to come from deep benefits & eligibility cuts affecting millions -If similarly large cuts are “reconciled” to the Ag Committees, the only way to achieve it is through a block grant -House budgets also included a recommendation to block grant SNAP -Block granting SNAP would essentially end the program -Eliminates automatic response to recessions, natural disasters, rising food prices, etc. -Allows states to shift funds to other purposes

Anti-Poverty Programs Make an Impact!

Budget Fight Puts Anti-Poverty Programs at Risk House budget leaders want to deep cuts to entitlement programs, including “fast-track” reconciliation cuts, in their 2018 budget Targets are SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, SSDI, EITC, CTC, among others House may vote on their budget resolution later in September Senate may vote on their budget in early October

Meanwhile, Inequality on the Rise

Submit a Letter to the Editor about the New Poverty Data Use the 2016 Poverty Data release as a hook to write your own letter to the editor and get it published. Take the sample text below, personalize it, and submit it to your local paper. To the editor: New census data shows that more than 1 in 8 Americans are living at or below the poverty line. So why are some members of Congress taking aim at the very federal programs that help working families put food on the table and obtain other basics to survive? SNAP (formerly food stamps) lifted 3.6 million out of poverty last year and the Earned Income and Child Tax Credits lifted 8.2 million people out. Gutting these programs - and many others, including Medicare and Medicaid - to pay for tax cuts for millionaires and big corporations is unconscionable. I hope I can count on our members of Congress to stand with families and kids here in our state and reject these reckless tax giveaways. [YOUR NAME and CONTACT INFO] RESULTS U.S. Poverty National Webinar

More Resources: Poverty Data

More Resources: Poverty Data

More Resources: Poverty Data If just 3 of Trump’s budget cuts had been in place in 2015 (like his cuts to SNAP, right), 2.3 million more Americans would have been below the poverty line

House Budget Proposal Attacks SNAP and Medicaid House FY 2018 budget proposal includes $150 billion in cuts to SNAP, including $10 billion in “fast track” cuts (via reconciliation instructions) Cuts 20 percent over 10 years Cuts are deeper in latter half of decade The Farm Bill, which funds SNAP, is also up for reauthorization in 2018 and could cut SNAP The House budget would cut funding for Medicaid and other health care programs by $1.5 trillion over 10 years Larger cuts than AHCA Uses budget reconciliation to “fast track" at least $20 billion in cuts to Medicaid

Federal Programs are Key in Fighting Hunger

SNAP (formerly Food Stamps) SNAP is the first line of defense against hunger in America It is one of the most efficient government programs More than 99 percent of benefits go to eligible households In 2016, SNAP lifted nearly 3.6 million people above the poverty line Serves over 41 million people per month 3.6 mil SNAP lifted 3.6 mil people out of poverty in 2016 http://www.cbpp.org/research/snap-error-rates-at-all-time-lows?fa=view&id=4159 http://www.cbpp.org/research/food-assistance/chart-book-snap-helps-struggling-families-put-food-on-the-table#part7 http://www.results.org/issues/supplemental_nutrition_assistance_program/

SNAP (formerly Food Stamps) Participation 3.6 mil SNAP lifted 3.6 mil people out of poverty in 2016 http://www.cbpp.org/research/snap-error-rates-at-all-time-lows?fa=view&id=4159 http://www.cbpp.org/research/food-assistance/chart-book-snap-helps-struggling-families-put-food-on-the-table#part7 http://www.results.org/issues/supplemental_nutrition_assistance_program/

You can be EPIC! ENGAGE the listener into the conversation Use the EPIC Laser Talk to help you create a powerful message ENGAGE the listener into the conversation Identify the PROBLEM you want them to address INFORM (or ILLUSTRATE) about the solution to the problem State a clear and specific CALL TO ACTION

RESULTS Advocacy Training 23 E = Engage Engage: Engage the listener into your conversation with a shocking statistic or by thanking them for something specific. (1-2 sentences) New Census data shows that more than one in eight Americans are living below the poverty line. RESULTS Advocacy Training

RESULTS Advocacy Training 24 P = Problem Problem: Specifically identify the problem they can address. (1-2 sentences) Yet, Congress is proposing to cut basic assistance programs such as SNAP (formerly food stamps), Medicaid, and the Earned Income Tax Credit to pay for more tax cuts for the wealthy. RESULTS Advocacy Training

I = Inform or Illustrate 25 I = Inform or Illustrate Inform/Illustrate: Inform the listener about the solution to the problem and/or share a story that shows what the problem or success can look like. Good place for a story. In 2016, the EITC (combined with the Child Tax Credit) lifted 8.2 million people out of poverty. SNAP lifted 3.6 million people out of poverty. These programs are a lifeline for hard-working Americans just trying to make ends meet. [Include a story if you can!] We should not cut anti-poverty programs to pay for tax cuts for the rich millionaires and wealthy corporations. RESULTS Advocacy Training

RESULTS Advocacy Training 26 C = Call to Action Call to Action: Make a specific, targeted request in the form of a YES or NO question. Will you vote NO on any budget proposal that cuts funding for basic assistance programs like Medicaid, SNAP, and the EITC to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations? RESULTS Advocacy Training

27 EPIC Laser Talk Now you try

Make a Phone Call to Your Members of Congress Call the congressional switchboard at (202) 224-3121 or find direct numbers at: http://capwiz.com/results/dbq/officials/ and leave this message (or your version of it). Hi, my name is _____ and I’m a constituent. My zip code is _____. I’m calling to ask Rep./Sen. __________________ to oppose a bad budget deal. New Census data shows that more than one in eight Americans are living below the poverty line. Yet, Congress is proposing to huge tax cuts for the wealthy and big corporations that would put basic assistance programs such as SNAP (formerly food stamps), Medicaid, and the Earned Income Tax Credit at risk. These programs are a lifeline for hard-working Americans just trying to make ends meet and Congress must not use them as an ATM for reckless tax cuts. Will you please tell the representative/senator to vote NO on any budget that cuts funding for basic assistance programs like Medicaid and SNAP to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations? Don’t be afraid to adjust, make it your own, and talk about your OWN reasons for caring about tax fairness!

RESULTS Advocacy Resources 29 RESULTS Advocacy Resources RESULTS: www.results.org Take Action Now: http://www.results.org/take-action/action- center?vvsrc=%2fCampaigns Activist Toolkit: http://www.results.org/skills_center/activist_toolkit/ Local Contact Name Local Contact Info RESULTS Advocacy Training