Understanding More About Poverty, Monica Bogucki, B.S.W., J.D copyright Monica Bogucki Understanding More About Poverty, Monica Bogucki, B.S.W., J.D copyright Monica Bogucki

Where do you apply for government benefits? ▪ Most program are administered by ▪ County Welfare Departments ▪ County Departments of Economic Assistance ▪ County Social Service Agencies

What is a Combined Application Form? ▪ Combined Application Form part 1 (CAF 1) ▪ Establishes the application date ▪ Combined Application Form part 2 (CAF 2) ▪ Determines your eligibility for a number of programs such as ▪ MFIP-S, medical assistance, SNAP, Minnesota Supplemental Aid ▪ General Assistance

Web site to online CAF application All states-links All states-links 04tanf.htm 04tanf.htm 04tanf.htm 04tanf.htm Minnesota Minnesota /groups/Economic_support/docu ments/pub/dhs_Economic_Supp ort.hcsp /groups/Economic_support/docu ments/pub/dhs_Economic_Supp ort.hcsp /groups/Economic_support/docu ments/pub/dhs_Economic_Supp ort.hcsp /groups/Economic_support/docu ments/pub/dhs_Economic_Supp ort.hcsp

MFIP Hypothetical Exercise MARIE

General Assistance Hypothetical Exercises JEREMYELLEN

Definitions of Poverty ➡ poverty ➡ near poverty ➡ extreme poverty

Poverty Definition Federal Poverty Guideline Federal Poverty Guideline Published in the Federal Register Published in the Federal Register

Extreme Poverty Definition 50% of the Federal Poverty Guideline 50% of the Federal Poverty Guideline

Facts about Poverty ✧ For a family of 3, the federal poverty line is an annual household income of $20, ✧ The extreme poverty line is $10, for a family of 3

The Face of Childhood Poverty ✧ 25% of children under age six live in poverty ✧ 48% of all children under age six were LIVING IN OR NEAR POVERTY ✧ In the US, 21% of all children live in poverty ✧ 10% of American children lived in EXTREME poverty Children’s Defense Fund P “Every fifth child (16.1 million) is poor, and every tenth child (7.1 million) is extremely poverty”, The State of American Children by Children’s Defense Fund publications/data/2011-child-poverty-in-america.pdf

Minnesota Poverty In Minnesota, 15 % of all children live in poverty In Minnesota, 15 % of all children live in poverty In Minnesota, 31 % of children live in single parent low income families In Minnesota, 31 % of children live in single parent low income families Kids Count report by Children’s Defense Fund

Wilder Research Study, May homeless children per night 3900 homeless children per night 50% of these children are 5 years old or younger 50% of these children are 5 years old or younger 24% of the parents were recently laid off 24% of the parents were recently laid off

Who are the homeless? ▪ 37% are families with children ▪ 25-42% work ▪ 25-30% have mental health impairments ▪ 30% are veterans ▪ 50% homeless women and children have experienced domestic violence ▪ Many are unaccompanied minors ▪ National Coalition for the Homeless ▪ National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty

Impact of Homelessness on Children It takes an several months for a child to recover academically from a change in schools. ▪ Children with insecurity housing show increased signs of anxiety and depression.

Multiple Obstacles Families and Children Face While Living in Poverty CIRCLE OF POVERTY ▪ Homeless Teens ▪ Community and Family Support ▪ Domestic Abuse ▪ Education ▪ Transportation ▪ Consumer ▪ Housing

More Obstacles ▪ Child Care ▪ Health Care-Physical ▪ Health Care-Mental ▪ Employment and Training ▪ Personal

For Families: ▪Increase safety nets for families ▪Affordable and safe housing ▪Affordable and safe child care ▪Government benefit programs need to be designed as anti-poverty programs Areas for Growth

Needs for Parents Improved income levels through tax credits and increased minimum wage Improved income levels through tax credits and increased minimum wage Reliable Transportation Reliable Transportation Improved bus schedules to accommodate parents’ work schedules Improved bus schedules to accommodate parents’ work schedules Provide programs where parents can purchase reliable transportation Provide programs where parents can purchase reliable transportation Availability of affordable auto insurance Availability of affordable auto insurance Living Wage Living Wage

Health Care Needs: ▪Health insurance for children and parents ▪Mental Health needs –More affordable mental health services available –Health plans should include increased coverage for mental health services –Decrease Stigma about mental health –Increase public education and awareness of mental health

Food and Nutrition Food stamp levels should be increased to ensure proper nutrition to families and children Increase the WIC program Increase funding to school lunch programs

Educational Needs: ▪Special Education needs to be fully funded and available ▪Need to establish ways that homeless children can continue in the same schools even though the family may have to move several times ▪School programs should encourage family and community involvement to help provide a support network for students and families

Welfare Reform ▪ In 1996, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act passed which created the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) federal level ▪ Minnesota Family Investment Program ▪ MFIP-S, Minn. Stat. 256J et. seq. ▪ 5 year time limit-starting in July 1997

Eligibility for Government Benefit Program ▪ Categorical Eligibility ▪ For example, have a minor child for MFIP- S ▪ Financial Eligibility ▪ Income ▪ Assets

Government Benefit Programs For Families ▪ MFIP-S-monthly cash assistance program for families ▪ SNAP/Food Stamps ▪ Medical Assistance ▪ EBT Cards link in Minn. ▪ HS-3315A-ENG

Government Benefit Programs ▪ General Assistance ▪ SNAP/Food Stamps ▪ General Assistance Medical Coverage ▪ For individual or couples without children

Government Benefit Programs for Emergencies ▪ MFIP-Emergency Assistance ▪ Emergency General Assistance

Poverty has indirect costs Child poverty costs the nation at least $500 billion each year in extra education, health and Child poverty costs the nation at least $500 billion each year in extra education, health and criminal justice costs and in lost productivity. State of the Children by Children’s Defense Fund, 2014

Food Support or Food Stamps also known as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) National National Food Research and Action Center Food Research and Action Center Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-new name \

Food Stamp Calculator Example: Example: dstampcalculator dstampcalculator dstampcalculator dstampcalculator

What kinds of emergencies do these programs cover? ▪ Mortgage foreclosure ▪ Eviction ▪ Damage deposit ▪ First and last months rent

▪ Utility shut-off ▪ Homeless shelter ▪ Broken furnace ▪ Fire ▪ Flood ▪ Other health and safety repairs on the house Emergency Assistance

Disability Programs through Social Security Administration ▪ Supplemental Security Income Program (SSI) ▪ Retirement, Survivors, Disability Insurance (RSDI)

Low Income Families Who are Working ▪ May qualify for programs such as: ▪ Food stamps ▪ Minnesota Care ▪ Emergency Assistance

Appeal Rights Client has a right to appeal most unfavorable actions such as: ▪ Termination of benefits ▪ Reduction of benefits ▪ Suspension of benefits ▪ Delay in processing benefits ▪ Sanctions

Appeal Time lines ▪ Vary by program ▪ Must move quickly to get continued benefits pending appeal

Clients may have many workers ▪ Financial worker ▪ Job counselor ▪ Child care provider ▪ Child care subsidy worker ▪ School, special education ▪ Court system: Social workers, Probation officers ▸ Child protection workers