1. Understanding More About Poverty, Monica Bogucki, B.S.W., J.D. 2015 copyright Monica Bogucki Understanding More About Poverty, Monica Bogucki, B.S.W., J.D. 2015 copyright Monica Bogucki

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

3. 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

4. Web site to online CAF application All states-links All states-links http://www.cbpp.org/1-14- 04tanf.htm http://www.cbpp.org/1-14- 04tanf.htm http://www.cbpp.org/1-14- 04tanf.htm http://www.cbpp.org/1-14- 04tanf.htm Minnesota Minnesota http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/main /groups/Economic_support/docu ments/pub/dhs_Economic_Supp ort.hcsp http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/main /groups/Economic_support/docu ments/pub/dhs_Economic_Supp ort.hcsp http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/main /groups/Economic_support/docu ments/pub/dhs_Economic_Supp ort.hcsp http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/main /groups/Economic_support/docu ments/pub/dhs_Economic_Supp ort.hcsp

5. MFIP Hypothetical Exercise MARIE

6. General Assistance Hypothetical Exercises JEREMYELLEN

7. Definitions of Poverty ➡ poverty ➡ near poverty ➡ extreme poverty

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

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

10. Facts about Poverty ✧ For a family of 3, the federal poverty line is an annual household income of $20,090.00 ✧ The extreme poverty line is $10,045.00 for a family of 3

11. 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 http://www.childrensdefense.org/child-research-data- publications/data/2011-child-poverty-in-america.pdf

12. 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

13. Wilder Research Study, May 2011 3900 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

14. 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

15. 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.

16. 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

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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

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

25. Government Benefit Programs For Families ▪ MFIP-S-monthly cash assistance program for families ▪ SNAP/Food Stamps ▪ Medical Assistance ▪ EBT Cards link in Minn. ▪ http://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Legacy/D HS-3315A-ENG

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

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

28. 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

29. Food Support or Food Stamps also known as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) National National http://www.cbpp.org http://www.cbpp.org http://www.cbpp.org Food Research and Action Center Food Research and Action Center http://www.frac.org http://www.frac.org http://www.frac.org Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-new name \

30. Food Stamp Calculator Example: Example: http://www.ndhealth.gov/dhs/foo dstampcalculator http://www.ndhealth.gov/dhs/foo dstampcalculator http://www.ndhealth.gov/dhs/foo dstampcalculator http://www.ndhealth.gov/dhs/foo dstampcalculator www.fns.usda.gov www.fns.usda.gov www.fns.usda.gov

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

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

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

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

35. 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

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

37. 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