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University of Wisconsin–Madison
Poverty-related issues in the news, from the Institute for Research on Poverty

Day: September 23, 2010

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Hawaii

Food stamp eligibility expands, By Mary Vorsino, September 23, 2010, Honolulu Star Advertiser: “About 22,000 more Hawaii residents will be eligible for food stamps starting next month, when the state changes the income cut off for the benefits to up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level — the maximum allowed for the program. The change will further boost participation in a program that has seen skyrocketing growth in recent years and now serves more than 10 percent of the state’s population. Under the changes, a family of four could earn up to $50,736 a year and still qualify for food stamps, formally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Now, food stamp recipients can earn up to 130 percent of the poverty level (or $32,976 for a family of four)…”

State Unemployment Rates

Unemployment rises in 27 states, By Christopher S. Rugaber (AP), September 21, 2010, Houston Chronicle: “More than half of U.S. states saw their unemployment rates rise in August, the largest number in six months, as hiring weakened across the country. The jobless rate increased in 27 states last month, including Texas, the Labor Department said Tuesday. It fell in 13 and was unchanged in 10 states and Washington, D.C. That’s worse than the previous month, when the rate increased in only 14 states and fell in 18. It’s also the most states to see an increase since February…”

Child Care Subsidies – New Mexico

State officials cut $13.5M from Child Care Assistance Service program, By Elizabeth Piazza, September 21, 2010, Farmington Daily Times: “Hundreds of families in San Juan County could find themselves without child care after state officials cut $13.5 million from the Child Care Assistance Service program. Officials from the New Mexico Human Services Department announced that beginning Nov. 1, families who fall above the federal poverty level, which is based on number of people living in a household and income level, will no longer be eligible for state assistance to pay for child care, said Katherine Slater-Huff, department spokeswoman. ‘We are looking at and trying to balance the needs of all participants who receive services from the many TANF-funded programs,’ Slater-Huff said of the department’s decision to cut child care funding. The child care assistance service program is funded by TANF, an acronym for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. The child care cuts come as a result of a $28 million shortfall for the TANF program, Slater-Huff said…”