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

May 22, 2020

In Mississippi, families of COVID-19 victims say poverty and race determine their survival.

 

Many Jobs May Vanish Forever as Layoffs Mount
With over 38 million U.S. unemployment claims in nine weeks, one economist says the situation is “grimmer than we thought.”

 

Nearly three million new unemployment claims brought the two-month total to more than 36 million, even with some still frustrated in seeking benefits.

 

Millions of Americans are relying on unemployment benefits for their livelihoods after losing their jobs to the coronavirus crisis.

 

The CARES Act is providing extra money on top of usual unemployment checks.

 

Growing numbers of parents dont know when or where their childrens next meals will come from, said Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand.

 

Plans aims to aid low-income renters with alternatives to upfront costs

 

There’s only one major stop along Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor where minimum wage earners are guaranteed an income below the federally defined poverty line.

 

Visits help biological parents maintain bonds with their children.

 

At-risk children need foster care during COVID-19, so local child welfare agencies provide resources to help foster parents accept new kids

 

The death of a 16-year-old boy in Michigan highlights one of the many problems America’s foster care system faces amid the coronavirus pandemic.