Understanding More Understanding More About Poverty,About Poverty,

Monica Bogucki, B.S.W., Monica Bogucki, B.S.W., J.D. J.D.

2007 copyright Monica 2007 copyright Monica BoguckiBogucki

Where do you apply for government Where do you apply for government benefits?benefits?

▪Most program are administered byMost program are administered by▪County Welfare DepartmentsCounty Welfare Departments▪County Departments of Economic AssistanceCounty Departments of Economic Assistance▪County Social Service AgenciesCounty Social Service Agencies

What is a Combined Application Form?What is a Combined Application Form?

▪Combined Application Form part 1 (CAF 1)Combined Application Form part 1 (CAF 1)▪Establishes the application dateEstablishes the application date▪Combined Application Form part 2 (CAF 2)Combined Application Form part 2 (CAF 2)▪Determines your eligibility for a number of Determines your eligibility for a number of

programs such asprograms such as▪MFIP-S, medical assistance, food stamps. MFIP-S, medical assistance, food stamps.

Minnesota Supplemental AidMinnesota Supplemental Aid▪General AssistanceGeneral Assistance

Web site to online CAF Web site to online CAF applicationapplication

All states-linksAll states-links http://www.cbpp.org/1-14-04tanfhttp://www.cbpp.org/1-14-04tanf

.htm.htm MinnesotaMinnesota http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/mainhttp://www.dhs.state.mn.us/main

/groups/Economic_support/docu/groups/Economic_support/documents/pub/dhs_Economic_Suppments/pub/dhs_Economic_Support.hcsport.hcsp

MFIP Hypothetical ExerciseMFIP Hypothetical Exercise

MARIEMARIE

General Assistance Hypothetical General Assistance Hypothetical ExercisesExercises

JEREMYJEREMY

ELLENELLEN

Definitions of PovertyDefinitions of Poverty

➡ ➡ povertypoverty

➡ ➡ near povertynear poverty

➡ ➡ extreme povertyextreme poverty

Facts about PovertyFacts about Poverty

✧ ✧ For a family of 3, the federal poverty line is an For a family of 3, the federal poverty line is an annual household income of $17,170.00annual household income of $17,170.00

✧ ✧ The The extremeextreme poverty line is $8,585.00 for a poverty line is $8,585.00 for a family of 3family of 3

The Face of Childhood PovertyThe Face of Childhood Poverty

✧ ✧ 21.6% of children under age six live in poverty21.6% of children under age six live in poverty

✧ ✧ 43% of all children under age six were LIVING IN 43% of all children under age six were LIVING IN OR NEAR POVERTYOR NEAR POVERTY

✧ ✧ In Minnesota, 11.7% of all children live in povertyIn Minnesota, 11.7% of all children live in poverty

✧ ✧ In the US, 19.9% of all children live in povertyIn the US, 19.9% of all children live in poverty

✧✧10% of American children lived in EXTREME poverty10% of American children lived in EXTREME poverty

HomelessnessHomelessnessWilder Research Center2006 Research Report

▪At least 9,300 people were precariously At least 9,300 people were precariously housed in Minnesotahoused in Minnesota

▪28% of the homeless adults are working full or 28% of the homeless adults are working full or part-timepart-time

▪Average cost of a one-bedroom apartment in Average cost of a one-bedroom apartment in the Twin Cities area is $ 707 and $858 for a two the Twin Cities area is $ 707 and $858 for a two bedroombedroom

104 people died while homeless in 104 people died while homeless in Minn. (2004)Minn. (2004)

▪126 people died while homeless in Minn. 126 people died while homeless in Minn. ▪The age range from infant to 82 years old-The age range from infant to 82 years old-

20032003▪73 people died while homeless in Minnesota 73 people died while homeless in Minnesota

in 1999in 1999▪The ages range from 5 weeks to 84 years old.The ages range from 5 weeks to 84 years old.

104 people died while homeless in 104 people died while homeless in Minn. (2004)Minn. (2004)

▪85 people died while homeless in Minnesota 85 people died while homeless in Minnesota in 2001in 2001

▪The ages range from 3 months to 70 years The ages range from 3 months to 70 years oldold

Who are the homeless?Who are the homeless?25-40% work

▪37% are families with children37% are families with children▪The average age of a homeless person in the The average age of a homeless person in the

United States is NINE YEARS OLDUnited States is NINE YEARS OLD▪25-30% have mental health impairments25-30% have mental health impairments▪30% are veterans30% are veterans▪50% homeless women and children have 50% homeless women and children have

experienced domestic violenceexperienced domestic violence▪Many are unaccompanied minorsMany are unaccompanied minors

Impact of Homelessness on ChildrenImpact of Homelessness on ChildrenIt takes an average of 4-6 months for a child to recover

academically from a change in schools.

▪66% of students who missed 20 or more 66% of students who missed 20 or more schoolschool

▪days during first, second and third grade drop days during first, second and third grade drop out of schoolout of school

▪50% of all children in shelter show signs of 50% of all children in shelter show signs of anxiety and depressionanxiety and depression

▪10% of all elementary age school children in 10% of all elementary age school children in Minneapolis experience homelessness each Minneapolis experience homelessness each yearyear

Multiple Obstacles Families and Multiple Obstacles Families and Children Face While Living in PovertyChildren Face While Living in Poverty

CIRCLE OF POVERTY

▪Homeless TeensHomeless Teens▪Community and Family SupportCommunity and Family Support▪Domestic AbuseDomestic Abuse▪EducationEducation▪TransportationTransportation▪ConsumerConsumer▪HousingHousing

More ObstaclesMore Obstacles

▪Child CareChild Care▪Health Care-PhysicalHealth Care-Physical▪Health Care-MentalHealth Care-Mental▪Employment and TrainingEmployment and Training▪PersonalPersonal

What Needs to be Done for ChildrenWhat Needs to be Done for ChildrenFor Families: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

Needs for ParentsNeeds for Parents

Improved income levels through tax Improved income levels through tax credits and increased minimum credits and increased minimum wagewage

Reliable TransportationReliable Transportation Improved bus schedules to Improved bus schedules to

accommodate parents’ work accommodate parents’ work schedulesschedules

Provide programs where parents can Provide programs where parents can purchase reliable transportationpurchase reliable transportation

Availability of affordable auto Availability of affordable auto insuranceinsurance

Health Care Needs: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: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 ReformWelfare Reform

▪In 1996, the Personal Responsibility and In 1996, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act passedWork Opportunity Act passed

▪Minnesota Family Investment ProgramMinnesota Family Investment Program▪MFIP-SMFIP-S▪5 year time limit-starting in July 19975 year time limit-starting in July 1997▪Some families will hit their time limit in Some families will hit their time limit in

July 2002July 2002

Eligibility for Government Benefit Eligibility for Government Benefit ProgramProgram

▪Categorical EligibilityCategorical Eligibility▪For example, have a minor child for For example, have a minor child for ▪MFIP- SMFIP- S▪Financial EligibilityFinancial Eligibility▪IncomeIncome▪AssetsAssets

Government Benefit ProgramsGovernment Benefit ProgramsFor Families

▪MFIP-S-monthly cash assistance program for MFIP-S-monthly cash assistance program for familiesfamilies

▪Food StampsFood Stamps▪Medical AssistanceMedical Assistance

Government Benefit Programs Government Benefit Programs

▪General AssistanceGeneral Assistance▪Food Stamps Food Stamps ▪General Assistance Medical General Assistance Medical

CoverageCoverage

▪For individual or couples For individual or couples without childrenwithout children

Government Benefit Programs for Government Benefit Programs for EmergenciesEmergencies

▪MFIP-Emergency AssistanceMFIP-Emergency Assistance▪Emergency General AssistanceEmergency General Assistance▪Emergency Minnesota Emergency Minnesota

Supplemental AssistanceSupplemental Assistance

What kinds of emergencies do these What kinds of emergencies do these programs cover?programs cover?

▪Mortgage foreclosureMortgage foreclosure▪EvictionEviction▪Damage depositDamage deposit▪First and last months rentFirst and last months rent

More EmergenciesMore Emergencies

▪Utility shut-offUtility shut-off▪Homeless shelterHomeless shelter▪Broken furnaceBroken furnace▪FireFire▪FloodFlood▪Other health and safety repairs on the houseOther health and safety repairs on the house

Disability Programs through Social Disability Programs through Social Security AdministrationSecurity Administration

▪Supplemental Security Income Program (SSI)Supplemental Security Income Program (SSI)▪Retirement, Survivors, Disability Insurance Retirement, Survivors, Disability Insurance

(RSDI)(RSDI)

Low Income Families Who are WorkingLow Income Families Who are Working

▪May qualify for programs such as:May qualify for programs such as:▪Food stampsFood stamps▪Minnesota CareMinnesota Care▪Emergency AssistanceEmergency Assistance

Appeal RightsAppeal RightsClient has a right to appeal most unfavorable actions such as:

▪Termination of benefitsTermination of benefits▪Reduction of benefitsReduction of benefits▪Suspension of benefitsSuspension of benefits▪Delay in processing benefitsDelay in processing benefits▪SanctionsSanctions

Appeal Time linesAppeal Time lines

▪Vary by program Vary by program ▪Must move quickly to get continued benefits Must move quickly to get continued benefits

pending appealpending appeal

Clients may have many workersClients may have many workers

▪Financial workerFinancial worker▪Job counselorJob counselor▪Child care providerChild care provider▪Child care subsidy workerChild care subsidy worker▪School, special educationSchool, special education▪Court system: Social workers, Probation Court system: Social workers, Probation

officersofficers▸Child protection workersChild protection workers