September 24, 2023 Your Source for Brentwood News

U.S. Poverty Rate Records First Increase in 13 Years, Census Bureau Reports

Data Shows an Alarming Surge In Poverty Among Most Vulnerable 

By Dolores Quintana

In a noteworthy development, the poverty rate in the United States marked an increase last year, according to data released by the Census Bureau. This uptick, the first in over a decade, has raised concerns about the economic well-being of Americans.

The poverty rate stood at 12.4% in late 2022, reflecting a 4.6% surge from the preceding year, as indicated by the Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM). The SPM takes into account various government programs and tax credits designed to support low-income families, offering a comprehensive view of poverty in the nation.

The Census Bureau attributed this rise in poverty primarily to the expiration of crucial pandemic-related initiatives, including refundable tax credits and stimulus payments, at the outset of 2022. The official poverty rate was surpassed by the SPM, shedding light on the vulnerability of certain segments of the population.

Of particular concern is the substantial increase in child poverty, which more than doubled from 5.2% in 2021 to 12.4% in the past year, according to census data. This surge aligns with the conclusion of the child tax credit expansion, which ceased on December 31, 2021.

President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan provided parents with monthly payments ranging from $250 to $300 per child starting in July 2021. Prior to this expansion, a significant portion of children across the country did not qualify for the full Child Tax Credit due to their families’ low incomes, according to the Center on Poverty and Social Policy at Columbia University.

President Biden, who had previously lauded the enhanced child tax credit as a means to halve child poverty, expressed strong criticism toward congressional Republicans for not extending the credit. He asserted that the recent increase in child poverty stems directly from their refusal to prolong this financial support.

“The rise reported today in child poverty is no accident—it is the result of a deliberate policy choice congressional Republicans made to block help for families with children while advancing massive tax cuts for the wealthiest and largest corporations,” stated The White House. “No child should grow up in poverty, and I will continue to fight to restore the expanded Child Tax Credit to give tens of millions of families the tax relief and breathing room they deserve.”

The Census Bureau’s data also highlighted the significant role played by Social Security in alleviating poverty. Last year, Social Security benefits allowed approximately 28.9 million individuals to rise out of SPM-defined poverty. The report recognized Social Security as the “most important antipoverty program in 2022.”

In terms of racial disparities, the official poverty rate for Black Americans decreased by 2.4%, dropping from 19.5% in 2021 to 17.1% in 2022, according to census data. Asian Americans also experienced a decline in the official poverty rate, which fell from 9.1% in 2021 to 8.6% in the past year. However, White Americans saw a modest increase of 0.5% in poverty, reaching 10.5% in 2022, as per census data.

It is important to note that the official poverty rate is calculated by comparing pre-tax income to a poverty threshold adjusted based on family composition, according to the Census Bureau.

in News
Related Posts

Join Heal the Bay for the Official Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday, September 23

September 21, 2023

September 21, 2023

Make a Difference in Your Community by Removing Trash From Our Coast By Dolores Quintana On Saturday, September 23, 2023,...

Tragic Traffic Accident of the 405 Freeway Claims a Life in the Early Morning Hours

September 21, 2023

September 21, 2023

Accident Victim Has Been Identified, Southbound Lanes of 405 Were Shutdown  By Dolores Quintana In the early morning hours of...

COVIDTests.gov to Reopen for Free Testing Starting on September 25

September 21, 2023

September 21, 2023

HHS Invests $600 Million in Domestic COVID-19 Test Manufacturing By Dolores Quintana The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services...

(Video) Citizen Public Market’s New Expanded Rooftop Bar Area

September 21, 2023

September 21, 2023

The rooftop bar’s size has been doubled and offers a relaxing and al fresco area for patrons to enjoy cocktails,...

Shake Shack Introduces Pilot Program with Eco-Friendly Oil

September 21, 2023

September 21, 2023

Zero Acre Farms to partner with Shake Shack in NYC  By Keemia Zhang Shake Shack has announced a partnership with...

Pringles and Caviar Company Introduce New Tiktok-Inspired Collaboration

September 20, 2023

September 20, 2023

TikTok Trend Spurs Special Partnership Between Brands By Keemia Zhang ​Pringles and The Caviar Co. have collaborated to produce the...

Exclusive: One of the West Coast’s Most Celebrated Ice Cream Shops To Open in Brentwood

September 20, 2023

September 20, 2023

Interview With Co-Founder Kim Malek Talks About Their Hopes For Their New Shop By Dolores Quintana It’s been six long...

Brentwood Beat: Greetings From Italy

September 19, 2023

September 19, 2023

My wife and a bunch of her friends turned 70 this year, and they celebrated by renting a villa in...

Union Solidarity Coalition Creates Charity Auction to Support Industry Workers Amidst 2023 WGA Strike

September 19, 2023

September 19, 2023

Showbiz Memorabilia, Personal Meetings, Celebrity Dogwalking Among Auction Items By Dolores Quintana The Writers Guild strike against The Alliance of...

Los Angeles Launches ERAP to Prevent Homelessness Amidst Rent Crisis

September 19, 2023

September 19, 2023

United to House Los Angeles Program Offers Vital Rental Assistance By Dolores Quintana The United to House Los Angeles (ULA)...

Phoenix House 5K Walk Fights Opioid Crisis, Raises Overdose Awareness

September 18, 2023

September 18, 2023

Inaugural Walk Seeks To Unite Community and Show Support To Families By Dolores Quintana Phoenix Houses of California, a prominent...

Brentwood Library’s Fall Lineup Brings Science and Halloween Delights

September 18, 2023

September 18, 2023

It’s the Season For the Exploration of Science, Song, and Storytime By Dolores Quintana The Brentwood Library is happy to...

(Video) The Opening of The Nimoy Theater in Westwood

September 18, 2023

September 18, 2023

Just a few glimpses of the celebration today of this new CAP UCLA venue for the performing arts. @brentwoodnewsla The...

Sought-After Brentwood Glen Gem: Traditional Home with Versatile Layout Hits Market

September 18, 2023

September 18, 2023

Clean and Bright 3-Bedroom Residence in Coveted Brentwood Neighborhood  By Dolores Quintana Ensconced in the highly-coveted Brentwood Glen, this delightful...

Los Angeles City Council Considers Zoning Changes to Accelerate Affordable Housing Development

September 18, 2023

September 18, 2023

City Council Motion Seeks to Remove Density Restrictions on Public Facilities Zones By Dolores Quintana  The City of Los Angeles...