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I'm coming out my newborn induced Twitter break to comment on this great new piece by my colleagues Matt Saenz & Arloc Sherman on how the number of people in families with below-poverty earnings has soared, especially among Black & Latino individuals. https://www.cbpp.org/research/poverty-and-inequality/research-note-number-of-people-in-families-with-below-poverty
They find that in May 2020, there were 15 million MORE non-elderly individuals living in families with weekly earnings below the #poverty line than in Feb. 2020.
This shows the extent to which families have lost earnings & may now need government help to meet basic needs.
This shows the extent to which families have lost earnings & may now need government help to meet basic needs.
Many of these families do receive government help, so they would be above the #poverty line if the data allowed us to account for that government assistance.
However, these earnings-based poverty rates show us the large increase in need & the importance of relief measures.
However, these earnings-based poverty rates show us the large increase in need & the importance of relief measures.
These data also show how #COVID19 is widening racial disparities.
Black & Latino workers not only are overrepresented in some of the hard-hit industries but were already at a disadvantage due to long-standing inequitable policies & practices in employment, education, & housing.
Black & Latino workers not only are overrepresented in some of the hard-hit industries but were already at a disadvantage due to long-standing inequitable policies & practices in employment, education, & housing.
All racial and ethnic groups have experienced sharp earnings losses, but the share of the non-elderly population living with below-poverty earnings started higher and rose more for Black and Latino individuals than for white individuals.
Undoubtedly, relief measures have protected many of these families from poverty once that assistance is counted.
However, there’s a danger that relief provisions will expire in coming months while the need is still high. We shouldn't allow that to happen. https://www.cbpp.org/research/federal-budget/cares-act-measures-strengthening-unemployment-insurance-should-continue
However, there’s a danger that relief provisions will expire in coming months while the need is still high. We shouldn't allow that to happen. https://www.cbpp.org/research/federal-budget/cares-act-measures-strengthening-unemployment-insurance-should-continue
In addition, the previous bills left out some families & there’s a racial/ethnicity bias to who was left out.
For example, families that included an undocumented person were largely left out of the #CARESAct. The next stimulus bill should do better. https://www.cbpp.org/research/economy/future-stimulus-should-include-immigrants-and-dependents-previously-left-out
For example, families that included an undocumented person were largely left out of the #CARESAct. The next stimulus bill should do better. https://www.cbpp.org/research/economy/future-stimulus-should-include-immigrants-and-dependents-previously-left-out
The next major economic relief package should also include relief measures that will help households avert serious hardships such as eviction, homelessness, and food insecurity. https://www.cbpp.org/research/poverty-and-inequality/boost-the-safety-net-to-help-people-with-fewest-resources-pay-for
In sum, this new analysis gives us additional evidence about who has been affected by the current recession and the need for a continued strong government response.
Do check it out! https://www.cbpp.org/research/poverty-and-inequality/research-note-number-of-people-in-families-with-below-poverty
Do check it out! https://www.cbpp.org/research/poverty-and-inequality/research-note-number-of-people-in-families-with-below-poverty
