1. The level of income below which a person/family is considered to be poor Cost of a minimal diet X 3 POVERTY LINE

2. 22% 12% 13% 14% 1995 197019751980 1985 19902008 2000 13% 11% U.S. Poverty Rates 13% 1959

4. Government payments in the forms of goods/services rather than cash – Food stamps – Medicaid – Housing IN-KIND TRANSFERS

5. CHARACTERISTICS OF U.S. PERSONS /FAMILIES BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL 2008 Characteristics Percentage below the Poverty Line Region South 14% Northeast 12 West 14 Midwest 12 Type of Family Headed by married couple 6 Headed by male, no wife 14 Headed by female, no husband 29 Education of Household Head No high school diploma 24 High school diploma, no college 13 Bachelor’s degrees or more 4