Understanding More About Poverty, Monica Bogucki, B. S. W. , J. D Understanding More About Poverty, Monica Bogucki, B.S.W., J.D. 2008 copyright Monica Bogucki

Where do you apply for government benefits? Most program are administered by County Welfare Departments County Departments of Economic Assistance County Social Service Agencies

What is a Combined Application Form? Combined Application Form part 1 (CAF 1) Establishes the application date Combined Application Form part 2 (CAF 2) Determines your eligibility for a number of programs such as MFIP-S, medical assistance, food stamps. Minnesota Supplemental Aid General Assistance

Web site to online CAF application All states-links http://www.cbpp.org/1-14-04tanf.htm Minnesota http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/main/groups/Economic_support/documents/pub/dhs_Economic_Support.hcsp Minn. Stat. 256.962 (2007) Minnesota Health Care applications must be made available at provider offices, local human services agencies, school districts, publis and private elementary schools in which 25% or more receive free/reduced lunch, community health offices, WIC program sites, Head Start sites, Public Housing council, child care centers, early childhood education, preschool program, legal aid offices, libraries, Must be made available in other languages, Human services agencies, hospitals and health care community clinics receiving state funds must provide dire assistance in filing out the form. Minn. Stat. sec. 54 of the Omnibus Bill 2007 Minnesota Food Support programs must provide simplified forms, and allow individuals to do face to face interview without taking time off from work.

MFIP Hypothetical Exercise MARIE

General Assistance Hypothetical Exercises JEREMY ELLEN

Definitions of Poverty ➡ near poverty ➡ extreme poverty

✧ The extreme poverty line is $8,800.00 for a family of 3 Facts about Poverty ✧ For a family of 3, the federal poverty line is an annual household income of $17,600.00 ✧ The extreme poverty line is $8,800.00 for a family of 3 Extreme poverty is defined as ½ of the federal poverty guideline. www.nccp.org 35.8 million Americans live in extreme poverty of those 12.9 million are children www.strenght.org

The Face of Childhood Poverty ✧ 20% of children under age six live in poverty ✧ 43% of all children under age six were LIVING IN OR NEAR POVERTY ✧ In Minnesota, 10% of all children live in poverty ✧ In the US, 17% of all children live in poverty ✧10% of American children lived in EXTREME poverty Children’s Defense Fund; www.nccp.org (National Center for Children in Poverty, Columbia University)

Wilder Research Center Homelessness Wilder Research Center 2006 Research Report At least 9,300 people were precariously housed in Minnesota 28% of the homeless adults are working full or part-time Average cost of a one-bedroom apartment in the Twin Cities area is $ 707 and $858 for a two bedroom Any adult whose primary nighttime residence is a supervised, public or privately-operated temporary living accommodation, including emergency shelters, transitional housing, and battered women’s shelters; or whose nighttime residence is not meant for human habitation, such as under bridges or in cars. This is based on a definition by the U.S. Congress. By law, this definition is expanded for youth age 17 or younger to include those who stay temporarily in other people’s homes, with or without their parents, because they have nowhere else to live. What do we mean by “homeless”

106 people died while homeless in Minn. (2007) The age range from infant to 82 years old-2003 73 people died while homeless in Minnesota in 1999 The ages range from 5 weeks to 84 years old. Simpson Shelter web page, www.simpsonhousing.org

continued 85 people died while homeless in Minnesota in 2001 The ages range from 3 months to 70 years old

Who are the homeless? 25-40% work 37% are families with children The average age of a homeless person in the United States is NINE YEARS OLD In Minnesota, 84% 25-30% have mental health impairments 30% are veterans 50% homeless women and children have experienced domestic violence Many are unaccompanied minors National Coalition for the Homeless; National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty

Impact of Homelessness on Children It 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 school days during first, second and third grade drop out of school 50% of all children in shelter show signs of anxiety and depression 10% of all elementary age school children in Minneapolis experience homelessness each year

Multiple Obstacles Families and Children Face While Living in Poverty CIRCLE OF POVERTY Homeless Teens Community and Family Support Domestic Abuse Education Transportation Consumer Housing

More Obstacles Child Care Health Care-Physical Health Care-Mental Employment and Training Personal

What Needs to be Done for Children 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 Parents Improved income levels through tax credits and increased minimum wage Reliable Transportation Improved bus schedules to accommodate parents’ work schedules Provide programs where parents can purchase reliable transportation Availability of affordable auto insurance

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: 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 Reform In 1996, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act passed Minnesota Family Investment Program MFIP-S 5 year time limit-starting in July 1997

Eligibility for Government Benefit Program Categorical Eligibility For example, have a minor child for MFIP- S Financial Eligibility Income Assets

Government Benefit Programs For Families MFIP-S-monthly cash assistance program for families Food Stamps Medical Assistance

Government Benefit Programs For individual or couples without children General Assistance Food Stamps General Assistance Medical Coverage

Government Benefit Programs for Emergencies MFIP-Emergency Assistance Emergency General Assistance Emergency Minnesota Supplemental Assistance

What kinds of emergencies do these programs cover? Mortgage foreclosure Eviction Damage deposit First and last months rent

More Emergencies Utility shut-off Homeless shelter Broken furnace Fire Flood Other health and safety repairs on the house

Disability Programs through Social Security Administration Supplemental Security Income Program (SSI) Retirement, Survivors, Disability Insurance (RSDI)

Low Income Families Who are Working May qualify for programs such as: Food stamps Minnesota Care Emergency Assistance

Client has a right to appeal most unfavorable actions such as: Appeal Rights Client has a right to appeal most unfavorable actions such as: Termination of benefits Reduction of benefits Suspension of benefits Delay in processing benefits Sanctions

Appeal Time lines Vary by program Must move quickly to get continued benefits pending appeal

Clients may have many workers Financial worker Job counselor Child care provider Child care subsidy worker School, special education Court system: Social workers, Probation officers Child protection workers