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

2. Where do you apply for government benefits?
Most program are administered by
County Welfare Departments
County Departments of Economic Assistance
County Social Service Agencies
Apply online:
Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health Department

3. 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, SNAP, Minnesota Supplemental Aid
General Assistance
Forms are available in multiple languages
Clients have a legal right to have an interpreter

4. Web site to online CAF application
All states-links
Minnesota
Minn. Stat (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 Minnesota Food Support programs must provide simplified forms, and allow individuals to do face to face interview without taking time off from work.

5. Homeless Individuals or Families
Individuals or families who are homeless have a legal right to receive assistance.
Need to show intent to stay
Some programs have a waiting period

6. MFIP Hypothetical Exercise
MARIE

7. General Assistance Hypothetical Exercises
JEREMY
ELLEN

8. Definitions of Poverty
➡ near poverty
➡ extreme poverty

9. Poverty Definition Federal Poverty Guideline
Published in the Federal Register

10. Extreme Poverty Definition
50% of the Federal Poverty Guideline

11. Facts about Poverty
✧ For a family of 3, the federal poverty line is an annual household income of $20,420.00
✧ The extreme poverty line is $10, for a family of 3
Extreme poverty is defined as ½ of the federal poverty guideline million Americans live in extreme poverty of those 12.9 million are children
2012 HHS Federal Poverty Guidelines

12. The Face of Childhood Poverty
Children under the age of 3 years old in the U.S.
“45 percent-.2 million-live in low-income families (200% of the Federal Poverty Threshold) LIVING IN OR NEAR POVERTY
“23 percent-2.6 million-live in poor families” (100% of the Federal Poverty Threshold) ✧
✧ In the US, 21% of all children live in poverty
(National Center for Children in Poverty, Columbia University, Basic Facts About Low-Income Children,
National Center for Children in Poverty, Columbia University, 2012
Children’s Defense Fund; (National Center for Children in Poverty, Columbia University)
poverty rates are climbing to 15.7% in U.S. In 2012 Star Tribune
Definitions
Low Income
Families and children are defined as low-income if the family income is less than twice the federal poverty threshold (see Poor).
Poor
Families and children are defined as poor if family income is below the federal poverty threshold. The federal poverty level for a family of four with two children was $22,350 in 2011, $22,050 in 2010, and $22,050 in 2009.

13. Childhood Poverty Children ages 3 through 17 years
“42 percent of children ages 3 through 17 years-25.4 million-live in low income families” (200% of the Federal Poverty Threshold)
“20 pecent of children ages 3 through 17 years-12.2 million-live in poor families” (100 % of the Federal Poverty Threshold)
(National Center for Children in Poverty, Columbia University, Basic Facts About Low-Income Children, ✧

14. Childhood Poverty 10% of American children lived in EXTREME poverty
Children’s Defense Fund P
“Every fifth child (16.1 million) is poor, and every tenth child (7.1 million) is extremely poverty”, The State of American Children by Children’s Defense Fund

15. Extreme Poverty-Minnesota
“Young children are also more likely to live in extreme poverty* with 6 percent of Minnesota children under age six in extreme poverty compared to 5.4 percent of all children under 18.”
23,000 FEWER MINNESOTA CHILDREN LIVING IN POVERTY
Thursday, September 15, 2016
For More Information Contact:
Stephanie Hogenson

16. Minnesota Poverty In Minnesota, 15 % of all children live in poverty
In Minnesota, 31 % of children live in single parent low income families
Kids Count report by Children’s Defense Fund
National Center for Children in Poverty, Columbia University, March 2011
Low income is defined as below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines.

17. Wilder Research Study, May 2015
9,312 homeless adults, youth, and children were counted
African Americans make up 39% of homeless adults, but only 5% of adults statewide
Minnesota Homeless Research Study, Wilder Foundation, 2016
Wilder Research Study, May 2011

18. Who are the homeless? Families with children Working adults
Some individuals have mental health impairments
Veterans
Women and children experiencing domestic violence
Many are unaccompanied minors
National Coalition for the Homeless; National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty
25-40% work
National Coalition for the Homeless

19. Impact of Homelessness on Children.
Behind in academics
Increase in depression and anxiety
Do not feel safe
Food insecurity

20. 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

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

22. Areas for Growth 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

23. 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
Living Wage

24. 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

25. Food and Nutrition
SNAP-Food stamp levels should be increased to ensure proper nutrition to families and children
Increase the WIC program
Increase funding to school lunch programs

26. 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

27. Welfare Reform
In 1996, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act passed which created the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) federal level
Minnesota Family Investment Program
MFIP-S, Minn. Stat. 256J et. seq.
5 year time limit-starting in July 1997

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

29. Government Benefit Programs
For Families
MFIP-S-monthly cash assistance program for families
SNAP-Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program aka known as Food Stamps
Medical Assistance
EBT (Electronic Benefit Cards) link in Minn.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

30. Government Benefit Programs
For individual or couples without children
General Assistance
SNAP/Food Stamps
Medical Assistance/Medicaid
Many changes in GAMC regarding unallottments

31. Government Benefit Programs for Emergencies
MFIP-Emergency Assistance
Emergency General Assistance
Minn. Stat
Effective November 1, 2011, Applicants for or recipients of SSI or Minnesota supplemental aid who have emergency need may apply for EGA under section 256D.06, subdivision 2. (2011 special session)

32. Poverty has indirect costs
Child poverty costs the nation at least $500 billion each year in extra education, health and
criminal justice costs and in lost productivity.
State of the Children by Children’s Defense Fund, 2014

33. Food Research and Action Center http://www.frac.org
Food Support or Food Stamps also known as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
National
Food Research and Action Center
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-new name \

34. Food Stamp Calculator Example:

35. What kinds of emergencies do these programs cover?
Mortgage foreclosure
Eviction
Damage deposit
First and last months rent
Discuss Olmsted County policy

36. Emergency Assistance Utility shut-off Homeless shelter Broken furnace
Fire
Flood
Other health and safety repairs on the house

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

38. Low Income Families Who are Working
May qualify for programs such as:
Food stamps
Minnesota Care or Medical Assistance/Medicaid
Emergency Assistance

39. 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

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

41. 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