Food pantries represent a critical lifeline for non-citizen New Yorkers
This new report examines an often overlooked area of need in New York City: food insecurity among low-income, non-citizen New Yorkers. The Poverty Tracker documents a significant increase in non-citizens using emergency food services—and how pantries served a critical lifeline.
State Child Tax Credits have potential to cut child poverty
A report by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy and the Center on Poverty and Social Policy at Columbia University on behalf of Share Our Strength details state options on how to use Child Tax Credits to dramatically reduce child poverty
One Year On: What we know about the expanded Child Tax Credit
Since the introduction of the first monthly Child Tax Credit payment in July 2021, a continuous stream of research has emerged tracking the impact of this new policy on the lives of children and their families. This round up compiles the range of publicly available information on what we know so far.
Child allowances are a winning investment
The United States does not currently guarantee income support universally to families with children. Research finds that cash and near-cash benefits increase children’s health, education, and future earnings while also decreasing costs with respect to health, child protection, and criminal justice. Despite the initial costs, we find that child allowances are a winning investment in our children’s future mobility.
Monthly poverty increased in June & remained elevated in July
Monthly poverty rates increased from May to June and remained elevated in July. The monthly poverty rate for the total population in June was 14.7%, the highest rate observed so far in 2022.
When anti-poverty programs don’t keep up with inflation, families are left behind
The Child Tax Credit and many other government benefits don’t currently increase with inflation. Policy indexation, an often overlooked aspect of policy design, would fix this.
CPSP Co-Director Irwin Garfinkel Retires
Co-Director Irwin Garfinkel steps down from his leadership role as he retires from Columbia University. He will remain an affiliated researcher of the center.
Monthly poverty rose in April and May after temporary tax time dip
Monthly poverty rates rose in April to 13.0% and May to 14.1% following the temporary dip in March when most refundable tax credits were delivered. The monthly child poverty rate rose to 14.1% in April and 16.6% in May.
Opinion: The key to reducing childhood poverty? Child tax credits distributed monthly.
Opinion by Christal Hamilton at the Center on Poverty and Social Policy and Natalie Foster at the Economic Security Project. Read in the Hill.
Tax credits give income boost, but regular monthly cash payments would reduce poverty year round
The tax filing season is an important one for many families as it provides meaningful boosts to family income and a temporary dip in monthly poverty rates. However, in recent research we find that regular monthly cash payments would help reduce poverty year round.
3.4 million more children in poverty in February 2022 than December 2021
Monthly poverty remained elevated in February 2022, with a 14.4 percent poverty rate for the total US population and 16.7 percent for children.
The Black-White child poverty gap persists. Can we close it?
This policy brief examines the role of government transfers and tax credits in closing the Black-White child poverty gap. We find that government transfers and tax credits are effective in raising incomes for Black children in poverty, yet are entirely ineffective in closing the Black-White child poverty gap.
3.7 million more children in poverty in Jan 2022 without monthly Child Tax Credit
Without the monthly Child Tax Credit, the child poverty rate increased from 12.1 percent in December 2021 to 17 percent in January 2022, the highest rate since the end of 2020.
Study launched on New Yorkers with high health care needs
In collaboration with Robin Hood and The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, we launched a “Special Series on Health and Health Care in New York City.”
December Child Tax Credit kept 3.7 million children from poverty
The sixth Child Tax Credit payment kept 3.7 million children from poverty in December. In absence of a January payment, the monthly child poverty rate could potentially increase from 12.1 percent to at least 17.1 percent in early 2022.