Americans Living in Poverty Reach Record-Breaking Levels

WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Annual data released today by the U.S. Census Bureau indicates that almost 43.6 million Americans now live in poverty, the highest number since record-keeping began in 1959.  This is an increase of 3.7 million Americans in 2009.  

"These figures are startling and totally unacceptable from one of the world's wealthiest nations," said Rev. David Beckmann. "The real struggle is for low-income families who tend to be the first hurt and the last to recover during a recession. We must ensure they get the help they need to get by and provide food for their families."

Currently, nearly one in four children lives in a household that has trouble putting food on the table. Participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly called food stamps) has also hit record levels. About 40.5 million people a month—more than one-eighth of the total U.S. population—receives SNAP benefits. This figure is projected to rise to 43.3 million in 2011.

"We need to urge our nation's leaders to do more to help the millions of struggling families," said Rev. Beckmann.   "Tax credits for low-and moderate-income households likely kept some people from falling into poverty this year. However, their expiration during a time of widespread unemployment brings risks of increased poverty rates."  

Additional Census Bureau Report findings for 2009 include:

• For children younger than 18, the poverty rate increased from 18 percent in 2007 to 20.7 percent in 2009, bringing the number of children living in poverty to nearly 15.5 million, an increase of over 2.1 million children. 
• In 2009, the poverty rate increased for non-Hispanic whites (9.4 percent in 2009, up from 8.6 percent in 2008), Asian-Americans (12.5 percent in 2009, up from 11.8 percent in 2008), Hispanics (25.3 percent in 2009, up from 23.2 percent in 2008), and African-Americans (25.8 percent in 2009, up from 24.7 percent in 2008)

If SNAP benefits were accounted for in calculating the poverty figures, 3.6 million people would be lifted out of poverty in 2009 (compared to 1.4 million in 2008). Similarly, accounting for payroll taxes and refundable tax credits, like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC), almost 3 million children would be lifted out of poverty.

Bread for the World (www.bread.org) is a collective Christian voice urging our nation's decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad.

SOURCE Bread for the World