US Poverty Declined Last Year , As Government Aid Made Up for Lost Jobs.<br />According to 'The New York Times,' government relief efforts helped the poverty rate fall to a record low last year, offsetting the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression.<br />Poverty is defined by the government as less than $13,000 for an individual or $26,000 for a family of four.<br />On Sept. 14, the Census Bureau reported that 9.1% of Americans were poor last year as opposed to 11.8% in 2019.<br />According to calculations from researchers at Columbia University, that figure is the lowest since records began in 1967.<br />Relief efforts that helped Americans stay afloat include expanded unemployment benefits and food aid.<br />stimulus checks to most families and support for small businesses.<br />The Census Bureau estimates that stimulus checks helped 11.7 million people out of poverty last year.<br />It also estimated that unemployment benefits kept 5.5 million people from falling into poverty.<br />White House economist Jared Bernstein says the data should encourage Congress to enact the $3.5 trillion Democratic measure that would create more and better-paying jobs.<br />White House economist Jared Bernstein says the data should encourage Congress to enact the $3.5 trillion Democratic measure that would create more and better-paying jobs.<br />It’s one thing to temporarily lift people out of poverty — hugely important — but you can’t stop there. We have to make sure that people don’t fall back into poverty after these temporary measures abate, Jared Bernstein, a member of Mr. Biden’s Council of Economic Advisers, via statement
