End of Pandemic Benefits , Caused Alarming Jump in , Childhood Poverty Rates.<br />On September 12, the United States Census <br />Bureau released new data showing that <br />child poverty more than doubled in 2022.<br />ABC reports that the alarming rise was the result <br />of the cutting of pandemic-related government <br />benefits combined with skyrocketing inflation.<br />ABC reports that the alarming rise was the result <br />of the cutting of pandemic-related government <br />benefits combined with skyrocketing inflation.<br />Over the same period of time, <br />the official poverty rate for Black Americans <br />reached its lowest level on record.<br />According to pre-tax income, <br />income inequality dropped <br />for the first time since 2007.<br />However, when looking at after-tax income, income <br />inequality actually increased over the same period of time<br />as a result pandemic-era tax credits coming to an end.<br />ABC reports that the government expanded <br />child tax credit and sent out payments <br />to families amid the COVID pandemic.<br />These measures expired at the end <br />of 2021, while other COVID-related <br />benefits expired between then and now. .<br />This represents a return to child <br />poverty levels prior to the pandemic, Liana Fox, an assistant division chief at the Census Bureau, via ABC.<br />We did see the child tax credit had<br /> a substantial decrease in child poverty, Liana Fox, an assistant division chief at the Census Bureau, via ABC.<br />ABC reports that median household <br />income in 2022 was at $74,580, <br />falling 2.3% from the year before.
