Category: Poverty

Food Stamp Cuts Expose Trump’s Strategy to Use Shutdown to Advance Agenda

The president has stretched the limits of his powers to help those at the heart of his agenda, not the many in greatest need.
Trump Administration Must Make Food Stamp Payments Within Days, Judge Says

The written order came one day after a court told the Trump administration it must pay benefits in the program known as SNAP during the shutdown.
Federal Court to Rule on Fate of Food Stamps During the Shutdown

States have sued to spare millions of low-income Americans from losing benefits starting on Saturday, after the Trump administration said it would not fund them.
Trump Administration Tells Court It Has Money It Can’t Spend to Prevent Food Stamp Cuts

States have sued the federal government to force the release of aid during the shutdown, with a key hearing set for Thursday.
Dozens of States to Sue Trump Administration Over Planned Food Stamp Cuts

The states petitioned a federal court days after the Agriculture Dept. said it would not take emergency steps to provide aid during the government shutdown.
Government Shutdown Imperils SNAP and Other Antipoverty Programs

Within days, tens of millions of low-income Americans may lose assistance for food, child care and utilities if the federal government remains shut down.
Wealthy Americans Are Spending. People With Less Are Struggling.

Data show a resilient economy. But that largely reflects spending by the rich, while others pull back amid high prices and a weakening labor market.
Food Stamp Benefits May Run Out in November, Officials Warn

If the government shutdown continues, millions of low-income people are at risk of losing access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
More Retirees Are Living on Less, and Losing a Means of Help to Pay for Medicare

The budget bill signed by President Trump suspended an effort to enroll more low-income older Americans in programs that assist them with rising health care costs.
In Coal-Powered West Virginia, Sky-High Energy Costs Strain Residents

As residents’ electricity prices have increased, nearly one out of five customers of the leading utility company in the state is behind on monthly bills.
US Poverty Rate Was Stable in 2024, as Household Income Rose Slightly

As pandemic subsidies disappeared, wages kept workers just ahead of inflation, although gaps have widened for some groups.
Americans’ Most Valuable Asset Isn’t Stocks or a Home. It’s Social Security.

For the vast majority of people, the stream of promised retirement checks is worth more than anything else, our columnist says.