Figure A
Without government programs, millions more would be in poverty: Number of people in poverty, as measured by the Supplemental Poverty Measure, and additional number that would be in poverty without specified government program, by age group, 2020
| Under 18 years | 18 to 64 years | 65 years and older | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of people in poverty | 7,079,000 | 17,433,000 | 5,293,000 | 0 |
| 0 | 0 | |||
| Social Security | 1,115,000 | 6,923,000 | 18,464,000 | 0 |
| Economic Impact/stimulus | 3,246,000 | 6,373,000 | 2,065,000 | 0 |
| Unemployment insurance | 1,430,000 | 3,845,000 | 270,000 | 0 |
| Refundable tax credits | 2,729,000 | 2,505,000 | 48,000 | 0 |
| SNAP/school lunch | 1,302,000 | 1,601,000 | 306,000 | 0 |
| SSI | 354,000 | 1,839,000 | 505,000 | 0 |
| Housing subsidies | 785,000 | 1,154,000 | 468,000 | 0 |
| TANF/general assistance | 211,000 | 243,000 | 18,000 | 0 |
| Workers’ compensation | 41,000 | 142,000 | 10,000 | 0 |
| Energy assistance | 27,000 | 90,000 | 26,000 | 0 |
| WIC | 66,000 | 35,000 | 0 | 0 |
Notes: SSI refers to Supplemental Security Income, SNAP refers to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, TANF refers to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, WIC refers to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, and LIHEAP refers to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
Source: EPI analysis of Liana Fox and Kalee Burns, The Supplemental Poverty Measure: 2020, U.S. Census Bureau report #P60-275, September 2021
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