The Effects of the Recession on Child Poverty
Statistics released last fall by the U.S. Census Bureau indicate that in 2008, nearly one in five children under the age of 18 lived in poverty. Experts acknowledge that this statistic does not capture the full impact of the economic downturn, which will drive 2009 poverty numbers even higher.
The study, entitled The Effects of the Recession on Child Poverty, seeks to better understand how the recession is impacting children and families. It finds that that between August 2008 and August 2009, the number of people receiving SNAP benefits increased by 7 million, or 24 percent. This drastic increase means that roughly 3.4 million more children were receiving SNAP benefits in August 2009, as compared to a year earlier.
The report also provides an initial glance at what parts of the nation are experiencing the most dramatic growth in economic need among families with children, and where the largest increases in child poverty have occurred during 2009.
Findings outlined in the report include:
Children in nine states (Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Mississippi, New Mexico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and the District of Columbia) face a high risk of poverty in 2009, reflecting a combination of high child poverty in 2008 and very high increases of SNAP assistance between 2008 and 2009.
Seven states with average levels of child poverty in 2008 (Florida, Idaho, Maine, Missouri, North Carolina, Nevada, and Oregon) show very high growth in SNAP caseloads. And three states with low levels of child poverty in 2008 (Washington, Wisconsin, and Vermont) also experienced very high growth in assistance. These states may face challenges serving a dramatic influx of newly poor children.
A total of 25 states may face high child poverty rates in 2009, based on high poverty in 2008 and/or large increases in assistance during the past year.
The outlook is better in five states (Connecticut, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, and Wyoming) where child poverty was low in 2008 and only a moderate growth in recipients of SNAP benefits was reported.
Child poverty rates in most states will continue rising in 2010, judging from poverty trends following past recessions.
Learn More
Download a copy of the report.
Read the press release.
