The bureaucrats have spoken: the Poverty Guidelines for 2024 have been published in the Federal Register. 2024 Federal Poverty Guidelines
They may be used by the State of Missouri and all others immediately…of course, here in the Show Me State they won’t go into effect until the last possible date: October 1, 2024. That timing trick “saves” the state a few dollars in admin costs but deprives struggling families of millions in food stamps, childcare subsidies and helps restrict access to MO HealthNet (a.k.a. Medicaid).
Basically, the benchmark poverty level for a family of four l increased by $1,200 a year: $100 a month. In 2023 the poverty line was $30,000. In 2024 it’s $31,200.
Of course, it’s hard to imagine a family of four affording housing, food, health care, basic utilities, and everything else on $2,600 a month. As I mention each year, the poverty guidelines are based on methodology from about 1960 under the premise that a typical family spent one-third of their income on food and two-thirds on all other expenses. For decades even the author of the guidelines admitted that guess missed the mark. Even twice the current level ($62,400 a year) would be a squeeze for a stable lifestyle.
Oh yes, the current median household income in Missouri is estimated at $61,847. That’s pretty close to 200% of the poverty level, yet over $7,000 below the national median.
Poverty Level Family of Four
Annual Income Limit
2021 2022 2023 2024
$26,500 $27,750 $30,000 $31,200
In other News…
Today, by a five to four vote, the United States Supreme Court stated that federal authorities could cut through the razor wire placed along part of the Rio Grande by the state of Texas.
In other words, the court was one vote short of eliminating federal supremacy. One more vote and states could choose to cooperate – or not – with federal authorities. Think about that as all the Donald Trump related issues make it to the court.
Glenn Koenen
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