The average U.S. household will spend nearly $900 on back-to-school supplies this year, and in Minnesota, poverty-fighting organizations are feverishly trying to help low-income families get the items they need for a successful school year.
The cost estimate is from a National Retail Federation survey, and researchers said it is the highest total they’ve recorded. It comes as these families try to juggle higher expenses elsewhere, including rent, utilities and food.
Annie Shapiro, advocacy director for the Minnesota Community Action Partnership, said the Legislature has helped with actions such as free school meals for all students. But some families will still have tough decisions to make.
“We still have families really struggling to meet those basic needs,” Shapiro pointed out. “When you’re struggling to meet your basic needs, those more second-tier expenses just fall by the wayside. “
Around the state, community action agencies work with local partners on back-to-school giveaways for registered households. For example, last week, Community Action Partnership of Scott, Carver and Dakota counties gave away more than 700 backpacks filled with school supplies. The offices report heavy demand for overall services, and school supply events are no exception.
In northeastern Minnesota, the Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency is in its third year of handing out shoes to students who need them.
Emily Bombich, planning director for the agency, said it has grown to the point where they have a waitlist. She noted shoes can be an overlooked item as part of back-to-school needs.
“Kids all need to have, it seems like, a couple pairs of shoes when they go back to school,” Bombich noted. “If a kid doesn’t even have a new pair, how can they have a couple? And when they don’t have a pair of good-fitting shoes, that can cause a lot of different issues.”
Organizers argued it includes potential injuries, as well as feeling stigmatized.
In Meeker County, United Community Action Partnership has an annual school-supply giveaway.
Rochelle Brummond, outreach worker for the partnership, said they handed out more than 100 backpacks on the first day. Students use a lot of electronics these days, but her team ensures those in need have basic supplies.
“We have notebooks, we have scissors, we have glue sticks,” Brummond outlined.
She added trying to cover such expenses is especially hard on families with multiple children.
Disclosure: The Minnesota Community Action Association Resource Fund contributes to our fund for reporting on Early Childhood Education, Health Issues, Housing/Homelessness, and Poverty Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.
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As state lawmakers in Massachusetts debate the final details of tax legislation, community groups are urging them to include refundable tax credits proven to help eliminate poverty.
House and Senate members are currently working in conference committee to hash out details of a Child Tax Credit, which the federal government expanded during the Covid-19 pandemic but which has since expired.
State Sen. Sal DiDomenico – D-Middlesex and Suffolk – said lawmakers understand the urgency to relieve financial pressure on working families.
“You know,” said DiDomenico, “how to address anti-poverty measures is by changing how we calculate our taxes and our credits for our low-income families – and what the impact will be on them.”
DiDomenico said lawmakers have already agreed to increase the Earned Income Tax Credit from 30% to 40%, and remove the cap on the number of eligible dependents.
Once implemented, he said, the additional funds will be a game changer for families across the state.
Backers of the tax credits say research shows they not only improve the economic health of a family but the physical and mental health of parents and children.
Children’s HealthWatch Senior Research and Policy Analyst Charlotte Bruce said that benefits everyone.
“When you look at the data of how families spend tax credits, particularly if they’re done periodically,” said Bruce, “they’re really being used to afford basic needs and other enrichments for their child.”
Those needs include rent, food, and the high cost of child care – expenses many families struggled with throughout the pandemic. At least seventeen states have invested in family tax credits this year, so far.
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North Dakota will soon boost its infrastructure for high-speed internet, thanks to the latest federal subsidy. In the meantime, low-income households can apply for aid to keep their internet costs lower.
The $130 million federal grant, meant to boost access in underserved areas, is from the bipartisan infrastructure law.
Separately, community action offices in North Dakota are now taking part in the Affordable Connectivity Program under the Federal Communications Commission.
Case managers help people find out if they’re eligible for a discount on their internet bill.
Kristina Brownell, executive director of the Community Action Partnership for the Jamestown region, said it’s a big help for those who want to connect to the digital world.
“Whether that be applying for a program – we’re seeing, you know, a lot of schools even going into the virtual learning situation,” said Brownell. “So, I think it becomes more and more important every day you have the ability to make those connections.”
She said a lot of clients also lack transportation, and having high-speed internet could make it easier to take online college classes or telecommute.
Recipients can get a discount of up to $30 a month toward internet service, and up to $75 a month for households on qualifying Tribal lands.
Haley Klapak is a case manager for the Southeastern North Dakota Community Action office. She recently helped a father and daughter, who said they often had to leave their house to use the internet, apply for ACP aid.
“We put in his address and the ACP and Lifeline program sent him a cellphone that was connected to the internet with an internet plan,” said Klapak, “so that he was able to reach out to me and connect to services, set up appointments for him and his daughter, and just get back to regular life.”
Beyond reducing monthly internet bills, eligible households can receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to buy a laptop, desktop computer or tablet from participating providers if they contribute certain amounts toward the purchase price.
Disclosure: Community Action Partnership of North Dakota contributes to our fund for reporting on Budget Policy & Priorities, Health Issues, Housing/Homelessness, Hunger/Food/Nutrition. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.
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The Social Security Administration has taken a proactive step to bridge the gap between critical financial assistance and the people who may be eligible for it by launching a campaign to raise awareness about Supplemental Security Income benefits.
In Arkansas, more than 94,000 people receive SSI benefits but officials believe more qualify and need the help.
Abigail Zapote, senior advisor for the Social Security Administration, said adults and children who are blind or living with a severe disability can receive monthly payments. People 65 and older who receive Social Security retirement benefits may also be eligible.
She added SSI applications in Arkansas and across the country dropped sharply following the pandemic.
“We’re focusing on the most vulnerable in our communities who really need these benefits the most,” Zapote explained. “We’ve targeted zip codes who are in the greatest decline of SSI applications. But it also means that these folks might be living at or below 150% of the federal poverty line. “
Zapote noted more than 7.5 million people in the U.S. are receiving SSI benefits. The “Basic Needs” campaign includes radio and TV ads, flyers and mailers, to reach people in mostly rural and under-served areas.
Zapote pointed out many people who receive other types of benefits, including Social Security retirement income, may also qualify for SSI assistance.
“We are here to provide this additional support to people that need it,” Zapote emphasized. “And SSI provides basic needs for rent, food, clothing or medicine. So if you think you might be eligible, please give us a call at 1-800-772-1213.”
Zapote added Arkansans currently receiving SNAP benefits or Medicaid could also be eligible for SSI help.
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