California Poverty Rises: California’s poverty rate remains lower than before the pandemic, but is increasing more slowly compared to 2022 due to the expiration of expanded coronavirus safety net programs.
The state’s poverty rate rose from about 11% in 2021 to 13% in early 2023, according to the California Poverty Initiative, which takes into account California’s high housing costs and the state’s various anti-poverty programs.
Five million Californians in families of four can live below the poverty line by about $39,000.
According to the Public Policy Institute of California. The poverty rate in 2019 was 4%. Several major expansions of the social safety net ended in 2023.
California, like other states, began re-evaluating income eligibility for enrollees in Medi-Cal, a public health program for low-income people, this spring after banning health insurance withdrawals for three years. March was the last month the state issued an increase in his CalFresh benefits, or food assistance benefits, which provides each recipient with additional funds each month.
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California Poverty Rises
Food banks across the state reported an increase in customers seeking assistance, and some were distributing food in record numbers.
As Californians continue to feel the effects of the pandemic, many workers are bravely quitting their jobs in search of better pay amid the rising cost of living.
Hotel workers, fast food workers, actors, writers, hospital workers, students and teachers all contributed to what union leaders called the “summer grind.
“According to a tracker by Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations, there were 78 labor disputes in California through October of this year. 31 cases excluding those starting in 2022. The strike sparked legislation that would provide for the payment of unemployment benefits to workers during work stoppages at the end of the session. This became one of the most controversial bills of the year.
Labor organizations won further victories, including minimum wage increases in two major industries.
In the medical sector, all workers will be paid $25 an hour over the next five years, and in the fast food sector, the minimum wage is currently $20 – $ per hour will be his April. After a bitter battle with employers in both industries, including threats of costly nationwide referendum measures, the Service Employees International Union has agreed to a cease-fire.
Both ceasefires also mean that unions are unlikely to seek further regional minimum wage increases in the two industries in the near future to ensure the level of stability desired by employers.
The minimum wage increase passed in 2023 was closely watched by anti-poverty activists and labor unions.
Workers, including hotel employees, continue to strike, and stakeholders continue to negotiate a fair deal.
Low-income pregnant women and foster youth will benefit from several pilot income protection programs. This funding includes $30 million funding approved by lawmakers.
