Deep Poverty is income below half the Federal Poverty Level.

• Deep Poverty for a family of three is $1076 a month (January 2024).

• For 20 years, the maximum TAFDC grant for a family of 3 with no income was $593 a month — not even close to the Deep Poverty Level.

In a historic breakthrough, the Lift Our Kids Coalition persuaded the Massachusetts Legislature to increase grants by 10% in January 2021.

• This was the 1st increase for TAFDC since 2000 and the 1st increase for EAEDC (benefits for elders and persons with disabilities) since 1988.

Since 2021, the Lift Our Kids Coalition has achieved an incredible three more increases to grants through the Legislature’s budget process

• These increases would not have happened without the persistent advocacy of our legislative leaders, Senator Sal DiDomenico and Representative Marjorie Decker.

Setback: In January 2024, Gov. Healey cut the grant increase scheduled for April 2024

• The Governor’s unilateral budget cut to cash assistance programs wiped out the grant increase that the Coalition achieved in the FY24 budget.

• The cut was a real blow to our efforts to address Deep Poverty in Massachusetts.

Grants are still far below the level of Deep Poverty.

• The maximum TAFDC grant in 2024 for a family of 3 with no income is still only $783 a month, almost $200 a month below the Deep Poverty level of $1076 a month for 3 people.

• The maximum EAEDC grant for an individual is a mere $401 a month.

• Skyrocketing inflation has eaten up most of the recent increases.

• Without regular increases, the gap between grants and the Deep Poverty level widens:

Deep Poverty hurts kids.

• Health and emotional damage

• Toxic stress

• Impaired school performance

• Homelessness & housing instability

Low welfare benefits hurt Black and Latinx kids more because more kids in Deep Poverty are Black and Latinx.

See here for more background on welfare and racism.