A condition in which a person or family has an income below a governmentally determined level.
The condition of having an inadequate supply of money, resources, goods, or means of subsistence. A difficult concept to define in practice, there is no single national definition of poverty. Three of the most commonly cited measures are the low income level developed by the Bureau of the Census, income poverty guidelines published by the Community Services Administration of HEW (formerly the OEO guidelines), and the lower budget developed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Each of these uses a different method to measure poverty and arrives at a different dollar result. The Census low-income level is the measure accepted by the Office of Management and Budget for official data on low income persons. In 1974 this level was $2,487 for one person, $3,191 for two persons, and $5,008 for four persons. Eligibility for food stamps is based on a formula which uses these low income thresholds. The Community Services Administration (CSA) poverty guidelines are essentially the Census low income levels rounded off to the nearest $10 for easier application, primarily in determining eligibility for participation in programs initiated under the Economic Opportunity Act. The Bureau of Labor Statistics income levels for an urban family and retired couple are based on a budget for a “modest but adequate” standard of living. In essence, the budget represents a detailed listing of items to meet the normal needs of a family or retired couple as judged adequate by the experts drawing up this hypothetical budget. These items are indexed to the Consumer Price Index. The lower budget for autumn, 1974, (published in June, 1975) was $4,228 for a couple, and $9,198 for an urban four person family. Income eligibility for welfare programs provides a different definition of poverty. Under the Aid for Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program the poverty levels vary significantly by State. Under the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program a nationwide standard has been established. This is $157.70 a month for a single individual and $23(3.60 for a couple. Medicaid income levels are based on, but are not necessarily equivalent to. the levels established under AFDC and SSI.
The condition of having an inadequate supply of money, resources, or means of subsistence.