Which American Minority Group Experiences Poverty At The Greatest Rate? (It’s not an ethnic group.)

The character and strength of a world class nation should not be based on how much money its population can generate in a year. It should be based on how well it takes care of its own people, especially those who are most vulnerable. People like seniors, children, and those struggling with physical or mental barriers.

How does America stack up to such a measure of success?

Not very good, if you look at a recent report from the Center for Economic and Policy Research. The center looked at working-age adults who are mired in long-term poverty. They found that two-thirds of them have one or more disabilities.

Americans with disabilities are struggling with this downturn in the economy. They typically have part-time jobs to balance their monthly Supplemental Security Income (SSI payments of $674 per month is just not enough money to live on.) But companies are downsizing, meaning these part-time jobs are eliminated.

The result is an increase in poverty among this American minority group.

It’s ironic. Those of us on the front lines of homelessness fight to help eligible people who are homeless access SSI benefits as a way to overcome homelessness. Yet, during these tough times, even SSI is not a guaranteed ticket out of poverty.

People with disabilities have to put together a complicated package of benefits to survive—food stamps, subsidized housing, and SSI benefits. It’s complicated and difficult to navigate.

People struggling to deal with physical or mental health barriers should not have to fight so hard to overcome poverty.

(Pic from http://thechp.syr.edu)