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Subsidy: type of financial assistance provided by government, state, or county entities.
What does it cost in Itasca County to have an adult and two children in poverty?
| Rent (HUD) | $ 569.00 |
| Cash | 532.00 |
| Food Support | 361.00 |
| Medical Insurance | 1100.00 |
| WIC (for one pre-school child) | 100.00 |
| Free lunch/breakfast (for one school aged child) | 82.50 |
| Child care (for two children, 5 hours/day) | 400.00 |
| Monthly total per family | 3,144.50 |
| Yearly total per family | 37,734.00 |
The federal government defines poverty as the gross income per household in relation to the number of people in the household. There is a considerable discrepancy between the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines that are the measure used by service providers to determine eligibility for benefits, and the actual calculation of what it costs a family to meet basic needs in Itasca County. The basic needs standard falls short of what is usually considered a middle-class standard of living.
We have over 4400 families who live at or below the federal poverty guidelines in Itasca County. This number does not include the all of the families who struggle to make ends meet at minimum wage jobs who still qualify for all or a portion of these subsidies.
Working poor: individuals and families who maintain regular employment but remain in poverty due to low levels of pay and dependent expenses.
One adult wage earner with two children needs an hourly wage of $17 in order to live in Itasca County with no subsidies. Actual costs for living in Itasca County are based upon monthly budget requirements necessary to achieve a basic standard of living. No money is included for debt payments or skills training. There is no entertainment budget, no restaurant meals, no vacation, and nothing is set aside for emergencies, retirement or children's college education. The working poor often lack the ability to escape personal and economic crisis.
In Itasca County, 40% of the jobs pay less than $10 per hour.
“I started a job for just above minimum wage. My wages caused me to loose my HUD subsidy and food support, now I am further behind than before I took the job. My wages don’t cover the subsidies I lost.” Itasca County Circles participant.
Estimated monthly subsidy costs based on input from Itasca County Health & Human Services, Itasca County Housing and Urban Development (HUD), ISD 318, and Kootasca Community Action. Costs to meet basic needs in Itasca County: JOBS NOW Coalition *Note: These numbers do not include costs for mental health or disability issues.
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