NOTE: Jodi Harpstead is Minnesota’s Commissioner of Human Services.
Nearly 250,000 Minnesotans live in deep poverty, which means they make no more than 50% of the federal poverty level. That’s $888 per month or less for a family of three or $517 or less for a single adult. Think about trying to live on that much.
A new report from the Minnesota Department of Human Services holds a mirror up to some hard truths about what life looks like for far too many of our neighbors.
The stress of being poor leads to higher rates of chronic health conditions. Children and adults living in deep poverty die at a rate two times higher than their peers. And adults in deep poverty experience 40% more preventable ER visits. Continue reading.