Welcome to The Poverty Institute
A RESPECTED AUTHORITY ON THE ECONOMIC VITALITY OF RHODE ISLAND AND ITS RESIDENTS ...
The mission of The Poverty Institute is to promote economic security for low and moderate-income Rhode Islanders and equitable tax and budget policies. We accomplish this through research, policy analysis, education, and advocacy.
Poverty Statistics Don't Tell Full Story (Providence Journal 8.27.08)
“The poverty level is not a good measure to gauge how we live,” [Rachel Flum, policy associate at The Poverty Institute] said. “We really are concerned that this doesn’t give a very good view of the real cost of living in
PRESS RELEASE: Twelve percent of Rhode Islanders are living below poverty level
Data released from the U.S. Census Bureau on August 26th reveal that the poverty rate remained statistically unchanged in Rhode Island from 2006 to 2007. However, these numbers do not accurately reflect the financial crisis that many Rhode Islanders are facing, according to the Poverty Institute.
• RI Statewide Poverty Data • RI Poverty Data by County • New England Comparison •
• RI Poverty Data by Demographic •
Recently, major changes were made to Rhode Island’s welfare program, (the Family Independence Program) which is now being called the Rhode Island Works Program. One out of five people - most of them children - receiving cash assistance will lose their benefits in the coming months.
Changes to the welfare program include:
• Children's Entitlement Eliminated: Children's entitlement to cash assistance was eliminated, except for children whose parents receive SSI benefits or who are being raised by a caretaker relative. In September 2008, 4,000 children will lose benefits as a result of these changes.
• Family Independence Program Replaced Entirely: As part of the FY2009 budget, the General Assembly replaced the Family Independence Program with the "Rhode Island Works Program." The new program includes shorter time limits, stricter sanctions and new work requirements.
Learn more about these changes
DHS Regulations for the new RI Works Program
The regulations that detail the specifics of the new RI Works Program were released on Friday, August 8th, and two public hearings were held on Thursday, August 14th. If you were not able to testify at the hearings, but would still like to submit testimony, you can do so by sending written comments to DHS by September 8, 2008. Your comments can be sent to:
Office of Legal Counsel
Department of Human Services
Louis Pasteur Building, Bldg. 57
600 New London Avenue
Cranston, Rhode Island 02920
The regulations are posted at DHS website (scroll down to the RI Works section).
Summary of regulations in key sections of the RI Works Program (8.08)
This overview provides a summary of the proposed regulations released by DHS.
IN THE NEWS....
Motion Picture Tax Credit Discussed (WPRO 630 8.13.08)
Kate Brewster speaks with Buddy Cianci on WPRO 630 regarding the motion picture tax credit program, and discusses the Department of Revenue's new analysis of the program.
Review for state's film tax credits isn't good (Providence Journal 8.12.08)
Kate Brewster said...“In these extraordinary tough fiscal times, limited state resources should be invested in proven economic development strategies like work force training.”
RI companies held accountable for tax breaks (Providence Journal 8.1.08)
Kate Brewster, executive director of The Poverty Institute...called the new law "a tremendous victory for state taxpayers...This 'prove it or lose it' test will allow lawmakers, at long last, to evaluate economic development incentives and eliminate those that are ineffective."
Mixed Reviews: A state budget for desperate times (The Providence Phoenix 6.25.08)
"It's truly shocking that a major overhaul of the welfare program would be made through the budget process - and not through an evidence-based approach of determining how to best move parents into sustainable employment," said Kate Brewster, Executive Director of The Poverty Institute. "These were changes based on ideology, and were not even necessary to balance the budget."
Tax Expenditures Report Analysis (Tax Facts #8, June 2008)
The 2008 Tax Expenditures Report is produced by the Division of Taxation and documents the estimated cost for 211 tax credits, deductions, and exemptions that reduce the tax liability of selected firms or individuals. This report analyzes the Tax Expenditure Report and finds that much is still unknown about the costs (and outcomes) of tax expenditures.
The Child Support Enforcement Program: A Critical Investment for Children's Success
This report highlights how the Rhode Island Child Support Enforcement Program works and makes recommendations for legislators on ways to further improve this extremely important and cost effective program.
Read the Executive Summary
Comparison of Work Support Programs in Rhode Island and Other New England States
A comparison of the income eligibility criteria for the major work support programs across the New England states shows that Rhode Island is in line with its counterparts, not more generous.
State of Working Rhode Island 2007 (12.07)
The Poverty Institute's biennial study that documents trends in wages, occupations, unemployment, and the state's workforce. The report points out that the state’s labor force of 578,000 is more diverse, older and better educated than it was two decades ago but workers face a triple whammy – slowing job growth, eroding wages and benefits, and growing inequality.
2006 Rhode Island Standard of Need 
The Poverty Institute finds that it costs $50,000 a year to live and raise a family in Rhode Island. What a family needs to earn depends
largely on whether they are eligible for tax credits and work supports like child care and health care subsidies.
General Overview of Public Benefits: The Poverty Institute and the URI Feinstein Center for a Hunger Free America recently presented information about public benefit programs in Rhode Island.
Help for Low-Income Working Families and Adults: These brief fact sheets provide information about public benefit programs available to low-income working families and adults in Rhode Island.
1. An outline of programs that help low-income household.
2. An outline of programs that help low-income adults.
3. Review monthly income limits to help determine eligibility for programs.
4. Learn how tax refunds affect eligibility for public benefit programs.
5. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and it's impact on public benefits.
