Poverty

Assembly members and disgruntled Californians urged the California Public Utilities Commission to keep low-income subsidies as is.

California counties regularly take the Social Security benefits of foster youth who are disabled or whose parents have died. Advocates say it amounts to children paying for their own foster care.

In California, 32,000 children under 18 have experienced the death of a parent or primary caregiver from COVID-19. The state has set aside $100 million for trust funds for children who are in low-income families to access when they turn 18 for school, housing or other expenses.

Californians who don’t file taxes — because they don’t earn enough to owe any — won’t receive the new round of state payments. That includes some seniors and disabled people, as well as some of the lowest-income adults.

Had the California Living Wage Act proposal succeeded, it would have increased base wages to $16 an hour next January and $18 by 2025.

Experts say the “great reshuffling” of jobs during the pandemic is changing California’s economy and workforce. Here are some takeaways.

Women living in poverty are tired of sharing their stories. They share, and then some legislators water down legislation introduced to end poverty. So, no more listening for listening’s sake. We must build power and take meaningful action together.

California will offer food assistance to undocumented people over 55. Advocates want more. They say younger people need help, too.

Push to pass a labor-sponsored bill is a key ‘Fight for $15’ priority and a potential organizing foothold in an industry where unionization has long been elusive.

California lawmakers and activists are pressing Gov. Gavin Newsom to spend more to help the state’s poorest residents.