VOLUME 14, ISSUE 2 FEBRUARY 28, 2002
HHS RELEASES 2002 POVERTY GUIDELINES
The following table shows several variations on the poverty level for 2002 since a number of programs such as the Children’s Health Insurance Program; subsidized child care; Medicaid; and the Prevention, Retention and Contingency program use different levels.
| FAMILY
SIZE |
100% OF POVERTY | 150% OF POVERTY | 185% OF POVERTY | 200% OF POVERTY | ||||||||
| Annual | Monthly | Hourly | Annual | Monthly | Hourly | Annual | Monthly | Hourly | Annual | Monthly | Hourly | |
| 1 | $ 8,860 | $ 738 | $ 4.26 | $13,290 | $1,108 | $6.39 | $16,391 | $1,366 | $7.88 | $17,720 | $1,477 | $8.52 |
| 2 | 11,940 | 995 | 5.74 | 17,910 | 1,493 | 8.61 | 22,089 | 1,841 | 10.62 | 23,880 | 1,990 | 11.48 |
| 3 | 15,020 | 1,252 | 7.22 | 22,530 | 1,878 | 10.83 | 27,787 | 2,316 | 13.36 | 30,040 | 2,503 | 14.44 |
| 4 | 18,100 | 1,508 | 8.70 | 27,150 | 2,263 | 13.05 | 33,485 | 2,790 | 16.10 | 36,200 | 3,017 | 17.40 |
| 5 | 21,180 | 1,765 | 10.18 | 31,770 | 2,648 | 15.27 | 39,183 | 3,265 | 18.84 | 42,360 | 3,530 | 20.37 |
| 6 | 24,260 | 2,022 | 11.66 | 36,390 | 3,033 | 17.50 | 44,881 | 3,740 | 21.58 | 48,520 | 4,043 | 23.33 |
To look at this online plus to get additional background information on the history of
poverty guidelines, go to <http://aspe.hhs.gov>. Check under “Frequently Used.”
TY 2001 EIC, CHILD TAX CREDIT INFORMATION AVAILABLE
Information about how families and individuals can sign up for the Earned Income Credit (EIC) for Tax Year (TY) 2001 is now available from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP). The EIC is one way to help low-income working families and individuals receive some extra money. The following table gives the maximum EIC amounts families and childless couples/individuals can receive for Tax Year 2001:
Family Size |
Earnings Limit | EIC Maximum Amount |
| Family with one child | $28,281 | $2,428 |
| Family with 2 or more children | 32,121 | 4,008 |
| Childless couples/individuals | 10,710 | 364 |
According to preliminary figures from CBPP, which leads the sign-up campaign, 664,900 Ohio families and individuals received $1,060,541,000 through the EIC for Tax Year 2000. Nationally, over $31 billion was distributed through this program for Tax Year 2000.
To receive the credit, families must file either IRS form 1040 or 1040A (not form 1040EZ) and attach Schedule EIC.
IN ADDITION, families earning more than $10,000 in 2001 may also be eligible for the newly expanded Child Tax Credit of up to $600/child under age 17/year. While rules differ from the EIC, many families may be eligible for both. To receive the Child Tax Credit, families must use either IRS form 1040 or 1040A and attach Form 8812.
The chart from CBPP that is reprinted on the next page compares the eligibility criteria for both programs.
Local agencies are urged to inform their clients about these programs and encourage them to sign up for the EIC and Child Tax Credit. To help do that, the following resources are available:
To receive copies of an 8 ½ x 11” flyer and/or envelope stuffers,
contact Judith Bird at Ohio United Way, 614/224-8146, or via email at
A copy of the EIC and Child Tax Credit Outreach Kit is available online at
<www.cbpp.org>.
Comparing the Eligibility Requirements for the EIC and Child Tax Credit
See p. 7 at the following site: http://www.cbpp.org/eic2002/factsctc-2002.pdf.