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> more What Does It Really Take to Get By in Texas? It’s been well documented that the federal poverty level doesn’t accurately measure today’s cost of living. But what does it really take to get by in Texas?
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Texas Poverty 101

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Authors:
Eva DeLuna Castro /(512) 320-0222 x 103
Anne Dunkelberg /(512) 320-0222 x 102
Celia Hagert /(512) 320-0222 x110

September 29, 2009

Texas Poverty 101 (Revised September 2009) >>  
Education and Poverty (Revised September 2009) >>  

The term "poverty" is used to describe a condition of economic hardship, but it has a technical definition as well: a specific low-income level for various family sizes. Many social services in Texas use this technical measure of poverty to determine program eligibility. This brief report describes the official federal poverty measure, how it is used, and the extent of poverty in Texas. Shortcomings of this methodology and alternative measures of economic hardship are also discussed.