During COVID-19, The U.S. Monthly Poverty Rate Rose From 15% To 16.7%

The monthly supplemental poverty rate increased from 15% to 16.7% from February to September 2020, due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), even after taking into account the income transfers of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. This translates to 55 million people living under the poverty level as of September 2020.

The CARES Act provided a $1,200 per person stimulus check, and a $600 per week payment to those who were unemployed, after the COVID-19 public health emergency began on March 13, 2020. The federal supplement to unemployment benefits ended on July . . .