Coronavirus: 8 million more Americans in poverty due to pandemic
A new study suggests 8 million more Americans have slipped into poverty caused by the coronavirus pandemic and the government's response to their needs since May.
The study was published by Columbia University and found that poverty rates increased after the coronavirus relief funding dried up.
Congress failed to pass additional funding measures, which meant the initial CARES Act - which provided Americans with a one time, $1,200 check and boosted unemployment benefits by $600 a week - was all the relief most Americans received. Many Americans reported never receiving their check.
Despite problems with distribution, the CARES Act was found to have been effective at temporarily keeping recipients out of poverty.
The funding saved approximately 18m Americans from falling into poverty in April, but that number has fallen to only 4 million as of September.
