Report: Overlooked and Undercounted: Struggling to Make Ends Meet in Mississippi

Click for Full Report

Overlooked and Undercounted: Struggling to Make Ends Meet in Mississippi explains that while lack of adequate income is found disproportionately among certain groups, such as African Americans, women headed households, and families with young children, income inadequacy is experienced throughout Mississippi among all types of households. Additionally, the report raises questions about a number of commonly held misperceptions about working families.

For example, households with incomes above the Self-Sufficiency Standard work only about 14% more hours per year than those whose incomes fall below the Self-Sufficiency Standard. Working families with earnings below the Self Sufficiency Standard are working hard; however, their wages are simply not enough to make ends meet. Likewise, only 4% of households with incomes below Self Sufficiency Standard levels receive public assistance.