New poverty measure finds more seniors live at poverty level

An alternative Census Bureau poverty-threshold measurement finds that the number of senior citizens who live at the poverty level has increased.

The alternative poverty-threshold measurement accounts for geographical cost-of-living adjustments, government benefits (such as housing subsidies and food stamps) and medical expenses. The measurement also raises the poverty level to an annual income of $24,343 for a two-adult, two-child household from an annual income of $22,113, according to a report that was published by Pew Research Center, which is a nonpartisan agency that analyzes government data.

The alternative poverty-threshold measurement was developed to reflect the costs of living in relation to an individual’s income more accurately.

Under the alternative measurement, the number of individuals who are under the age of 18 and who live at the poverty level has decreased, according to Pew Research Center.

The alternative measurement isn’t intended to replace the Census Bureau’s traditional model. The Census Bureau plans to post two sets of data in future reports.