The confusing world of poverty metrics

(October 7) – Poverty: a simple measurement that leads down an economic rabbit hole. The Texas Tribune reported this week that although poverty rates dropped in Texas, numbers from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as food stamps, haven’t reflected those changes. In theory, only households considered under the federal poverty guideline should qualify for SNAP. In reality, only about half of Texas households using SNAP were under the poverty line in 2015.