Seattle – The Statewide Poverty Action Network, released results of their Reality Check Report today which found that working poor families are struggling to make ends meet and the state has done little to ensure they have the tools and support necessary to move out of poverty.

Although the number of families on the welfare caseload has declined in Washington State, many families who have been successful at finding a job remain in poverty. Even a full-time job is no guarantee of staying above poverty. "In America, anyone who is working should be able to earn enough to keep their family out of poverty," said Tony Lee, Chair of the Statewide Poverty Action Network. "This is a wake up call that the state must provide the tools to help families achieve and maintain a decent standard of living."

The Reality Check Report found:

• Families are working but are still poor. Parents who were surveyed who worked full-time were having a difficult time meeting the basic needs of their family. Thirty-two percent went without food for a day or more, 25% went without health care coverage, 21%had their heat or electricity shut off and 30% have had their phones cut off. Sixty-four percent of full-time workers surveyed said they were still receiving cash welfare benefits from the state.

• Many poor families are denied the great equalizer of education and training as the way to move out of poverty. Less than half of those who played by the rules of welfare reform and obtained a job were informed of ways to increase their income and potentially move out of poverty permanently.

• Poor families experience great difficulty in finding child care. Sixty-two percent of full-time workers had problems with child care and 31% of full-time workers surveyed had a child care provider who refused to take the state subsidy.

• Families who are eligible for the necessary services to support them to maintain employment, are not receiving them. Twenty-five percent of full-time workers surveyed lacked legally entitled Medicaid coverage

• Many families face obstacles to finding a job. Of those who felt they had barriers to returning to work, 17% had a disability, 20% lacked job training, 11% were pregnancy, 11% had a child under the age of 1 year-old.

The Statewide Poverty Action Network makes the following policy recommendations:

• Provide tools for success. The State should expand and improve education and training programs to help parents get the skills they need to earn enough to move their families out of poverty. Pass the Higher Education for Lifelong Progress bill (SB 5201).

• Preserve the safety net. State lawmakers should pass HB 1784, the Child Safety Net bill which would not cut children off of welfare when they reach the 5 year lifetime limit. In addition, the state should not punish individuals who are working and playing by the rules. They should not be limited to a five-year lifetime limit.

• Make child care more affordable and accessible. Set the subsidized child care co-payment at no more than 10% of a family’s income and set the child care subsidy rate at no less than the 80^th percentile based on the 2000 rate survey.

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