Surviving poverty in the U.S.

40.135 million people or 13.2% of approximately 304 million people were below poverty level according to the U.S. Census based on 2008 numbers.(1) During the recession that lasted through 2009, this number was estimated to have risen to 47.4 million people or 15.8% of the population as per a report by Stephen Lendman at dissidentvoice.org.(3) These numbers are based on how the U.S. Government measures poverty, which may change according to a March 2, 2010 report Samr Roberts of the New York Times.(2)

The roughly 47.4 (2009) million Americans who are/were in the poorest income bracket of total U.S. incomes represent over 15% of the population. Even though by some international standards, even poor Americans are wealthy i.e. third world countries with poor economies, by American standards, poverty is defined by income level and not access to food stamps and subsidized housing.

Surviving poverty is as much a challenge or a similar a challenge as avoiding poverty is for some those who are not poor and/or come close to the U.S. threshold. Essentially to rise out of poverty individuals and families must devise plans, gain skills, and identify resources. Rising out of poverty is possible and anyone who is not disabled or extremely incapable has the inherent capacity with or without will to overcome poverty.

Step 1: Identify resources

There are many community resources specifically aimed at assisting persons in poverty climb out of their situation. These resources include church related counseling and pasturing services, civic sponsored workshops and job placement assistance, subsidized education and training services, and programs run by charitable organizations.

Sometimes finding the appropriate resources in one's city or community can be challenging or one's town may be very small offering only community support, but there are resources and sometimes one has to make sacrifices to acquire those resources whether that sacrifice be a move to another city, a loan, or establishing a coordinated assisted transportation plan.

Existing U.S.Government social programs help those who cannot afford medical care, food expenditures, rent expenses and child upbringing. These programs can involve moderate to extensive bureaucracy and can be inquired about through local social security offices.

Additional, the following programs are intended to provide temporary assistance to individuals seeking to rise out of poverty rather than maintain a lifestyle of poverty. They intrinsically make possible the necessary standard of living to enable one to implement a personal plan for achieving a higher income and surmounting poverty.

• Medicaid
• Food stamps
• Temporary assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
• Social Services Block Grant (SSBG)
• Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC)
• Supplemental Security Income for Elderly and Disabled persons (SSI)

Step 2: Develop a plan

Rising above poverty usually doesn't just happen by itself, it takes effort, goal setting and planning. Typically, to not be financially poor, one must acquire sufficient income. This income is the goal. Having the will to achieve this goal is essential as will and motivation can be as valuable if not more valuable as money. In the United States there are many opportunities; probably enough opportunities to reduce the total amount of poor people in half.

Many opportunities go untapped whether they be jobs in undesirable fields, educational prospects or entrepreneurial chances. After gaining the will to achieve one can then identify what one needs to have the best chance of success. This could involve pre-requisites such as know how, literacy, transportation, appropriate clothing, conduct and so on. These pre-requisites are the key to gaining the goal of income and may take preparation, time, energy and investment.

Step 3: Acquire an opportunity

Once one has identified resources, utilized them, developed a plan and implemented a plan, the next step is to acquire the opportunity. Whether it be a job, a business, or independent venture, the preparation and planning used in the previous two steps should significantly increase one's chances of finding an opportunity that will yield income. Depending on how well one used one's resources and implemented a plan, the opportunities may or may not provide any satisfaction other than that deriving from income and the knowledge one will no longer be poor.

Poverty survival tips

The following tips are designed to inform one and prepare one for the common pitfalls of poverty. Poverty can be a very difficult challenge and the poorer one is the harder it may be to competently implement the above steps.

• Ask Questions: There are many nuances, loopholes, unspoken rules and obfuscated resources. Navigating the maze of cultural nexus can be confusing and difficult. Finding help and asking questions can help decode the cultural matrix.

• Believe in Yourself: As humans we are all blessed with life, some of our lives have greater challenges and obstacles. Overcoming those obstacles is a test of strength and character. To overcome poverty can be considered one of the greatest challenges in life for which all but the most disabled among us have the potential to overcome.

• Know what brings Happiness: Finding what makes one happy may be more important than overcoming poverty as happiness is one of life's ultimate goals. One may find a simple life may not be such a bad thing. If not, identifying happiness outside of poverty is also key to being motivated enough to getting out of poverty.

• Avoid Bad Influences: Bad influences can include people who negate one's dreams and inherent abilities, drugs, gangs, alcoholism, negative social environments and lack of self confidence. Bad influences get in the way of achieving goals and succumbing to bad influences is caused by making bad choices in moments of weakness. Bad influences can be overcome with effort.

• Contact people: Social workers, case managers, support groups, family and friends may all be of assistance in a time of poverty. Facing one's reality and making an effort to obtain outside perspective on one's situation may be helpful in surviving and overcoming a situation of poverty.

Summary

Poverty in the U.S. is defined by income level and as of the writing of this article 12% of Americans are classified as poor. The causes for poverty vary and everybody's circumstances vary. That is to say, psychological, social, physical and spiritual obstacles may or may not legitimately oppose the passage out of poverty.

Clearly, the logical and practical solutions to rising above poverty is to embrace the problem, learn a skill and acquire an income. However, life is more than just pure pragmatics sometimes and in these cases, careful consideration of resources, planning and implementation and acquiring the right opportunities is important.

Overcoming poverty can be achieved but as with most things in life, it takes effort, organization and will. The Governments social programs can assist with surviving poverty but not overcoming poverty and in such cases additional action is required through acquiring useful skills or techniques to overcome poverty.

Sources:
1. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/00000.html
2. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/03/us/03poverty.html
3. http://dissidentvoice.org/2010/02/growing-hunger-in-america/
4. http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/definitions.html
5. http://www.capmag.com/article.asp?ID=4223
6. http://aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/social-welfare-spending04/summary.htm