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When wages are lifted, families benefit, too. Nearly 40% of single parents in New Hampshire earn less than $17 per hour, according to Oxfam America. (Adobe Stock)

NH care workers would benefit from higher federal minimum wage

More than 130,000 New Hampshire workers would benefit from a raise in the federal minimum wage, according to a new report. It includes the more than …

Fewer than 30% of New Hampshire eighth-graders were proficient in math between 2019 and 2022. Studies show the lag will reduce lifetime earnings by 1.6% for 48million pandemic-era students, for a total of $900 billion in lost income. (Adobe Stock)

NH leads in child well-being but chronic absence rates lower test scores

New Hampshire ranks first in the nation for overall child well-being but trauma and pandemic-related learning loss continue to impact students…

More than 700 New Hampshire childcare providers remained in operation in 2022 with a capacity to serve more than 44,500 children but staffing vacancies are on the rise. (Adobe Stock)

NH 'Kids on Campus' program boosts retention, offers hands-on learning

You might say "every day is 'bring your child to college day'" at New Hampshire's Manchester Community College. On-campus childcare programs are …

On average, the lowest-income 20% of taxpayers face a state and local tax rate nearly 60% higher than the top 1% of households, according to Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. (Adobe Stock)<br />

NH tax system requires more from low, middle-income families

New Hampshire has the 18th most regressive state and local tax system in the country, according to a new report. The Institute on Taxation and …

Southern New Hampshire University provided students with emergency grants during the pandemic ranging from $300-$2,000 to cover various basic needs, including health care, mental health services, housing, food and child care. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

Pandemic-era aid helped cover students’ basic needs, kept them enrolled

College students receiving extra aid to help pay for food, housing or transportation are more likely to stay in school, according to new research…

A living wage for a worker in a family with two working adults and one child in New Hampshire is greater than $17 per hour, according to the Economic Policy Institute's Family Budget Calculator. <br />(Adobe Stock)

'Raise the Wage Act' Offers Hope for NH Minimum Wage Earners

New legislation aims to raise the federal minimum wage for the first time since 2008. The "Raise the Wage Act" would gradually increase the minimum …

A new report ranks New Hampshire 4th nationwide in economic well-being but child advocates say the ranking doesn't consider that the state's cost of living is 20% above the national average, putting even more children and families at risk of living in poverty. (Adobe Stock)

Lack of Available Child Care Impacts NH Economy, Families

New Hampshire ranks first in the nation on measures of child well-being, according to a new report. The 2023 Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E…

More than one in ten transgender people in the U.S. have been evicted from their homes because of their gender identity contributing to higher rates of food insufficiency among this population. (Adobe Stock)

Study Finds High Food Insufficiency Rates Among LGBTQ+ New Englanders

A new study from the University of New Hampshire found New England's LGBTQ+ residents experience higher rates of food insufficiency, the measure of …

Raising the minimum wage to at least $15 an hour for all workers, including<br />tipped workers, would reduce the poverty level in New Hampshire to 2%, a 75% reduction in the state poverty level, according to One Fair Wage. (Adobe Stock)

NH Minimum Wage Called 'Out of Step' with Rest of New England, U.S.

Despite minimum-wage increases throughout New England in the new year, New Hampshire continues to match the federal rate of $7.25 an hour, forcing …

Around 21 million American children receive free or reduced-price lunch at school, but only half of them receive free breakfast despite being eligible, according to New Hampshire Hunger Solutions. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates Say Loss of Federal Funds Means NH Kids Go Hungry

Advocates for children say up to 7,000 students in New Hampshire public schools are going hungry following the rejection of a federal program for low-…

Experts from the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities estimate up to 15 million people could lose Medicaid coverage when states review eligibility once the public health emergency ends. (Adobe Stock)

Report: States Need to Prepare for Medicaid Eligibility Review

A new report urges states to take steps to minimize Medicaid coverage loss when the state of emergency for the pandemic comes to an end. COVID …

New Hampshire has 140 resident-owned communities now, with roughly 8,500 residents, most of them low-income. (Nastasia Froloff/Adobe Stock)

Community Loan Fund, Manufactured-Home Residents Oppose Law Change

A bill before the Legislature would make it harder for manufactured-housing communities in New Hampshire to become resident-owned communities (ROCs)…

Advocates for children and families say the Build Back Better Act would improve Medicaid and CHIP, the federal Children's Health Insurance Program (Evgeniy Kalinovskiy/Adobe Stock)

Report: Build Back Better Would Help NH Children, Families

CONCORD, N.H. -- Health advocates are pressing the U.S. Senate to pass the Build Back Better Act, after it cleared the House last month. It would …

A single person in New Hampshire can make up to $37,696 and still be eligible to receive fuel assistance for home heating. (rh2010/Adobe Stock)

As Winter Moves In, Granite Staters Urged to Apply for Fuel Assistance

CONCORD, N.H. -- As cold weather moves in, Granite Staters are being urged to apply for fuel assistance, if they think they might need some help …

In an AARP poll, 70% of respondents said finding solutions to lower drug prices this year is very important. (Satjawat/Adobe Stock)

Groups Seek Medicare Negotiations, Cap on Out-of-Pocket Drug Costs

CONCORD, N.H. -- Prescription drugs in the U.S. cost more than 2.5 times more than those in other countries, and groups such as AARP are urging …

New Hampshire is the 15th state where people who are unemployed have filed lawsuits urging their state agencies to re-engage with the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program. (Maridav/Adobe Stock)

Groups Urge NH Agency to Pay Out Pandemic Unemployment Assistance

CONCORD, N.H. -- A court hearing this week will determine whether thousands of Granite Staters can access some federal unemployment benefits that Gov…

87% of New Hampshire kids are set to benefit from the expanded Child Tax Credit. (Adobe Stock)

Child Tax Credit Could Bring Thousands of NH Kids Out of Poverty

MANCHESTER, N.H. - Parents are now receiving fully refundable monthly 2021 Advance Child Tax Credit payments, and advocates for children and families …

Most rental assistance in New Hampshire is used for rent and mortgage payments, with some going towards utilities, home heating, Internet and other expenses. (Joe/Adobe Stock)

Legal Aid: Know Your Rights as CDC's Eviction Moratorium Ends

CONCORD, N.H. -- Legal aid groups urged residents to know their rights to a fair court process as tenants, and to apply for rental assistance if …

In 2019, 24% of New Hampshire children lived in households with high housing-cost burdens, down from 39% in 2010. (zilvergolf/Adobe Stock)

NH Ranks High in Child Well-Being, But Pandemic May Disrupt Gains

CONCORD, N.H. -- New Hampshire ranks in the top 10 for overall child wellbeing, but advocates for children and families say that doesn't diminish the …

The American Rescue Plan would increase the Child Tax Credit from $2,000 per month to $3,000, with an additional $600 for children younger than age 6. (Ekaterina Pokrovsky/Adobe Stock)

NH Children's Advocates Urge Swift Passage of American Rescue Plan

CONCORD, N.H. -- As New Hampshire families struggle to recover from the pandemic's economic fallout, advocates for children and families say quick …

New Hampshire is one of three states, along with Vermont and Wyoming, that have student-to-counselor ratios as low as 250-to-1 in schools, as recommended by the American School Counselor Association. (Brocreative/Adobe Stock)

Report: More NH Families on Verge of Losing Housing, Food Security

CONCORD, N.H. -- Many New Hampshire kids and their families are struggling with health-care coverage, mental health, housing and hunger due to the …

The Granite State has the second-highest rate of uninsured children in New England, according to a new report. (Moms Clean Air Force/Flickr)

NH Sees Sharp Rise in Rate of Uninsured Children

CONCORD, N.H. - The number of uninsured children in New Hampshire is sharply increasing, according to a new report from the Georgetown University …

Gov. Chris Sununu announced on Apr. 14 that New Hampshire will pay an additional $300 a week to long-term care workers at Medicaid-funded facilities including nursing homes, day programs for people with disabilities, and other home-care services during the COVID-19 crisis. (Gov. Chris Sununu/ Facebook)

NH First State to Offer COVID Stipend to Long-term Care Workers

CONCORD, N.H. - Gov. Chris Sununu is giving Medicaid-funded long-term care workers at nursing homes and in home care a $300 weekly pay boost during …

Advocates fear that people without health insurance will forgo COVID-19 treament for fear of costly medical bills.(Volgariver/Adobestock)

White House Criticized for Refusing to Reopen ACA Enrollment

CONCORD, N.H. -- Groups that advocate for greater access to health care are slamming the White House's decision not to allow people to apply for …

The ACLU of New Hampshire along with the ACLU of Massachusetts and the law firm Mintz have won a first-of-its kind lawsuit on behalf of three immigrants who were jailed after detention hearings. (1778011/Pixabay)

ACLU of NH Wins Changes to Immigration Hearings, Detention Policies

CONCORD, N. H. – Starting now, immigration courts in New England can no longer detain undocumented immigrants in bond hearings without the …

The number of Granite State children living in areas of concentrated poverty jumped from 3,000 children in 2012 to 5,000 in 2017, according to The Annie E. Casey Foundation. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Childhood Concentrated Poverty on Rise in NH

CONCORD, N.H. – New Hampshire ranks among just 10 states in the nation that saw the percentage of children living in neighborhoods of …

Gov. Chris Sununu has four days remaining to sign Senate Bill 10, which calls for the state minimum wage to increase to $10 per hour in 2020 and $12 per hour in 2022. (AlexiusHoratius/Wikipedia)

Activists to Gov. Sununu: Give Granite Staters a Raise and Give Back Yours!

CONCORD, N.H. — Activists from across the political spectrum are calling for Gov. Chris Sununu to give back his raise and give one to Granite …

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is the nation's largest free tax assistance and preparation service. (AARP Foundation Tax-Aide)

Still Need to Do Your Taxes? Free Assistance is Available

CONCORD, N.H. – AARP is offering free tax assistance to low- and moderate-income individuals through April 15th, including in New Hampshire…

Democrats in the New Hampshire House are working to repeal the 100-hour-a-month work requirement for Medicaid beneficiaries before it takes effect. (Rep. Rebecca McWilliams/Facebook)

Hearing for NH Bill to Repeal Medicaid Work Mandate

CONCORD, N.H. - People who receive Medicaid benefits in New Hampshire soon will have to prove they're working or volunteering at least 100 hours a …

New Hampshire work requirements for Medicaid recipients will affect most age groups, including many parents. (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development/Wikimedia Commons)

New Report Cautions on NH Medicaid Work Requirement Rollout

CONCORD, N.H. – Policy groups are hopeful state lawmakers will learn from Arkansas' mistakes as work requirements for the New Hampshire …

The rate of homelessness in New Hampshire is among the lowest in the nation. (Dustytoes/Pixabay)

UNH Research Ties Homelessness to Rental Housing Costs

DURHAM, N.H. – New research shows that while homelessness in the United States may be down overall, it's still rising in the most expensive …

Affordable Care Act plans must cover pre-existing conditions and 10 essential benefits. (TheShiv76/pixabay)

Health-Care Enrollment Period Ends Saturday

CONCORD, N.H. - Open enrollment for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act ends this Saturday, but health-care advocates say federal cutbacks …

About 40,000 more older New Hampshire voters cast ballots in the 2016 presidential election than in the 2014 midterm. (CC0/Max Pixel)

Midterm Election Issues Critical to Older Voters

CONCORD, N.H. — Advocates for older Americans say critical policies will be shaped by the midterm election next week, so voter participation is …

Criminal Records Impact NH Workforce

CONCORD, N.H. — New Hampshire needs more workers, but a new report says criminal records are keeping qualified job seekers out of the workforce…

Gov. Chris Sununu signed the Medicaid expansion bill just last week, and it already faces new hurdles. (Office of Gov. Sununu)

Could Work Requirement in NH Medicaid Expansion Be Illegal?

CONCORD, N.H. — Last week, Gov. Chris Sununu signed a bill to continue New Hampshire's Medicaid program for another five years, but it includes …

Eight percent of children in New Hampshire live in poverty, well below the national average of 19 percent. (pxhere)

NH Tops for Children’s Well-Being, but Census Change Raises Concerns

CONCORD, N. H. – The latest figures on the well-being of children show New Hampshire is number one in the country, but some children's …

New Hampshire's decision to expand Medicaid has helped almost 13,000 people get addiction-treatment coverage. (Pixabay)

Granite Staters Rally for Medicaid Expansion

CONCORD, N.H. - New Hampshire needs to reauthorize its Medicaid expansion; that's the message being delivered by hundreds gathered on the State House …

Full-time women workers continue to be paid far less than men and, if current trends continue, it will take them decades to catch up. (sigre/Pixabay)

Gender Pay Gap Closing, But Very Slowly

CONCORD, N. H. – Today is Equal Pay Day, marking the 99 extra days women have to work this year to equal the pay men were paid last year…

Carrie Duran of Wolfeboro says she relies on Medicaid expansion to stay healthy so she can care for her children. (Carrie Duran)

NH House Begins Debate on Medicaid Expansion

CONCORD, N.H. – A House committee will hear testimony on a bill that would reauthorize New Hampshire's Medicaid Expansion program. Rebecca …

Only about 60 percent of workers are able to take time away from work without losing their job to care for a loved one under the Family and Medical Leave Act. (Brianna Privett/Flickr)

NH Moms: Family Leave Should Protect All Workers

CONCORD, N.H. – The Family and Medical Leave Act marks its 25th anniversary this week. Some New Hampshire moms say it's an opportunity to …

Studies show that SNAP benefits help families purchase healthier diets. (stevepb/Pixabay)

Study Finds Food Program Linked to Better Health

CONCORD, N.H. – A new report links access to SNAP benefits to improved health and lower health care costs. The paper, published by the Center …

Melissa Hinebauch speaks in Concord on Thursday about her experiences protesting the tax-law changes making their way through Congress. (Granite State Progress)

NH Health-Care Advocates Speak Out on Tax Plan

CONCORD, N.H. – Health-care advocates who traveled from New Hampshire to Washington, D.C., to protest the passage of the Senate tax changes …

Advocates say for New Hampshire to stay a great place to live, children need the chance to reach their fullest potential. (Pixabay)

Immigrant Kids, Children of Color Face Barriers to Success

CONCORD, N.H. – During a time of intense national conversations on race and immigration, a new report reveals the barriers to success children …

The Granite State recorded a 2.8 percent drop in the share of children living in poverty according to the U.S. Census. (Chris Jackson/Flckr)

Child Poverty Down in NH, But Pockets Persist

CONCORD, N.H. -- The Granite State is making progress in reducing poverty, according to the latest numbers. But some groups are seeing only limited …

Summer programs aren't just for fun. Many also provide free meals to lower-income children. A new report ranks New Hampshire 26th in the nation for providing access to those meals. (USDA)

NH "Needs Work" in Getting Summer Meals to Kids

CONCORD, N.H. – The number of lower-income children getting access to free summer meals is down nationwide, and the Granite State finds itself …

A new report says 33 percent of rural New Hampshire children get their health care from Medicaid, compared to 22 percent of urban children in the state. (Pixabay)

New Report: Medicaid Improves NH Health, Especially for Kids

CONCORD, N.H. – Even as it faces more than a trillion dollars in proposed funding cuts, a new report finds Medicaid is making significant …

Advocates for affordable child care are holding forums - like this one in Manchester - with state legislators across New Hampshire. (Campaign for a Family Friendly Economy)

Big Decisions Ahead on NH Child Care Funding

CONCORD, N.H. — The cost of child care is taking an ever-growing slice out of the family budgets of Granite State residents with young kids…

New Englanders who work to fight hunger are voicing concerns that President-elect Donald Trump's

Hunger-Fighting Groups Want an "Inclusive" Approach from Trump

CONCORD, N.H. -- The number of hungry people in New England has declined in recent years, but their local advocates are concerned about the direction …

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NH: Poverty Issues