Welcome to The Poverty Institute
A RESPECTED AUTHORITY ON THE ECONOMIC VITALITY OF RHODE ISLAND AND ITS RESIDENTS ...
The mission of The Poverty Institute is to promote economic security for low and moderate-income Rhode Islanders and equitable tax and budget policies. We accomplish this through research, policy analysis, education, and advocacy.
Major Changes to Rhode Island’s Welfare Program
Recently, major changes were made to Rhode Island’s welfare program (the Family Independence Program). One out of five people - most of them children - receiving cash assistance will lose their benefits in the coming months. Changes to the program include:
• Children's Entitlement Eliminated: Children's entitlement to cash assistance was eliminated, except for children whose parents receive SSI benefits or who are being raised by a caretaker relative. In September 2008, 4,000 children will lose benefits as a result of these changes.
• Family Independence Program Replaced Entirely: As part of the FY2009 budget, the General Assembly replaced the Family Independence Program with the "Rhode Island Works Program." The new program includes shorter time limits, stricter sanctions and new work requirements.
Learn more about these changes
Tax Expenditures Report Analysis (Tax Facts #8, June 2008)
The 2008 Tax Expenditures Report is produced by the Division of Taxation and documents the estimated cost for 211 tax credits, deductions, and exemptions that reduce the tax liability of selected firms or individuals. This report analyzes the Tax Expenditure Report and finds that much is still unknown about the costs (and outcomes) of tax expenditures.
The Child Support Enforcement Program: A Critical Investment for Children's Success
This report highlights how the Rhode Island Child Support Enforcement Program works and makes recommendations for legislators on ways to further improve this extremely important and cost effective program.
Comparison of Work Support Programs in Rhode Island and Other New England States
A comparison of the income eligibility criteria for the major work support programs across the New England states shows that Rhode Island is in line with its counterparts, not more generous.
State of Working Rhode Island 2007 (12.07)
The Poverty Institute's biennial study that documents trends in wages, occupations, unemployment, and the state's workforce. The report points out that the state’s labor force of 578,000 is more diverse, older and better educated than it was two decades ago but workers face a triple whammy – slowing job growth, eroding wages and benefits, and growing inequality.
2006 Rhode Island Standard of Need 
The Poverty Institute finds that it costs $50,000 a year to live and raise a family in Rhode Island. What a family needs to earn depends
largely on whether they are eligible for tax credits and work supports like child care and health care subsidies.
General Overview of Public Benefits: The Poverty Institute and the URI Feinstein Center for a Hunger Free America recently presented information about public benefit programs in Rhode Island.
Help for Low-Income Working Families and Adults: These brief fact sheets provide information about public benefit programs available to low-income working families and adults in Rhode Island.
1. An outline of programs that help low-income household.
2. An outline of programs that help low-income adults.
3. Review monthly income limits to help determine eligibility for programs.
4. Learn how tax refunds affect eligibility for public benefit programs.
5. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and it's impact on public benefits.
