Partnering with United Way of the Lakeshore, it finds 43,743 households or 45% were living paycheck to paycheck. That includes households in poverty. All told, it’s an increase of nearly 6.5% from 2021 to 2022. These are residents with little or no savings.
The update shines a light on the basic cost to live and work in Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana Counties. Excluding tax credits, the cost jumps from $56,634 in 2021 to $70,968 in 2022.
While wages have gone up, the $15,000 federal child tax credit was removed from the 2022 federal spending package and family stimulus dollars have dried up.
“With those going away, we’re faced with the rising costs without those additional subsidies.”
Christine Robere is CEO of United Way of Lakeshore. She says Michigan did increase the Earned Income Tax Credit assisting the working poor.
“I think prior to last year, there was a 6% Earned Income Tax Credit and now it’s 30%. That’s a significant help.”
Financial relief benefitting households next year.