Hutto Nathan author Columbia University. Social Work Waldfogel Jane author Columbia University. Social Work Kaushal Neeraj author Columbia University. Social Work Garfinkel Irwin author Columbia University. Social Work Columbia University. Social Work originator text Articles 2011 English This study estimates 2007 national poverty rates using an approach largely conceptualized by a 1995 National Academy of Sciences panel and similar to the supplemental poverty measure that will soon be produced by the U.S. Census Bureau. The study uses poverty thresholds based on expenditures for shelter, food, clothing, and utilities as well as a measure of family income that includes earnings, cash transfers, near-cash benefits, tax credits, and tax payments. The measure also accounts for child care, work, and out-of-pocket medical expenses; variation in regional cost of living; and mortgage-free homeownership. Under this method, the rate of poverty is estimated to be higher than the rate calculated in the traditional manner, rising from 12.4 percent in the official measure to 16 percent in the new measure; the rate of child poverty is more than 3 percentage points higher, and elderly poverty is nearly 7 points higher. Economics 85 1 39 74 2011-03 http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/659129 http://hdl.handle.net/10022/AC:P:14645 NNC NNC 2012-09-10 15:23:25 -0400 2012-09-10 15:42:19 -0400 8668 eng