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ICYMI: Kids Count Survey Show Huge Jump in Child Poverty

DETROIT, Aug. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Annie E. Casey Foundation yesterday released its annual report on child poverty and Michigan ranks 30th in the nation. Overall, 36 percent of Michigan children live in a jobless household, and Michigan has more children living with a parent who is unemployed than 46 other states.

The Coalition to Keep Michigan Warm has been working to raise awareness among federal and state elected officials about the challenges many of Michigan's low-income residents will face if federal energy assistance funding is cut in half as proposed. This study further validates the coalition's effort to raise awareness on the need to sustain funding.

Facts

    --  LIHEAP funds the majority of energy assistance that is available to
        Michigan's low-income households.
    --  Households with incomes at or below 150 percent of poverty or 60 percent
        of the state median incomes, whichever is higher are eligible for
        assistance.
    --  Of Michigan homes that received help, 20 percent had children under the
        age of 5.

Relevant Links

The Annie E. Casey Foundation Study On Child Poverty

Michigan Specific Data From The Annie E. Casey Foundation Study On Child Poverty

Report: 36% of Michigan kids live in jobless households

Kids Count: Economy takes toll on Michigan

Coalition to Keep Michigan Warm Fact Sheet on LIHEAP

Governor Rick Snyder's Letter to the Congressional Leadership on LIHEAP

Coalition to Keep Michigan Warm Appeals To Michigan Delegation on LIHEAP Funding

To schedule an interview with a member of the Coalition to Keep Michigan Warm, e-mail press@coalitiontokeepmichiganwarm.com.

SOURCE Coalition to Keep Michigan Warm