Unheard Third 2009
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The Unheard Third 2009:
Job Loss, Economic Insecurity, and a Decline in Job Quality October 2009
1 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Methodology The Community Service Society designed this survey in collaboration with Lake Research Partners, who administered the survey by phone using professional interviewers. The survey reached a total of 1,212 New York City residents, divided into two samples: 809 low-income residents (up to 200% of the federal poverty level, approximately $36,000 a year for a family of three) and 403 moderate- and higher-income residents of New York City (above 200% of the federal poverty level), age 18 or older. The survey was conducted from July 7 to August 3, 2009. The low-income sample includes two populations—366 poor respondents (earning at or below 100% of the federal poverty level) and 443 “near-poor” respondents (earning between 101% and 200% of the federal poverty level). We refer to these two groups collectively as “low-income.”
The second sample also includes two populations—200 “moderate-income” respondents (earning between 201% and 400% of the federal poverty level) and 203 “higher-income” respondents (earning above 400% of the federal poverty level). Telephone numbers for the low-income sample were drawn using random digit dial (RDD) among exchanges in census tracts with an average annual income of no more than $40,000. Telephone numbers for the higherincome sample were drawn using RDD in exchanges in the remaining census tracts. The data were weighted slightly by gender, age, region, party identification, immigration status, education and race in order to ensure that the survey accurately reflects the demographic configuration of these populations. In the combined totals, respondents in the low-income sample were weighted down to reflect their actual proportion among all residents. In interpreting survey results, all sample surveys are subject to possible sampling error; that is, the results of a survey may differ from those which would be obtained if the entire population were interviewed. The size of the sampling error depends upon both the total number of respondents in the survey and the percentage distribution of responses to a particular question. The margin of error for the low- income component is +/- 3.5%. The margin of error for the moderate- and higher-income component is +/-4.9%. The margin of error for all respondents combined is +/-2.8%. 2 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
TABLE OF CONTENTS I. II. III. IV. V. VI.
NYC Problems, Voting Priorities, and Personal Worries Government Support During the Economic Crisis Employment and Employer Sponsored Benefits Hardships Savings, Tax Return Spending, and Debt Current and Future Economic Security
3 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
New York City Problems, Voting Priorities, and Personal Worries The economy (including health care) and employment top the list of New Yorkers’ concerns for the city and for themselves, much more so in 2009 than in years past. The economy will also most influence New Yorkers’ voting decisions in November.
4 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Half of lowincome New Yorkers think things in the city are off on the wrong track. Compared to 2008, low-income residents prove more positive about the direction of the city, while moderate to higherincome residents hold more steady in their views.
Things in NYC: Right Direction or Wrong Track 60% 50%
40%
54%
50% 39%
42%
44%
30%
30% 20% 10% 0%
≤200% FPL
201-400% FPL Right Direction
400%+ FPL
Wrong Track
5 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Moderate to higherincome Whites are most positive about the direction of the city. Others are either split or more likely to think things in New York City are off on the wrong track. NYC: Right Direction or Wrong Track 70% 61% 60%
50% 40%
53%
50% 38%
50% 44%
41%
37%
34%
46%
39%
29%
30%
20% 10% 0% ≤200% FPL White ≤200% FPL Black ≤200% FPL Latino >200% FPL White >200% FPL Black >200% FPL Latino
Right Direction
Wrong Track
6 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Regardless of income, New Yorkers are more likely to think that public schools are headed in the right direction than they were in 2005. They are most positive about public schools and most negative about the economy and jobs.
% Right Direction ≤200% FPL 2005
2009
∆
2005
2009
∆
26%
46%
+20
30%
51%
+21
Public transportation†
-
34%
-
-
46%
-
Access to health care
26%
42%
+16
30%
33%
+3
Homelessness‡
14%
22%
+8
20%
26%
+6
-
17%
-
-
28%
-
Affordable housing
13%
22%
+9
26%
23%
-3
Economy and jobs
21%
17%
-4
36%
25%
-11
Public schools
Family homelessness†‡
† Questions ‡
200%+ FPL
not asked in 2005
Split-sampled question
7 Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
New Yorkers at all income levels list employment/lack of jobs and the economy as the top problems facing the city.
Biggest Problem Facing NYC Today (volunteered responses) ≤200% FPL
201-400% FPL
400%+ FPL
Employment/lack of jobs
23%
27%
17%
Economy/finances/money problems
23%
21%
20%
Public safety (crime, guns, drugs, gangs, violence)
13%
8%
3%
Housing/affordable housing
9%
7%
6%
Education/schools
3%
3%
12%
Transportation/infrastructure
4%
5%
7%
Cost of living/income gap
2%
6%
4%
Taxes
3%
3%
4%
Health care/insurance/prescriptions drugs
2%
2%
5%
Overcrowding
2%
3%
1%
Poverty/homelessness
2%
1%
3%
State government
1%
1%
4%
8 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Concerns about employment and the lack of jobs in 2009 are much higher than in the past few years.
Biggest Problem Facing NYC: Employment/Lack of Jobs 24%
25%
23% 22%
20%
15%
14% 12%
12%
12% 10%
11% 8%
8%
10% ≤100% FPL
5%
101-200% FPL
4%
>200% FPL
0%
2006
2007
2008
2009
9 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
While New Yorkers above 100% FPL hold steady in their views on the economy, the lowest income residents are more likely than in 2008 to say the economy is the biggest problem facing NYC. Biggest Problem Facing NYC: The Economy 30% 25%
25% 20%
20%
21% 20%
17%
15% 11% 10%
5%
8% 9% ≤100% FPL
8%
101-200% FPL
5%
>200% FPL
0% 2006
2007
2008
2009
10 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
New Yorkers’ concerns about the economy and jobs extend to the voting booth, with these issues dominating the list of what will affect their voting decision in the upcoming mayoral election. When deciding which candidate you will support for Mayor in the upcoming election, what issue affecting New York City will have the most influence on your voting decision?† (volunteered responses)
Top Voting Issue (volunteered responses) ≤200% FPL
201-400% FPL
400%+ FPL
Jobs/unemployment/economy
27%
30%
26%
Education
9%
10%
15%
Personal traits-honest/integrity/credibility
6%
5%
15%
Taxes
5%
12%
7%
Crime/security
7%
3%
4%
Health care/prescription drugs
3%
9%
2%
Housing
4%
5%
3%
Anti-Bloomberg mentions
2%
3%
7%
Transportation
3%
2%
2%
Help the middle class/senior citizens/Social Security
1%
3%
1%
Cost of food/living/energy costs/rising prices
1%
1%
3%
(Other)
3%
3%
8%
(Don’t know)
25%
13%
5%
† Split-sampled
question
11 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Similarly, when selecting from a lists of issues, New Yorkers choose the economy as the issue that will most influence their vote for Mayor. Those under 400% FPL also say jobs programs for the unemployed will affect their decision. When deciding which candidate you will support for Mayor in the upcoming election, what issue affecting New York City will have the most influence on your voting decision?†
Top Voting Issue (selected from list) ≤200% FPL
201-400% FPL
400%+ FPL
The economy
21%
26%
27%
Jobs programs for the unemployed
16%
15%
8%
Affordable housing
15%
9%
9%
Education
10%
12%
11%
Affordable health insurance
8%
6%
10%
Reducing poverty
7%
7%
6%
Tax cuts
4%
8%
6%
The budget
4%
4%
6%
City security
4%
5%
4%
Public transportation
4%
4%
2%
(Other)
1%
3%
6%
(Don’t know)
6%
1%
4%
† Split-sampled
Among low-income residents, affordable housing will be especially important to Black residents when they vote this fall (19 percent compared to 10 percent for Whites and 13 percent for Latinos). Education also stands out more among lowincome Blacks than among Whites and Latinos (16 percent, 8 percent and 9 percent, respectively ).
question
12 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Finding or keeping a job, health care and prescription drugs and public safety are among the top concerns for residents below 400% FPL. Higher income New Yorkers say they are worried about health care and prescription drugs as well as retirement security. Top Personal Worry (selected from list) ≤200% FPL
201-400% FPL
400%+ FPL
Health care and prescription drugs
12%
19%
17%
Finding or keeping a job
18%
12%
11%
Crime, drugs and gangs
16%
14%
11%
Retirement security
6%
11%
24%
Housing
13%
8%
5%
Fear of another terrorist attack
5%
6%
10%
Schools
5%
4%
8%
Debts and credit card debt
4%
9%
5%
Getting enough hours to support my family
8%
5%
2%
The wages and benefits at work
5%
7%
3%
Child care
1%
-
2%
13 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Lowincome working mothers have several acute concerns, including finding or keeping a job, safety and getting enough hours to support their families. Finding or keeping a job is more likely to be a concern for low income minorities than Whites. Top Personal Worry (selected from list) ≤200% White
≤200% Black
≤200% Latino
≤200% Working Women No Kids
≤200% Working Custodial Moms
Health care and prescription drugs
15%
13%
10%
15%
6%
Finding or keeping a job
13%
19%
21%
13%
20%
Crime, drugs and gangs
20%
17%
13%
17%
17%
Retirement security
5%
7%
5%
9%
4%
Housing
10%
13%
15%
13%
14%
Fear of another terrorist attack
5%
4%
5%
4%
4%
Schools
2%
4%
5%
6%
5%
Debts and credit card debt
7%
4%
2%
3%
7%
Getting enough hours to support my family
6%
7%
12%
6%
14%
The wages and benefits at work
5%
5%
5%
7%
5%
Child care
2%
-
1%
2%
3%
14 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Among residents below 200% FPL, finding or keeping a job is more likely to be a concern this year than in 2008.
Top Personal Worry: Finding or Keeping a Job 30% 25%
25%
+5
22% 20%
21%
19%
19%
16%
16%
15% 15%
19% 17% 13%
14%
11%
10%
14% 12%
13% 10%
6%
8%
8%
5%
≤100% FPL 101-200% FPL >200% FPL
0% 2002
2003
2004
2005*
2006
2007
2008
2009
*2005 omitted due to data limitations
15 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Government Support During the Economic Crisis While access to public benefits increased in 2009, public safety net programs are not reaching all eligible New Yorkers in need. Large numbers of New Yorkers do not think they are eligible for Food Stamps—even though they are eligible.
16 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Fortyfive percent of lowincome New Yorkers have health insurance through a public plan. Lowincome residents are three times as likely as higherincome New Yorkers to be without health insurance. Do you currently have health insurance like Medicare, veterans health care, Medicaid/Child Health Plus/Family Health Plus, from your own job, or other health insurance? Health Care Coverage Twenty-eight percent of lowincome immigrants say they have no health care coverage, compared to 18 percent of residents born in the U.S.
50% 45%
45%
40% 35%
44%
28%
30% 25% 20% 15%
24%
21%
22%
25%
23%
25% 20%
20% 12%
10%
14% 10% 7% 4%
5%
0% ≤200% FPL
Medicare Insurance through job No health insurance
201-400% FPL
400%+ FPL
Medicaid/Child or Family Health Plus Other health insurance*
* “Other health insurance” for 201-400% FPL includes 2% of respondents who reported they receive veterans’ insurance.
17 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Less than 1 in 4 unemployed New Yorkers across all income bands report receiving unemployment insurance. For lowincome New Yorkers, those who are actively looking for work are more likely to report receipt of unemployment insurance. Unemployment Insurance for the Unemployed 100%
100%
89% 82%
82%
78%
80%
60%
40%
40%
18%
81%
80%
60%
20%
Unemployment Insurance for the Unemployed who are Actively Looking for Work
73%
27%
22%
17%
20%
11%
19%
0%
0% ≤100% FPL
101-200% FPL
201-400% FPL
> 400% FPL
Yes
No
≤200% FPL All Unemployed
≤200% FPL Unemployed and Actively Looking for Work
18 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Food Stamps remain underutilized in New York City. Half of poor native born respondents—nearly all of whom are eligible for Food Stamps—do not receive this public benefit.
Food Stamps
100% 90% 80%
75%
70%
70% 60% 50%
56%
49%
50% 44%
40% 30%
25%
29%
20% 10% 0% ≤100% FPL Native Born
≤100% FPL Immigrant
101-200% FPL Native Born
Yes
101- 200% FPL Immigrant
No
19 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Lowincome New Yorkers cite lack of eligibility as the top reason they are not receiving Food Stamp assistance right now.
You said that you or anyone in your household are currently not receiving food stamp assistance, is that because: [SELECT ALL THAT APPLY] 43% 44%
You don’t think you are eligible Don’t really need them
25%
16% 8%
Lack of information about the program Application process is a hassle or inconvenient
19% 11% 11%
Benefits too small/not worth effort
9% 7%
Uncomforable being on assistance
7% 7% 101-200% FPL
2% 3%
Don’t want to get fingerprinted 0%
5%
≤100% FPL
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
20 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Public assistance among the lowestincome New Yorkers is up 50 percent from last year, from 14 percent to 21 percent. ≤100% FPL: Trends in Assistance Programs 70% 57%
60%
60% 53%
52% 48%
50%
51%
40%
33%
30%
30%
20%
20%
52% 45%
42%
46% 44%
36%
39%
40%
40%
33% 21%
18%
10%
20%
21%
14%
+7 0% 2002 Public assistance † Not
2003
2004 Food stamps
2005*
2006
2007
Medicaid/Family Health Plus†
2008
2009
Medicaid/Child Health Plus†
asked prior to 2004. * 2005 omitted due to data limitations.
Please note that not all individuals below 100% FPL are eligible for these public benefits. The trend data, however, do indicate yearly fluctuations in public benefit access.
21 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Employment and EmployerSponsored Benefits The vast majority of the unemployed say the poor job market/economy has made their search difficult. For those who remain working, job quality has declined substantially over the last year—as employer-sponsored benefits are down from 2008 levels. Low-income Latinos—who are most likely to work in non-union sectors—show the lowest level of employersponsored benefits.
22 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Despite the economic crisis, the vast majority of lowincome households include a worker. More than 7 in 10 households under 200% FPL have at least one worker, while almost half have two or more workers. Total Number of Workers in Household
81%†
80%†
71% 60%
51%
48%
50%
50%
40% 30%
32%
30%
29% 23%
20%
20%
19%
10% 0%
≤200% FPL
† Numbers
do not sum exactly due to rounding
201-400% FPL No Workers
One
400%+ FPL Two or More
23 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
The vast majority (71 percent) of lowincome parttime workers would like to be working more hours, compared to half of their moderate to higher income counterparts. Would you like to be working more hours or would you not like to be working more hours? (PART-TIME WORKERS ONLY)†
80% 70%
Want to Work More Hours 71%
60% 50%
50%
47%
40% 27%
30% 20% 10% 0% ≤200% FPL
>200% FPL Yes
† n
No
size for 201-400% FPL and 400%+ too small for separate analysis
24 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
The current job market is the top reason lowincome residents who are unemployed say their job search has been difficult. Here is a list of factors other people have mentioned as reasons their search for a job has been difficult. Of these, please tell me which of these factors you think makes it the most difficult for YOU to find a job. [CHECK ALL THAT APPLY] Factors Making Job Search Difficult (selected from list)
† small
≤100% FPL
101-200% FPL†
There are not enough jobs/job market is bad
48%
53%
You have health problems
32%
21%
You don’t know the right people
21%
25%
You don’t have enough education or training
28%
15%
You have been out of the job market/hard to reenter
20%
24%
You don’t have enough prior experience
20%
23%
You have limited English skills
18%
9%
You are having trouble because of your race or ethnicity
9%
15%
You don’t have transportation to get to a job
13%
11%
Your family responsibilities and child care
8%
13%
You have a criminal record
6%
6%
You are afraid to lose public health insurance
5%
4%
n size
25 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
One in five higherincome respondents works in the professional and business services sector. The top sectors among lowincome workers include health services, wholesale and retail trade, construction, and manufacturing. Employment by Industry/Sector 11%
Professional and business services
17% 14%
Health services
15% 9%
Education services Wholesale and retail trade
15%
12%
10%
7%
16%
13%
10%
6%
Construction
10%
20%
7%
Transportation and utilities Manufacturing
11%
6%
2% 4%
Government
8%
5% 4% 4%
Financial activities Leisure and hospitality
6%
4%
Information
3% 0%
4% 5%
≤200% FPL
9% 7%
201-400% FPL 400%+ FPL
5% 10%
15%
20%
26 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Lowincome Blacks are more likely to be in health or government sectors while lowincome Latinos are more likely to be working in construction. Professional and business services is the top industry among lowincome Whites, followed by manufacturing. Employment by Industry/Sector 8%
Professional and business services
11%
16%
11% 11%
Health services
7% 7%
Education services Wholesale and retail trade
12% 13% 12%
7%
Construction
18%
8%
Transportation and utilities
6%
Manufacturing
7%
12%
8% 14% 13%
6%
3%
Government
8%
2%
3% 3%
Financial activities
≤200% FPL Latino
5%
6%
Leisure and hospitality
7% 4%
Information
6% 0%
21%
5%
≤200% FPL Black
8%
≤200% FPL White
7% 10%
15%
20%
25%
27 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Lowincome workers are much less likely than their moderate to higher income counterparts to be receiving benefits from their employer.
Employer-Sponsored Benefits 36%
Paid vacation
59%
40%
Health insurance for yourself
57%
34%
Paid sick leave
56%
30%
Pension/401K retirement plan
22%
Access to job training
5% 7%
Child care benefits 0%
10%
67%
45% 32%
14%
Access to education/ skills development opportunities
67%
46%
27%
Health insurance for your family
69% 70%
44%
23%
Prescription drug coverage
77%
61%
40% ≤200% FPL
36% 37%
201-400% FPL 400%+ FPL
14% 20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
28 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Lowincome Black workers—who are more likely to be working in unionized sectors—are more likely than lowincome Latinos and low income Whites to receive employersponsored benefits. Employer-Sponsored Benefits by Race 33% 31%
Paid vacation
47%
34%
Health insurance for yourself
45% 43%
28%
Paid sick leave
42%
34% 25% 26%
Pension/401K retirement plan
34%
17% 17%
Prescription drug coverage
36% 22% 20%
Health insurance for your family
19% 17%
Access to job training 11%
Access to education/ skills development opportunities
Latino ≤200% FPL
Black ≤200% FPL White ≤200% FPL
7% 6%
1% 0%
25%
19%
6%
Child care benefits
36%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
29 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Lowincome New Yorkers in union households are more likely than their nonunion counterparts to have employersponsored benefits. Employer-Sponsored Benefits by Union Status Paid vacation Health insurance for yourself
51%
38%
Paid sick leave
43%
33%
Pension/401K retirement plan
42%
27%
Prescription drug coverage
37%
25%
Health insurance for your family
41%
20% 24% 22%
Access to job training Access to education/ skills development opportunities
25%
12%
Child care benefits
4% 0%
† small
45%
35%
≤200% FPL Union† ≤200% FPLNon-Union
10% 10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
n size
30 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Most lowincome workers report that they do not receive employer sponsored health insurance because it is not offered or due to ineligibility. The most common response among moderate to higherincome New Yorkers is that they have coverage elsewhere. You noted that you were not receiving health insurance from your employer – is this because your employer doesn’t provide health insurance, because you are not eligible for the employer’s health insurance plan, because you couldn’t afford it, or because you were covered elsewhere? Reason for Not Receiving Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance 48%
50% 40%
36% 30%
30%
26%
24%
23% 19%
20%
19% 15%
12%
11%
13%
10% 0% ≤100% FPL
101-200% FPL Not offered
† small
Ineligible
Couldn’t afford
>200% FPL† Covered elsewhere
n size
31 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Workers above 100% FPL are less likely to receive employersponsored health insurance for themselves this year than over the past few years.
Workers Receiving Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance for Themselves 90% 80%
85% 77%
-8
78% 75% 69%
70% 66%
68%
71%
71%
63%
60%
60%
55%
52%
53%
50% 40%
47% 39%
46%
-6
30%
33%
33%
30%
34%
20%
≤100% FPL 10%
101-200% FPL >200% FPL
0% 2002
2003
2004
2005*
2006
2007
2008
2009
*omitted due to data limitations
32 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
The same income bands have also seen a drop in employersponsored health insurance for their families. Workers Receiving Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance for their Families 70%
-6 60%
57% 53%
54% 49%
59% 56% 53%
50%
50% 46%
43%
40%
40% 34%
30% 20%
38%
39%
-8
31%
34%
21%
24%
24%
22%
25%
≤100% FPL
10%
101-200% FPL >200% FPL
0% 2002
2003
2004
2005*
2006
2007
2008
2009
*omitted due to data limitations
33 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Workers above 100% FPL, especially those between 101200% FPL, are also less likely to have prescription drug coverage from their employers than they were in recent years. Workers Receiving Employer-Sponsored Prescription Drug Coverage 90% 79%
80% 70%
-6 69%
64% 62%
60%
63% 59%
57%
59% 46%
50%
41%
42%
-16
40% 30%
33%
26%
34% 21%
20%
21% 17%
10%
19%
≤100% FPL 101-200% FPL >200% FPL
0% 2003
2004
2005*
2006
2007
2008
2009
*omitted due to data limitations
34 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Workers between 101200% FPL are less likely to have paid sick leave than years past. Workers Receiving Paid Sick Leave from Employer 90% 82% 80%
75%
72%
60%
68%
69%
70% 63%
66% 62%
60%
55%
50%
56% 43%
39% 40%
63%
-10
39%
36%
30%
35%
34%
35%
33%
29% 20% ≤100% FPL 10%
101-200% FPL >200% FPL
0% 2002
2003
2004
2005*
2006
2007
2008
2009
*omitted due to data limitations
35 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Hardships Low-income New Yorkers continue to face high levels of economic, food, health, and housing hardships. Job-related hardships increased in 2009, and are especially acute for low-income Latinos and low-income working moms. New Yorkers across incomes face increasing health care costs.
36 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Half of residents under 100% FPL report experiencing 3 or more hardships, including falling behind on rent, not filling a prescription, and receiving free food. Economic 37% Cut back on buying back-to-school supplies and clothes
Multiple Hardships for Poor Residents: ≤100%FPL
25% Had hours, wages or tips reduced 23% Lost job 12% Received assistance from charity/religious/community organization Food 17% Often skipped meals because there wasn’t enough money to buy food
20% Received free food or meals from family or friends 14% Went hungry because there wasn’t enough money to buy food
None: 22%
1 or 2: 27%
20% Received free food or meals from a food pantry, soup kitchen, or meal program Health 26% Had your health care costs increase 14% Had your health care coverage reduced 28% Needed to fill a prescription but couldn’t because of a lack of money or insurance
3 or more: 50%
17% Not gotten or postponed getting medical care or surgery because of a lack of money or insurance Housing 30% Fell behind in rent or mortgage in the last year 26% Had either the gas, electricity, or telephone turned off because the bill was not paid 15% Moved in with other people even for a little while because of financial problems 15% Been threatened with foreclosure or eviction 4% Stayed at a shelter, in an abandoned building, an automobile, or any other place not meant for regular housing even for one night because didn’t have enough money for a place to live
37 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
More than 4 in 10 New Yorkers between 101200% FPL faced 3 or more hardships. Approximately 1 in 3 had health care costs increased in the last year, and approximately 1 in 4 fell behind in rent or mortgage. Large numbers of the near poor also had their hours, wages or tips reduced. Economic 24% Cut back on buying back-to-school supplies and clothes
Multiple Hardships for Near-Poor Residents: 101-200% FPL
28% Had hours, wages or tips reduced 18% Lost job 10% Received assistance from charity/religious/community organization Food 14% Often skipped meals because there wasn’t enough money to buy food
17% Received free food or meals from family or friends 10% Went hungry because there wasn’t enough money to buy food
None: 28%
1 or 2: 29%
11% Received free food or meals from a food pantry, soup kitchen, or meal program Health 32% Had your health care costs increase 19% Had your health care coverage reduced 20% Needed to fill a prescription but couldn’t because of a lack of money or insurance
3 or more: 43%
22% Not gotten or postponed getting medical care or surgery because of a lack of money or insurance Housing 26% Fell behind in rent or mortgage in the last year 17% Had either the gas, electricity, or telephone turned off because the bill was not paid 11% Moved in with other people even for a little while because of financial problems 14% Been threatened with foreclosure or eviction 3% Stayed at a shelter, in an abandoned building, an automobile, or any other place not meant for regular housing even for one night because didn’t have enough money for a place to live
38 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Most moderateincome New Yorkers report at least one hardship, and nearly half saw their health care costs increase. Twentytwo percent fell behind in rent or mortgage. Economic 20% Cut back on buying back-to-school supplies and clothes
Multiple Hardships for Moderate-Income Residents: 201-400% FPL
20% Had hours, wages or tips reduced 17% Lost job 3% Received assistance from charity/religious/community organization Food 11% Often skipped meals because there wasn’t enough money to buy food
7% Received free food or meals from family or friends 7% Went hungry because there wasn’t enough money to buy food
None: 25%
6% Received free food or meals from a food pantry, soup kitchen, or meal program
1 or 2: 41%
Health 44% Had your health care costs increase 14% Had your health care coverage reduced 20% Needed to fill a prescription but couldn’t because of a lack of money or insurance
3 or more: 34%
15% Not gotten or postponed getting medical care or surgery because of a lack of money or insurance Housing 22% Fell behind in rent or mortgage in the last year 6% Had either the gas, electricity, or telephone turned off because the bill was not paid 5% Moved in with other people even for a little while because of financial problems 8% Been threatened with foreclosure or eviction 1% Stayed at a shelter, in an abandoned building, an automobile, or any other place not meant for regular housing even for one night because didn’t have enough money for a place to live
39 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Lowincome working moms are burdened by hardships, with 60 percent experiencing three or more. Fortyfour percent saw their hours, wages or tips reduced and more than 4 in 10 fell behind in rent or mortgage. Economic 43% Cut back on buying back-to-school supplies and clothes
Multiple Hardships for Low-Income Custodial Moms
44% Had hours, wages or tips reduced 23% Lost job 14% Received assistance from charity/religious/community organization Food 13% Often skipped meals because there wasn’t enough money to buy food
23% Received free food or meals from family or friends 10% Went hungry because there wasn’t enough money to buy food
None: 18%
1 or 2: 22%
17% Received free food or meals from a food pantry, soup kitchen, or meal program Health 28% Had your health care costs increase 11% Had your health care coverage reduced 27% Needed to fill a prescription but couldn’t because of a lack of money or insurance
3 or more: 60%
23% Not gotten or postponed getting medical care or surgery because of a lack of money or insurance Housing 41% Fell behind in rent or mortgage in the last year 34% Had either the gas, electricity, or telephone turned off because the bill was not paid 11% Moved in with other people even for a little while because of financial problems 19% Been threatened with foreclosure or eviction 5% Stayed at a shelter, in an abandoned building, an automobile, or any other place not meant for regular housing even for one night because didn’t have enough money for a place to live
40 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Lowincome Latinos were hit the hardest by the recession in terms of employment. More than 4 in 10 lowincome Latinos either had their hours, wages, and/or tips reduced, or lost their jobs—or both—in the past year.
Job/Employment Hardships by Race 43%
45% 40% 35%
14%
32% 29%
30% 11%
25%
11%
20% 15% 10% 5%
27% 21%
16%
18%
22%
26%
31%
29%
18%
0% ≤200% FPL White
Lost your job
≤200% FPL Black
Had your hours, wages or tips reduced
≤200% FPL Latino Yes to one
Yes to both
41 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
The majority of lowincome working moms either had their hours, wages, and/or tips reduced, or lost their jobs—or both—in the past year.
Job/Employment Hardships Among Low-Income Working Women 52%
50% 15% 40% 29%
30%
5% 44%
20%
37% 24%
22%
10%
23%
12% 0%
Low-Income Working Women - No Kids Lost your job
Had your hours, wages or tips reduced
Low-Income Working Custodial Moms Yes to one
Yes to both
42 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
New Yorkers under 100% FPL report higher rates of jobrelated hardships than last year.
Employment Hardships for Poor Workers 30% 28% 26%
29%
28%
+9 26%
25%
24%
22%
23% 23%
21%
22%
20%
20%
19%
+5
18%
18% 18%
16%
16%
14%
13%
12%
10% 2002
2003
2004
Lost your job
2005*
2006
2007
2008
2009
Had your hours, wages, tips reduced
*omitted due to data limitations
43 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
With over a quarter saying they have had their gas, electricity or telephone turned off, the lowestincome New Yorkers are more likely to be having trouble with their utility payments this year than in 2008. Had the Gas, Electricity, or Telephone Turned Off
35%
32% +5
30%
26% 25% 20%
23%
23%
21%
22%
21%
21%
17% 15%
15%
13%
14%
17%
10% ≤100% FPL
7%
5%
101-200% FPL
0% 2002
2003
2004
2005*
2006
2007
2008
2009
*omitted due to data limitations
44 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Savings, Tax Return Spending, and Debt Low-income New Yorkers—especially Latinos—have very limited savings. It is therefore not surprising that low-income New Yorkers, many of whom faced economic hardships this past year, continue to use their tax refunds to pay for basic needs such as food. New Yorkers across income are united in debt, especially credit card debt.
45 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Onethird of lowincome New Yorkers have no savings at all. Onethird of moderateincome residents—and twothirds of lowincome residents— have less than $1,000 to fall back on if tough times were to hit them and their families. If tough times were to hit you and your family, how much money in savings do you currently have to fall back on?
400%+ FPL
6%
5%
9%
70%
33% 201-400% FPL
17%
11%
5%
22%
33%
67% ≤200% FPL
32%
0%
$0
10%
24%
20%
$1 - $500
30%
40%
$500-$1,000
11%
50%
60%
$1,000-$5,000
12%
70%
8%
80%
90%
100%
More than $5,000 46 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Almost half of lowincome Latinos say they have no money in savings, and 7 out of 10 have $500 or less. If tough times were to hit you and your family, how much money in savings do you currently have to fall back on? Rainy Day Savings More than $10,000
3%
$5,000-$10,000
2% 1%
$2,500-$5,000
7% 8%
4%
3%
6% 6% 8% 7% 6%
$1,000-$2,500 $500-$1,000
7%
14%
10%
$100-$500
13% 8% 7%
Less than $100
16% 17%
70% ≤200% FPL White
11%
≤200% FPL Black 20%
Zero 0%
10%
20%
≤200% FPL Latino
32% 30%
46% 40%
50%
60%
47 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Higherincome New Yorkers are most likely to put their tax refund in savings while those under 400% FPL continued to use the money to cover basic expenses, such as utility bills, food, housing payments, and clothes. Use of Tax Refund† 28%
Put in savings To pay off debts
21%
To pay utility bills
19%
To pay for food
To buy clothes
18%
12%
4%
To buy things like appliances/furniture To pay for education To pay for medical expenses/bills/debt
6%
To purchase, make payments on, or repair a car 5%
For a vacation To help pay for purchasing a house or apt
1%
0%
31%
21%
5%
To pay off back rent/utilities
32%
25%
10%
To pay for gasoline or energy
40%
29%
9%
47%
42%
25%
16%
To make house or rent payments
† Asked
38% 37% 38%
21%
19%
11% 10% 12% 9% 13% 12% 12% 13%
≤200% FPL
10% 9% 11%
201-400% FPL
8%
400%+ FPL
14%
6% 5%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
only of those who said they had received a tax refund in earlier question
48 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
In fact, lowincome New Yorkers are even more likely to have used their tax money to pay for basic expenses than in 2008.
Low-Income (≤200% FPL) Use of Tax Refund: 2008 and 2009 45% Put in savings
To pay off debts
To pay utility bills
To pay for food
42% 40%
40%
37% 35%
30%
34% 31% 30% 28%
25%
32% 31% 28%
25%
To make house/rent payments
20% 18%
To buy clothes
15% 2008
2009
49 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
There is a higher incidence of using tax refunds to pay for food and to make house or rent payments among moderateincome residents than in 2008. These New Yorkers are also more likely than they were last year to put this money into savings. Higher-income respondents (above 400% FPL) also reported an increase in using a tax refund to pay for food (10% to 16%) or utility bills (14% to 19%).
Moderate-Income (201-400% FPL) Use of Tax Refund: 2008 and 2009 40% 38% Put in savings To pay off debts To pay utility bills To pay for food
35%
36%
30% 25% 20%
To make house/rent payments 15%
29% 24% 23% 21%
25% 21%
16% 13%
To buy clothes
10% 2008
2009
50 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
More than 1 in 5 residents below 400% FPL reports debt from medical bills. Across income bands, New Yorkers report having credit card debt.
Now let me read you some types of debt. Of these, please tell me which types of debt you have. Do you have…
Good Debt:
Bad Debt:
≤200% FPL
201-400% FPL
400%+ FPL
Student loans
14%
17%
21%
Mortgage
14%
20%
36%
Car loan
14%
16%
23%
Tax
13%
12%
16%
Credit card
41%
50%
45%
Child support back payments
2%
2%
-
Medical bills
24%
21%
12%
Rent and mortgage back payments
18%
15%
3%
51 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Current and Future Economic Security New Yorkers are united in their concerns about future health care costs. Low- and moderate-income New Yorkers—especially low-income Latinos—are worried about losing their job in the next year and not working enough hours to make ends meet. Low-income working moms are constantly worried about their financial security.
52 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
New Yorkers of all incomes are concerned about future health care costs, with intensity highest among moderateincome residents.
How concerned are you about the health care costs that you and your family may face in the future – are you very concerned, somewhat concerned, a little concerned, or not concerned at all? Future Health Care Costs
≤200% FPL
201-400% FPL
400%+ FPL
40%
-28%
-11%
-23%
-6%
-24%
-12%
20%
Not at all concerned
71%
43%
77%
46%
75%
34%
0%
A little concerned
20%
40%
Very concerned
60%
80%
Somewhat concerned
53 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Just under half of lowincome New Yorkers say they worry their total family income will not be enough to meet basic expenses all or most of the time. How often do you worry that your total family income will not be enough to meet your family’s expenses and bills – all of the time, most of the time, some of the time, once in a while, or never? Across income bands, concerns Concern About Having Enough Money to Meet Basic Expenses prove similar to 2008.
400%+ FPL
13%
201-400% FPL
10%
19%
16%
30%
13%
23%
29%
0% All of the time
10%
21%
18%
20%
30%
Most of the time
23%
Sixty percent of low-income working custodial moms say they worry about this all or most of the time.
47%
≤200% FPL
31%
26%
40%
50%
Some of the time
60%
14%
70%
80%
Once in a while
12%
90%
100%
Never
54 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
The vast majority of low and moderateincome New Yorkers do not feel secure about meeting their future retirement needs. Higherincome New Yorkers are the most likely to say they feel very secure about meeting future retirement needs, but intensity is still low and down eight points from 2008. Thinking about the future, how financially secure do you feel to meet future retirement needs – do you feel very secure, somewhat secure, a little secure, or not at all secure? Future Retirement Security
≤200% FPL -64%
-34%
8%
201-400% FPL -63%
-34%
8%
-42%
400%+ FPL
70%
50%
Not at all secure
-17%
30%
A little secure
10%
33%
36%
New Yorkers across income bands are less likely to say they feel very secure this year compared to 2008 (≤200% FPL: 35 percent secure, 13 percent very secure; 201-400% FPL: 47 percent secure, 15 percent very secure; 400%+ FPL: 64 percent secure, 22 percent very secure).
57%
14%
10%
Very secure
30%
50%
70%
Somewhat secure
55 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
The majority of low and moderateincome New Yorkers are concerned about losing their jobs in the next year, as well as working enough hours to make ends meet. Thinking about the next 12 months, how concerned are you that you or someone in your household will be out of a job – are you very concerned, somewhat concerned, a little concerned, or not concerned at all?
Thinking about the next 12 months, how concerned are you that you or someone in your household will not be working enough hours to make ends meet – are you very concerned, somewhat concerned, a little concerned, or not concerned at all?
Future Job/Employment Insecurity
≤200% FPL
201-400% FPL
-39%
-23%
-48%
-35%
400%+ FPL -60%
75%
-41%
55%
35%
15%
Not at all concerned
59%
36%
52%
29%
17%
5%
39%
25%
-38%
45%
-21%
-47%
-32%
-65%
65%
A little concerned
75%
-49%
55%
35%
Very concerned
15%
60%
37%
52%
26%
35%
16%
5%
25%
45%
65%
Somewhat concerned
56 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Job concerns are particularly acute among Latinos, with over 40 percent saying they are very concerned that they or someone in their household will be out of a job or not working enough hours to make ends meet in the next twelve months. Thinking about the next 12 months, how concerned are you that you or someone in your household will be out of a job – are you very concerned, somewhat concerned, a little concerned, or not concerned at all?
Thinking about the next 12 months, how concerned are you that you or someone in your household will not be working enough hours to make ends meet – are you very concerned, somewhat concerned, a little concerned, or not concerned at all?
Future Job/Employment Insecurity
≤200% FPL Latino
≤200% FPL Black
≤200% FPL White
75%
-30%
-45%
-45%
50%
Not at all concerned
-16%
-32%
37%
-28%
25%
69%
43%
50%
30%
0%
52%
25%
A little concerned
50%
-29%
-14%
-44%
-31%
-44%
75% 50%
33%
-25%
25%
Very concerned
70%
45%
51%
31%
0%
55%
25%
50%
75%
Somewhat concerned
57 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Acknowledgements The Community Service Society draws on a 160-year history of excellence in addressing the root causes of economic disparity. CSS is an informed, independent and unwavering voice for positive action that serves the needs of our constituents: low- and moderate-income New Yorkers who are too often left out of the policy conversation. Jeremy Reiss, Director of Workforce and Economic Security Initiatives, authored this report and can be reached at [email protected] or 212.614.5472. Krista Pietrangelo, Strategic Planning and Policy Associate, provided invaluable research assistance and can be reached at [email protected] or 212.614.5468. Special thanks to Celinda Lake and Anita Sharma from Lake Research Partners for their analytical expertise and support.
58 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Job Loss, Economic Insecurity, and a Decline in Job Quality October 2009
1 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Methodology The Community Service Society designed this survey in collaboration with Lake Research Partners, who administered the survey by phone using professional interviewers. The survey reached a total of 1,212 New York City residents, divided into two samples: 809 low-income residents (up to 200% of the federal poverty level, approximately $36,000 a year for a family of three) and 403 moderate- and higher-income residents of New York City (above 200% of the federal poverty level), age 18 or older. The survey was conducted from July 7 to August 3, 2009. The low-income sample includes two populations—366 poor respondents (earning at or below 100% of the federal poverty level) and 443 “near-poor” respondents (earning between 101% and 200% of the federal poverty level). We refer to these two groups collectively as “low-income.”
The second sample also includes two populations—200 “moderate-income” respondents (earning between 201% and 400% of the federal poverty level) and 203 “higher-income” respondents (earning above 400% of the federal poverty level). Telephone numbers for the low-income sample were drawn using random digit dial (RDD) among exchanges in census tracts with an average annual income of no more than $40,000. Telephone numbers for the higherincome sample were drawn using RDD in exchanges in the remaining census tracts. The data were weighted slightly by gender, age, region, party identification, immigration status, education and race in order to ensure that the survey accurately reflects the demographic configuration of these populations. In the combined totals, respondents in the low-income sample were weighted down to reflect their actual proportion among all residents. In interpreting survey results, all sample surveys are subject to possible sampling error; that is, the results of a survey may differ from those which would be obtained if the entire population were interviewed. The size of the sampling error depends upon both the total number of respondents in the survey and the percentage distribution of responses to a particular question. The margin of error for the low- income component is +/- 3.5%. The margin of error for the moderate- and higher-income component is +/-4.9%. The margin of error for all respondents combined is +/-2.8%. 2 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
TABLE OF CONTENTS I. II. III. IV. V. VI.
NYC Problems, Voting Priorities, and Personal Worries Government Support During the Economic Crisis Employment and Employer Sponsored Benefits Hardships Savings, Tax Return Spending, and Debt Current and Future Economic Security
3 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
New York City Problems, Voting Priorities, and Personal Worries The economy (including health care) and employment top the list of New Yorkers’ concerns for the city and for themselves, much more so in 2009 than in years past. The economy will also most influence New Yorkers’ voting decisions in November.
4 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Half of lowincome New Yorkers think things in the city are off on the wrong track. Compared to 2008, low-income residents prove more positive about the direction of the city, while moderate to higherincome residents hold more steady in their views.
Things in NYC: Right Direction or Wrong Track 60% 50%
40%
54%
50% 39%
42%
44%
30%
30% 20% 10% 0%
≤200% FPL
201-400% FPL Right Direction
400%+ FPL
Wrong Track
5 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Moderate to higherincome Whites are most positive about the direction of the city. Others are either split or more likely to think things in New York City are off on the wrong track. NYC: Right Direction or Wrong Track 70% 61% 60%
50% 40%
53%
50% 38%
50% 44%
41%
37%
34%
46%
39%
29%
30%
20% 10% 0% ≤200% FPL White ≤200% FPL Black ≤200% FPL Latino >200% FPL White >200% FPL Black >200% FPL Latino
Right Direction
Wrong Track
6 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Regardless of income, New Yorkers are more likely to think that public schools are headed in the right direction than they were in 2005. They are most positive about public schools and most negative about the economy and jobs.
% Right Direction ≤200% FPL 2005
2009
∆
2005
2009
∆
26%
46%
+20
30%
51%
+21
Public transportation†
-
34%
-
-
46%
-
Access to health care
26%
42%
+16
30%
33%
+3
Homelessness‡
14%
22%
+8
20%
26%
+6
-
17%
-
-
28%
-
Affordable housing
13%
22%
+9
26%
23%
-3
Economy and jobs
21%
17%
-4
36%
25%
-11
Public schools
Family homelessness†‡
† Questions ‡
200%+ FPL
not asked in 2005
Split-sampled question
7 Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
New Yorkers at all income levels list employment/lack of jobs and the economy as the top problems facing the city.
Biggest Problem Facing NYC Today (volunteered responses) ≤200% FPL
201-400% FPL
400%+ FPL
Employment/lack of jobs
23%
27%
17%
Economy/finances/money problems
23%
21%
20%
Public safety (crime, guns, drugs, gangs, violence)
13%
8%
3%
Housing/affordable housing
9%
7%
6%
Education/schools
3%
3%
12%
Transportation/infrastructure
4%
5%
7%
Cost of living/income gap
2%
6%
4%
Taxes
3%
3%
4%
Health care/insurance/prescriptions drugs
2%
2%
5%
Overcrowding
2%
3%
1%
Poverty/homelessness
2%
1%
3%
State government
1%
1%
4%
8 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Concerns about employment and the lack of jobs in 2009 are much higher than in the past few years.
Biggest Problem Facing NYC: Employment/Lack of Jobs 24%
25%
23% 22%
20%
15%
14% 12%
12%
12% 10%
11% 8%
8%
10% ≤100% FPL
5%
101-200% FPL
4%
>200% FPL
0%
2006
2007
2008
2009
9 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
While New Yorkers above 100% FPL hold steady in their views on the economy, the lowest income residents are more likely than in 2008 to say the economy is the biggest problem facing NYC. Biggest Problem Facing NYC: The Economy 30% 25%
25% 20%
20%
21% 20%
17%
15% 11% 10%
5%
8% 9% ≤100% FPL
8%
101-200% FPL
5%
>200% FPL
0% 2006
2007
2008
2009
10 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
New Yorkers’ concerns about the economy and jobs extend to the voting booth, with these issues dominating the list of what will affect their voting decision in the upcoming mayoral election. When deciding which candidate you will support for Mayor in the upcoming election, what issue affecting New York City will have the most influence on your voting decision?† (volunteered responses)
Top Voting Issue (volunteered responses) ≤200% FPL
201-400% FPL
400%+ FPL
Jobs/unemployment/economy
27%
30%
26%
Education
9%
10%
15%
Personal traits-honest/integrity/credibility
6%
5%
15%
Taxes
5%
12%
7%
Crime/security
7%
3%
4%
Health care/prescription drugs
3%
9%
2%
Housing
4%
5%
3%
Anti-Bloomberg mentions
2%
3%
7%
Transportation
3%
2%
2%
Help the middle class/senior citizens/Social Security
1%
3%
1%
Cost of food/living/energy costs/rising prices
1%
1%
3%
(Other)
3%
3%
8%
(Don’t know)
25%
13%
5%
† Split-sampled
question
11 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Similarly, when selecting from a lists of issues, New Yorkers choose the economy as the issue that will most influence their vote for Mayor. Those under 400% FPL also say jobs programs for the unemployed will affect their decision. When deciding which candidate you will support for Mayor in the upcoming election, what issue affecting New York City will have the most influence on your voting decision?†
Top Voting Issue (selected from list) ≤200% FPL
201-400% FPL
400%+ FPL
The economy
21%
26%
27%
Jobs programs for the unemployed
16%
15%
8%
Affordable housing
15%
9%
9%
Education
10%
12%
11%
Affordable health insurance
8%
6%
10%
Reducing poverty
7%
7%
6%
Tax cuts
4%
8%
6%
The budget
4%
4%
6%
City security
4%
5%
4%
Public transportation
4%
4%
2%
(Other)
1%
3%
6%
(Don’t know)
6%
1%
4%
† Split-sampled
Among low-income residents, affordable housing will be especially important to Black residents when they vote this fall (19 percent compared to 10 percent for Whites and 13 percent for Latinos). Education also stands out more among lowincome Blacks than among Whites and Latinos (16 percent, 8 percent and 9 percent, respectively ).
question
12 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Finding or keeping a job, health care and prescription drugs and public safety are among the top concerns for residents below 400% FPL. Higher income New Yorkers say they are worried about health care and prescription drugs as well as retirement security. Top Personal Worry (selected from list) ≤200% FPL
201-400% FPL
400%+ FPL
Health care and prescription drugs
12%
19%
17%
Finding or keeping a job
18%
12%
11%
Crime, drugs and gangs
16%
14%
11%
Retirement security
6%
11%
24%
Housing
13%
8%
5%
Fear of another terrorist attack
5%
6%
10%
Schools
5%
4%
8%
Debts and credit card debt
4%
9%
5%
Getting enough hours to support my family
8%
5%
2%
The wages and benefits at work
5%
7%
3%
Child care
1%
-
2%
13 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Lowincome working mothers have several acute concerns, including finding or keeping a job, safety and getting enough hours to support their families. Finding or keeping a job is more likely to be a concern for low income minorities than Whites. Top Personal Worry (selected from list) ≤200% White
≤200% Black
≤200% Latino
≤200% Working Women No Kids
≤200% Working Custodial Moms
Health care and prescription drugs
15%
13%
10%
15%
6%
Finding or keeping a job
13%
19%
21%
13%
20%
Crime, drugs and gangs
20%
17%
13%
17%
17%
Retirement security
5%
7%
5%
9%
4%
Housing
10%
13%
15%
13%
14%
Fear of another terrorist attack
5%
4%
5%
4%
4%
Schools
2%
4%
5%
6%
5%
Debts and credit card debt
7%
4%
2%
3%
7%
Getting enough hours to support my family
6%
7%
12%
6%
14%
The wages and benefits at work
5%
5%
5%
7%
5%
Child care
2%
-
1%
2%
3%
14 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Among residents below 200% FPL, finding or keeping a job is more likely to be a concern this year than in 2008.
Top Personal Worry: Finding or Keeping a Job 30% 25%
25%
+5
22% 20%
21%
19%
19%
16%
16%
15% 15%
19% 17% 13%
14%
11%
10%
14% 12%
13% 10%
6%
8%
8%
5%
≤100% FPL 101-200% FPL >200% FPL
0% 2002
2003
2004
2005*
2006
2007
2008
2009
*2005 omitted due to data limitations
15 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Government Support During the Economic Crisis While access to public benefits increased in 2009, public safety net programs are not reaching all eligible New Yorkers in need. Large numbers of New Yorkers do not think they are eligible for Food Stamps—even though they are eligible.
16 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Fortyfive percent of lowincome New Yorkers have health insurance through a public plan. Lowincome residents are three times as likely as higherincome New Yorkers to be without health insurance. Do you currently have health insurance like Medicare, veterans health care, Medicaid/Child Health Plus/Family Health Plus, from your own job, or other health insurance? Health Care Coverage Twenty-eight percent of lowincome immigrants say they have no health care coverage, compared to 18 percent of residents born in the U.S.
50% 45%
45%
40% 35%
44%
28%
30% 25% 20% 15%
24%
21%
22%
25%
23%
25% 20%
20% 12%
10%
14% 10% 7% 4%
5%
0% ≤200% FPL
Medicare Insurance through job No health insurance
201-400% FPL
400%+ FPL
Medicaid/Child or Family Health Plus Other health insurance*
* “Other health insurance” for 201-400% FPL includes 2% of respondents who reported they receive veterans’ insurance.
17 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Less than 1 in 4 unemployed New Yorkers across all income bands report receiving unemployment insurance. For lowincome New Yorkers, those who are actively looking for work are more likely to report receipt of unemployment insurance. Unemployment Insurance for the Unemployed 100%
100%
89% 82%
82%
78%
80%
60%
40%
40%
18%
81%
80%
60%
20%
Unemployment Insurance for the Unemployed who are Actively Looking for Work
73%
27%
22%
17%
20%
11%
19%
0%
0% ≤100% FPL
101-200% FPL
201-400% FPL
> 400% FPL
Yes
No
≤200% FPL All Unemployed
≤200% FPL Unemployed and Actively Looking for Work
18 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Food Stamps remain underutilized in New York City. Half of poor native born respondents—nearly all of whom are eligible for Food Stamps—do not receive this public benefit.
Food Stamps
100% 90% 80%
75%
70%
70% 60% 50%
56%
49%
50% 44%
40% 30%
25%
29%
20% 10% 0% ≤100% FPL Native Born
≤100% FPL Immigrant
101-200% FPL Native Born
Yes
101- 200% FPL Immigrant
No
19 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Lowincome New Yorkers cite lack of eligibility as the top reason they are not receiving Food Stamp assistance right now.
You said that you or anyone in your household are currently not receiving food stamp assistance, is that because: [SELECT ALL THAT APPLY] 43% 44%
You don’t think you are eligible Don’t really need them
25%
16% 8%
Lack of information about the program Application process is a hassle or inconvenient
19% 11% 11%
Benefits too small/not worth effort
9% 7%
Uncomforable being on assistance
7% 7% 101-200% FPL
2% 3%
Don’t want to get fingerprinted 0%
5%
≤100% FPL
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
20 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Public assistance among the lowestincome New Yorkers is up 50 percent from last year, from 14 percent to 21 percent. ≤100% FPL: Trends in Assistance Programs 70% 57%
60%
60% 53%
52% 48%
50%
51%
40%
33%
30%
30%
20%
20%
52% 45%
42%
46% 44%
36%
39%
40%
40%
33% 21%
18%
10%
20%
21%
14%
+7 0% 2002 Public assistance † Not
2003
2004 Food stamps
2005*
2006
2007
Medicaid/Family Health Plus†
2008
2009
Medicaid/Child Health Plus†
asked prior to 2004. * 2005 omitted due to data limitations.
Please note that not all individuals below 100% FPL are eligible for these public benefits. The trend data, however, do indicate yearly fluctuations in public benefit access.
21 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Employment and EmployerSponsored Benefits The vast majority of the unemployed say the poor job market/economy has made their search difficult. For those who remain working, job quality has declined substantially over the last year—as employer-sponsored benefits are down from 2008 levels. Low-income Latinos—who are most likely to work in non-union sectors—show the lowest level of employersponsored benefits.
22 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Despite the economic crisis, the vast majority of lowincome households include a worker. More than 7 in 10 households under 200% FPL have at least one worker, while almost half have two or more workers. Total Number of Workers in Household
81%†
80%†
71% 60%
51%
48%
50%
50%
40% 30%
32%
30%
29% 23%
20%
20%
19%
10% 0%
≤200% FPL
† Numbers
do not sum exactly due to rounding
201-400% FPL No Workers
One
400%+ FPL Two or More
23 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
The vast majority (71 percent) of lowincome parttime workers would like to be working more hours, compared to half of their moderate to higher income counterparts. Would you like to be working more hours or would you not like to be working more hours? (PART-TIME WORKERS ONLY)†
80% 70%
Want to Work More Hours 71%
60% 50%
50%
47%
40% 27%
30% 20% 10% 0% ≤200% FPL
>200% FPL Yes
† n
No
size for 201-400% FPL and 400%+ too small for separate analysis
24 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
The current job market is the top reason lowincome residents who are unemployed say their job search has been difficult. Here is a list of factors other people have mentioned as reasons their search for a job has been difficult. Of these, please tell me which of these factors you think makes it the most difficult for YOU to find a job. [CHECK ALL THAT APPLY] Factors Making Job Search Difficult (selected from list)
† small
≤100% FPL
101-200% FPL†
There are not enough jobs/job market is bad
48%
53%
You have health problems
32%
21%
You don’t know the right people
21%
25%
You don’t have enough education or training
28%
15%
You have been out of the job market/hard to reenter
20%
24%
You don’t have enough prior experience
20%
23%
You have limited English skills
18%
9%
You are having trouble because of your race or ethnicity
9%
15%
You don’t have transportation to get to a job
13%
11%
Your family responsibilities and child care
8%
13%
You have a criminal record
6%
6%
You are afraid to lose public health insurance
5%
4%
n size
25 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
One in five higherincome respondents works in the professional and business services sector. The top sectors among lowincome workers include health services, wholesale and retail trade, construction, and manufacturing. Employment by Industry/Sector 11%
Professional and business services
17% 14%
Health services
15% 9%
Education services Wholesale and retail trade
15%
12%
10%
7%
16%
13%
10%
6%
Construction
10%
20%
7%
Transportation and utilities Manufacturing
11%
6%
2% 4%
Government
8%
5% 4% 4%
Financial activities Leisure and hospitality
6%
4%
Information
3% 0%
4% 5%
≤200% FPL
9% 7%
201-400% FPL 400%+ FPL
5% 10%
15%
20%
26 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Lowincome Blacks are more likely to be in health or government sectors while lowincome Latinos are more likely to be working in construction. Professional and business services is the top industry among lowincome Whites, followed by manufacturing. Employment by Industry/Sector 8%
Professional and business services
11%
16%
11% 11%
Health services
7% 7%
Education services Wholesale and retail trade
12% 13% 12%
7%
Construction
18%
8%
Transportation and utilities
6%
Manufacturing
7%
12%
8% 14% 13%
6%
3%
Government
8%
2%
3% 3%
Financial activities
≤200% FPL Latino
5%
6%
Leisure and hospitality
7% 4%
Information
6% 0%
21%
5%
≤200% FPL Black
8%
≤200% FPL White
7% 10%
15%
20%
25%
27 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Lowincome workers are much less likely than their moderate to higher income counterparts to be receiving benefits from their employer.
Employer-Sponsored Benefits 36%
Paid vacation
59%
40%
Health insurance for yourself
57%
34%
Paid sick leave
56%
30%
Pension/401K retirement plan
22%
Access to job training
5% 7%
Child care benefits 0%
10%
67%
45% 32%
14%
Access to education/ skills development opportunities
67%
46%
27%
Health insurance for your family
69% 70%
44%
23%
Prescription drug coverage
77%
61%
40% ≤200% FPL
36% 37%
201-400% FPL 400%+ FPL
14% 20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
28 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Lowincome Black workers—who are more likely to be working in unionized sectors—are more likely than lowincome Latinos and low income Whites to receive employersponsored benefits. Employer-Sponsored Benefits by Race 33% 31%
Paid vacation
47%
34%
Health insurance for yourself
45% 43%
28%
Paid sick leave
42%
34% 25% 26%
Pension/401K retirement plan
34%
17% 17%
Prescription drug coverage
36% 22% 20%
Health insurance for your family
19% 17%
Access to job training 11%
Access to education/ skills development opportunities
Latino ≤200% FPL
Black ≤200% FPL White ≤200% FPL
7% 6%
1% 0%
25%
19%
6%
Child care benefits
36%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
29 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Lowincome New Yorkers in union households are more likely than their nonunion counterparts to have employersponsored benefits. Employer-Sponsored Benefits by Union Status Paid vacation Health insurance for yourself
51%
38%
Paid sick leave
43%
33%
Pension/401K retirement plan
42%
27%
Prescription drug coverage
37%
25%
Health insurance for your family
41%
20% 24% 22%
Access to job training Access to education/ skills development opportunities
25%
12%
Child care benefits
4% 0%
† small
45%
35%
≤200% FPL Union† ≤200% FPLNon-Union
10% 10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
n size
30 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Most lowincome workers report that they do not receive employer sponsored health insurance because it is not offered or due to ineligibility. The most common response among moderate to higherincome New Yorkers is that they have coverage elsewhere. You noted that you were not receiving health insurance from your employer – is this because your employer doesn’t provide health insurance, because you are not eligible for the employer’s health insurance plan, because you couldn’t afford it, or because you were covered elsewhere? Reason for Not Receiving Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance 48%
50% 40%
36% 30%
30%
26%
24%
23% 19%
20%
19% 15%
12%
11%
13%
10% 0% ≤100% FPL
101-200% FPL Not offered
† small
Ineligible
Couldn’t afford
>200% FPL† Covered elsewhere
n size
31 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Workers above 100% FPL are less likely to receive employersponsored health insurance for themselves this year than over the past few years.
Workers Receiving Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance for Themselves 90% 80%
85% 77%
-8
78% 75% 69%
70% 66%
68%
71%
71%
63%
60%
60%
55%
52%
53%
50% 40%
47% 39%
46%
-6
30%
33%
33%
30%
34%
20%
≤100% FPL 10%
101-200% FPL >200% FPL
0% 2002
2003
2004
2005*
2006
2007
2008
2009
*omitted due to data limitations
32 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
The same income bands have also seen a drop in employersponsored health insurance for their families. Workers Receiving Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance for their Families 70%
-6 60%
57% 53%
54% 49%
59% 56% 53%
50%
50% 46%
43%
40%
40% 34%
30% 20%
38%
39%
-8
31%
34%
21%
24%
24%
22%
25%
≤100% FPL
10%
101-200% FPL >200% FPL
0% 2002
2003
2004
2005*
2006
2007
2008
2009
*omitted due to data limitations
33 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Workers above 100% FPL, especially those between 101200% FPL, are also less likely to have prescription drug coverage from their employers than they were in recent years. Workers Receiving Employer-Sponsored Prescription Drug Coverage 90% 79%
80% 70%
-6 69%
64% 62%
60%
63% 59%
57%
59% 46%
50%
41%
42%
-16
40% 30%
33%
26%
34% 21%
20%
21% 17%
10%
19%
≤100% FPL 101-200% FPL >200% FPL
0% 2003
2004
2005*
2006
2007
2008
2009
*omitted due to data limitations
34 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Workers between 101200% FPL are less likely to have paid sick leave than years past. Workers Receiving Paid Sick Leave from Employer 90% 82% 80%
75%
72%
60%
68%
69%
70% 63%
66% 62%
60%
55%
50%
56% 43%
39% 40%
63%
-10
39%
36%
30%
35%
34%
35%
33%
29% 20% ≤100% FPL 10%
101-200% FPL >200% FPL
0% 2002
2003
2004
2005*
2006
2007
2008
2009
*omitted due to data limitations
35 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Hardships Low-income New Yorkers continue to face high levels of economic, food, health, and housing hardships. Job-related hardships increased in 2009, and are especially acute for low-income Latinos and low-income working moms. New Yorkers across incomes face increasing health care costs.
36 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Half of residents under 100% FPL report experiencing 3 or more hardships, including falling behind on rent, not filling a prescription, and receiving free food. Economic 37% Cut back on buying back-to-school supplies and clothes
Multiple Hardships for Poor Residents: ≤100%FPL
25% Had hours, wages or tips reduced 23% Lost job 12% Received assistance from charity/religious/community organization Food 17% Often skipped meals because there wasn’t enough money to buy food
20% Received free food or meals from family or friends 14% Went hungry because there wasn’t enough money to buy food
None: 22%
1 or 2: 27%
20% Received free food or meals from a food pantry, soup kitchen, or meal program Health 26% Had your health care costs increase 14% Had your health care coverage reduced 28% Needed to fill a prescription but couldn’t because of a lack of money or insurance
3 or more: 50%
17% Not gotten or postponed getting medical care or surgery because of a lack of money or insurance Housing 30% Fell behind in rent or mortgage in the last year 26% Had either the gas, electricity, or telephone turned off because the bill was not paid 15% Moved in with other people even for a little while because of financial problems 15% Been threatened with foreclosure or eviction 4% Stayed at a shelter, in an abandoned building, an automobile, or any other place not meant for regular housing even for one night because didn’t have enough money for a place to live
37 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
More than 4 in 10 New Yorkers between 101200% FPL faced 3 or more hardships. Approximately 1 in 3 had health care costs increased in the last year, and approximately 1 in 4 fell behind in rent or mortgage. Large numbers of the near poor also had their hours, wages or tips reduced. Economic 24% Cut back on buying back-to-school supplies and clothes
Multiple Hardships for Near-Poor Residents: 101-200% FPL
28% Had hours, wages or tips reduced 18% Lost job 10% Received assistance from charity/religious/community organization Food 14% Often skipped meals because there wasn’t enough money to buy food
17% Received free food or meals from family or friends 10% Went hungry because there wasn’t enough money to buy food
None: 28%
1 or 2: 29%
11% Received free food or meals from a food pantry, soup kitchen, or meal program Health 32% Had your health care costs increase 19% Had your health care coverage reduced 20% Needed to fill a prescription but couldn’t because of a lack of money or insurance
3 or more: 43%
22% Not gotten or postponed getting medical care or surgery because of a lack of money or insurance Housing 26% Fell behind in rent or mortgage in the last year 17% Had either the gas, electricity, or telephone turned off because the bill was not paid 11% Moved in with other people even for a little while because of financial problems 14% Been threatened with foreclosure or eviction 3% Stayed at a shelter, in an abandoned building, an automobile, or any other place not meant for regular housing even for one night because didn’t have enough money for a place to live
38 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Most moderateincome New Yorkers report at least one hardship, and nearly half saw their health care costs increase. Twentytwo percent fell behind in rent or mortgage. Economic 20% Cut back on buying back-to-school supplies and clothes
Multiple Hardships for Moderate-Income Residents: 201-400% FPL
20% Had hours, wages or tips reduced 17% Lost job 3% Received assistance from charity/religious/community organization Food 11% Often skipped meals because there wasn’t enough money to buy food
7% Received free food or meals from family or friends 7% Went hungry because there wasn’t enough money to buy food
None: 25%
6% Received free food or meals from a food pantry, soup kitchen, or meal program
1 or 2: 41%
Health 44% Had your health care costs increase 14% Had your health care coverage reduced 20% Needed to fill a prescription but couldn’t because of a lack of money or insurance
3 or more: 34%
15% Not gotten or postponed getting medical care or surgery because of a lack of money or insurance Housing 22% Fell behind in rent or mortgage in the last year 6% Had either the gas, electricity, or telephone turned off because the bill was not paid 5% Moved in with other people even for a little while because of financial problems 8% Been threatened with foreclosure or eviction 1% Stayed at a shelter, in an abandoned building, an automobile, or any other place not meant for regular housing even for one night because didn’t have enough money for a place to live
39 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Lowincome working moms are burdened by hardships, with 60 percent experiencing three or more. Fortyfour percent saw their hours, wages or tips reduced and more than 4 in 10 fell behind in rent or mortgage. Economic 43% Cut back on buying back-to-school supplies and clothes
Multiple Hardships for Low-Income Custodial Moms
44% Had hours, wages or tips reduced 23% Lost job 14% Received assistance from charity/religious/community organization Food 13% Often skipped meals because there wasn’t enough money to buy food
23% Received free food or meals from family or friends 10% Went hungry because there wasn’t enough money to buy food
None: 18%
1 or 2: 22%
17% Received free food or meals from a food pantry, soup kitchen, or meal program Health 28% Had your health care costs increase 11% Had your health care coverage reduced 27% Needed to fill a prescription but couldn’t because of a lack of money or insurance
3 or more: 60%
23% Not gotten or postponed getting medical care or surgery because of a lack of money or insurance Housing 41% Fell behind in rent or mortgage in the last year 34% Had either the gas, electricity, or telephone turned off because the bill was not paid 11% Moved in with other people even for a little while because of financial problems 19% Been threatened with foreclosure or eviction 5% Stayed at a shelter, in an abandoned building, an automobile, or any other place not meant for regular housing even for one night because didn’t have enough money for a place to live
40 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Lowincome Latinos were hit the hardest by the recession in terms of employment. More than 4 in 10 lowincome Latinos either had their hours, wages, and/or tips reduced, or lost their jobs—or both—in the past year.
Job/Employment Hardships by Race 43%
45% 40% 35%
14%
32% 29%
30% 11%
25%
11%
20% 15% 10% 5%
27% 21%
16%
18%
22%
26%
31%
29%
18%
0% ≤200% FPL White
Lost your job
≤200% FPL Black
Had your hours, wages or tips reduced
≤200% FPL Latino Yes to one
Yes to both
41 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
The majority of lowincome working moms either had their hours, wages, and/or tips reduced, or lost their jobs—or both—in the past year.
Job/Employment Hardships Among Low-Income Working Women 52%
50% 15% 40% 29%
30%
5% 44%
20%
37% 24%
22%
10%
23%
12% 0%
Low-Income Working Women - No Kids Lost your job
Had your hours, wages or tips reduced
Low-Income Working Custodial Moms Yes to one
Yes to both
42 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
New Yorkers under 100% FPL report higher rates of jobrelated hardships than last year.
Employment Hardships for Poor Workers 30% 28% 26%
29%
28%
+9 26%
25%
24%
22%
23% 23%
21%
22%
20%
20%
19%
+5
18%
18% 18%
16%
16%
14%
13%
12%
10% 2002
2003
2004
Lost your job
2005*
2006
2007
2008
2009
Had your hours, wages, tips reduced
*omitted due to data limitations
43 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
With over a quarter saying they have had their gas, electricity or telephone turned off, the lowestincome New Yorkers are more likely to be having trouble with their utility payments this year than in 2008. Had the Gas, Electricity, or Telephone Turned Off
35%
32% +5
30%
26% 25% 20%
23%
23%
21%
22%
21%
21%
17% 15%
15%
13%
14%
17%
10% ≤100% FPL
7%
5%
101-200% FPL
0% 2002
2003
2004
2005*
2006
2007
2008
2009
*omitted due to data limitations
44 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Savings, Tax Return Spending, and Debt Low-income New Yorkers—especially Latinos—have very limited savings. It is therefore not surprising that low-income New Yorkers, many of whom faced economic hardships this past year, continue to use their tax refunds to pay for basic needs such as food. New Yorkers across income are united in debt, especially credit card debt.
45 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Onethird of lowincome New Yorkers have no savings at all. Onethird of moderateincome residents—and twothirds of lowincome residents— have less than $1,000 to fall back on if tough times were to hit them and their families. If tough times were to hit you and your family, how much money in savings do you currently have to fall back on?
400%+ FPL
6%
5%
9%
70%
33% 201-400% FPL
17%
11%
5%
22%
33%
67% ≤200% FPL
32%
0%
$0
10%
24%
20%
$1 - $500
30%
40%
$500-$1,000
11%
50%
60%
$1,000-$5,000
12%
70%
8%
80%
90%
100%
More than $5,000 46 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Almost half of lowincome Latinos say they have no money in savings, and 7 out of 10 have $500 or less. If tough times were to hit you and your family, how much money in savings do you currently have to fall back on? Rainy Day Savings More than $10,000
3%
$5,000-$10,000
2% 1%
$2,500-$5,000
7% 8%
4%
3%
6% 6% 8% 7% 6%
$1,000-$2,500 $500-$1,000
7%
14%
10%
$100-$500
13% 8% 7%
Less than $100
16% 17%
70% ≤200% FPL White
11%
≤200% FPL Black 20%
Zero 0%
10%
20%
≤200% FPL Latino
32% 30%
46% 40%
50%
60%
47 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Higherincome New Yorkers are most likely to put their tax refund in savings while those under 400% FPL continued to use the money to cover basic expenses, such as utility bills, food, housing payments, and clothes. Use of Tax Refund† 28%
Put in savings To pay off debts
21%
To pay utility bills
19%
To pay for food
To buy clothes
18%
12%
4%
To buy things like appliances/furniture To pay for education To pay for medical expenses/bills/debt
6%
To purchase, make payments on, or repair a car 5%
For a vacation To help pay for purchasing a house or apt
1%
0%
31%
21%
5%
To pay off back rent/utilities
32%
25%
10%
To pay for gasoline or energy
40%
29%
9%
47%
42%
25%
16%
To make house or rent payments
† Asked
38% 37% 38%
21%
19%
11% 10% 12% 9% 13% 12% 12% 13%
≤200% FPL
10% 9% 11%
201-400% FPL
8%
400%+ FPL
14%
6% 5%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
only of those who said they had received a tax refund in earlier question
48 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
In fact, lowincome New Yorkers are even more likely to have used their tax money to pay for basic expenses than in 2008.
Low-Income (≤200% FPL) Use of Tax Refund: 2008 and 2009 45% Put in savings
To pay off debts
To pay utility bills
To pay for food
42% 40%
40%
37% 35%
30%
34% 31% 30% 28%
25%
32% 31% 28%
25%
To make house/rent payments
20% 18%
To buy clothes
15% 2008
2009
49 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
There is a higher incidence of using tax refunds to pay for food and to make house or rent payments among moderateincome residents than in 2008. These New Yorkers are also more likely than they were last year to put this money into savings. Higher-income respondents (above 400% FPL) also reported an increase in using a tax refund to pay for food (10% to 16%) or utility bills (14% to 19%).
Moderate-Income (201-400% FPL) Use of Tax Refund: 2008 and 2009 40% 38% Put in savings To pay off debts To pay utility bills To pay for food
35%
36%
30% 25% 20%
To make house/rent payments 15%
29% 24% 23% 21%
25% 21%
16% 13%
To buy clothes
10% 2008
2009
50 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
More than 1 in 5 residents below 400% FPL reports debt from medical bills. Across income bands, New Yorkers report having credit card debt.
Now let me read you some types of debt. Of these, please tell me which types of debt you have. Do you have…
Good Debt:
Bad Debt:
≤200% FPL
201-400% FPL
400%+ FPL
Student loans
14%
17%
21%
Mortgage
14%
20%
36%
Car loan
14%
16%
23%
Tax
13%
12%
16%
Credit card
41%
50%
45%
Child support back payments
2%
2%
-
Medical bills
24%
21%
12%
Rent and mortgage back payments
18%
15%
3%
51 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Current and Future Economic Security New Yorkers are united in their concerns about future health care costs. Low- and moderate-income New Yorkers—especially low-income Latinos—are worried about losing their job in the next year and not working enough hours to make ends meet. Low-income working moms are constantly worried about their financial security.
52 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
New Yorkers of all incomes are concerned about future health care costs, with intensity highest among moderateincome residents.
How concerned are you about the health care costs that you and your family may face in the future – are you very concerned, somewhat concerned, a little concerned, or not concerned at all? Future Health Care Costs
≤200% FPL
201-400% FPL
400%+ FPL
40%
-28%
-11%
-23%
-6%
-24%
-12%
20%
Not at all concerned
71%
43%
77%
46%
75%
34%
0%
A little concerned
20%
40%
Very concerned
60%
80%
Somewhat concerned
53 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Just under half of lowincome New Yorkers say they worry their total family income will not be enough to meet basic expenses all or most of the time. How often do you worry that your total family income will not be enough to meet your family’s expenses and bills – all of the time, most of the time, some of the time, once in a while, or never? Across income bands, concerns Concern About Having Enough Money to Meet Basic Expenses prove similar to 2008.
400%+ FPL
13%
201-400% FPL
10%
19%
16%
30%
13%
23%
29%
0% All of the time
10%
21%
18%
20%
30%
Most of the time
23%
Sixty percent of low-income working custodial moms say they worry about this all or most of the time.
47%
≤200% FPL
31%
26%
40%
50%
Some of the time
60%
14%
70%
80%
Once in a while
12%
90%
100%
Never
54 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
The vast majority of low and moderateincome New Yorkers do not feel secure about meeting their future retirement needs. Higherincome New Yorkers are the most likely to say they feel very secure about meeting future retirement needs, but intensity is still low and down eight points from 2008. Thinking about the future, how financially secure do you feel to meet future retirement needs – do you feel very secure, somewhat secure, a little secure, or not at all secure? Future Retirement Security
≤200% FPL -64%
-34%
8%
201-400% FPL -63%
-34%
8%
-42%
400%+ FPL
70%
50%
Not at all secure
-17%
30%
A little secure
10%
33%
36%
New Yorkers across income bands are less likely to say they feel very secure this year compared to 2008 (≤200% FPL: 35 percent secure, 13 percent very secure; 201-400% FPL: 47 percent secure, 15 percent very secure; 400%+ FPL: 64 percent secure, 22 percent very secure).
57%
14%
10%
Very secure
30%
50%
70%
Somewhat secure
55 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
The majority of low and moderateincome New Yorkers are concerned about losing their jobs in the next year, as well as working enough hours to make ends meet. Thinking about the next 12 months, how concerned are you that you or someone in your household will be out of a job – are you very concerned, somewhat concerned, a little concerned, or not concerned at all?
Thinking about the next 12 months, how concerned are you that you or someone in your household will not be working enough hours to make ends meet – are you very concerned, somewhat concerned, a little concerned, or not concerned at all?
Future Job/Employment Insecurity
≤200% FPL
201-400% FPL
-39%
-23%
-48%
-35%
400%+ FPL -60%
75%
-41%
55%
35%
15%
Not at all concerned
59%
36%
52%
29%
17%
5%
39%
25%
-38%
45%
-21%
-47%
-32%
-65%
65%
A little concerned
75%
-49%
55%
35%
Very concerned
15%
60%
37%
52%
26%
35%
16%
5%
25%
45%
65%
Somewhat concerned
56 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Job concerns are particularly acute among Latinos, with over 40 percent saying they are very concerned that they or someone in their household will be out of a job or not working enough hours to make ends meet in the next twelve months. Thinking about the next 12 months, how concerned are you that you or someone in your household will be out of a job – are you very concerned, somewhat concerned, a little concerned, or not concerned at all?
Thinking about the next 12 months, how concerned are you that you or someone in your household will not be working enough hours to make ends meet – are you very concerned, somewhat concerned, a little concerned, or not concerned at all?
Future Job/Employment Insecurity
≤200% FPL Latino
≤200% FPL Black
≤200% FPL White
75%
-30%
-45%
-45%
50%
Not at all concerned
-16%
-32%
37%
-28%
25%
69%
43%
50%
30%
0%
52%
25%
A little concerned
50%
-29%
-14%
-44%
-31%
-44%
75% 50%
33%
-25%
25%
Very concerned
70%
45%
51%
31%
0%
55%
25%
50%
75%
Somewhat concerned
57 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
Acknowledgements The Community Service Society draws on a 160-year history of excellence in addressing the root causes of economic disparity. CSS is an informed, independent and unwavering voice for positive action that serves the needs of our constituents: low- and moderate-income New Yorkers who are too often left out of the policy conversation. Jeremy Reiss, Director of Workforce and Economic Security Initiatives, authored this report and can be reached at [email protected] or 212.614.5472. Krista Pietrangelo, Strategic Planning and Policy Associate, provided invaluable research assistance and can be reached at [email protected] or 212.614.5468. Special thanks to Celinda Lake and Anita Sharma from Lake Research Partners for their analytical expertise and support.
58 The Unheard Third 2009 www.cssny.org
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