Poverty

More than 63,000 low-income Vermonters could see their federal food benefits disappear next month if the government shutdown lasts through October, and administration officials say the state might not be able to bridge the gap.

Last month, H.55 became law, authorizing Vermont State Treasurer Mike Pieciak to establish a Vermont Baby Bond Trust program and develop a pilot. The program will provide funds to young Vermonters born into poverty. Their use is limited to wealth-building activities.

Brave Little State investigates a listener question about poor farms, and a local author discusses the last such farm to shut down in Vermont.

The powerful chair of the Senate appropriations committee and former secretary of human services shocked Vermont's political world last week when she announced that she will not seek reelection.

Financial constraints kept Vermont lawmakers from funding the proposal. State Treasurer Mike Pieciak said he’s still hopeful the program will materialize.

Calais resident Juanita Nunn is selling off land and moving into a mobile home behind her farmhouse because she can’t keep up with taxes and fuel prices.

A student at Hazen Union School in Hardwick wanted to learn more about his school's free and reduced meals program. So he made a podcast about it.

The annual inflation rate eased somewhat in April, but not enough to meaningfully reduce the burden on lower-income Americans.

In Vermont right now, jobs are plentiful and starting wages are up. Nonetheless, advocates say many people in Vermont are still struggling to afford basic necessities.

Legal services and representation can be difficult to obtain for people with low incomes. A new study asserts that helping Vermonters get access to these…