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Oct 16, 2024

New Report Sheds Light on Public Assistance in Montana

On October 17, we commemorate the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. This global event recognizes the resilience of those experiencing poverty while advocating for effective solutions. At Headwaters, we are committed to translating this global message into local action by working side-by-side with Western Montanans to tackle our region’s unique challenges and improve the health of our communities.

Public assistance programs are crucial in addressing poverty in Montana and across the country. These programs help families bridge gaps and meet basic needs like food, healthcare, warmth, and shelter. Programs such as SNAP, TANF, WIC, Medicaid, and CHIP are essential lifelines for Montana families navigating financial hardship. Despite its importance, public assistance is often misunderstood, with myths and stereotypes surrounding recipients. 

Headwaters Foundation commissioned a comprehensive analysis and report on public assistance called Supporting our Neighbors: Understanding Who Receives Public Assistance in Montana, For How Long, and Why? to cut through the noise and gain a genuine understanding of those who benefit from these programs. Bryce Ward of ABMJ Consulting conducted the research and complemented the findings with interviews with program participants. We hope this research will serve as a valuable resource for those working to improve Montana families’ financial stability and well-being.

Some key takeaways from the report:

  • There isn’t a ‘typical’ public assistance recipient or family: Many kinds of families lean on programs for short periods, often due to caregiving, changing employment, and financial challenges. As one interview participant put it, recipients are “just normal people.”
  • Most recipients are working families with children, or those who aren’t able to work: A significant majority of public assistance recipients in Montana are working families with children, or individuals unable to work due to age or disabilities.
  • Many families access programs, usually for short periods: Annually, over 120,000 Montana families receive some form of income-based public assistance. The families benefiting from these programs vary each year, with fewer than half using the programs for more than one consecutive year.
  • Most public assistance recipients who are able to work are working: Fewer than 2% of Montana families receiving assistance include adults under 65 who are not employed, report no disability, and have no children.
  • Public assistance programs are underutilized due to barriers: Over 40% of Montana families living below the poverty line do not access public assistance. Common obstacles to enrollment include administrative complexities, stigma, and challenges like reaching income thresholds or ‘the benefits cliff.’
  • Public assistance makes a significant positive impact: These programs lift 69% of older adults and 44% of children out of poverty while also contributing to improved health and nutrition, increased employment, and lower crime rates. 

Headwaters Foundation is committed to supporting nonprofits that address the root causes of challenges faced by children, families, and Native American communities in Western Montana. We encourage grantee partners, community leaders, local organizations, policymakers, and businesses to use this report to shape effective programs and policies, and to share it widely. By working together and raising awareness, we can make progress toward a future where every Montanan thrives!

Explore the full report here!

For those who prefer a quick overview, here is a fact sheet summarizing the data.

Headwaters also has a social media toolkit available to help spread the word and bust myths about public assistance. Email Robyn at [email protected] to receive graphics and content to share on your social media channels. 

If you have any questions about this resource or need further information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. If you’re interested in receiving resources like this directly in your inbox, sign up for our newsletter.