It's harder to be low-income in Florida compared to most states

BY MALENA CAROLLO

Living on a low income isn't easy anywhere, but a new study indicates Florida is among the states where it is particularly difficult.

Ananalysis being released today by RewardExpert ranks Florida as the ninth-worst state to live in for low-income families and individuals.

The study evaluated states based on government assistance programs, and the number of those that receive benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, cost of living, average income, taxes, minimum wage, housing prices and debt collection and family leave laws.

"The end result is that families and individuals of comparable means face very different challenges, under different conditions, from state to state," the study said.

Dragging down Florida's ranking was the average monthly benefit received through SNAP benefits? $221.05 versus the national average of $241.99. Florida's cutoff for Medicaid eligibility also pulled its score down, as the state's income cutoff for families is 33 percent of the federal poverty line.

Buoying its score was the Sunshine State's lack of an income tax and its "unusually strong" Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the study said, as well as the net increase of households that get assistance through SNAP.

Georgia was the worst state for low-income living because of little government assistance and protection, followed by Virginia and Mississippi.

The best states for families with low income were Vermont at No. 1, followed by Rhode Island, New York and Michigan.

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Contact this reporter at mcarollo@tampabay.com or (727) 892-2249. Follow @malenacarollo.