income

Finding affordable, quality childcare that fits their schedule feels like an impossible task for many parents. Kansas City parents navigating the workforce while raising young children say the region needs more options.

A new Washington University study found that St. Louis' guaranteed basic income pilot program helped hundreds of families. But a lawsuit paused payments, and later crises deepened the financial strain many participants already faced.

Joey Thomas has been sponsoring a turkey giveaway for almost 20 years. But he says this year feels different. Low-income families and businesses are all struggling with higher prices, a long federal shutdown and smaller, delayed SNAP benefits.

Thousands of Midwesterners obtained health insurance through the Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion. A federal work requirement would force states to enforce a policy that could cause a loss of benefits caused by administrative errors and red tape.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program was designed to help those with few resources cover their home energy bills in the summer and winter — but the entire staff was fired last week. Since October, the program has helped more than 100,00 Missouri households.

Farmers are increasingly relying on off-farm jobs to supplement their farm income. Today about 84% of farm families rely on another part-time or even full-time job to stay in business.

Kansas City has long been associated with barbeque, fountains and jazz music — but accordions? Meet the 90-year-old woman who is keeping the city's rich legacy alive. Plus: Kansas City journalist Ebony Reed takes an "immersive" dive into the nation's racial wealth gap in her new book.

Not everyone has the financial means or the interest to attend a traditional four-year college program. A Kansas City nonprofit is investing millions of dollars into adults making $45,000 or less each year — improving their financial stability and the city's workforce.

In September 2022, the Kansas City Council approved a tax break program for homeowners on the Westside who saw their home values skyrocket. So far, 53% of all homeowners have signed up for the program, which cuts property taxes to a percentage of their income and, for some, freezes it at that level for 25 years.

The Marlborough Community Land Trust is building wealth for low-income individuals by rehabbing homes and selling them below market price.

Birthday Connections is a resource allowing underserved families in Kansas City’s urban core to provide their children with meaningful birthdays.

14.6% of Missourians are in poverty, making it incredibly difficult for them to build up savings.