How One Law Change Can Dramatically Reduce Poverty

We Can Do Better · Jul 23, 2026 · 47m · transcript

In this episode, we examine a true silver bullet that can dramatically reduce poverty in the United States: pass a proposed law to update and improve our SSI program.

We start out the episode with the story of Dorothy (not her real name), one of our many eviction court clients who is unable to work because of disability. Like 7.4 million Americans, Dorothy’s sole income is her SSI, Supplemental Security Income, check. But that check is only $994–less than the average rent, not to mention other expenses. This amount condemns millions of people to live in poverty and, like Dorothy and so many…