Unheard Third 2009

The Unheard Third 2009:
Job Loss, Economic Insecurity, and a Decline

in Job Quality
October 2009
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The Unheard Third 2009
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Methodology
The Community Service Society designed this survey in collaboration with Lake Research Partners, who
administered the survey by phone using professional interviewers. The survey reached a total of 1,212 New
York City residents, divided into two samples: 809 low-income residents (up to 200% of the federal poverty level,
approximately $36,000 a year for a family of three) and 403 moderate- and higher-income residents of New York
City (above 200% of the federal poverty level), age 18 or older. The survey was conducted from July 7 to
August 3, 2009.
The low-income sample includes two populations—366 poor respondents (earning at or below 100% of the
federal poverty level) and 443 “near-poor” respondents (earning between 101% and 200% of the federal
poverty level). We refer to these two groups collectively as “low-income.”
The second sample also includes two populations—200 “moderate-income” respondents (earning between

201% and 400% of the federal poverty level) and 203 “higher-income” respondents (earning above 400% of
the federal poverty level).
Telephone numbers for the low-income sample were drawn using random digit dial (RDD) among exchanges in
census tracts with an average annual income of no more than $40,000. Telephone numbers for the higher-
income sample were drawn using RDD in exchanges in the remaining census tracts. The data were weighted
slightly by gender, age, region, party identification, immigration status, education and race in order to ensure that
the survey accurately reflects the demographic configuration of these populations. In the combined totals,
respondents in the low-income sample were weighted down to reflect their actual proportion among all residents.
In interpreting survey results, all sample surveys are subject to possible sampling error; that is, the results of a
survey may differ from those which would be obtained if the entire population were interviewed. The size of the
sampling error depends upon both the total number of respondents in the survey and the percentage distribution
of responses to a particular question. The margin of error for the lowincome component is +/- 3.5%. The
margin of error for the moderate- and higher-income component is +/-4.9%. The margin of error for all
respondents combined is +/-2.8%.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. NYC Problems, Voting Priorities, and Personal Worries
II. Government Support During the Economic Crisis
III. Employment and Employer Sponsored Benefits
IV. Hardships
V. Savings, Tax Return Spending, and Debt
VI. Current and Future Economic Security
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New York City Problems, Voting Priorities,
and Personal Worries
The economy (including health care) and employment top the

list of New Yorkers’ concerns for the city and for
themselves, much more so in 2009 than in years past. The
economy will also most influence New Yorkers’ voting
decisions in November.
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Half of lowincome New Yorkers think things in the city are off on the
wrong track. Compared to 2008, low-income
residents prove more positive
about the direction of the
city, while moderate to higher-
income residents hold more
steady in their views.
Things in NYC: Right Direction or Wrong Track
60%
54%
50%
50%
44%
42%
39%
40%
30%
30%
20%
10%
0%
≤200% FPL 201-400% FPL 400%+ FPL
Right Direction Wrong Track
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Moderate to higherincome Whites are most positive about the direction
of the city. Others are either split or more likely to think things in New
York City are off on the wrong track.
NYC: Right Direction or Wrong Track
70%
61%
60%
53%
50% 50%
50% 46%
44%
41%
38% 39%
40% 37%
34%
29%
30%
20%
10%
0%
≤200% FPL White ≤200% FPL Black ≤200% FPL Latino >200% FPL White >200% FPL Black >200% FPL Latino
Right Direction Wrong Track
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Regardless of income, New Yorkers are more likely to think that public
schools are headed in the right direction than they were in 2005. They are
most positive about public schools and most negative about the economy
and jobs.
% Right Direction
≤200% FPL 200%+ FPL

2005 2009 ∆ 2005 2009 ∆
Public schools 26% 46% +20 30% 51% +21
Public transportation† - 34% - - 46% -
Access to health care 26% 42% +16 30% 33% +3
Homelessness‡ 14% 22% +8 20% 26% +6
Family homelessness†‡ - 17% - - 28% -
Affordable housing 13% 22% +9 26% 23% -3
Economy and jobs 21% 17% -4 36% 25% -11
† Questions not asked in 2005

‡ Split-sampled question
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Unheard Third 2009
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New Yorkers at all income levels list employment/lack of jobs and the
economy as the top problems facing the city.
Biggest Problem Facing NYC Today (volunteered responses)

≤200% FPL 201-400% FPL 400%+ FPL
Employment/lack of jobs 23% 27% 17%
Economy/finances/money problems 23% 21% 20%
Public safety (crime, guns, drugs, gangs, violence) 13% 8% 3%
Housing/affordable housing 9% 7% 6%
Education/schools 3% 3% 12%
Transportation/infrastructure 4% 5% 7%
Cost of living/income gap 2% 6% 4%
Taxes 3% 3% 4%
Health care/insurance/prescriptions drugs 2% 2% 5%
Overcrowding 2% 3% 1%
Poverty/homelessness 2% 1% 3%
State government 1% 1% 4%
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Concerns about employment and the lack of jobs in 2009 are much higher
than in the past few years.
Biggest Problem Facing NYC: Employment/Lack of Jobs
25% 24%
23%
22%
20%
15% 14%
12% 12%
12%
11%
10%
8%
8% 10%
≤100% FPL
5%
101-200% FPL
4%
>200% FPL
0%
2006 2007 2008 2009
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While New Yorkers above 100% FPL hold steady in their views on the
economy, the lowest income residents are more likely than in 2008 to say
the economy is the biggest problem facing NYC.
Biggest Problem Facing NYC: The Economy
30%
25% 25%
21%
20%
20% 20%
15% 17%
11%
10% 8%
9%
8% ≤100% FPL
5% 101-200% FPL
5%
>200% FPL
0%
2006 2007 2008 2009
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New Yorkers’ concerns about the economy and jobs extend to the voting
booth, with these issues dominating the list of what will affect their voting
decision in the upcoming mayoral election.
When deciding which candidate you will support for Mayor in the upcoming election, what issue affecting New York City
will have the most influence on your voting decision?† (volunteered responses)
Top Voting Issue (volunteered responses)

≤200% FPL 201-400% FPL 400%+ FPL
Jobs/unemployment/economy 27% 30% 26%
Education 9% 10% 15%
Personal traits-honest/integrity/credibility 6% 5% 15%
Taxes 5% 12% 7%
Crime/security 7% 3% 4%
Health care/prescription drugs 3% 9% 2%
Housing 4% 5% 3%
Anti-Bloomberg mentions 2% 3% 7%
Transportation 3% 2% 2%
Help the middle class/senior citizens/Social Security 1% 3% 1%
Cost of food/living/energy costs/rising prices 1% 1% 3%
(Other) 3% 3% 8%
(Don’t know) 25% 13% 5%
† Split-sampled question
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Similarly, when selecting from a lists of issues, New Yorkers choose the
economy as the issue that will most influence their vote for Mayor. Those
under 400% FPL also say jobs programs for the unemployed will affect
their decision.
When deciding which candidate you will support for Mayor in the upcoming election, what issue affecting New York City
will have the most influence on your voting decision?†
Top Voting Issue (selected from list)

≤200% FPL 201-400% FPL 400%+ FPL Among low-income
residents, affordable
The economy 21% 26% 27% housing will be
Jobs programs for the unemployed 16% 15% 8% especially important
to Black residents
Affordable housing 15% 9% 9% when they vote this
fall (19 percent
Education 10% 12% 11% compared to 10
Affordable health insurance 8% 6% 10% percent for Whites
and 13 percent for
Reducing poverty 7% 7% 6% Latinos). Education
also stands out
Tax cuts 4% 8% 6% more among low-
income Blacks than
The budget 4% 4% 6%
among Whites and
City security 4% 5% 4% Latinos (16
percent, 8 percent
Public transportation 4% 4% 2% and 9
percent, respectively
(Other) 1% 3% 6% ).
(Don’t know) 6% 1% 4%
† Split-sampled question
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Finding or keeping a job, health care and prescription drugs and public
safety are among the top concerns for residents below 400% FPL. Higher
income New Yorkers say they are worried about health care and
prescription drugs as well as retirement security.
Top Personal Worry (selected from list)

≤200% FPL 201-400% FPL 400%+ FPL
Health care and prescription drugs 12% 19% 17%
Finding or keeping a job 18% 12% 11%
Crime, drugs and gangs 16% 14% 11%
Retirement security 6% 11% 24%
Housing 13% 8% 5%
Fear of another terrorist attack 5% 6% 10%
Schools 5% 4% 8%
Debts and credit card debt 4% 9% 5%
Getting enough hours to support my family 8% 5% 2%
The wages and benefits at work 5% 7% 3%
Child care 1% - 2%
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Lowincome working mothers have several acute concerns, including
finding or keeping a job, safety and getting enough hours to support their
families. Finding or keeping a job is more likely to be a concern for low
income minorities than Whites.
Top Personal Worry (selected from list)
≤200% ≤200% ≤200% ≤200% Working ≤200% Working

White Black Latino Women No Kids Custodial Moms
Health care and prescription drugs 15% 13% 10% 15% 6%

Finding or keeping a job 13% 19% 21% 13% 20%
Crime, drugs and gangs 20% 17% 13% 17% 17%
Retirement security 5% 7% 5% 9% 4%
Housing 10% 13% 15% 13% 14%
Fear of another terrorist attack 5% 4% 5% 4% 4%
Schools 2% 4% 5% 6% 5%
Debts and credit card debt 7% 4% 2% 3% 7%
Getting enough hours to support my
6% 7% 12% 6% 14%
family
The wages and benefits at work 5% 5% 5% 7% 5%
Child care 2% - 1% 2% 3%
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Among residents below 200% FPL, finding or keeping a job is more likely
to be a concern this year than in 2008.
Top Personal Worry: Finding or Keeping a Job
30%
25% +5
25%
22%
21% 19%
20%
19% 19%
16% 16% 17%
15% 14%
13%
15%
11% 14% 12%
13%
10% 10%
6%
8% 8%
5% ≤100% FPL
101-200% FPL
>200% FPL
0%
2002 2003 2004 2005* 2006 2007 2008 2009
*2005 omitted due to data limitations
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Government Support During the
Economic Crisis
While access to public benefits increased in 2009, public

safety net programs are not reaching all eligible New Yorkers
in need. Large numbers of New Yorkers do not think they are
eligible for Food Stamps—even though they are eligible.
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Fortyfive percent of lowincome New Yorkers have health insurance
through a public plan. Lowincome residents are three times as likely as
higherincome New Yorkers to be without health insurance.
Do you currently have health insurance like Medicare, veterans health care, Medicaid/Child Health Plus/Family Health Plus,
from your own job, or other health insurance?
Health Care Coverage
50% Twenty-eight percent of low-

income immigrants say they 44%
45% have no health care
40% 45% coverage, compared to 18
percent of residents born in
35% the U.S.
30% 28%
25% 25%
25% 24% 22% 23%
21% 20%
20%
20%
14%
15% 12%
10%
10% 7%
4%
5%
0%
≤200% FPL 201-400% FPL 400%+ FPL
Medicare Medicaid/Child or Family Health Plus

Insurance through job Other health insurance*
No health insurance
* “Other health insurance” for 201-400% FPL includes 2% of respondents who reported they receive veterans’ insurance.
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Less than 1 in 4 unemployed New Yorkers across all income bands report
receiving unemployment insurance. For lowincome New Yorkers, those
who are actively looking for work are more likely to report receipt of
unemployment insurance.
Unemployment Insurance for the Unemployed Unemployment Insurance for the
Unemployed who are Actively
Looking for Work
100% 100%
89%
82% 82% 81%
78%
80% 80% 73%
60% 60%
40% 40%
27%
22% 19%
18% 17%
20% 20%
11%
0% 0%
≤100% FPL 101-200% FPL 201-400% FPL > 400% FPL ≤200% FPL ≤200% FPL
All Unemployed Unemployed and
Actively Looking
Yes No for Work
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Food Stamps remain underutilized in New York City. Half of poor native
born respondents—nearly all of whom are eligible for Food Stamps—do
not receive this public benefit.
Food Stamps
100%
90%
80% 75%
70%
70%
60% 56%
49% 50%
50% 44%
40%
29%
30% 25%
20%
10%
0%
≤100% FPL Native Born ≤100% FPL Immigrant 101-200% FPL Native 101- 200% FPL Immigrant
Born
Yes No
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Lowincome New Yorkers cite lack of eligibility as the top reason they are
not receiving Food Stamp assistance right now.
You said that you or anyone in your household are currently not receiving food stamp assistance, is that
because: [SELECT ALL THAT APPLY]
You don’t think you are eligible 43%
44%
Don’t really need them 25%
16%
Lack of information about the program 8%

19%
Application process is a hassle or 11%

inconvenient 11%
Benefits too small/not worth effort 9%

7%
Uncomforable being on assistance 7%

7%
101-200% FPL
Don’t want to get fingerprinted 2% ≤100% FPL
3%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50%
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Public assistance among the lowestincome New Yorkers is up 50 percent
from last year, from 14 percent to 21 percent.
≤100% FPL: Trends in Assistance Programs
70%
60%
60% 57%
52% 53%
48% 52%
50% 45%
51% 42% 46%
40% 39% 36% 44%
33% 40% 40%
30% 30% 33%
20% 20% 21%

21% 14%
20%
18%
10%
+7
0%
2002 2003 2004 2005* 2006 2007 2008 2009
Public assistance Food stamps Medicaid/Family Health Plus† Medicaid/Child Health Plus†
† Not asked prior to 2004. * 2005 omitted due to data limitations.

Please note that not all individuals below 100% FPL are eligible for these public benefits. The trend data, however, do indicate yearly
fluctuations in public benefit access.
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Employment and EmployerSponsored
Benefits
The vast majority of the unemployed say the poor job

market/economy has made their search difficult. For those who
remain working, job quality has declined substantially over the
last year—as employer-sponsored benefits are down from 2008
levels. Low-income Latinos—who are most likely to work in
non-union sectors—show the lowest level of employer-
sponsored benefits.
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Despite the economic crisis, the vast majority of lowincome households
include a worker. More than 7 in 10 households under 200% FPL have at
least one worker, while almost half have two or more workers.
Total Number of Workers in Household

81%†
71% 80%†
60%
51% 50%
50% 48%
40%
32%
29% 30%
30%
23%
20% 19%
20%
10%
0%
≤200% FPL 201-400% FPL 400%+ FPL
No Workers One Two or More

† Numbers do not sum exactly due to rounding
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The vast majority (71 percent) of lowincome parttime workers would like
to be working more hours, compared to half of their moderate to higher
income counterparts.
Would you like to be working more hours or would you not like to be working more hours? (PART-TIME
WORKERS ONLY)†
Want to Work More Hours

80%
71%
70%
60%
50%
50% 47%
40%
30% 27%
20%
10%
0%
≤200% FPL >200% FPL
Yes No
† n size for 201-400% FPL and 400%+ too small for separate analysis
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The current job market is the top reason lowincome residents who are
unemployed say their job search has been difficult.
Here is a list of factors other people have mentioned as reasons their search for a job has been difficult. Of
these, please tell me which of these factors you think makes it the most difficult for YOU to find a job. [CHECK
ALL THAT APPLY]
Factors Making Job Search Difficult (selected from list)

≤100% FPL 101-200% FPL†
There are not enough jobs/job market is bad 48% 53%
You have health problems 32% 21%
You don’t know the right people 21% 25%
You don’t have enough education or training 28% 15%
You have been out of the job market/hard to reenter 20% 24%
You don’t have enough prior experience 20% 23%
You have limited English skills 18% 9%
You are having trouble because of your race or ethnicity 9% 15%
You don’t have transportation to get to a job 13% 11%
Your family responsibilities and child care 8% 13%
You have a criminal record 6% 6%
You are afraid to lose public health insurance 5% 4%
† small n size
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One in five higherincome respondents works in the professional and
business services sector. The top sectors among lowincome workers
include health services, wholesale and retail trade, construction, and
manufacturing.
Employment by Industry/Sector
11%
Professional and business services 17%
20%
14%
Health services 16%
15%
9%
Education services 10%
15%
13%
Wholesale and retail trade 10%
6%
12%
Construction 10%
7%
Transportation and utilities 7%
11%
Manufacturing 6%
2%
4%
Government 8%
5%
4%
Financial activities 4% ≤200% FPL
9%
7% 201-400% FPL
Leisure and hospitality 6%
4%
400%+ FPL
Information 3% 5%
4%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20%
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Lowincome Blacks are more likely to be in health or government sectors
while lowincome Latinos are more likely to be working in construction.
Professional and business services is the top industry among lowincome
Whites, followed by manufacturing.
Employment by Industry/Sector
8%
Professional and business services 11%
16%
11%
Health services 21%
11%
7%
Education services 7%
12%
13%
Wholesale and retail trade 12%
7%
18%
Construction 8%
12%
8%
Transportation and utilities 7%
6%
14%
Manufacturing 6%
13%
3%
Government 8%
2%
3%
Financial activities 3%
5% ≤200% FPL Latino
6% ≤200% FPL Black
Leisure and hospitality 8%
7%
≤200% FPL White
4%
Information 7%
6%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25%
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Lowincome workers are much less likely than their moderate to higher
income counterparts to be receiving benefits from their employer.
Employer-Sponsored Benefits
36%
Paid vacation 59%
77%
40%
Health insurance for yourself 57%
69%
34%
Paid sick leave 56%
70%
30%
Pension/401K retirement plan 44%
67%
23%
Prescription drug coverage 46%
67%
27%
Health insurance for your family 45%
61%
22%
Access to job training 32%
40%
Access to education/ 14% ≤200% FPL
36%
skills development opportunities 37% 201-400% FPL
5% 400%+ FPL
Child care benefits 7%
14%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%
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Lowincome Black workers—who are more likely to be working in
unionized sectors—are more likely than lowincome Latinos and low
income Whites to receive employersponsored benefits.
Employer-Sponsored Benefits by Race
33%
Paid vacation 47%
31%
34%
43%
28%
Paid sick leave 42%
34%
25%
26%
17%
17%
22%
20%
19%
17% Latino ≤200% FPL
Access to education/ 11%
19% Black ≤200% FPL
skills development opportunities 6%
7% White ≤200% FPL
1%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50%
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Lowincome New Yorkers in union households are more likely than their
nonunion counterparts to have employersponsored benefits.
Employer-Sponsored Benefits by Union Status
Paid vacation 45%

35%

38%
Paid sick leave 43%

33%

27%

25%

20%

22%
Access to education/ 25%
12% ≤200% FPL Union†
skills development opportunities
≤200% FPLNon-Union
4%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

† small n size
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Most lowincome workers report that they do not receive employer
sponsored health insurance because it is not offered or due to ineligibility.
The most common response among moderate to higherincome New
Yorkers is that they have coverage elsewhere.
You noted that you were not receiving health insurance from your employer – is this because your employer doesn’t
provide health insurance, because you are not eligible for the employer’s health insurance plan, because you couldn’t
afford it, or because you were covered elsewhere?
Reason for Not Receiving Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance

50% 48%
40% 36%
30%
30% 26%
24% 23%
19% 19%
20%
15%
12% 13%
11%
10%
0%
≤100% FPL 101-200% FPL >200% FPL†
Not offered Ineligible Couldn’t afford Covered elsewhere

† small n size
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Workers above 100% FPL are less likely to receive employersponsored
health insurance for themselves this year than over the past few years.
Workers Receiving Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance for Themselves
90% 85%
-8
78%
80% 77% 75%
71%
69% 68%
70%
66% 71%
63%
60%
60% 55%
52% 53%
50%
47%
40% 46% -6
39%
30% 33% 33% 34% 30%
20%
≤100% FPL
10% 101-200% FPL
>200% FPL
0%
2002 2003 2004 2005* 2006 2007 2008 2009
*omitted due to data limitations
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The same income bands have also seen a drop in employersponsored
health insurance for their families.
Workers Receiving Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance for their Families
70%
-6
59%
60% 57% 56%
54%
53% 49% 53%
50%
50%
46% 43% 40% -8
38% 39%
40%
30% 34% 34% 31%
21% 24% 24% 25% 22%

20%
10% ≤100% FPL
101-200% FPL
>200% FPL
0%
2002 2003 2004 2005* 2006 2007 2008 2009
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Workers above 100% FPL, especially those between 101200% FPL, are
also less likely to have prescription drug coverage from their employers
than they were in recent years.
Workers Receiving Employer-Sponsored Prescription Drug Coverage

90%
79%
80% -6
70% 69% 64%

62% 63%
59%
60% 57%
59%
50% 46%
41% 42%
-16
40%
33%
30% 34% 26%
21%
20% 19%
21%
17% ≤100% FPL
10%
101-200% FPL
>200% FPL
0%
2003 2004 2005* 2006 2007 2008 2009
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Workers between 101200% FPL are less likely to have paid sick leave
than years past.
Workers Receiving Paid Sick Leave from Employer
90%
82%
80%
75% 72%
69% 68%
70% 66%
62% 63%
63% 60%
60%
55% 56%
50%
39% 43%
-10
40% 39%
36%
30% 35% 34% 35% 33%
29%
20%
≤100% FPL
10% 101-200% FPL
>200% FPL
0%
2002 2003 2004 2005* 2006 2007 2008 2009
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Hardships
Low-income New Yorkers continue to face high levels of

economic, food, health, and housing hardships. Job-related
hardships increased in 2009, and are especially acute for
low-income Latinos and low-income working moms. New
Yorkers across incomes face increasing health care costs.
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Half of residents under 100% FPL report experiencing 3 or more hardships,
including falling behind on rent, not filling a prescription, and receiving
free food.
Economic
37% Cut back on buying back-to-school supplies and clothes
25% Had hours, wages or tips reduced

Multiple Hardships for Poor Residents:
23% Lost job
≤100%FPL
12% Received assistance from charity/religious/community organization
Food
17% Often skipped meals because there wasn’t enough money to buy food
20% Received free food or meals from family or friends
14% Went hungry because there wasn’t enough money to buy food
None: 20% Received free food or meals from a food pantry, soup kitchen, or meal program
1 or 2:
22%
27% Health
26% Had your health care costs increase
14% Had your health care coverage reduced
28% Needed to fill a prescription but couldn’t because of a lack of money or insurance
17% Not gotten or postponed getting medical care or surgery because of a lack of money or insurance
3 or
Housing
more:
50% 30% Fell behind in rent or mortgage in the last year
26% Had either the gas, electricity, or telephone turned off because the bill was not paid
15% Moved in with other people even for a little while because of financial problems
15% Been threatened with foreclosure or eviction
4% Stayed at a shelter, in an abandoned building, an automobile, or any other place not meant for
regular housing even for one night because didn’t have enough money for a place to live
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More than 4 in 10 New Yorkers between 101200% FPL faced 3 or more hardships.
Approximately 1 in 3 had health care costs increased in the last year, and
approximately 1 in 4 fell behind in rent or mortgage. Large numbers of the near poor
also had their hours, wages or tips reduced.
Economic

Multiple Hardships for Near-Poor
Residents: 101-200% FPL 18% Lost job
Food
11% Received free food or meals from a food pantry, soup kitchen, or meal program
None: 1 or 2:
28% Health
29%
3 or
Housing
more:
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Most moderateincome New Yorkers report at least one hardship, and
nearly half saw their health care costs increase. Twentytwo percent fell
behind in rent or mortgage.
Economic

Multiple Hardships for Moderate-Income
Residents: 201-400% FPL 17% Lost job
Food
None: 6% Received free food or meals from a food pantry, soup kitchen, or meal program
25% Health
1 or 2:
41%
3 or 15% Not gotten or postponed getting medical care or surgery because of a lack of money or insurance
more: Housing
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Lowincome working moms are burdened by hardships, with 60 percent
experiencing three or more. Fortyfour percent saw their hours, wages or
tips reduced and more than 4 in 10 fell behind in rent or mortgage.
Economic

Multiple Hardships for Low-Income
Custodial Moms 23% Lost job
Food
None: 1 or 2: 17% Received free food or meals from a food pantry, soup kitchen, or meal program
18% 22% Health
3 or
Housing
more:
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Lowincome Latinos were hit the hardest by the recession in terms of
employment. More than 4 in 10 lowincome Latinos either had their hours,
wages, and/or tips reduced, or lost their jobs—or both—in the past year.
Job/Employment Hardships by Race

45% 43%
40%
35% 14%
32%
30% 29%
11%
25%
11%
20%
15% 31% 29%
27% 26%
10% 21% 22%
16% 18% 18%
5%
0%
≤200% ≤200% ≤200%
FPL White FPL Black FPL
Latino
Lost your job Had your hours, wages or tips reduced Yes to one Yes to both
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The majority of lowincome working moms either had their hours, wages,
and/or tips reduced, or lost their jobs—or both—in the past year.
Job/Employment Hardships Among Low-Income Working Women
52%
50%
15%
40%
29%
30%
5%
44%
20% 37%
22% 24% 23%

10%
12%
0%
Low-Income Low-Income
Working Working
Women - No Custodial
Kids Moms
Lost your job Had your hours, wages or tips reduced Yes to one Yes to both
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New Yorkers under 100% FPL report higher rates of jobrelated hardships
than last year.
Employment Hardships for Poor Workers

30%
29% 28%
28%
+9
26% 26% 25%
24% 23%
22%
23%
22% 21%
20% 19% 18% +5
20%
18%
18%
16% 16%
14% 13%
12%
10%
2002 2003 2004 2005* 2006 2007 2008 2009
Lost your job Had your hours, wages, tips reduced
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With over a quarter saying they have had their gas, electricity or telephone
turned off, the lowestincome New Yorkers are more likely to be having
trouble with their utility payments this year than in 2008.
Had the Gas, Electricity, or Telephone Turned Off
35%
32%
+5
30%
26%
25% 23% 23%
21% 22%
21%
20% 21%
17%
15%
14%
15% 13%
17%
10%
7% ≤100% FPL
5%
101-200% FPL
0%
2002 2003 2004 2005* 2006 2007 2008 2009
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Savings, Tax Return Spending, and Debt
Low-income New Yorkers—especially Latinos—have very

limited savings. It is therefore not surprising that low-income
New Yorkers, many of whom faced economic hardships this
past year, continue to use their tax refunds to pay for basic
needs such as food. New Yorkers across income are united in
debt, especially credit card debt.
45
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Onethird of lowincome New Yorkers have no savings at all. Onethird of
moderateincome residents—and twothirds of lowincome residents—
have less than $1,000 to fall back on if tough times were to hit them and
their families.
If tough times were to hit you and your family, how much money in savings do you currently have to fall back on?
400%+ FPL 6% 5% 9% 70%
33%
201-400% FPL 17% 11% 5% 22% 33%
67%
≤200% FPL 32% 24% 11% 12% 8%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
$0 $1 - $500 $500-$1,000 $1,000-$5,000 More than $5,000
46
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Almost half of lowincome Latinos say they have no money in savings, and
7 out of 10 have $500 or less.
If tough times were to hit you and your family, how much money in savings do you currently have to fall back on?
Rainy Day Savings
7%
More than $10,000 8%
3%
4%
$5,000-$10,000 2%
1%
6%
$2,500-$5,000 6%
3%
8%
$1,000-$2,500 7%
6%
14%
$500-$1,000 7%
10%
16%
$100-$500 13% 70%
17%
8%
Less than $100 11% ≤200% FPL White
7%
≤200% FPL Black
Zero 20% 32% ≤200% FPL Latino
46%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
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Higherincome New Yorkers are most likely to put their tax refund in
savings while those under 400% FPL continued to use the money to cover
basic expenses, such as utility bills, food, housing payments, and clothes.
Use of Tax Refund†
28%
Put in savings 38%
47%
37%
To pay off debts 21% 38%
42%
To pay utility bills 19%
25%
40%
To pay for food 16%
29%
32%
To make house or rent payments 9%
25%
31%
To buy clothes 10%
21%
18%
To pay for gasoline or energy 5%
21%
19%
To pay off back rent/utilities 4%
12%
11%
To buy things like appliances/furniture 10%
12%
9% 13%
To pay for education 12%
12%
To pay for medical expenses/bills/debt 6% 13% ≤200% FPL
10%
To purchase, make payments on, or repair a car 9%
11% 201-400% FPL
5%
For a vacation 8%
14% 400%+ FPL
To help pay for purchasing a house or apt 6% 5%
1%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50%

† Asked only of those who said they had received a tax refund in earlier question
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In fact, lowincome New Yorkers are even more likely to have used their
tax money to pay for basic expenses than in 2008.
Low-Income (≤200% FPL) Use of Tax Refund: 2008 and 2009
45%
42%
Put in savings
40% 40%
37%
To pay off debts
35%
34%
32%
To pay utility bills 31% 31%
30% 30%
28% 28%
To pay for food
25%
25%
To make house/rent payments
20%
18%
To buy clothes
15%
2008 2009
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There is a higher incidence of using tax refunds to pay for food and to
make house or rent payments among moderateincome residents than in
2008. These New Yorkers are also more likely than they were last year to
put this money into savings. Higher-income respondents (above 400%
FPL) also reported an increase in using a
tax refund to pay for food (10% to 16%) or
utility bills (14% to 19%).
Moderate-Income (201-400% FPL) Use of Tax Refund: 2008 and 2009

40%
38%
Put in savings 36%
35%
To pay off debts

30%
29%
To pay utility bills
25% 24% 25%
23%
To pay for food 21% 21%
20%
To make house/rent payments 16%

15%
13%
To buy clothes
10%
2008 2009
50
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More than 1 in 5 residents below 400% FPL reports debt from medical bills.
Across income bands, New Yorkers report having credit card debt.
Now let me read you some types of debt. Of these, please tell me which types of debt you have. Do you have…
≤200% FPL 201-400% FPL 400%+ FPL
Student loans 14% 17% 21%
Good Debt: Mortgage 14% 20% 36%
Car loan 14% 16% 23%
Tax 13% 12% 16%
Credit card 41% 50% 45%
Bad Debt: Child support back payments 2% 2% -
Medical bills 24% 21% 12%
Rent and mortgage back payments 18% 15% 3%
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Current and Future Economic Security
New Yorkers are united in their concerns about future health

care costs. Low- and moderate-income New Yorkers—especially
low-income Latinos—are worried about losing their job in the
next year and not working enough hours to make ends meet.
Low-income working moms are constantly worried about their
financial security.
52
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New Yorkers of all incomes are concerned about future health care costs,
with intensity highest among moderateincome residents.
How concerned are you about the health care costs that you and your family may face in the future – are you very
concerned, somewhat concerned, a little concerned, or not concerned at all?
Future Health Care Costs
≤200% FPL -28% -11% 43% 71%
201-400% FPL -23% -6% 46% 77%
400%+ FPL -24% -12% 34% 75%
40% 20% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80%
Not at all concerned A little concerned Very concerned Somewhat concerned
53
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Just under half of lowincome New Yorkers say they worry their total
family income will not be enough to meet basic expenses all or most of the
time.
How often do you worry that your total family income will not be enough to meet your family’s expenses and bills – all of
the time, most of the time, some of the time, once in a while, or never?
Across income
bands, concerns
Concern About Having Enough Money to Meet Basic Expenses prove similar to 2008.
400%+ FPL 13% 10% 16% 30% 31%
201-400% FPL 19% 13% 23% 21% 23%
47% Sixty percent of low-income working custodial moms

say they worry about this all or most of the time.
≤200% FPL 29% 18% 26% 14% 12%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
All of the time Most of the time Some of the time Once in a while Never
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The vast majority of low and moderateincome New Yorkers do not feel
secure about meeting their future retirement needs. Higherincome New
Yorkers are the most likely to say they feel very secure about meeting
future retirement needs, but intensity is still low and down eight points
from 2008.
New Yorkers across
Thinking about the future, how financially secure do you feel to meet future retirement needs – income bands are less
do you feel very secure, somewhat secure, a little secure, or not at all secure? likely to say they feel
very secure this year
Future Retirement Security compared to 2008
(≤200% FPL: 35
percent secure, 13
≤200% FPL -64% -34% 8% 33% percent very secure;
201-400% FPL: 47
percent secure, 15
percent very secure;
400%+ FPL: 64 percent
36% secure, 22 percent very
201-400% FPL -63% -34% 8%
secure).
400%+ FPL -42% -17% 14% 57%
70% 50% 30% 10% 10% 30% 50% 70%
Not at all secure A little secure Very secure Somewhat secure
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The majority of low and moderateincome New Yorkers are concerned
about losing their jobs in the next year, as well as working enough hours to
make ends meet.
Thinking about the next 12 months, how concerned are you that Thinking about the next 12 months, how concerned are you that
you or someone in your household will be out of a job – are you or someone in your household will not be working enough
you very concerned, somewhat concerned, a little concerned, or hours to make ends meet – are you very concerned,
not concerned at all? somewhat concerned, a little concerned, or not concerned at all?
Future Job/Employment Insecurity
≤200% FPL -39% -23% 36% 59% -38% -21% 37% 60%
201-400% FPL -48% -35% 29% 52% -47% -32% 26% 52%
400%+ FPL -60% -41% 17% 39% -65% -49% 16% 35%
75% 55% 35% 15% 5% 25% 45% 65% 75% 55% 35% 15% 5% 25% 45% 65%
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Job concerns are particularly acute among Latinos, with over 40 percent
saying they are very concerned that they or someone in their household
will be out of a job or not working enough hours to make ends meet in the
next twelve months.
Thinking about the next 12 months, how concerned are you that Thinking about the next 12 months, how concerned are you that
you or someone in your household will be out of a job – are you or someone in your household will not be working enough
you very concerned, somewhat concerned, a little concerned, or hours to make ends meet – are you very concerned,
not concerned at all? somewhat concerned, a little concerned, or not concerned at all?
Future Job/Employment Insecurity
≤200% FPL Latino -30% -16% 43% 69% -29% -14% 45% 70%
≤200% FPL Black -45% -32% 37% 50% -44% -31% 33% 51%
≤200% FPL White -45% -28% 30% 52% -44% -25% 31% 55%
75% 50% 25% 0% 25% 50% 75% 50% 25% 0% 25% 50% 75%
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Acknowledgements
 The Community Service Society draws on a 160-year history of excellence in
addressing the root causes of economic disparity. CSS is an
informed, independent and unwavering voice for positive action that serves the
needs of our constituents: low- and moderate-income New Yorkers who are too
often left out of the policy conversation.
 Jeremy Reiss, Director of Workforce and Economic Security Initiatives, authored

this report and can be reached at jreiss@cssny.org or 212.614.5472. Krista
Pietrangelo, Strategic Planning and Policy Associate, provided invaluable
research assistance and can be reached at kpietrangelo@cssny.org or
212.614.5468.
 Special thanks to Celinda Lake and Anita Sharma from Lake Research Partners
for their analytical expertise and support.
58
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The Unheard Third 2009:

Job Loss, Economic Insecurity, and a Decline

The second sample also includes two populations—200 “moderate-income” respondents (earning between

The economy (including health care) and employment top the

Things in NYC: Right Direction or Wrong Track

Right Direction Wrong Track

NYC: Right Direction or Wrong Track

Right Direction Wrong Track

≤200% FPL 200%+ FPL

Public schools 26% 46% +20 30% 51% +21

Public transportation† - 34% - - 46% -

Access to health care 26% 42% +16 30% 33% +3

Homelessness‡ 14% 22% +8 20% 26% +6

Family homelessness†‡ - 17% - - 28% -

Affordable housing 13% 22% +9 26% 23% -3

Economy and jobs 21% 17% -4 36% 25% -11

† Questions not asked in 2005

Biggest Problem Facing NYC Today (volunteered responses)

Biggest Problem Facing NYC: Employment/Lack of Jobs

Biggest Problem Facing NYC: The Economy

Top Voting Issue (volunteered responses)

Top Voting Issue (selected from list)

Top Personal Worry (selected from list)

Top Personal Worry (selected from list)

≤200% ≤200% ≤200% ≤200% Working ≤200% Working

Health care and prescription drugs 15% 13% 10% 15% 6%

Top Personal Worry: Finding or Keeping a Job

While access to public benefits increased in 2009, public

50% Twenty-eight percent of low-

Medicare Medicaid/Child or Family Health Plus

Lack of information about the program 8%

Application process is a hassle or 11%

Benefits too small/not worth effort 9%

Uncomforable being on assistance 7%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50%

20% 20% 21%

Public assistance Food stamps Medicaid/Family Health Plus† Medicaid/Child Health Plus†

† Not asked prior to 2004. * 2005 omitted due to data limitations.

The vast majority of the unemployed say the poor job

Total Number of Workers in Household

No Workers One Two or More

Want to Work More Hours

Factors Making Job Search Difficult (selected from list)

0% 5% 10% 15% 20%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%

Employer-Sponsored Benefits by Race

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50%

Employer-Sponsored Benefits by Union Status

Paid vacation 45%

Health insurance for yourself 51%

Paid sick leave 43%

Pension/401K retirement plan 42%

Prescription drug coverage 37%

Health insurance for your family 41%

Access to job training 24%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

Reason for Not Receiving Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance

Not offered Ineligible Couldn’t afford Covered elsewhere

Workers Receiving Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance for Themselves

30% 33% 33% 34% 30%

*omitted due to data limitations

Workers Receiving Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance for their Families

40% 20% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80%