Poverty rate, New England, 2022

The Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM) was introduced in 2009 as a more comprehensive and accurate measure of poverty. Unlike the official poverty measure, which counts only cash income and the cost of food, the SPM includes cash income and noncash benefits such as tax credits, food assistance, and childcare and health care subsidies. It also has a broader definition of the cost of living, which includes food, clothing, shelter, utilities, and medical expenses.