by Ashley Baughman

Low-income workers are still far from able to afford basic necessities after the minimum wage increased this July from $6.55 to $7.25 per hour (New York State minimum wage increased from $7.15 per hour). This is especially true in New York City.

While the increase is a step in the right direction, research conducted by Columbia University’s National Center for Children in Poverty shows that a family of four in New York City needs an income of up to $65,000 or more per year to afford basic necessities such as rent, food, health care, child care and transportation. Two parents working full-time (40 hours per week) for a full year at minimum wage would earn just more than $30,000 before taxes. To make ends meet, families are often forced to go without food, prescriptions or doctor’s visits.