IN-KIND BENEFITS AND THE NONMETRO POOR.

Income used to measure poverty excludes in-kind benefits, such as food stamps. After valuing in-kind benefits as income, poverty is reduced, but not completely eliminated. This study reviews the current method of measuring poverty and compares it with alternative methods. Differences in poverty rates in metro and nonmetro areas are examined. Nonmetro areas continue to have a higher poverty rate after including in-kind benefits. Changes in the composition of the poor after including in-kind benefits are identified for some subgroups