Washington – As the New York Assembly debates raising the state minimum wage to over $7.00 per hour as a way to help the working poor, figures from the U.S. Census Bureau show that the bulk of the benefits will not reach poor New York families.

An analysis of data compiled by the Bureau’s Current Population Survey shows that the average family income of New York employees who would benefit from a minimum wage increase to $7.00 is $48,429.

Fully 84% of employees whose wages would be increased by this proposal either live with working parents or another relative, live alone, or have a working spouse. Just 16% are sole earners in families with children, and each of these sole earners has access to supplemental income through the federal and state earned income tax credit (EITC). Most economists believe the EITC is a far better way to target resources at poor families than increasing the minimum wage.

New York employees affected by proposed $7.00 minimum wage:

• 44% of minimum wage earners live with a parent or relative
• 19% of minimum wage earners are a dual earner in a married couple
• 21% of minimum wage earners are a single earner with no kids

• Only 16% of minimum wage earners are single parents with kids or a single earner in a couple with kids, and each of these sole earners has access to supplemental income through the EITC.

To see figures for other states, visit www.minimumwage.com