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West Virginia, one of the poorest states in the United States, continues to grapple with widespread poverty. The question that persists for many is whether the laws in place are truly helping all residents, especially the more than 300,000 West Virginians living below the poverty line. For a state where poverty has long been entrenched, some areas face more dire situations than others. The U.S. Census Bureau classifies 11 of West Virginia’s 55 counties as being in "persistent poverty," meaning they’ve had a poverty rate of 20% or higher for at least 30 years.

This problem, unfortunately, isn't new. Over the years, lawmakers have often tried to address poverty with short-term solutions, treating it like a sprint instead of the marathon that it is. Dr. Shanequa Smith, an expert on human and community development, points out the flaw in this approach. “I know that there are great people doing great work, but they develop these programs and these projects to service the poor, when no one is focusing on helping the poor not being poor,” says Smith, who works closely with the poverty-stricken community on Charleston’s West Side.

The Deeper Roots of Poverty

Dr. Smith believes that poverty is deeply rooted and requires more sustained attention if real change is to happen. “We won’t get out of poverty until we heal,” she emphasizes, suggesting that poverty isn’t just about economic hardship—it’s also about social and emotional well-being, which must be addressed alongside financial solutions.

But what exactly is poverty? According to the U.S. Census, poverty is measured by comparing a family’s income against a threshold, or minimum income level, needed to cover basic needs like housing, groceries, and medical expenses. For a family of four in West Virginia, the threshold sits at around $30,000 a year. Despite this, many federal and state programs, like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), provide services to people who earn slightly more than the federal poverty level.

The Faces Behind the Numbers

It’s easy to associate poverty with addiction or homelessness, but many overlook the reality that the majority of West Virginians living below the poverty line are employed. The Census shows that an estimated 76% of those in poverty in West Virginia are working in some capacity. Dr. Smith sees this firsthand: “I know mothers that work over 40 hours a week and do not have enough money to buy their children food,” she says. Despite their hard work, many of these families still qualify for government assistance programs like Medicaid or SNAP, revealing the systemic issues within the job market and wage structures in the state.

Children in particular are disproportionately affected by poverty in West Virginia. Between 2021 and 2022, West Virginia was the only state in the country to see an increase in the number of children living in poverty, jumping from 20.7% to 25%. These numbers are staggering, especially when considering that poverty in childhood often has long-term negative effects on educational outcomes, job prospects, and health.

West Virginians of color are also more likely to experience poverty. More than 30% of Black residents and 22% of Latino residents live below the poverty line, a reflection of the racial disparities that exist across the state and nation.

Outdated Laws Keeping Families in Poverty

One of the key contributors to poverty in West Virginia is the state’s low wage laws. While the federal minimum wage has remained at $7.25 since 2009, West Virginia’s is only marginally better at $8.75 per hour, a rate set back in 2015. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, a person working full-time at minimum wage in West Virginia would have to work 62 hours a week just to afford a modest one-bedroom rental house.

The crisis is exacerbated by the tightening of public assistance programs. Kelly Allen, director of the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, argues that state laws are “stingy,” pointing to TANF as an example. TANF is the only cash assistance program available for very low-income families, but it serves very few because of policy restrictions. “Lawmakers kind of chipped away at it and it’s serving very, very few families,” says Allen, highlighting the challenges these families face in securing the basic support they need to survive.

A Path Forward

Addressing poverty in West Virginia isn’t about quick fixes. It requires a long-term strategy that includes increasing wages, expanding access to affordable housing, and removing barriers to public assistance programs. But more importantly, it requires a shift in mindset: programs should not just "service the poor," but instead focus on helping people escape poverty for good.

Real change will only come when lawmakers and communities invest in the deeper, more complex work needed to address the systemic issues at the heart of West Virginia’s persistent poverty. Dr. Smith’s call to “heal” reminds us that poverty is not just an economic issue but a human one—one that demands holistic, sustained solutions.

The state must take a comprehensive approach that includes social services, mental health support, job training, and education to break the cycle of poverty that has persisted for decades.

West Virginia’s poverty crisis won’t be solved overnight, but with the right policies, partnerships, and community efforts, it’s possible to chart a path forward—one that helps not just service the poor but empower them to thrive.