The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly food stamps, is known to have had one of the strongest anti-poverty effects of any US benefits program. It kept over 6.6 million, including 3 million children, above the poverty line before the pandemic. In short, the SNAP program helps people with no or low income buy essential … Read more
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has warned that funding shortfalls could lead to service delays for millions of recipients, as critical staffing levels face significant reductions. The potential loss of over 2,000 workers would come amid record-high numbers of Social Security beneficiaries relying on the agency for essential services. Staffing Crisis Looms Amid Funding Dispute … Read more
Elon Musk has reached a historic milestone, becoming the first individual to amass a net worth exceeding £314 billion ($400 billion). This leap comes after SpaceX executed a significant insider share sale, boosting the company’s valuation to £275 billion ($350 billion). Musk’s stakes in SpaceX and Tesla remain pivotal to his extraordinary wealth. SpaceX Valuation … Read more
Walmart has revamped its assortment of products, including clothing and electronics. Walmart’s US sales at stores open for at least a year jumped 5.3% year-over-year in Q3 to $114.9 billion as its operating income surged by 8.2% during the quarter to beat Wall Street expectations. The retail giant attributed 75% of its quarterly gains to … Read more
US job growth slowed drastically in October, hit temporarily by hurricanes and labor strikes, in a final major economic snapshot at the end of a razor-edge presidential election campaign where cost-of-living worries dominated voter concerns. The world’s biggest economy added 12,000 jobs last month, far below expectations and down from a revised 223,000 in September, … Read more
Jodi Hayes, a Walnut Creek, California resident, was horrified to discover that 35 strangers had been fraudulently added as authorised users to her Chase credit card, each given the capability to charge up to $19,000. What started as a relaxing holiday on a cruise ship quickly became a financial nightmare, highlighting the increasing dangers of … Read more
Hiring in the United States picked up significantly more than expected in September while the jobless rate crept lower, according to government data released Friday, offering relief to policymakers ahead of November’s election. The world’s biggest economy added 254,000 jobs last month, the Department of Labor said. This was markedly higher than August’s 159,000 number, … Read more
The New Jersey Lottery has been waiting for the $1.13 billion Mega Millions jackpot winner to claim the prize since March. The unclaimed ticket, which has a cash value of over $537 million, was sold in Neptune Township of Monmouth County, New Jersey. Lottery officials are urging all players to check their tickets for the … Read more
Social Security checks for October will be issued soon and could be hundreds of dollars bigger for some recipients. Checks are generally issued starting on the second Wednesday of each month, depending on your birthday. Those born in the first ten days of a month will receive this month’s Social Security checks on October 9. … Read more
A seagull walks in front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, U.S., September 20, 2024. | Photo Credit: PIROSCHKA VAN DE WOUW U.S. congressional leaders announced a deal on Sunday (September 22, 2024) to extend funding for the federal government until mid-December, averting a contentious shutdown just weeks ahead of the election. Government funding … Read more
