LOS ANGELES -- UCLA researchers say more than half of the senior citizens in California who live by themselves and more than one-quarter of the elderly couples have incomes that are too low to cover basic necessities in such an expensive state.
A study presented to state lawmakers Tuesday by the university's Center for Health Policy Research found that to pay for housing, food, health care and transportation, single seniors who rent need a minimum income of $21,000, couples $30,537.
According to the UCLA calculations, 864,000 seniors in California fall below those thresholds. Seniors are aged 65 and older.
The report was based on 2007 Census data, and the social scientists say they think the situation has undoubtedly worsened during the nation's current economic crisis.
(The preceding article was distributed February 25, 2009, by the Associated Press.)
