For low-income public assistance recipients and applicants, the consequences can be literally fatal when the state cuts, terminates, or denies welfare benefits. While death may be an uncommon outcome, low-income families frequently face hunger, homelessness, disability, or lack of medical care following the loss of critical benefits like Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (“TANF”), Supplemental Security Income (“SSI”), and Food Stamps. Children living in poverty can be adversely impacted for life when their families lose such benefits. Statistics show that family poverty disproportionately results in lower school performance and an increased likelihood of mental illness for children.