The government sets the minimum wage at what it thinks the average person needs to live a healthy life, but this minimum wage is not really enough to support a person. The minimum wage does not change with inflation, and prices have increased since the minimum wage was last changed on July 5, 2009. People receive the minimum wage, which the government says should be enough to cover the cost of life for a while. person, but for those living on minimum wage, hunger and malnutrition are a big problem, even with government and public assistance like SNAP (The Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program) and housing assistance programs. People are still struggling to pay for their cars, homes, and utilities. Last year, the Covenant Food Kitchen in Willimantic, Conn., served about 23,385 meals to a total of about 92 people, but the nutrition assistance programs won't be limited in scope, and even reach in places offering assistance is a struggle for some. SNAP can reduce a household's food insecurity by about five to ten percent in six months, but that five to ten percent doesn't make much difference in the long run. The minimum wage was set in 2009 to cover a person's living expenses. , and $7.25 an hour might have been enough at the time, but a recent study by Channel 13 Action News' Jessica Janner indicates that, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, a minimum wage worker in Nevada should work 93 hours per week only. to rent an average two-bedroom apartment. This may sound bad, but it's not the worst. That dubious distinction goes to Maryland. Minimum wage employees must work 138 hours a week just to pay their rent. Washington, D.C., isn't far behind. Minimum wage workers... middle of paper ... a person who should live a healthy life, getting all the nutrients, health care, and education they need, but minimum wage just won't not that far. People receive the minimum wage, which the government says should be enough to cover a person's cost of living, but for those living on the minimum wage, hunger and malnutrition are a big problem even with government and public assistance such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and housing assistance programs. Overall, government assistance programs do help protect people from food insecurity, but their impact is limited. The government sets the minimum wage at what it believes the average person needs to live a healthy life, but this minimum wage is not really enough to support a person. The minimum wage has not been changed since 2009 and has become irrelevant due to inflation..