Economists at three universities say the national poverty rate fell a little more than one percent between April and June thanks to stimulus checks and an extra $600 unemployment benefit.
But Jim Sullivan, Notre Dame professor and co-author of the study, said without the relief, poverty is rising again.
"What we know right now is poverty is rising and is likely to do so if things don't change," he said. "That should certainly inform policymakers as they're trying to make these decisions."