In Washington, Community Action Agencies assist over 450,000 low-income people annually.  Low-income eligibility is benchmarked to the federal Office of Management and Budget poverty line.

Based on data reported in 2001:

• 28 percent are two parent families and 30 percent are families headed by a single parent.
• 39 percent of those who benefit from community action are children.
• 36 percent of adults have a high school diploma or equivalency certificate.
• 36 percent of all client families are “working poor” either working for wages or participating in the state WorkFirst (TANF) program.