Final answer:
The annual poverty thresholds are released by the U.S. Census Bureau and are adjusted for price levels to provide a consistent poverty line over time, facilitating accurate comparisons of poverty rates year over year.
Step-by-step explanation:
The preliminary poverty thresholds are released in January and the final poverty thresholds are released in September of the subsequent year. The poverty levels are adjusted according to the price level of the year for which poverty is measured, and this adjustment is carried out by the U.S. Census Bureau. This process aims to maintain a consistent poverty line over time, avoiding frequent redefinitions by Congress, which would make it challenging to compare poverty rates from different years and determine whether a change in poverty rate is due to changes in the definition or actual economic improvement.
Government statisticians at the U.S. Census Bureau work continuously on research programs to examine and potentially refine the methods and data used in calculating these poverty thresholds, ensuring they remain relevant and accurately reflect the economic conditions of the population.