What does it mean to be self-sufficient? According to the Insight Center, to leave poverty behind for good, people need enough money to pay for basics like rent, food, child care, health care, transportation, and taxes, and enough money to save and build assets for the future. That’s why cutting poverty is not just about charity or short-term aid; it’s about remaking our community into one that off ers economic opportunity to all. For more information, visit the Insight Center »
The Family Economic Self-Sufficiency Standard
| Monthly Costs | 2 Adults + infant + preschooler | 2 Adults + infant + schoolage | 2 Adults + infant + teenager | 2 Adults + preschooler + preschooler | 2 Adults + preschooler + schoolage | 2 Adults + preschooler + teenager |
| Housing | 1293 | 1293 | 1293 | 1293 | 1293 | 1293 |
| Child Care | 1950 | 1388 | 948 | 2004 | 1441 | 1002 |
| Food | 853 | 926 | 955 | 866 | 938 | 968 |
| Transportation | 500 | 500 | 500 | 500 | 500 | 500 |
| Healthcare | 328 | 334 | 349 | 327 | 333 | 348 |
| Miscellaneous | 492 | 444 | 405 | 499 | 451 | 411 |
| Taxes | 1215 | 983 | 840 | 1247 | 1013 | 870 |
| Earned Income Tax Credit (-) |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Child Care Tax Credit (-) |
-100 | -100 | -50 | -100 | -100 | -50 |
| Child Tax Credit (-) |
-167 | -167 | -167 | -167 | -167 | -167 |
| Self-Sufficiency Wage | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $18.08 per adult |
$15.91 per adult |
$14.41 per adult |
$18.38 per adult |
$16.20 per adult |
$14.70 per adult |
| Monthly | $6,365 | $5,601 | $5,074 | $6,470 | $5,703 | $5,175 |
| Annual | $76,386 | $67,213 | $60,888 | $77,638 | $68,430 | $62,105 |