Self-Sufficiency Standard
Washington State
The Center for Women’s Welfare Self-Sufficiency Standard defines the income working families need to meet a minimum yet adequate level, taking into account family composition, ages of children, and geographic differences in costs. The Standard is an affordability and living wage economic security measure that provides an alternative to the official poverty measure.
Publications
Overlooked and Undercounted: Struggling to Make Ends Meet in Washington State
September 2023 | Annie Kucklick, Lisa Manzer, & Alyssa Mast
The Self-Sufficiency Standard for Washington State 2020
August 2020 | Diana Pearce
The Self-Sufficiency Standard for Washington State 2017
September 2017 | Diana Pearce
The Self-Sufficiency Standard for Washington State 2014
August 2015 | Diana Pearce
The Self-Sufficiency Standard for Washington State 2011
October 2011 | Diana Pearce
The Self-Sufficiency Standard for Washington State 2009
June 2009 | Diana Pearce
The Self-Sufficiency Standard for Washington State 2007
June 2007 | Diana Pearce
Overlooked and Undercounted: Wages, Work and Poverty in Washington State (2007)
By Diana Pearce | September 2007
The Self-Sufficiency Standard for Washington State 2001
September 2001 | Diana Pearce
Partner
@SeattleKingWDC | seakingwdc.org | Seattle, WA
The Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County (WDC) creates career pathways for adults and youth through demand-driven workforce and training programs. Read more.
WDC uses the Standard in their Self-Sufficiency Calculator to support good career planning, help individuals understand where they are starting, explore options, and make decisions about what to do next.
How to cite
All Self-Sufficiency Standard data that has been produced by the Center for Women’s Welfare is publicly available. When using the data, please credit the Self-Sufficiency Standard at the Center for Women’s Welfare, University of Washington.
Contact cwwsss@uw.edu with any questions regarding methodology or appropriate citation.
The Standard in Use - Washington State
Economic Security for All
Economic Security for All In 2024, Governor Inslee signed into law SHB 2230 which establishes the Economic Security for All (EcSA) grant program. The bill uses the
Olympia Food Cooperative Membership
Olympia Food Cooperative Membership The Olympia Food Cooperative uses the Self-Sufficiency Standard for eligibility for their Cooperative Access Program which offers a free annual membership
Labor Union Negotiations
Labor Union Negotiations The Standard has been used in California, Connecticut, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Hawaii, Nebraska, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington State
Continued Use of the Standard for Program Evaluation in King County
Continued Use of the Standard for Program Evaluation in King County In Washington State, the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County adopted the Self-Sufficiency Standard
Washington State Self-Sufficiency Calculator
Washington State Self-Sufficiency Calculator In Washington State, the Self-Sufficiency Calculator is an online tool created by the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County to support career planning
SeaTac Living Wage Ordinance
SeaTac Living Wage Ordinance The Standard was cited in research and testimony in support of the SeaTac living wage ordinance (raising wages to $15/hour for
Analyzing Measurements of Housing Affordability
Analyzing Measurements of Housing Affordability Redefining Housing Affordability Measures: The Self-Sufficiency Standard provides an alternative tool to understanding housing cost burden. An Urban Planning thesis
The Kids Count! Project Analyzes the Well-Being of Children Across the United States
The Kids Count! Project Analyzes the Well-Being of Children Across the United States Many states in the Kids Count! Project use the Standard as an
University of Washington Student Uses the Standard to Analyze Wage Changes
University of Washington Student Uses the Standard to Analyze Wage Changes The report Poverty Doesn’t Fly, performed by the Harry Bridges Labor Center at the
Dr. Pearce Appears as an Expert Witness in a Court Case in Richland, Washington
Dr. Pearce Appears as an Expert Witness in a Court Case in Richland, Washington Dr. Pearce testified as an expert witness in the case City
Developing a Self-Sufficiency Matrix to Track Progress and Analyze Components of Self-Sufficiency
Developing a Self-Sufficiency Matrix to Track Progress and Analyze Components of Self-Sufficiency The Washington State Snohomish County Workforce Development Council developed a self-sufficiency matrix that
Income Adequacy and the Affordability of Health Insurance in Washington State
Income Adequacy and the Affordability of Health Insurance in Washington State A 2002 report, Income Adequacy and the Affordability of Health Insurance in Washington State,