Self-Sufficiency Standard
New York & New York City
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
New York City
Overlooked and Undercounted: Struggling to Make Ends Meet in New York City 2023
April 2023 | Annie Kucklick & Lisa Manzer
Overlooked and Undercounted 2021: Struggling to Make Ends Meet in New York City
June 2021 | Annie Kucklick & Lisa Manzer
The Self-Sufficiency Standard for New York City 2014
December 2014 | Diana Pearce
The Self-Sufficiency Standard for New York City 2010
June 2010 | Diana Pearce
The Self-Sufficiency Standard for New York City 2004
2004 | Diana Pearce
The Self-Sufficiency Standard for New York City 2000
September 2000 | Diana Pearce
New York State
The Self-Sufficiency Standard for New York State 2021
August 2021 | Lisa Manzer & Annie Kucklick
The Self-Sufficiency Standard for New York State 2010
August 2010 | Diana Pearce
The Self-Sufficiency Standard for New York State 2000
August 2000 | Diana Pearce
Data & Tools
- 2023 New York State Dataset
- 2021 New York State Dataset
- 2018 NYC Dataset
- 2018 NYC Demographic Dataset
- 2014 NYC Dataset
- 2010 New York State Dataset
- 2004 NYC Dataset
- 2000 New York State Dataset
- The Calculator for the City of New York
Special Series: FPWA 2023 Briefs
Technical Appendix
December 2023 | Annie Kucklick, Sarah Brolliar, Lisa Manzer, & Alyssa Mast
The Problem of Income Inadequacy
December 2023 | Annie Kucklick, Sarah Brolliar, Lisa Manzer, & Alyssa Mast
Special Series: Overlooked and Undercounted 2018 Briefs
Key Findings
October 2018 | Diana Pearce
Defining Self-Sufficiency in New York City
October 2018 | Diana Pearce
A City Evolving: How Making Ends Meet has Changed in New York City
October 2018 | Diana Pearce
Race, Ethnicity, and Citizenship
October 2018 | Diana Pearce
Gender and Family Structure
October 2018 | Diana Pearce
Employment, Occupations, and Wages
October 2018 | Diana Pearce
Work Supports
October 2018 | Diana Pearce
Technical Brief
October 2018 | Diana Pearce
FPWA promotes the social and economic well-being of greater New York’s most vulnerable by advocating for just public policies and strengthening human services organizations. Read more.
FPWA uses the Standard to calculate how much income is needed for genuine economic security and to influence policies across New York State.
@FundforNYC | fcny.org | New York, NY
FCNY develops and facilitates innovations in policy, program, and practices to support government and nonprofit organizations. Read more.
FCNY uses the Standard, known as the NYC True Cost of Living, to better understand the realities faced by New Yorkers.
@unitedwaynyc | unitedwaynyc.org | New York, NY
United Way of New York City (UWNYC) is dedicated to helping low-income New Yorkers make ends meet and achieve self-sufficiency. Read more.
@NYCWomensCenter | New York, NY
The Women’s Center for Education and Career Advancement educates on and advocates for socially just public policies and works to build the capacity of the human services and other sectors to help families in New York achieve financial self-sufficiency. Read more.
WCECA uses the Standard to develop policies and inform eligibility for work supports.
The Standard has previously partnered with the New York State Community Action Association which works to strengthen the capacity of organizations providing services to people living in poverty across New York State.
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 - New York
Eligibility Guidelines in New York City
Eligibility Guidelines in New York City CAMBA Legal Services uses the Self-Sufficiency Standard to determine eligibility for free, high-quality legal representation in New York City.
New York Career Education and Job Readiness Planning
New York Career Education and Job Readiness Planning In New York, the Standard has been used in modeling services for young adults in career education
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
Self-Sufficiency Calculator Based on Occupation to Inform Career Decisions
Self-Sufficiency Calculator Based on Occupation to Inform Career Decisions New York State Department of Labor developed a self-sufficiency calculator using the Standard to determine the
Women’s Center for Education and Career Advancement Supports Clients to Achieve Self-Sufficiency
Women’s Center for Education and Career Advancement Supports Clients to Achieve Self-Sufficiency The New York Women’s Center for Education and Career Advancement used the Standard
Eligibility for Legal Services Tied to the Standard
Eligibility for Legal Services Tied to the Standard The New York State Office of Indigent Legal Services used the Self-Sufficiency Standard as a guide to
Promoting Economic Self-Sufficiency for Young Women in NYC
Promoting Economic Self-Sufficiency for Young Women in NYC The Financial Literacy Independence Program (FLIP) utilized the Standard to teach young women the actual cost of
Promoting Liveable Wages in New York City
Promoting Liveable Wages in New York City The Real Living Wage NYC Campaign uses the Standard to advocate in support of a $20 per hour
Occupational Gaps in the Finger Lakes Region of New York
Occupational Gaps in the Finger Lakes Region of New York Monroe Community College, located in the Finger Lakes Region in New York, used the Self-Sufficiency
Workforce Training and Reaching Self-Sufficiency in New York
Workforce Training and Reaching Self-Sufficiency in New York The NYS Department of Labor utilizes the Standard to aid in the implementation of workforce training programs.
Advancing Research on Income Inadequacy at The Women’s Foundation of Genesee Valley
Advancing Research on Income Inadequacy at The Women’s Foundation of Genesee Valley The Self-Sufficiency Standard was used as part of their report Improving Economic Self-Sufficiency
The Fiscal Policy Center Identifies Realistic Wage Needs in NYC
The Fiscal Policy Center Identifies Realistic Wage Needs in NYC The Fiscal Policy Center in New York City frequently cites the Self-Sufficiency Standard as the
Affordable Care to Uninsured and Underinsured Clients
Affordable Care to Uninsured and Underinsured Clients In Rochester, New York, St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center uses the Standard to establish co-pays for health care services