{"id":183,"date":"2021-04-28T15:39:50","date_gmt":"2021-04-28T15:39:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/selfsufficiencystandard.org\/?page_id=183"},"modified":"2023-10-18T16:41:26","modified_gmt":"2023-10-18T16:41:26","slug":"methodology","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/selfsufficiencystandard.org\/the-standard\/methodology\/","title":{"rendered":"Methodology"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"183\" class=\"elementor elementor-183\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-bbcd905 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"bbcd905\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3810fee\" data-id=\"3810fee\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d1c749c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d1c749c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Methodology<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5d37ddb elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5d37ddb\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e9daae7\" data-id=\"e9daae7\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-30538fe elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"30538fe\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Below is a brief description of how the Self-Sufficiency Standard calculates the cost of housing, child care, food, transportation, health care, miscellaneous items, and taxes\/taxes credits. The Self-Sufficiency Standard follows several criteria to ensure the Standard is as consistent and accurate as possible, yet varied by geography and family composition. When possible, the data used in the Self-Sufficiency Standard are:<\/p><ul><li>collected or calculated using standardized or equivalent methodology nationwide<\/li><li>obtained from scholarly or credible sources such as the U.S. Census Bureau<\/li><li>set at minimum but adequate levels (e.g., nutrition levels)<\/li><li>updated annually<\/li><li>varied geographically and by age as appropriate.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-25 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e379ed0\" data-id=\"e379ed0\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-25 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-028bd41\" data-id=\"028bd41\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-50a6268 elementor-view-default elementor-position-top elementor-mobile-position-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-box\" data-id=\"50a6268\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/selfsufficiencystandard.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/SSS2023_UpdatedTechnicalBrief.pdf\" class=\"elementor-icon elementor-animation-\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-file-download\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-content\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-icon-box-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/selfsufficiencystandard.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/SSS2023_UpdatedTechnicalBrief.pdf\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\tData Sources\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-icon-box-description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tClick to view current data sources and assumptions. \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4cc3d0b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4cc3d0b\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f530337\" data-id=\"f530337\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-49c6077 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"49c6077\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3cc7921 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3cc7921\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e86535f\" data-id=\"e86535f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dc68fe9 elementor-view-default elementor-position-top elementor-mobile-position-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-box\" data-id=\"dc68fe9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<span  class=\"elementor-icon elementor-animation-\">\n\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-home\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-content\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-icon-box-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span  >\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHousing\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c550500\" data-id=\"c550500\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aae0750 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"aae0750\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>For housing costs, the Standard uses the most recent\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.huduser.org\/portal\/datasets\/fmr.html\">Fair Market Rents<\/a>\u00a0(FMRs). These rates are calculated annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for each state\u2019s metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas to set levels of housing assistance. FMRs include utilities (except telephone and cable) and reflect the cost of housing that meets basic standards of decency. In most cases, FMRs are set at the 40th percentile, meaning that 40% of the housing in a given area is less expensive than the FMR.<\/p><p>Since HUD calculates only one set of FMRs for an entire metropolitan area, in multiple county metropolitan areas the Standard uses HUD&#8217;s\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.huduser.gov\/portal\/datasets\/fmr\/smallarea\/index.html\">Small Area Fair Market Rents<\/a>\u00a0(SAFMR) to estimate county variation within metropolitan areas.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4ba9cf2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4ba9cf2\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-00e41fb\" data-id=\"00e41fb\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-11582eb elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"11582eb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-052c1d0 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"052c1d0\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-152ec49\" data-id=\"152ec49\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e695c65 elementor-view-default elementor-position-top elementor-mobile-position-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-box\" data-id=\"e695c65\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<span  class=\"elementor-icon elementor-animation-\">\n\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-baby-carriage\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-content\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-icon-box-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span  >\n\t\t\t\t\t\tChild Care\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d9c8752\" data-id=\"d9c8752\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-21ec560 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"21ec560\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>To calculate the cost of child care, the Standard assumes market-rate costs (defined as the 75th percentile) by facility type, age of children, and geographical location. Most states conduct or commission market-rate surveys biannually for setting child care assistance reimbursement rates.<\/p><p>The Standard assumes infants (children 0 to 2 years old) and preschoolers (children 3 to 5 years old) are assumed to be in\u00a0full-time care. Costs for schoolage children (6 to 12 years old) assume they receive before and after school care.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-936a6b0 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"936a6b0\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d197bc1\" data-id=\"d197bc1\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-794598a elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"794598a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-20d23b7 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"20d23b7\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ab97ea0\" data-id=\"ab97ea0\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-63a673e elementor-view-default elementor-position-top elementor-mobile-position-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-box\" data-id=\"63a673e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<span  class=\"elementor-icon elementor-animation-\">\n\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-shopping-basket\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-content\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-icon-box-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span  >\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFood\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f4299da\" data-id=\"f4299da\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c3d7a0e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c3d7a0e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Standard uses the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.fns.usda.gov\/cnpp\/usda-food-plans-cost-food-monthly-reports\">U.S. Department of Agriculture Low-Cost Food Plan<\/a>\u00a0for food costs. The Low-Cost Food Plan was designed to meet minimum nutritional standards using realistic assumptions about food preparation time and consumption. As a conservative estimate of food costs, the Low-Cost Food Plan does not allow for any take-out, fast-food, or restaurant meals.<\/p><p>To vary costs within states, geographic differences in food costs are calculated using data from\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/map.feedingamerica.org\/\">Map the Meal Gap<\/a>, published by Feeding America.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-41d0e4f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"41d0e4f\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-459b4e0\" data-id=\"459b4e0\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7cd6299 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"7cd6299\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-bc59730 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"bc59730\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5b1de5b\" data-id=\"5b1de5b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5d138f8 elementor-view-default elementor-position-top elementor-mobile-position-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-box\" data-id=\"5d138f8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<span  class=\"elementor-icon elementor-animation-\">\n\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-car\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-content\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-icon-box-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span  >\n\t\t\t\t\t\tTransportation\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c7303b4\" data-id=\"c7303b4\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-603b624 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"603b624\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>If there is an \u201cadequate\u201d public transportation system in a given area, the Standard assumes workers use public transportation to get to and from work. A public transportation system is considered \u201cadequate\u201d if it is used by 7% or more of the working population in a given county. The cost of public transportation is calculated based on the price of a monthly adult pass.<\/p><p>If the area lacks \u201cadequate\u201d public transportation, private transportation is assumed.\u00a0Private transportation costs are based on the average cost of owning and operating a car. One car is assumed for households with one adult and two cars are assumed for households with two adults (as both are working, but presumably at different places and\/or different hours). Costs are calculated assuming that the car(s) will be used to commute to and from work five days per week, plus one trip per week per household for shopping and errands.<\/p><p>One adult in each household with young children is assumed to have a slightly longer weekday trip to allow for \u201clinking\u201d trips to a day care site. For per-mile costs, driving cost data from the American Automobile Association is used. The local commuting distance is computed from the\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/nhts.ornl.gov\/\">National Household Travel Survey<\/a>.\u00a0<span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Sans-serif; font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight ); font-size: 1rem;\">The auto insurance premium is the average premium cost for a given state, calculated by the\u00a0<\/span><a style=\"font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Sans-serif; font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight ); background-color: #ffffff; font-size: 1rem;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.naic.org\/\">National Association of Insurance Commissioners<\/a><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Sans-serif; font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight ); font-size: 1rem;\">. Geographic ratios are created using premiums for the automobile insurance companies with the largest market shares in the state.<\/span><\/p><p>To estimate the fixed costs of car ownership, the Standard uses\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.bls.gov\/cex\/\">Consumer Expenditure Survey<\/a>\u00a0amounts for families with incomes between the 20th and 40th percentile. The fixed costs include expenses such as fire, theft, property damage and liability insurance, license, registration, taxes, repairs, monthly payments, and finance charges. The monthly variable costs (e.g., gas, oil, tires, and maintenance) are also included, but the initial cost of purchasing a car is not.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4585bb4 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4585bb4\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5dd571b\" data-id=\"5dd571b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-107e72a elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"107e72a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a7abbb5 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a7abbb5\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7c669a4\" data-id=\"7c669a4\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f2ab141 elementor-view-default elementor-position-top elementor-mobile-position-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-box\" data-id=\"f2ab141\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<span  class=\"elementor-icon elementor-animation-\">\n\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-briefcase-medical\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-content\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-icon-box-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span  >\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHealth Care\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a67b6e4\" data-id=\"a67b6e4\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5bf5e74 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5bf5e74\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Standard assumes that an integral part of a Self-Sufficiency Wage is employer-sponsored health insurance for workers and their families. The statewide average health care premiums paid by workers are from the national\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/meps.ahrq.gov\/mepsweb\/\">Medical Panel Survey<\/a>\u00a0(MEPS) and vary for single adults and for a family.<\/p><p>To vary premium costs within state, a county index is created based on the second lowest cost Silver plan available through the state or federal market place. Health care costs also include\u00a0out-of-pocket costs calculated for adults and children by age and Census region, obtained from the MEPS.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-aba6c75 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"aba6c75\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3f20c1d\" data-id=\"3f20c1d\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-96b5bca elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"96b5bca\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3f5d44a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3f5d44a\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-023cc63\" data-id=\"023cc63\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1d756e3 elementor-view-default elementor-position-top elementor-mobile-position-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-box\" data-id=\"1d756e3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<span  class=\"elementor-icon elementor-animation-\">\n\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-tshirt\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-content\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-icon-box-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span  >\n\t\t\t\t\t\tMiscellaneous\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-de4fe5f\" data-id=\"de4fe5f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d497d5c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d497d5c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Miscellaneous expenses are calculated by taking 10% of all other costs. This expense category consists of all other essentials including clothing, shoes, paper products, diapers, nonprescription medicines, cleaning products, household items, personal hygiene items, and telephone service. It does not allow for recreation, entertainment, savings, or debt repayment.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-035e321 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"035e321\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-57da51c\" data-id=\"57da51c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1481ae5 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"1481ae5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5a35e24 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5a35e24\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-21d5fc9\" data-id=\"21d5fc9\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d1944c8 elementor-view-default elementor-position-top elementor-mobile-position-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-box\" data-id=\"d1944c8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<span  class=\"elementor-icon elementor-animation-\">\n\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-calculator\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-content\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-icon-box-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span  >\n\t\t\t\t\t\tTaxes & Tax Credits\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d65cd18\" data-id=\"d65cd18\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-538f407 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"538f407\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Taxes include federal and state income tax, payroll taxes (Social Security), and state and local sales taxes where applicable. Additionally, the Standard includes federal tax credits (the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit, and the Child Tax Credit) and applicable state tax credits.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-9b2f708 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"9b2f708\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9e00405\" data-id=\"9e00405\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d2f8edb elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"d2f8edb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e4b0417 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e4b0417\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-0aa68c3\" data-id=\"0aa68c3\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c3dc52b elementor-view-default elementor-position-top elementor-mobile-position-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-box\" data-id=\"c3dc52b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<span  class=\"elementor-icon elementor-animation-\">\n\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-umbrella\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-content\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-icon-box-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span  >\n\t\t\t\t\t\tEmergency Savings\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-97b7b00\" data-id=\"97b7b00\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-43d3443 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"43d3443\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Emergency savings is the amount needed to cover living expenses when there is job loss net of the amount expected to be received in unemployment benefits. The amount calculated takes into account the average tenure on a job and the average length of unemployment of workers. In two-adult households, the second adult is assumed to be employed so that the savings only need to cover half of the family\u2019s basic living expenses over the job loss period.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-particle_enable=\"false\" data-particle-mobile-disabled=\"false\" class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-eb06abc elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"eb06abc\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3197302\" data-id=\"3197302\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-73bf19a elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"73bf19a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Methodology Below is a brief description of how the Self-Sufficiency Standard calculates the cost of housing, child care, food, transportation, health care, miscellaneous items, and taxes\/taxes credits. The Self-Sufficiency Standard follows several criteria to ensure the Standard is as consistent and accurate as possible, yet varied by geography and family composition. When possible, the data [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":2811,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Methodology - Self Sufficiency Standard<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/selfsufficiencystandard.org\/the-standard\/methodology\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Methodology - Self Sufficiency Standard\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Methodology Below is a brief description of how the Self-Sufficiency Standard calculates the cost of housing, child care, food, transportation, health care, miscellaneous items, and taxes\/taxes credits. 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