“The Self Sufficiency Standard is a new approach to express the income levels of families. It is a more sensitive measurement of the financial needs of a family to be self-sufficient from public and private support than is the traditional indicator known as the federal poverty level (FPL). The FPL has been a national standard since the Roosevelt Administration to determine family income levels to qualify for public support. The FPL is generated annually based on the family composition and the family income. It is the same across the United States. The Self Sufficiency Standard is based on family composition, family income, geographic location, and is updated annually using the consumer price index.” “In examining the comparison of wages, it is necessary to look at the enormity of the gap between attained income and self-sufficiency. The bar graph demonstrates the comparison of welfare wage (TANF support and food stamps), minimum wage, poverty wage, 185% of poverty which is the most generous federal program (Medicaid), and the “gap” between these supports and the self-sufficiency wage for a three person family in Washington County. This “gap” has been growing since 1976. The median family income for different family types are also displayed to illustrate how average Washington County families fare in terms of the self-sufficiency wage.” “Over 7,000 Washington County residents live below the federal poverty level. An additional 10,000 are between 100 and 200% of the federal poverty level. Self-sufficiency level in Washington County falls between 150 and 175% of poverty, depending on family size and composition.”
According to the BRUW Community Profile 2015 report, about 17,000 Washington County residents earn a level of income which makes economic self-sufficiency a struggle.
MISCELLANEOUS DEMOGRAPHICS
86 Respondents Reported Military Service
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