Each day, hundreds of thousands of Orange County families have to choose between paying rent versus going to the doctor or paying for child care and cutting back on food because their incomes are insufficient to cover all of their needs. While some of these families utilize public programs like subsidized food and child care, these programs are structured for those with very low incomes. Other working families may earn too much to qualify for public assistance, but too little to cover all costs out of pocket. Eligibility for many assistance programs is based on the Federal Poverty Level, a measurement based on the cost of what a family spends on food multiplied by three. Developed and implemented in the early 1960s, the Federal Poverty Level no longer adequately represents today's cost of living. This realization led to the development of different approach to measuring income adequacy localized for Orange County.
The Self-Sufficiency Standard for California
The Self-Sufficiency Standard is a calculation of the minimum income levels required for individuals and working families to meet their basic needs without public or private assistance on a county-by-county basis. The Standard answers the question, "How much do you actually have to earn to pay for the basic costs of living and working?" The table below represents wages families and individuals need to earn in Orange County to be considered self-sufficient.
Orange County United Way is supporting the adoption of the Self-Sufficiency Standard for California as a standard of measure for the income levels needed in Orange County.
Measuring Self-Sufficiency
A Self-Sufficiency Calculator was developed by the Insight Center for Community Economic Development to help track the progress of families and individuals on the road to self-sufficiency. Orange County United Way community partners will be using the tool to help educate clients as to where they are upon entering programs and connecting them to benefits and resources to help move them up the economic ladder.
The Self-Sufficiency Calculator allows case managers to calculate the wages required for low-income families to meet their basic needs based on the size and makeup of their family. It also informs clients of the eligibility of certain benefits and where they can access these benefits. The Calculator is designed to be used in conjunction with job-training, education and family support -- a holistic approach to help families exit poverty.
We invite you to learn more about the Self-Sufficiency Standards and Calculator by calling (949) 263-6115.
Self-Sufficiency Standards for Orange County (1 KB PDF)
Entire Report: Self-Sufficiency Standards for California(1,228 KB PDF)
