MODEL BILLS

Self-Sufficiency Standard Act

Summary: The Self-Sufficiency Standard Act establishes a realistic official measurement of the minimum income families need to survive.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE

This Act shall be called the “Self-Sufficiency Standard Act.”

SECTION 2. SELF-SUFFICIENCY STANDARD

(A) DEFINITION—In this section, “self-sufficiency standard” means a calculation of the income an employed adult requires to meet his or her family’s needs, including, but not limited to, housing, food, dependent care, transportation, and medical costs.

(B) SELF-SUFFICIENCY STANDARD

1. The [Office of Policy and Management] shall contract with a private consultant to develop a self-sufficiency standard by January 1, 20XX. This standard shall take into account geographical variations in costs, the age and number of children in a family, and any state or federal public assistance benefit received by a family.

2. Not later than March 1, 20XX, the [Office of Policy and Management] shall distribute the self-sufficiency standard to all state agencies that counsel individuals who seek education, training or employment. Those state agencies shall use the self-sufficiency standard to assist individuals in establishing personal financial goals and estimating the amount of income such individuals may need to support their families.

3. The self-sufficiency standard shall not be used to analyze the success or failure of any program or determine eligibility or benefit levels for any state or federal public assistance program.

SECTION 3. EFFECTIVE DATE

This Act shall take effect on July 1, 20XX.