The Family Resource Simulator (FRS) calculates a family's net resources over a range of earning levels.
Net Resources = Family resources (earnings, tax credits, and public benefits) - family basic expenses (child care, food, medical costs, rent, taxes paid, etc.)
FRS users can determine the annual earnings families need to afford their basic necessities (i.e., their net resources are greater than 0) and when families will hit a benefit cliff (i.e., a small increase in earnings leads to the loss of eligibility for public benefits, making a family worse off).
This graph, one of several that appear on the 'Results' screen in Step 8, shows FRS sample results. It shows how net resources change as annual earnings rise for a single-parent Denver family with two children (ages 3 and 6), who, when income eligible, receives SNAP, Medicaid/CHIP, CCDF child care subsidies, TANF, LIHEAP, and federal and state tax credits.
EXAMPLE FOR FAMILY IN COLORADO
This tool is intended for advocates, researchers, policymakers, and other government officials. For FRS-based tools intended for direct service providers and individual families, please click here . The Basic Needs Budget Calculator (BNBC) shows how much it takes for families to afford minimum daily necessities.
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New Jersey 2021 Kentucky 2020 District of Columbia 2017 Colorado 2015 Florida 2015 Kansas 2022 Ohio 2015 --- Archive --- Alabama 2003 California 2011 Connecticut 2005 Delaware 2009 District of Columbia 2003 Georgia 2003 Illinois 2008 Indiana 2011 Iowa 2008 Louisiana 2009 Maryland 2004 Massachusetts 2009 Michigan 2006 Mississippi 2010 Montana 2010 New Jersey 2010 New Mexico 2008 New York 2008 North Dakota 2010 Pennsylvania 2003 Texas 2008 Vermont 2008 Washington 2008
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Quick Results
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Single parent, 2 children
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Contact
For more information about the Family Resource Simulator, or if you work for an organization interested in helping us develop or update a simulator for your state, please contact:
Seth Hartig
Project Director, Family Resource Simulator
T: 212-961-3353
E: hartig@nccp.org
Heather Koball
Co-Director, National Center for Children in Poverty
Bank Street Graduate School of Education
E: koball@nccp.org