U.S. Census Bureau
 Poverty Measurement Studies and  Alternative Measures




Poverty Measurement Working Papers

The Census Bureau’s Plans for Poverty Measurement Research

ATTACHMENT B:
P60-RD Report on Poverty Measurement :  Preliminary Outline

I.   Summary  

II.  Introduction
	A. Background on National Academy of Sciences Report
	B.  Plan of this report

III. Variations on a theme examining only one change at a time, all else the 
     same as the official measure for a given year - 1991
	A. Experimental thresholds with official resources
		1. Cost of basic bundle 
		2. Equivalence scales
		3. Multipliers
		4. Geographic adjustments
	B. Experimental resources using Current Population Survey with official
	   thresholds
		1. Work expenses 
		2. Childcare expenses
		3. Taxes
		4. Housing subsidy valuation
		5. Other in-kind non-medical benefits
		6. Medical expenses
	C. Elements in both resources and thresholds, all else as in official measure 
		1. Owner-occupied housing
		2. Cohabiting couples
		3. In-kind medical benefits

IV. Some(perhaps three) "Combination Measures" (yet to be determined)
	A.  For each Combination measure
		1. CPS and SIPP for 1991
		2. Time series estimates, CPS 1991-1997
		3. Standardized to official rates for 1991 and 1997

V. Other issues
	A. Updating over time 
	B. Medical care risk index
	C. Data needs: SIPP, CPS, CEX 
	D. Poverty measurement in the decennial census and 
	   American Community Survey

VI. Future Research


Contact the Demographic Call Center Staff at 301-763-2422 or 1-866-758-1060 (toll free) or visit ask.census.gov for further information on Poverty Measurement Research Data.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Housing and Household Economic Statistics Division