‘Unacceptable Choices’: Here’s How Much CT Families Need To Earn

HARTFORD, CT — A recent state report found that it is getting more difficult for Connecticut families to make ends meet as the cost of basic needs rises faster than earnings, especially for those with young children that require paid childcare. The report also breaks down how much income a family has to bring in to get by with basic necessities and no private or public assistance.

The 2019 Self Sufficiency Standard for Connecticut report found that the cost of basic needs grew faster than median earnings increases between 2005 and 2019 for all towns across the state. The standard increased an average of 31 percent during that time, but the median wage only increased 21 percent. The standard takes into account housing, childcare, healthcare, grocery, utility and other household necessities.

The report was prepared by the Office of the State Comptroller and the Office of Health Strategy. The amount of income needed varies by family size and where they live in the state. It is a higher level than the federal poverty guidelines.

"Connecticut families are being forced to make unacceptable choices – between groceries and essential medications or utility bills and potentially life-saving health care screenings," said State Comptroller Kevin Lembo in a statement.

Lembo said the report helps answer questions about healthcare affordability from a household budgetary perspective.

OHS Director Vicki Veltri said the report will help the state form a healthcare policy that works for everyone.

"Affordable healthcare is a moving target—it’s influenced by the type of health insurance, general wellness, and income level of each individual, but it’s important to note that just last year in a Universal Health Care Foundation survey, half of Connecticut adults reported problems with healthcare affordability," she said in a statement.

Between 44 and 48 percent of Connecticut households fall below the self-sufficiency standard and 25 percent of those live in Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport and Waterbury.

Young children drastically increase the amount of income required to meet the standard. A single adult living in New Britain needs to earn $26,011 annually to meet basic needs. The same single adult with a preschooler and one school-aged child would need to earn more than $64,000 to meet the standard due to the need for child care costs, larger housing and the increased costs of food and healthcare needs.

The cost of housing and childcare for families with young children amounts to about half of the family budget, according to the report.

The standard is vastly different across the state. A single adult and preschooler needs income of $49,179 annually in Windham, but $79,020 in Stamford.

Programs like HUSKY A health insurance through the state, food assistance, childcare subsidies can drastically reduce a family’s costs. A family consisting of an adult, a preschooler and a school-age child in Hartford would need a $28.96 per hour wage without assistance and $14.04 per hour with HUSKY A, food assistance, a housing voucher and tax credits.

Below are the self sufficiency standards in each town. Families on the left side of the table consist of one adult, one preschooler and one school-aged child. On the right are families with two adults, one preschooler and one school-aged child.