Codes

Information on the codes for this variable is not currently available.

Description

SPMCAPXPNS measures the family's work and child care expenditures and is used to calculate the Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM). Child care expenditures are reported by CPS respondents. Work expenditures are estimated based on number of weeks worked. Work and child care expenditures are aggregated across all members of the SPM-defined family unit. The amount included in SPM resources calculations is capped at the earnings of the lowest earner in the family.

The uncapped values of work and child care expenditures are available in SPMWKXPNS and SPMCHXPNS.

For more information on the estimation of work and child care expenditures for the SPM, see the Census Bureau's "The Research Supplemental Poverty Measure" report.

SPMCAPXPNS is expressed in current dollars; users can adjust for inflation with Consumer Price Index adjustment factors.

Comparability

Aside from the effects of inflation, SPMCAPXPNS is comparable across years from 2010 to 2018.

In 2019, the Census Bureau implemented a new processing system to accommodate survey changes. These changes affect income and relationship variables, making poverty measurements before and after 2019 incomparable. For more information on this overhaul, see our guide to the 2019 ASEC updates.

Universe

Flags

Unharmonized Variables