SPMCAPXPNS_19RYALT is a 6-digit floating point variable.

Description

SPMCAPXPNS_19RYALT measures the family's work and childcare expenditures and is used to calculate the Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM). Childcare 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.

This variable is an alternative version of SPMCAPXPNS that was re-released for the 2020 ASEC which reflects methodological changes first introduced with the 2021 CPS ASEC sample. For more information, see our documentation on the re-release of the 2019 SPM research file in the 2020 ASEC that describes methodological improvements that impact SPM resource and threshold variables. The SPM reference year is the calendar year to which the income, taxes, transfers, expenses, and poverty thresholds apply.

The uncapped values of work and child care expenditures are available in SPMWKXPNS_19RYALT and SPMCHXPNS_19RYALT.

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

SPMCAPXPNS_19RYALT is expressed in dollars of the survey year; users can adjust for inflation with Consumer Price Index adjustment factors.

Comparability

This variable is comparable over time.

Universe

Flags

Unharmonized Variables