SPMCHSUP_19RYALT is a 5-digit numeric variable.

Description

SPMCHSUP_19RYALT records the value of child support paid by family members and is used in the construction of the Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM). Child support payments are deducted from the economic resources available to the SPM-defined family unit. Child support received is counted as part of income.

This variable is an alternative version of SPMCHSUP 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.

For more information on child support payments in the SPM, see the Census Bureau's "The Research Supplemental Poverty Measure" report.

SPMCHSUP_19RYALT is reported in dollars of the survey year; users can adjust for inflation with Consumer Price Index adjustment factors.

Comparability

Child support payments are reported by CPS respondents. Otherwise, this variable is comparable over time.

Universe

Flags

Unharmonized Variables