The Self-Sufficiency Assessment is based on an IEG script. There are multiple questions for each factor. The following are the questions in the script across all the factors along with the score for the answer in {}:
Employment –
- Are you currently working? (yes{4}, no{0})
- If Yes, asks
- What is your current employment type? (Full-Time{3}, Part-Time {2}, Seasonal {1})
- Are you earning the federal hourly minimum wage or above? (yes {1}, no {-1})
- If No, asks
- When did you last work? (Never {0}, In the Last 11 Months {3}, Within 12 to 18 Months {2}, Over 18 Months {1})
- Why are you not currently working? (No Jobs Available, Criminal Record, Pregnant, Attending School/Training, Health Problems, No Child Care, Carer of Ill/Disabled Family Member, Lack of Transportation) {all score as 0}
- Do you have a resume prepared? (yes{1}, no{0})
- Have you ever had a job interview? (yes{1}, no{0})
- Do you have skills? (yes{2}, no{0})
- If Yes, asks
- Indicate which skills (select multiple): Car Repair/Mechanic, Cashier, Childcare, Computer, Construction, Housekeeper, Nursing, Healthcare, Office Work, Restaurant Work, Retail Work, or Other {all score as 0}
- If No, asks no additional questions
Education -
- Is English your primary language? (yes{0}, no{0})
- Are you able to read and write and do basic math? (yes{1}, no{0})
- If Yes, asks
- Primary (8th grade or less) {0}
- High School (9th, 10th, 11th) {2}
- GED or High School Diploma (Basic Education) {3}
- Vocational, Technical, Or Trade School Diploma or Certification) {5}
- Post Secondary Degree (Associates, Bachelors, Masters) {8}
- If No, asks no additional questions
- Are you currently attending school or a training program? (yes{1}, no{0})
Child Care Details -
- What best describes your child care situation? (select 1)
- Child Care Not Needed (no additional questions) {10}
- Child is Unsupervised and Unsafe {0} (then asks Has child care or lack of child care ever kept you from getting or keeping a job? (yes {0}, no {1})
- Child Care is Unavailable/Inaccessible {0} (then asks Has child care or lack of child care ever kept you from getting or keeping a job? (yes {0}, no {1})
- Child Care Unaffordable/unreliable {4} (then asks Has child care or lack of child care ever kept you from getting or keeping a job? (yes {0}, no {1})
- Child Care is Affordable and Subsidized {6} (then asks Has child care or lack of child care ever kept you from getting or keeping a job? (yes {0}, no {1})
- Child Care affordable and Non-Subsidized {8} (then asks Has child care or lack of child care ever kept you from getting or keeping a job? (yes {0}, no {1})
Transportation Details -
- How do you usually get to the places you need to go? (select 1)
- I currently have no Transportation {0} (no additional questions)
- Public Transportation {2} (then asks: Is your primary form of transportation reliable? {5} (yes{0}, no{0}) Do you own a vehicle? (yes{1}, no{0})
- Drive Myself {2} (then asks: Is your primary form of transportation reliable? (yes{5}, no{0}) Do you own a vehicle? (yes{1}, no{0})
- Get a Ride {2} (then asks: Is your primary form of transportation reliable? (yes{5}, no{0}) Do you own a vehicle? (yes{1}, no{0})
- Do you have a valid driver's license (yes {2}, no {0})?
Housing Details -
- What is your current housing situation? (select 1)
- Homeless or Threatened with Eviction {1}
- Eviction or Foreclosure {1}
- Temporary Shelter/Housing 3}
- Un affordable Rental/Ownership Housing {4}
- Non-Subsidized Rental {8}
- Affordable Home Ownership {10}
Substance Abuse Details -
- Do you or have you ever had a problem with alcohol in the last 12 months? (yes{5}, no{10})
- If Yes, asks
- Do you feel or have you felt (in the last 12 months) you should cut down on your drinking or drug use? (yes{0}, no{0})
- Do people or have people (in last 12 months) annoyed you by criticizing your drinking or drug use? (yes{0}, no{0})
- Do you or have you (in the last 12 months) left bad or guilty about your drinking or drug use? (yes{0}, no{0})
- Have you ever lost a job or failed to complete school or training program because you had been drinking or using drugs? (yes{0}, no{0})
- Have you had a any emotional or psychological problems from using alcohol or drugs - such as feeling uninterested, depressed, suspicious of people, paranoid, or having strange ideas? (yes{0}, no{0})
- Have you (in last 12 months) ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover? (yes{0}, no{0})
- Do you or have you attended a treatment program or support group? (yes{1}, no{-1})
- If Yes, asks How long have you been in recovery? (Less than 6 Months {-1}, Less than 2 Years {1}, More than 2 Years{2})
- If No, asks Are you scheduled to attend a treatment program? (yes{-1}, no{-3})
- If No, asks no additional questions
Physical Health Details -
- Do you have any health or medical conditions? (yes{1}, no{10})
- If Yes, asks
- Do you have any medical conditions or disabilities that would make it hard for you to get or keep a job? (yes{0}, no{2})
- Are you currently under a doctor's care or receiving treatment for your condition? (yes{3}, no{0}
- Does you health limit any day to day activities such as housework, climbing the stairs, grocery shopping, standing or lifting heavy objects? (yes{0}, no{2})
- If No, no additional questions
Mental Health -
- Have you ever been diagnosed as having a mental health condition? (yes{3}, no{7})
- If Yes, asks Are you currently receiving services for this condition? (yes{0}, no{0})
- If No, asks no additional questions
- During the last 12 months, have you felt that you needed help for emotional issues, personal problems, or stress? (yes{0}, no{1})
- Have you issues that have affected your normal day-to-day activities, work or relationships with others? (yes{0}, no{2})
Domestic Violence Details -
- Is there anyone in your life now or in the past that has physically hurt you or threatened to hurt you or someone close to you? (yes{0}, no{2})
- Has anyone followed or intruded into your activities that made you uncomfortable? (yes{0}, no{2})
- Is there anyone in your life now or in the past that has tried to control you by keeping you from going to work, shopping, looking for a job, or some other activity? (yes{0}, no{2})
- Is there anyone in your life now or in the past that has tried to prevent you from spending money or making important decisions about your own life? (yes{0}, no{2})
- Are you sometimes afraid to stay at home because you have been hit, hurt, or attacked by a relative, a spouse, or a partner? (yes{0}, no{2})