Hard times preceded the recession for a significant number of Bay Area families. Even before the global economic crisis, having a job was not a guarantee of adequate income: 86% of Bay Area households with incomes below the Standard had at least one worker.

United Way’s report, “Struggling to Make Ends Meet,” released today, reinforces the plight of the Bay Area’s working poor by revealing that local families require three full-time, minimum wage jobs to pay for basic necessities, when measured by the California Self-Sufficiency Standard.

The report indicates higher education continues to be a key indicator to achieving self-sufficiency. Nearly 60% of 168,556 Bay Area households headed by someone who did not complete high school have incomes below the Standard, compared to 15% of householders with a Bachelor’s degree or at least some college.

“This report raises important questions about how we can better serve the thousands of low-wage workers and families who were already struggling before the recession, whose situations are undoubtedly more precarious now,” said Anne Wilson, CEO of United Way of the Bay Area. “While United Way continues to support programs that provide emergency food, rent and utility assistance, we are also working hard to build pathways out of poverty for hardworking families, to ensure they are not left behind in the economic recovery. Low-wage workers must have access to education and training opportunities that will enable them to earn higher wages, advance up career ladders, support their families, and contribute to our region’s success over the long term.”

A press release and the full report are available here.

Related: How will the Great Recession affect California’s Children?

Jane is a single mother of five who first walked through the door of the Earn It! Keep It! Save It! free tax preparation site at Community Action Marin in 2009.  United Way and Community Action Marin have partnered for several years on Earn It! Keep It! Save It!, offering free tax assistance and asset-building programs to thousands of low-income Marin residents.

The Earn It! Keep It! Save It! volunteer tax preparer helped Jane claim the Earned Income Tax Credit and a refund of more than $5,500 last year.  Through her visit, Jane was introduced to other programs offered through Community Action Marin’s Prosperity Partners, which are further improving her financial situation.

Jane participated in financial management classes and enrolled in the Individual Development Accounts (IDA) matched-savings program.  She is now saving money, receiving matching funds for every dollar she saves, enabling her to more quickly reach her goal of going back to school.  Jane hopes post-secondary education will help her gain the skills necessary to earn a more competitive salary to support her children.

Further discussion with Jane revealed she was paying overdraft fees on her checking account.  Prosperity Partners was able to offer her a prepaid debit card, which eliminates overdraft charges.  She now uses this card to manage her money and pay bills.

Jane now has hope and motivation to go back to school and move toward financial stability for her and her family.

Building on our existing partnership, United Way and Community Action Marin are working together to launch the SparkPoint Marin Center this year to help even more families like Jane’s.  The Center will bring a full-range of resources together at one location to help low-income families easily access the tools and support they need to move toward financial stability.  Learn more about United Way’s SparkPoint Initiative.

Read more stories about Earn It! Keep It! $ave it!

Nonprofits helping families along the Road to Recovery need your help. Search for opportunities near you:

» Bay Area volunteer opportunities (all areas by zip code)
» East Bay Volunteer Center
» San Francisco Volunteer Center

» San Francisco Bay Area Volunteer Center

• Are you worried about paying your bills on a reduced income?
• Are you having difficulty finding a new job?
• Are you concerned about increased drug or alcohol use?
• Are you afraid that you can’t handle any more stress?

Getting the services you need, getting on top of limited financial resources and knowing your rights can all help you during these stressful times.
» GUIDE TO HELP FOR HARD TIMES (pdf)

If you don’t know where to find help when you are facing these issues and others during this economic crisis, then read this guide. It will provide you with information on services in the Bay Area that can help you through these difficult times. 2-1-1 is an easy to remember 3 digit telephone number that is available 24 hours a day in over 170 languages, to give you information on programs located near your home or work, or to answer questions you may have about community services in general. Call 2-1-1. In San Mateo County, call 1-800-273-6222, Monday-Friday, 8:30-5:30.

This guide was developed to help people through the Hard Times – for each of us the details vary. It may be because you can’t find a job. It may be because you have a job but you can’t get enough hours and pay per hour to make ends meet. Or, it may be that you just lost your job or anticipate losing your job and you need some help in the transition period. Getting the services you need, getting on top of limited financial resources and knowing your rights can all help you during these stressful times. Although you may feel alone at times, remember that this economic crisis has impacted us all.

{LINK TO HELP FOR HARD TIME GUIDE}