Abstract: The object of this research is the “working poor” as a social working group. The subject of this research is resource potential of the “working poor”. On the example of sociological study conducted in the Republic of Bashkortostan, the author reviews particular characteristics of resource potential of the “working poor”. Analysis is carried out on the main types of formalization of labor relations and terms of employment of “working poor”. The author reveals the trends in the dynamics of financial situation and pay level of the members of households participating in the survey, as well as considers additional sources of their income. The article analyzes subjective assessments of respondents regarding their affiliation to social classes, living conditions, as well as availability of durable goods in households. The following conclusions were formulated:
1. A relatively low economic activity and minimal level of entrepreneurial activity have remained; insignificant number of “working poor” have a second job.
2. The conducted analysis demonstrates worsening of the financial situation of households that participated in the research (approximately one third of respondents cannot afford to buy clothes). Salaries of the majority of respondents does not exceed the republican average.
3. Decent living conditions are complicated by the fact that every fourth “working poor” does not own the place they live.
4. Although availability of cars and durable goods shows a slight increase, its also indicates the growth of debt load
5. The positive trends include a relatively high physiological potential and level of education of the respondents, which allow reckoning on the prospects of growth of their labor potential.

Abstract: This article presents some results of studying the problem of poverty among working population from the perspective of deprivation approach. The author analyzes the used approaches towards assessment of poverty, substantiates the viability of deprivation approach and its potential utilization for more comprehensive research of households within the poverty level in the current Russian conditions. The article displays the advantaged of deprivation approach that consists in its linkage to the average living standards in the country, and possibility of assessment of flaws in meeting a wide variety of needs of the households and an individual. A list of deprivations according to which was distinguished the group of population within poverty level is described. The author determines essential differences in assessments of the representatives of “working poor population” distinguished on the grounds of deprivations from other groups of respondents. The conducted analysis allowed revealing the alienation of the group of poor people based on deprivations from the entire population, their essential exclusion from the everyday life of the society. The author underlines that poor people distinguished on the grounds of deprivations are limited not only financially and in sources for overcoming financial difficulties, but the problem of their poverty also worsens by psychological peculiarities of such people – constant deprivations form the “psychology of a poor man”, characterized by insecurities, complacence, and no desire to strive for improvement.