Background/Goals: Recent welfare reform policies are aimed at permanently shifting federal aid recipients off welfare rolls and into the labor market. Welfare time limits and work requirements are intended as catalysts, and local training and support programs are meant to assist individuals in leaving welfare for work. Before evaluating such policies and programs, it is important to understand the factors affecting exits from welfare. This paper examines welfare exits due to work, administrative, and for family reasons, in relation to competing needs and service supports. Competing needs include substance abuse-related problems, housing instability, and neighborhood violence and crime; service supports include material and human capital resources (childcare, food stamps, health insurance, housing assistance, substance abuse treatment, and work/education programs).
Methods: We analyze both qualitative and quantitative data from 411 participants in a 6-year longitudinal study of welfare recipients in California. Bivariate and multivariate analyses are used to identify factors associated with leaving welfare, and qualitative analysis is used to describe common processes leading to specific kinds of welfare exits.
Results: Preliminary analysis shows that housing instability, recent alcohol and drug-related problems, and participation in treatment and counseling are significantly associated with non-work-related exits. Work and education program participation is not clearly related to work exits.
Conclusions: Multiple and complex issues affect individual exits from the welfare system. If welfare reform is to succeed in shifting people into the labor force, individuals will need more effective material and instrumental supports to address their competing needs.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Keywords: Welfare,
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.