Survey of Closed Cases-Kansas

Tracking Recipients after They Leave Welfare

Survey of Closed Cases-Kansas

TAF Closure Follow-up Reviews

Date: November 24, 1998

Investigator: Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitative Services, Division of Quality Assurance

Contact Person: not available

Method - Kansas conducts regular reviews of a sample of the cases closed since December of 1997. The reviews take place 3 months after the case is closed. The review includes an effort to contact the family for a brief survey. The state has examined 508 cases at the three-month review. They have completed 291 surveys, a response rate of 57.3%.

Findings in Brief

Families returning to welfare (from administrative review)

	After 3 months	16%
	After 6 months	18%

For families that have not returned to welfare (from survey)

Source of Support

How have you managed to get by financially with your case closed?

	Working	40%
	Help from family/friends	27%
	Help from spouse partner	9%
	Child support/alimony	3%
	Not getting by (homeless, etc.)	2%

Household Deprivation

What is the biggest problem you have had with your cash assistance case closed?

Not enough food for self/children		19%
Overdue bills		35%
Been evicted since your case closed		6%
Had your utilities turned off since case closed		14%

Had children left the household since the case closed		15%
	Living with spouse/partner	30%
	Living with family/friends	52%
	Foster care	12%

Do you feel you are better or worse off financially?

	Much or a little better			42%
	About the same			17%
	Much or a little worse			37%

For more information please contact Jack Tweedie or Dana Reichert at NCSL, 303-830-2200.