Survey of Closed Cases Due to Non-Compliance-New Jersey

Tracking Recipients after They Leave Welfare

Survey of Closed Cases Due to Non-Compliance-New Jersey

WFNJ (TANF) Sanction Survey

Date: July 1998

Investigator: Bureau of Quality Control, New Jersey Department of Human Services

Method - Survey of cases closed in January and February 1998 because of non-compliance with work requirements. 333 (of 658) cases from one county were not contacted. Of the 1,009 remaining cases, 453 completed surveys (45%).

Of the remaining families, 12 % could not be located, 4% refused to cooperate, 26% did not complete the survey and 13% of the families were incorrectly classified as sanctioned.

Findings in Brief (reported for 453 surveys)

	How did client plan to support family after termination:
	Find a job		38%
	Family		23%
	Already working		15%
	Child support		4%
	Boyfriend/girlfriend		4%
	Other		15%
	How did the client actually support family after termination:
	Family		47%
	Found a job		19%
	Already working		11%
	Boyfriend/girlfriend		6%
	Child support		3%
	Other		14%

A data match with unemployment insurance records showed that 29% of the clients who had answered the survey had received earned income during the most recent quarter.

In 15 of the 453 families, it was necessary for one or more of the children to live apart from the parent.

Of the 453 families, 170 reapplied for benefits (38%). Of the cases decided, 93% of those who applied were reinstated.

Three-quarters of the sanctioned families knew that they remained eligible for Medicaid. Slightly more than one-half of the families were aware that they qualified for child care and transportation assistance if they left the rolls because of earnings.

For More information please contact Jack Tweedie at NCSL, 303-830-2200.

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