Administrative Data Matching-Colorado

Tracking Recipients after They Leave Welfare

Administrative Data Matching-Colorado

Interim Report on Caseload Characteristics, Program Eligibility, and County Policies

Date: March 1999

Investigator: Berkeley Planning Associates

Contact Person: Vince Valvano (510) 465-7884

Method - Data matches between cash assistance cases closed between July 1997 and September 1997 (the first three months of the Colorado Works program) and unemployment insurance wage records.

Findings in Brief
Did former recipients have UI reported earnings? (of those who did not return to welfare)

UI reported wages in the first quarter after exit (over $100)	51.9%
Average total income of $2749 over three months for those working

Second quarter after exit		52.1%
Mean qtrly income of $2704

Third quarter after exit		52.7%
Mean qtrly income of $2866

Fourth quarter after exit		51.8%
Mean qtrly income of $3091
Total quarters employed (out of 4)
None	31.7%
One	9.2%
Two	10.7%
Three	15.6%
Four	32.8%

Earnings progression: mean earnings of continuously employed former recipients (former recipients who had earnings in all four quarters)

Average quarterly earnings		Percent above poverty level
First	3116	44.2%
Second	3149	42.2%
Third	3354	47.2%
Fourth	3472	50.4%
Families who returned to cash assistance			23.8%

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

Welfare Reform Page