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GEORGIA
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Georgia Welfare Leavers Study Initial Results |
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Date of Report: |
December 1999 (www.arc.gsu.edu) |
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Methodology: |
Administrative data and telephone survey: 564 interviews conducted of single-parent (80%) and child-only cases (20%). (32% Response Rate) |
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Study Timeframe: |
200 leavers per month were contacted in June, September and October 1999. Leavers have been off welfare for at least two months and were interviewed 5 - 8 months after exit. |
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Investigator (Contact): |
Applied Research Center, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University (E. Michael Foster, emfoster@psu.edu) |
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Study Objective: |
Monitor the impact of welfare exit on individuals, their families, and communities. |
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Comparable State Findings: |
Former Recipients |
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Percent employed at time of interview (single-parent cases) |
59% |
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Mean/Median hourly wage of those employed |
N/A |
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Percent receiving Food Stamps/Medicaid at time of interview |
N/A |
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Percent who say life is "better" after welfare |
N/A |
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Percent receiving cash assistance in September 1999 |
11% |
Employment & Income
- Income among single-parent leavers was low. 70% of respondents had incomes below $1,000 per month and fewer than 5% earned more than $18,000 per year.
- Family incomes among child-only cases were somewhat higher. 38% had incomes above $18,000 per year and only 48% earned less than $1,000 per month.
- 80% of single-parent leavers left welfare due to employment.
Other Supports
- 40% of single-parent leavers sought help from friends or relatives, 36% received help from their church, and 18% received help from shelters or food kitchens.
- 78% of single-parent leavers had some type of health insurance for their children compared to 96% of current recipients.
Family Well-Being
- 33% of single-parent leavers reported not having enough food to eat.
- 45% of leavers worried that food would run out before he/she had enough money to buy more.
- 16% of single-parent leavers own their own home compared to 5% of current single-parent recipients.
- 71% of children of single-parent leavers had no contact with their fathers and only 16% saw their fathers one to three times per month.
- Although only 47% of leavers reported that they wanted to leave welfare, 76% of single-parent leavers reported feeling extremely confident that they will remain off welfare in the future.
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