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ILLINOIS
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Illinois Study of Former TANF Clients |
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Date of Report: |
August 2000 (http://ipa.uis.edu/publications/tanf_finalrpt_execsummary.pdf) |
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Methodology: |
Administrative and survey data; administrative records were analyzed for all cases that closed between July 1997 and December 1998 and 514 surveys were completed from a random sample of former TANF recipients. (51% Response Rate) |
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Study Timeframe: |
Survey information was based on responses from former recipients who left TANF in December 1998. Interviews were conducted 6 to 8 months after case closure. |
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Investigator (Contact): |
Institute for Public Affairs, University of IL at Springfield and School of Social Work, University of IL at Urbana-Champaign. (George Julnes) |
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Study Objective: |
To determine who is leaving TANF and why, examine the employment experiences of these leavers, and assess what support services are needed. |
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Comparable State Findings: |
Former Recipients |
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Percent employed at time of interview (based on survey data) |
63% |
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Median hourly wage of those employed at time of interview (survey data) |
$7.41 |
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Percent receiving Food Stamps/Medicaid (for children) at time of interview |
33% / 53% |
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Percent who say life is "better" after welfare |
57% |
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Percent receiving cash assistance in first year since exit (administrative data) |
28% |
Employment & Income
- Although 85% of leavers reported some employment in the first 6 to 8 months following case closure, only 37% of leavers worked consistently during this time.
- 78% of employed leavers had incomes below the poverty level at the 4th quarter after exit.
- The most common self-reported barriers to employment among unemployed leavers were child care problems (40%), transportation problems (41%), physical health problems (32%), mental health problems (18%), and inadequate skills, training, or education (27%).
- According to administrative data, the median quarterly earnings for the first quarter after exit for employed leavers were $2,568. This figure increased to $2,849 in the 4th quarter after exit.
Other Supports
- 64% of leavers had some form of medical coverage for themselves while 70% had medical coverage for their children. At the time of interview, 29% of children had no medical coverage of any kind.
- Two quarters after exit 19% of leavers with children under 13 used child care subsidies.
- Overall reliance on other supports decreased after exit. However, leavers reported increased use of SSI, social security, workers compensation, unemployment benefits, and food/money from church.
- Among leavers reporting a parent absent from the household, 31% received either formal or informal child support payments. The median monthly payment was $157 in the month prior to the survey.
- Leavers who returned to TANF typically did so in the first six months after exit, were more often single parents, and were more likely to have originally left TANF due to non-cooperation.
Family Well-Being
- Although the majority of leavers (76%) reported that they were very or somewhat satisfied with life in general, 44% experienced food shortages, 38% said they had gotten behind in rent or housing payments, 31% reported that someone in their home went without medical treatment, and 13% had to move because they could not pay for housing.
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