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KENTUCKY
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From Welfare to Work: Third Year Survey of Discontinued K-TAP Recipients |
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Date of Report: |
July 2000 (http://kwre.usi.louisville.edu/pdf/discontinuedreport2000.pdf) |
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Methodology: |
Telephone survey: 504 surveys from the sample of 1,200. (43% Response Rate) |
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Study Timeframe: |
Three studies have been conducted in the fall of 1997, 1998, and 1999. The first survey had a very low response rate and has therefore been omitted from the longitudinal study. The second and third surveys have had response rates of 40% and 43% respectively and reflect those who left TANF between November 1996 and September 1999 and remained off cash assistance at the time of the interview. |
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Investigator (Contact): |
University of Louisville (Gerard Barber 502-852-6626) |
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Study Objective: |
Monitor the status of K-TAP clients after leaving cash assistance. |
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Comparable State Findings: |
Former Recipients |
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Percent employed at time of the most recent interview |
58% |
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Mean/Median hourly wage of those employed |
N/A |
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Percent receiving Food Stamps/Medicaid (for children) at time of interview |
41% / 65% |
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Percent who say life is "better" after welfare |
72% |
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Percent receiving cash assistance in first year since exit |
N/A |
Employment & Income
- Although the majority of respondents (56%) earned $5.16 - $7.99 per hour, a significant portion were earning more than $8.00 per hour (36%), up from 23% in 1998.
- 56% of leavers left cash assistance because they obtained a job. The next most common reason for leaving was because the client requested discontinuation of benefits (10%).
- Most employed leavers worked at least 25 hours per week. 63% worked 40 or more hours per week.
Other Supports (at time of interview)
- The most common source of additional income for leavers was child support (27%).
- While 13% of leavers reported using day care assistance, 20% of employed leavers utilized day care assistance.
- 32% of respondents with children utilized child care. The most common source of child care was a friend (36%), followed by day care (31%) and a family member (25%).
- The average monthly out-of-pocket cost for child care was $153.
- 75% of employed leavers reported receiving the Earned Income Tax Credit in 1999.
- 43% of leavers reported receiving sources of support other than earnings, up from 38% in 1998.
Family Well-Being
- 72% of families perceived their quality of life as a little better or much better, compared to 63% in 1998.
- 90% of leavers reported that they had enough food, although half reported that it was not the kind that they wanted.
- 82% of leavers provide their own transportation to/from work.
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