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MISSOURI
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Study of Former AFDC Recipients in Missouri |
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Date of Report: |
April - June 2000 (aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/leavers99/mri_leavers2.pdf) |
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Methodology: |
Survey and administrative data: Sample was drawn randomly from all families who had left AFDC in the fourth quarter of 1996 and remained off for at least 2 months. Interviews were conducted with 878 respondents. (74.5% Response Rate) |
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Study Timeframe: |
Interviews were conducted between March and August 1999. Families had left welfare about 2 1/2 years before interview. |
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Investigator (Contact): |
Midwest Research Institute (Nancy Dunton, 816-753-7600 ext. 1169). |
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Study Objective: |
Report series designed to describe the current economic well-being of individuals who left welfare in Missouri. |
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Comparable State Findings: |
Former Recipients |
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Percent employed at time of interview |
65% |
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Median hourly wage of those employed |
N/A |
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Percent receiving Food Stamps/Medicaid (child) at time of interview |
47% / 65% |
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Percent who say life is "better" after welfare |
N/A |
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Percent receiving cash assistance at time of survey |
14% |
Employment & Income
- The median beginning wage for employed leavers was $6.00 per hour.
- Median monthly household income (from combined sources) was $1,166 for all leaver families. 42% had incomes over the poverty line, while 26% had incomes under 50% of the poverty line.
- 80% of households had earnings at the time of the survey.
- Median monthly earnings of employed leavers were $1,079.
- The most common reasons for not working were caring for home/family (31%), being ill/disabled (26%) and inability to find work (14%).
- The most common jobs were in health (18%), food service (15%), janitorial (12%), and sales (10%).
- One-half of families (50%) had other adults living in the household (32% had spouses or partners). In 42% of the families with more than one adult, both adults worked. Median monthly earnings for two-worker households was $2,100 compared to between $900 - $960 for one-earner households.
- Training classes taken while on AFDC was associated with lower employment rates (10% less likely to be employed for each class), but higher earnings (20% more likely to earn over $1,200 a month).
Other Supports
- 43% of the leavers came back on to welfare at some point after leaving. 60% of the leavers who were not working at the time of the survey had returned to welfare at some point.
- 22% of households in the sample received child support. The median payment was $200 per month.
- In the month prior to survey, 26% of leavers used public housing or Section 8 housing.
- 14% of leavers used child care subsidies at the time of survey. Only 36% had ever used them even though 70% appear to be eligible and one-third of the total sample said lack of child care was a barrier to work.
- About 60% of eligible families received food stamps.
Family Well-Being
- Over 25% reported not having enough food or being unable to pay rent, mortgage, or utility bills in the month prior to survey.
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