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NORTH CAROLINA
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Evaluation of the NC Work First Program: Study of Families Leaving Work First in Selected Counties |
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Date of Report: |
May 2000 (web address not available) |
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Methodology: |
Telephone survey of 1,878 respondents (70.1% response rate) |
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Study Timeframe: |
The study was conducted two to fourteen months after exit. Respondents had been off of welfare for at least one month. |
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Investigator (Contact): |
Maximus (Phillip Richardson) |
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Study Objective: |
Gather information on the status of families after leaving welfare. |
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Comparable State Findings: |
Former Recipients |
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Percent employed at time of interview |
69% |
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Median hourly wage of those employed |
$7.25 |
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Percent receiving Food Stamps/Medicaid (for children) at time of interview |
45% / 71% |
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Percent who say life is "better" after welfare |
62% |
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Percent receiving cash assistance in first year since exit |
17% |
Employment & Income
- Employed leavers had a median total monthly income of $1,184. Those who did not complete high school or obtain their GED had a median total monthly income of $1,039, compared to those with a high school degree or GED who earned $1,158.
- Leavers who attended college were less likely to work weekends, had higher monthly earnings ($1,385 - median) and were more likely to work 40+ hours per week (66% compared to 51% - 56% for those with some high school or a diploma/GED).
- Although only a quarter (26%) of the employed respondents worked outside of the normal business day (6 a.m. - 6 p.m.), more than half (55%) of the employed respondents worked weekends.
- 55% of the unemployed leavers quit their job since exiting cash assistance. Respondents reported that the most common reasons for quitting their job included: health problems/ disabilities/ illness (22%), child care problems (15%), and transportation problems or long commutes (10%).
- 82% of leavers had held only one or two jobs since time of exit, indicating low turnover.
- 18% of those who were not working at the time of the interview cited a disability/ illness as the primary reason why. Of this population, 31% were receiving SSI/SSDI, 60% were not looking for work, and 55% had not worked since the time of exit.
Other Supports (at time of interview)
- 26% of non-married respondents were receiving child support at the time of the interview. The median monthly child support payment for this population was $208.
- The programs most often utilized by leavers were WIC (24%), Public Housing (17%), Section 8 Housing (13%), and Fuel Assistance (9%).
- 29% of leavers were living with at least one other working adult who provided a source of income.
- 45% of leavers with children under age 18 paid for child care with a median monthly cost of $128. 24% of leavers with children under age 18 received child care subsidies.
Family Well-Being
- Since leaving cash assistance, more families reported hardships. The percentage of people who had times when there was no way to buy food increased from 16% while on TANF to 33% after leaving, needed medical care for a family member but could not afford it increased from 9% to 24%, got behind in paying for rent/mortgage increased from 21% to 31%, and those who needed routine child care but could not afford it increased from 15% to 22%.
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