New Mexico TANF Longitudinal Study

NEW MEXICO

New Mexico TANF Longitudinal Study - Fourth Combined Report of Administrative and Survey Data
Date of Report:	September 2001 (web address not available)
Methodology:	Administrative and survey data (2 rounds) (Response Rate: unknown)
Study Timeframe:	Follow-up to March 2001 report. This report primarily focuses on administrative data for 33,000 families who were on TANF between July 1998 and June 1999.
Investigator (Contact):	Maximus (Phillip Richardson)
Study Objective:	Assess poverty status/financial stability of single-parent families who left TANF.

Comparable State Findings:	Former Recipients
Percent employed first quarter after exit	N/A
Mean/Median hourly wage of those employed	N/A
Percent receiving Food Stamps/Medicaid at time of interview	N/A
Percent who say life is "better" after welfare	N/A
Percent receiving cash assistance one year after exit	N/A

Employment & Income

During the 1st quarter after exit, the median quarterly earnings for all leavers were $2,654, increasing to $2,997 by the 4th quarter after exit.
The median earnings during the 4^th quarter after exit for those who attended college was $3,245, $2,797 for those who completed high school and $2,295 for those who did not complete high school.
Only 29% of leavers were employed in all four quarters the first year after leaving TANF, 37% were employed less than four quarters and 34% were not employed in any quarter during the 1st year after exit.
52% of leavers living in urban areas were employed in the 4^th quarter after exit compared to 46% of those living in rural areas. Additionally, 57% of leavers who had attended college were employed in the 4^th quarter after exit compared to 45% of leavers who did not complete high school.
Type of occupation had a significant impact on job stability. Forty-five percent of leavers working in a clerical position were employed in all 4 quarters after exit compared to 44% of those in professional or paraprofessional occupations, 36% of those in retail positions, and 27% of those in factory or assembly positions.

Other Supports (at time of interview)

11% of all leavers reported receiving child support on a regular basis. 12% reported receiving SSI.
25% of leavers were living with an employed adult.
60% of respondents who identified lack of education as a barrier to leaving TANF were on welfare 12 months after exit compared to slightly less than half who cited a lack of child care, lack of suitable jobs or health problems.

Family Well-Being

75% of all leavers had earnings below the poverty level, 48% had earnings below 50% of the poverty level and 41% reported having no income at all. Conversely, 13% had earnings at 130% of the poverty level or higher.
79% of leavers living in rural areas had incomes below the poverty level compared to 69% of leavers in urban areas.
Recidivism rates 12 months after exit were highest for those who left TANF because they were sanctioned (27%), they got married (18%), or because they found a job or higher paying job (13%).