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WASHINGTON
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WorkFirst Study. 3,000 Washington Families |
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Date of Report: |
January 2001 (http://www.wa.gov/WORKFIRST/about/StudyIndex2.htm) |
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Methodology: |
Survey data: 3,043 interviews were conducted (Response Rate X%) |
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Study Timeframe: |
Interviews were conducted XX, how long after exit of women receiving TANF in March 1999 |
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Investigator (Contact): |
Social and Economic Sciences Research Center at Washington State University (Dr. Marieka Klawitter marieka@u.washington.edu) |
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Study Objective: |
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Comparable State Findings: |
Former Recipients |
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Percent employed at time of interview |
% |
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Mean/Median hourly wage of those employed |
$ |
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Percent receiving Food Stamps/Medicaid (children) at time of interview |
% |
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Percent who say life is "better" after welfare |
% |
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Percent receiving cash assistance in first year since exit |
33% |
Employment & Income
- 52% of those who left TANF said jobs and earnings were the reason they left.
- 62% of parents that stayed off TANF for 6 months had recent work experience compared to 58% of returners and 47% of those that never left TANF.
- Those who left TANF and stayed off for more than 6 months had higher earnings ($8.01/hour v. $7.42/hour), worked more hours per week (34 v. 31 hours/week), had more paid leave (34% v. 22%) and had more health benefits (38% v. 27%) than those who returned to TANF within 6 months.
- Average total monthly earnings for families that left TANF and had earnings increased from $1,500 in March 1999 (which included TANF) to $1,700 in March 2000.
- Average total monthly earnings for families that left TANF and had no earnings decreased from more than $1,100 in March 1999 (which included TANF) to less than $600 in March 2000.
Other Supports (at time of interview)
- 57% of families receiving TANF in March 1999 were not receiving TANF for at least 2 consecutive month between March 1999 and March 2000.
- Families that stayed off TANF for 6 months spent an average of 16 months on TANF. Families that returned to TANF spent an average of 18 months on TANF.
Family Well-Being
- Families that left TANF and stayed off for 6 months reported better health, less illegal drug use and less mental health care use than those that returned to TANF or never left.
- There was very little difference in the percent of families that left TANF or stayed on TANF that were abused as a child, became pregnant as a teenager or received welfare while growing up.
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