Leaving Welfare: Employment and Well-Being of Families that Left Welfare in the Post-Entitlement Era

Abstract

Summarizes what is known about the status of families in the United States leaving welfare in the first years after the major welfare reform associated with the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. Focuses on fifteen studies conducted in different regions of the country with support from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation. Examines the degree to which families have been successful in making the initial transition from welfare to work, focusing on employment rates and earnings for leavers during the first quarter after exits. Describes the factors that helped welfare leavers find their first jobs after exiting welfare and discusses the characteristics of their jobs. Studies the employment patterns of welfare leavers to assess the extent to which they are able to work steadily and whether work effort and earnings increase over time. Examines the circumstances of those not working, in particular those who are not making successful transitions off of welfare. Considers the well-being of the families of welfare leavers, describing their income levels, income relative to poverty, and sources of income and discussing experiences of food-related problems, housing problems, and lack of access to medical care. Acs is a senior research associate in the Urban Institute's Income and Benefits Policy Center. Loprest is a senior research associate at the Urban Institute. Index.