Caseload Trends & Dynamics

This report analyzes the experiences of welfare "cyclers," a group that has received relatively little attention in previous research on welfare dynamics. For this study, "cycling" is defined as receipt of welfare benefits during three or more discrete spells during a four-year "observation" period.

By: Lashawn Richburg-Hayes and Stephen Freedman MDRC April 2004 Submitted to:U.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesOffice of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation

Including Introduction Cross-state Comparisons Findings Employment Rates Earnings Recidivism Medicaid

Contents Key Questions and Findings Policy Relevance Future Research Endnote

The Welfare Indicators Act of 1994 requires the Department of Health and Human Services to prepare annual reports to Congress on indicators and predictors of welfare dependence.

This report looks at the changing nature of the caseload by examining the characteristics and circumstances of three groups: people who leave welfare and stay off for at least a year (leavers), people who stay on welfare persistently (stayers), and people who cycle on and off the rolls (cyclers).

This report looks at the changing nature of the caseload by examining the characteristics and circumstances of three groups: people who leave welfare and stay off for at least a year (leavers), people who stay on welfare persistently (stayers), and people who cycle on and off the rolls (cyclers).

Based on the summary report, Survey Design for TANF Caseload Project, Summary Report and Recommendations, that reviews existing survey questions and scales focused on potential barriers to employment among TANF recipients, ASPE finalized this survey instrument, the TANF Caseload Survey, for use in the six state studies.

The Welfare Indicators Act of 1994 requires the Department of Health and Human Services to prepare annual reports to Congress on indicators and predictors of welfare dependence.