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Exploiting changes in welfare policy across states and over time and comparing relevant population subgroups within an econometric difference-in-differences framework, we estimate the effects of welfare reform on adult women's illicit drug use from 1992 to 2002, the period during which welfare reform unfolded in the United States. The analyses are based on all available and appropriate national data sets, each offering unique strengths and measuring a different drug-related outcome. We investigate self-reported illicit drug use (from the National Household Surveys on Drug Abuse and National Surveys on Drug Use and Health), drug-related prison admissions (from the National Corrections Reporting Program), drug-related arrests (from Federal Bureau of Investigation Uniform Crime Reports), and drug-related emergency department episodes (from the Drug Abuse Warning Network). We find robust evidence that welfare reform led to a 10%-21% decline in illicit drug use among women at risk of relying on welfare, as well as associated declines in drug-related arrests (6%-7%), drug-related hospital emergency department episodes (7%-11%), and possibly drug-related prison admissions (11%-19%). The findings indicate that an appropriately designed welfare system with sufficient job opportunities for those who are able to work can result in both increases in employment and decreases in drug use. (JEL I38, K42, J2), I. INTRODUCTION The landmark Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996, often referred to as welfare reform, ended entitlement to welfare benefits under Aid to Families with [...]

The average annual poverty rates fell over the 1990s especially among female-headed families but the incidence of poverty spells actually increased. Women had higher but more variable incomes by the early 2000s and it is conjectured that women's economic fortunes have been tied to the labor market which exposes them to spells of poverty.

An examination on a premise, by Hubbard et al. (1995) and by prominent policy makers like Secretary Kemp, that welfare asset confines household saving, is presented. The study has shown positive results.

An analysis on the impact of welfare reform on the living arrangements of children is presented. Based on March current population survey (CPS) data, which varies by the race and ethnicity of the children, the results show that children are less probable to live with unmarried parents, more probable to live with married parents, and more probable to live with neither parent.

The effect of reforms of Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) on caseloads of another program that is Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is examined. The results reveal that a decrease in caseloads in one program cannot be interpreted as an equal-sized decrease in the number of families receiving public assistance.

People who leave welfare commonly return, and this phenomenon has become more pressing in the time-limited TANF program. Fostering stable TANF exits may be particularly difficult in poor inner-city areas because of job shortages and neighborhood deterioration. Perspectives of TANF leavers from five focus groups in Chicago about problems leading to welfare returns are presented. Participants indicated that low wages and unstable jobs were most often responsible for TANF returns. Obtaining health care and child care and inconsistent performance of TANF caseworkers were stressed as contributing factors. Participants also focused on strengths helpful in sustaining exits from TANF, particularly psychological benefits associated with working and informal supports received from family members and friends. The implications of recipient-identified problems and strengths are discussed, including balancing 'work first' employment policies with substantive educational and job development policies. Strategies for improving the performance of TANF case planning are discussed. Key words: poverty; TANF; welfare dependency; welfare reform, As state Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs have implemented five-year time limits and other restrictions on welfare use, the importance of fostering sustainable welfare exits has grown. This [...]

In 1996, Congress passed and the President signed the Personal Responsibility, and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA), or what has become known as welfare reform. To many, welfare reform has [...]

Research on Korea's welfare reform since 1990s, which is not explained relating to growing market uncertainty is presented.

The potential impact of welfare reform on government program participation among immigrants, explicitly taking into account changing economic conditions is examined. The study concluded that much, but not all, of the relative decline in program use among immigrants can be explained by changing macroeconomic conditions.

The consequences of state welfare policies and practices on the living arrangements of low-income families with children are investigated. The decline in single parenting and increase in dual parenting are correlated with more effective collection of child support and family cap policies.

The consequences of studies on the housing outcomes of welfare recipients are discussed with a view to determine the possible control of welfare reform on housing instability, which in turn influences school instability. Other such studies suggest that welfare reform has increased the rates of family mobility, evictions and the likelihood of sharing housing.