Accounting for the Decline in AFDC Caseloads: Welfare Reform or the Economy?

Abstract

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Welfare reforms, family resources, and child maltreatment

“…A large and growing literature has established that welfare reforms, in concert with a strong economy and expanded work support such as the EITC, have reduced welfare caseloads (Council of Economic Advisors, 1997Advisors, , 1999Figlio and Ziliak, 1999;Huang, Garfinkel, and Waldfogel, 2000;Wallace and Blank, 1999;Ziliak et al, 1997) and increased single mothers' employment (Bainbridge, Meyers, and Waldfogel, 2000;Ellwood, 2000;McKernan et al, 2000;Rosenbaum, 2001, 2000;Moffitt, 1999;Shoeni and Blank, 2000). Studies of welfare leavers have provided evidence on the influence of welfare reforms on other outcomes for families (for a recent review, see Acs and Loprest, 2000).…”

Welfare Work Requirements and Child Well-Being: Evidence from the Effects on Breast-Feeding

“…2 Some exceptions include CEA (1999), Grogger (Forthcoming), Rector and Youssef (1999), and Ziliak et al (2000). 3 The RLMS data are used by the National Institute of Health to monitor the Healthy People 2010 objective to increase U.S. national breastfeeding rates.…”

“…These causal studies of the reforms have usually focused on the welfare caseload (e.g., CEA 1997CEA , 1999Grogger forthcoming;Ziliak et al 2000). Such studies cannot provide information regarding whether or not potential recipients are made better off by the reforms.…”

Time Limits in a Two-tier Unemployment Benefit Scheme under Involuntary Unemployment

“…For example, Ziliak et al (2000) estimate that 1 about two thirds of the caseload decline in the Aid for Families With Dependent Children program observed between 1993 and 1996 is explained by macroeconomic factors represented, e.g., by lower unemployment rates. Only one third can be attributed to several regional welfare reforms adopted in various states.…”