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Project Description

FTP combines a time limit of 24 or 36 months with an array of enhanced services, parental responsibility requirements, and financial incentives designed to help recipients find and hold jobs. Participation in the program is mandatory for all non-exempt welfare recipients.

Child Outcomes Survey: Enhanced survey developed to obtain information about FTP's impacts on children. Target measures include child care, education, health and safety, and social and emotional adjustment.

Project duration: Feb 1994 - Jun 2000

Sites studied include Escambia County (Pensacola, Florida)

Sample Characteristics and Sites Studied

5430 welfare applicants and welfare recipients randomly assigned between 5/94 - 10/96.

Recent Findings in Brief

12/01/00: Florida Family Transition Program (FTP) Evaluation: Final Report on Florida’s Initial Time-Limited Welfare Program

Final Impact Findings:

On average, over the four-year study period, FTP increased employment and earnings, reduced welfare receipt, and modestly increased participants’ income.

The pattern of results changed over time: At the end of the follow-up period, the FTP group was less likely to be receiving welfare, but no more likely to be working, and the two groups had the same average income.

At the end of the four-year period, there were few differences between the groups on most measures of economic well-being, although, on a few indicators, the FTP group’s living conditions appeared to be slightly better.

The increases in employment, earnings, and income were concentrated among less disadvantaged participants.

On average, FTP had few effects for young children, but it had a couple of negative impacts on school outcomes for adolescents.

Surprisingly, FTP had some negative effects on children in the least disadvantaged families — the subgroup with the largest earnings impacts.

Only about one-sixth of FTP participants reached the time limit; most of these families struggled financially after losing their benefits, but did not appear to be worse off than many other families who left welfare for other reasons.

Final Cost-Benefit Findings:

FTP’s focus on intensive case management and services was expensive, and the welfare savings generated by the program were not large enough to offset the substantial upfront costs.

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