The study is designed to (1) monitor the status of families leaving cash assistance at multiple time points after exit; (2) compare the experiences of exit cohorts drawn at quarterly intervals throughout the gradual process of welfare reform implementation; and (3) describe differences in exiting families’ experiences before and after time limits go into effect.
Notes
Definition of exiter: Ohio Works First assistance group open for 1 month and closed for 2 consecutive months.
The study of families leaving cash assistance in Cuyahoga County uses a longitudinal, cohort comparison design. For each quarter beginning with quarter 4, 1998, all families that
left cash assistance for at least two months are identified from agency records. This identification of
quarterly exit cohorts continues through quarter 2, 2002. Time limits went into effect in October 2000,
so the study contains both pre- and post-time limit exit cohorts. Each cohort is also studied
longitudinally. Random samples of the exiters in each cohort are interviewed at 6 months and 13
months after their exit from cash assistance. Administrative
records containing information on monthly welfare benefits and quarterly employment and earnings
are compiled for all of the exiters for the year prior to and following the exit.
