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http://www.researchforum.org/project_general_415.html |
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Child Support and TANF Interaction Study
General Information
View a brief abstract of this project.
| Evaluator(s) |
MDRC Lewin Group University of Wisconsin |
| Investigator(s) |
Mary Farrell
(Lewin Group)
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| Domain |
Income Security/TANF Child/Family |
| Status | Completed (final report released) |
| Duration | Sep 2002 - Jan 2005 |
| Type |
Research and/or Program Evaluation Policy Analysis |
| Program/Policy Description |
This study will examine the interaction between child support status (i.e., paternity established, order established, receipt of child support) and TANF exit and reentry, as well as the coordination between the TANF and child support agencies. The project will analyze national survey data, state administrative data, and program data to determine the extent of child support program participation and receipt among current and former welfare clients and the contribution of payments to self-sufficiency.
Research questions addressed include: 1. What is the child support enforcement status of TANF recipients and women who have left TANF? For example, what share of custodial mothers have child support orders, what percent are receiving child support, how much do they receive, on average, and how significant is child support income as a fraction of total family income? 2. What are the patterns of child support receipt around welfare exit? For example, how many families receive child support in the months immediately after exiting welfare? Do families begin to receive child support paid on their behalf as soon as they exit welfare or is there a delay? 3. What are the effects of child support receipt on self sufficiency, including the likelihood of leaving welfare and returning to welfare? 4. What are the effects of welfare reform on the relationship between welfare and child support? Have time limits, financial incentives, and work mandates affected child support receipt negatively or positively? 5. Do state pass-through and distribution policies affect the child support status of low-income women and the relationship between child support receipt and welfare exit and reentry? For example, are more current and former welfare recipients receiving child support in states that have more generous child support policies? Are women in these states more likely to leave welfare? 6. Do families know how much child support they will receive when they leave TANF? Do they know how much child support is being paid on their behalf while they are receiving TANF?
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| Notes | No notes reported |
| Last Updated | 01/19/05 |
| Type of Summary | Unreviewed |
| Contact(s) |
Mary Farrell (not reported)
Lewin Group 3130 Fairview Park Drive Suite 800 (T) (703) 269-5500 (F) (703)269-5501 |
| Submitter(s) |
Research Forum Staff (info@researchforum.org)
National Center for Children In Poverty 215 West 125th St, 3rd Fl (T) (646)284-9600 (F) not reported |
Populations Studied
| Target Population |
Recipients/participants/clients Former recipients ("leavers") |
| Subgroups Analyzed |
None |
| Sample Size and Unit |
Samples from the following studies/surveys:
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| Execution | not reported. |
Sites Studied
Various sites across the United StatesProgram Components, Policies, and Activities Evaluated
Financial incentives
Program requirements
Time limits
Child support
Post-Program activities
Administration/Implementation
| Variation in program components across sites? | No |
Outcomes Assessed
Income security
Standard of living
Employment
Benefit termination
Caseload Dynamics
Types of Studies
| Type | Descriptive/Analytical Study |
Data Sources
| Source | Administrative data |
| Source | Field Research |
| Source | Program descriptions and documents |
| Source | Secondary data |
Findings Available
Final Descriptive/Analytical FindingsRecommendations
Existing Publications
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