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Child support and welfare dynamics: evidence from Wisconsin
1Institute for Research on Poverty, School of Social Work, University of Wisconsin-Madison 53706.
Demography
|February 1, 1993
Summary
Child support payments have minimal impact on women exiting welfare. However, receiving child support significantly reduces the likelihood of welfare re-entry for divorced women.
Area of Science:
- Social Science
- Economics
- Public Policy
Background:
- Welfare program participation and exits are key policy concerns.
- Understanding factors influencing welfare dynamics is crucial for effective social support systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the impact of child support payments on welfare exit and re-entry among divorced women.
- To analyze the relationship between child support receipt and welfare dynamics.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of a sample of divorced women in Wisconsin.
- Estimation of the effects of child support on welfare exit and re-entry probabilities.
Main Results:
- Modest child support amounts showed limited effect on welfare exit.
- A higher-than-expected percentage of women returned to welfare.
- Child support receipt was significantly associated with a decreased likelihood of welfare re-entry.
Conclusions:
- Child support's role in welfare exit appears limited in this sample.
- Child support is a significant factor in preventing welfare re-entry.
- Policy interventions should consider child support's protective effect against long-term welfare dependence.