9 research outputs found
State TANF Spending: Does Devolution Matter?
No full textUsing the state-level panel data, this study examines the role of Second-Order Devolution (SOD) in state TANF spending patterns. The study uses the Within-Between RE model to examine this connection. No statistically significant effect of second-order devolution is observed. The race continues to be a strong predictor of state funding and complex effects for Black, Hispanic, and Asian clients are observed. Such effects encourage a nuanced discussion of the racialization of welfare policy beyond the dichotomous exploration of black-white differences. Implications of this evidence are discussed
Exploring the Link: Administrative Exclusion and Second Order Devolution
No full textDevolution was embedded in the 1996 welfare reform. Using the National Survey of America’s Families, this article explores the relationship between living in a Second Order Devolution (SOD) state and administrative exclusion from a welfare program. Results from the logistic model indicate that low-income clients and single mothers living in a SOD state had an increased likelihood of administrative exclusion. Administrative exclusion reflects bureaucratic choices and rules violations—implying some of these individuals and families may be leaving welfare without having achieved self-sufficiency. Results suggest that a careful evaluation of the state welfare performance measure and of the devolution of authority under block grants are needed before block granting other safety net programs
Using City-Level Administrative Tax Data for Poverty and Mobility Research
No full textWe discuss two studies that utilize administrative tax data for poverty and mobility research in Washington, DC. As cities and states continue to vary in the level and type of social policy interventions, administrative data can provide unique opportunities to assess the efficacy of these local policy reforms. For state and local social policy research questions, we contend that administrative data are oftentimes favorable to survey data along the criteria of sample size, accuracy of both income and program participation, and the opportunity to use panel data econometric methods. Such administrative data can be supplemented in a variety of ways to further strengthen it. Overall, both survey and administrative data have unique features and should be viewed as complements to one another, not substitutes
Defining Homelessness in the Rural United States
No full textRural homelessness in the United States is an understudied phenomenon. Among those studies which do address the issue, there exists no uniform or consistent definition for rural homelessness. In this review of the literature, we look at rural homelessness and consolidate the literature into four main groups based on the definitions currently in use. We recommend a comprehensive definition for rural homelessness that looks at this phenomenon on a spectrum of needs, populations, and periodicity. We further recommend that current homeless count methodology be improved by using a more detailed survey of homeless situations, not only in the rural United States, but in urban areas as well
How “Safe” Is the Safety Net? Examining the Design and the Effects of Income Support Policy
No full textThis dissertation examines the design and the effect of income support policies on employment outcomes for socio-economically disadvantaged clients. Specifically, I examine Temporary Assistance for Needy families (TANF) and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), bringing together the literature from Public Administration and Economics to assess these policies from 1996 to 2013. Using quantitative econometric analysis that uses large datasets comprised of data from the Census Bureau, the Urban Institute, University of Kentucky Center for Poverty Research and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, I find that some features of work based safety net (refundable EITC, some earned income disregard policies, human capital development assistance) are associated with positive employment outcomes. In essay 1, I focus on the relationship between Second Order Devolution (SOD) and administrative exclusion and find that for clients up to 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Level and for single mothers, living in an SOD state increases the likelihood of an administrative exit. Following essay 1, I then examine the interaction between financial incentives embedded in TANF and EITC in essay 2 and find mixed results where some combinations of financial incentives within the state EITC and TANF programs seem to lead to better employment outcomes than other combinations. Finally, essay 3 takes a closer look at job search programs under TANF, indicating that participation in human capital development treatments such as skills training increases employment likelihoods for socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals. The results of this dissertation indicate that though some of these program features appear to be working for socioeconomically disadvantaged populations, still complex program rules, bureaucratic structures may limit clients’ access to welfare programs. Simplifying program rules under TANF, providing better performance measure for federal assessment of state TANF programs, more states adopting refundable EITC program, providing skills and training opportunities for clients could lead to better employment outcomes for at-risk populations.</p
The effect of the earned income tax credit in the district of Columbia on poverty and income dynamics
No full textUsing unique longitudinal administrative tax panel data for the District of Columbia (DC), we assess the combined effect of the DC supplemental earned income tax credit (EITC) and the federal EITC on poverty and income dynamics within Washington, DC, from 2001 to 2011. The EITC in DC merits investigation, as the DC supplement to the federal credit is the largest in the nation. The supplemental DC EITC was enacted in 2000, and has been expanded from 10 percent of the federal credit in 2001 to 40 percent as of 2009. To implement the study, we estimate least squares models with 0/1 dependent variables to estimate the likelihood of net-EITC income above poverty and near-poverty thresholds. We also estimate the likelihood of earnings growth and income stabilization from the EITC. To identify the effect of the EITC, we exploit variation in the EITC subsidy rate from 2008 to 2009, when an additional EITC bracket of 45 percent was added for workers with three or more dependent children, up from 40 percent in the previous year for workers with two or more children. We also estimate a model examining the impact of city-level changes to the EITC. The structure and richness of our data enable us to control for tax filer fixed effects, an important innovation from many previous EITC studies. Overall, we find that the combined EITC raises the likelihood of net-EITC income above poverty and near poverty by as much as 9 percent, with the largest consistent effects accruing to single-parent families
The Effect of the Earned Income Tax Credit in the District of Columbia on Poverty and Income Dynamics
No full textUsing unique longitudinal administrative tax panel data for the District of Columbia (DC), we assess the combined effect of the DC supplemental earned income tax credit (EITC) and the federal EITC on poverty and income dynamics within Washington, DC, from 2001 to 2011. The EITC in DC merits investigation, as the DC supplement to the federal credit is the largest in the nation. The supplemental DC EITC was enacted in 2000, and has been expanded from 10 percent of the federal credit in 2001 to 40 percent as of 2009. To implement the study, we estimate least squares models with 0/1 dependent variables to estimate the likelihood of net-EITC income above poverty and near-poverty thresholds. We also estimate the likelihood of earnings growth and income stabilization from the EITC. To identify the effect of the EITC, we exploit variation in the EITC subsidy rate from 2008 to 2009, when an additional EITC bracket of 45 percent was added for workers with three or more dependent children, up from 40 percent in the previous year for workers with two or more children. We also estimate a model examining the impact of city-level changes to the EITC. The structure and richness of our data enable us to control for tax filer fixed effects, an important innovation from many previous EITC studies. Overall, we find that the combined EITC raises the likelihood of net-EITC income above poverty and near poverty by as much as 9 percent, with the largest consistent effects accruing to single-parent families.</p
Using City-Level Administrative Tax Data for Poverty and Mobility Research
No full textWe discuss two studies that utilize administrative tax data for poverty and mobility research in Washington, DC. As cities and states continue to vary in the level and type of social policy interventions, administrative data can provide unique opportunities to assess the efficacy of these local policy reforms. For state and local social policy research questions, we contend that administrative data are oftentimes favorable to survey data along the criteria of sample size, accuracy of both income and program participation, and the opportunity to use panel data econometric methods. Such administrative data can be supplemented in a variety of ways to further strengthen it. Overall, both survey and administrative data have unique features and should be viewed as complements to one another, not substitutes.</p
