Initial Findings on Mobility and Employment of Public Assistance Recipients in Milwaukee County and Factors Relating to Changes in W-2 Regions Over Time

Abstract

At the request of the Private Industry Council of Milwaukee County, the Employment and Training Institute examined computerized caseload data of Milwaukee County Aid to Families with Dependent Children, Food Stamps and Medical Assistance cases in December 1995 and September 1996. All analyses in this report are limited to families with dependent children and expected to work under “W-2,” the state's new welfare requirement. Caseload changes were examined for each of six “W-2” regions created by the State of Wisconsin to administer welfare programs in Milwaukee County. Use of December 1995 and September 1996 caseload data allows comparisons of mobility and aid status by “W-2” region and provides some initial measure of case closures, recidivism and new cases entering the system. More than one-third of the AFDC cases changed their home address between December 1995 and September 1996, and 21 percent changed “W-2” regions. Most employed AFDC recipients were working close to their residence. The distance to work for the AFDC-employed population reporting earnings and specifying the employer averaged 4.3 miles.