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GAO-03-210 Welfare Reform
Leavers with impairments were one-third as likely to be employed as
leavers without impairments, after controlling for basic demographic
factors, state-level differences, and receipt of SSI.
27
In other words, for
those not receiving SSI, leavers with impairments were one-third as likely
to be employed as leavers without impairments, all else being equal.
Leavers caring for children with impairments were equally likely to be
employed as others, after controlling for demographics and other factors.
In addition to estimating the probability of employment, we determined
the actual percentages of adults who reported being employed at some
point after leaving TANF between July 1997 and July 1999. Thirty-nine
percent of adult leavers with impairments were employed at some point
after leaving TANF, including 6 percent who also received SSI at some
point after leaving TANF.
28
(See fig. 3.) In contrast, 82 percent of leavers
without impairments reported being employed at least at some point after
leaving TANF between July 1997 and July 1999. In addition to the
6 percent of adult leavers with impairments who reported both
employment and receipt of SSI, 34 percent reported receipt of SSI but not
employment, indicating that a number of TANF recipients had
impairments severe enough to qualify them for SSI and presumably also
severe enough to limit their ability to sustain regular employment. Figure 3
shows that the proportion of leavers with impairments who reported
either employment or SSI receipt, or both, is about the same as the
proportion of leavers without impairments who reported employment.
29
The fact that many recipients with impairments seem to have impairments
severe enough to qualify them for SSI suggests that many recipients are
relying on TANF while awaiting determination of their eligibility for SSI.
Again, it may take over a year from the time that an individual applies for
SSI to the time that a final eligibility decision is made. During this time,
individuals on TANF may or may not be exempted from work
requirements.
27
The model analyzed employment status for the period spanning July 1997 through July
1999 and controlled for gender, race, age, marital status, education, and receipt of SSI. A
variable was included in the model to control for any differences among states, although
the model did not evaluate the specific effects of different state policies. See appendix I for
model results.
28
Employment and receipt of SSI were not necessarily concurrent.
29
There is no statistically significant difference between the proportions of leavers with
impairments and without impairments who are neither employed nor receiving SSI.
Leavers with Impairments
Were Less Likely to Be
Employed, but Many
Received SSI
Convention