The Effects of Welfare Reform on the Characteristics of the Food Stamp Population

Abstract

Assesses the effects of specific welfare reform policies, as well as other factors such as the economy, on changes in the food stamp caseload between 1994 and 1999. Suggests that economic growth explains nearly half of the caseload decline over this period. TANF work requirements, work encouragement policies, and time limits explain very little of the caseload decline, although very stringent work requirements seem to have led disadvantaged food stamp recipients to leave the program. Changes in food stamp eligibility rules for aliens and ABAWDS, on the other hand, had a large negative effect on the caseload. The results suggest that changes in the perceptions and attitudes of food stamp recipients and the way in which caseworkers administer welfare and food stamp policies may also have caused much of the caseload decline.