DIFFERENCES IN SPELL LENGTHS BETWEEN THE AFDC-BASIC AND AFDC-UNEMPLOYED PARENTS PROGRAMS

This article reports the findings of a study that compares the length of time people receive benefits from the Aid to Families with Dependent Children-Basic and -Unemployed Parents programs. The sample includes all first observed AFDC spells in Kenosha and Racine Counties, Wisconsin between 1987 and 1989. Findings indicate that AFDC-UP spells are significantly shorter than AFDC-Basic spells. The median spell length of AFDC-UP cases is 6.4 months and AFDC-Basic cases is 10.4 months. AFDC-Basic cases with 2 adults in the family have spells similar in length to AFDC-UP cases. Policy implications are discussed and recommendations made.