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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 21, 2002

Study of long-term Temporary Assistance recipients released

Recipients: strong work ethic, many are working, work often not sufficient for family to reach self-sufficiency.

The Department of Health and Social Services recently released Facing the Final Countdown: A Study of Long-Term Temporary Assistance Recipients. The Division of Public Assistance (DPA) collaborated with the University of Alaska Anchorage Institute for Circumpolar Health Studies on Facing the Final Countdown, which describes the characteristics of families who have received Temporary Assistance for at least 41 months, and are at highest risk of reaching the 60-month limit on benefits.

“The Division of Public Assistance undertook this study to understand why some families have a long-term reliance on Temporary Assistance, so that we can continue to develop effective policies and provide a pathway to self-sufficiency,” Chris Ashenbrenner, Director of Public Assistance said.

The study found that long-term recipients possess a strong work ethic and that many are working. But work is often low paying, part-time or seasonal, and not sufficient for the family to reach self-sufficiency. Although many recipients face severe challenges to sustainable employment, nearly all prefer to leave the welfare system and become self-supporting. The great majority of long-term recipients believe they should be required to work and feel their case manager helps them figure out what to do to support their families, Ashenbrenner said.

Findings

  • 35% of those surveyed were currently working, 55% had worked during the past year, and 97% had worked at some time in their life;

  • The mean reported hourly was $8.57, but few worked regular, full-time hours;

  • 50% of those surveyed did not finish high school;

  • 32% reported a mental health problem, and 50% reported being treated for depression;

  • 40% reported that health problems kept them from working;

  • 50% reported lack of transportation as a challenge to employment;

  • 75% felt that their case manager did a good job helping them develop a good plan for getting off assistance;

  • 95% agree that they would rather be employed than receive welfare.

“These findings reveal that while long-term recipients face challenges to employment, by and large this is a resilient population that would prefer to work than be on welfare,” Ashenbrenner said. “Many have taken steps to complete their education, and most have been cooperative with the demands placed on them to participate in the work-oriented activities of the Alaska Temporary Assistance Program.”

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For more information, please contact

Sherry Hill, Special Assistant to the Commissioner for Communications
(907) 465-1611

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Ross Soboleff
Public Information Officer III
(907) 465-1611

 

Or

Chris Ashenbrenner, Director, Public Assistance
(907) 465-3347