Employment and Income Patterns in a Study of a Chronic Drug Using and Non-Drug Using TANF Population

ABSTRACT

This study examines the employment, welfare, and earnings patterns of 244 current and recent Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients over a two-year period. Thirty-six percent of these individuals were classified as chronic drug users. Significant increases in employment rates and significant decreases in rates of TANF receipt were seen in both groups, but employment was significantly higher in the non-users. While hours worked and earnings increased over time, both non-users and chronic users who become employed are working less than full time and may be earning less than needed to overcome poverty. It is concluded that intensity of employment, as measured by number of hours worked throughout the study period, may be best achieved by promoting drug treatment while preparing recipients to find jobs with higher wages.

KEYWORDS:

• Employment
• substance abuse
• TANF