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A Preliminary Investigation of Welfare Migration Induced by Time Limits

Author

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  • Snarr, Hal W.
  • Burkey, Mark L.
Abstract
Studies on welfare programs in the United States have identified three types of welfare migration (employment, benefit, and amenity-related). This paper introduces a fourth type of migration induced by welfare time limits. After a welfare-dependent family runs out of benefits, it is possible for them to reset the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families time clock by crossing state lines to extend their benefits. Our theoretical results suggest that the likelihood of migration increases if the migration distance is small or the gain from the move is large. We hypothesize that, ceteris paribus, families migrating in order to extend their benefits will minimize the distance they migrate, and will be likely to move into the nearest state, especially into counties just across the state border. We utilize macro data at the county level to look for evidence of time-limit induced migration. Estimates indicate that time limits may be associated with an increase in welfare migration.

Suggested Citation

  • Snarr, Hal W. & Burkey, Mark L., 2006. "A Preliminary Investigation of Welfare Migration Induced by Time Limits," Journal of Regional Analysis and Policy, Mid-Continent Regional Science Association, vol. 36(2), pages 1-16.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:jrapmc:132324
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.132324
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    Cited by:

    1. Nair-Reichert, Usha, 2014. "Location Decisions of Undocumented Migrants in the United States," Journal of Regional Analysis and Policy, Mid-Continent Regional Science Association, vol. 44(2).
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    3. Friederike Seifert, 2022. "The Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion and interstate migration in border regions of US States [Die Ausweitung von Medicaid durch den Affordable Care Act und zwischenstaatliche Migration in den," Review of Regional Research: Jahrbuch für Regionalwissenschaft, Springer;Gesellschaft für Regionalforschung (GfR), vol. 42(1), pages 49-74, April.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Community/Rural/Urban Development; Food Security and Poverty; Public Economics;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J6 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers
    • D1 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior
    • R23 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Household Analysis - - - Regional Migration; Regional Labor Markets; Population

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