WELFARE POLICY RESEARCH PROJECT

RFP 1999: SANCTIONS QUESTIONS

1. Determine the frequency with which penalties and sanctions are imposed on households, and their duration, for violations of: (1) work requirements, (2) school attendance requirements, (3) children’s immunization requirements, (4) child support requirements, (5) drug convictions, (6) fleeing felon restrictions, (7) fraud, and other provisions.

2. How do county penalty and sanction rates influence CalWORKs participation rates, employment outcomes, demand for child welfare and foster care services, and other measures of child and family well-being?

3. What happens to households when they are subject to these sanctions and penalties? Are sanctioned households able to compensate for any loss of income? If so, how? Is there an increase in child welfare and/or foster care referrals?

4. What happens to households in those instances when counties make non-cash payments (e.g., in the case of drug felons or “second and subsequent work requirement” sanctions)?

5. What methods are used to explain sanctions to CalWORKs households? How do these various methods correlate with program participation rates and sanction rates?

6. What reasons do CalWORKs adults give for incurring penalties? Do they understand they are out of compliance? If so, why? Are they already working? Are they engaged in education that would better prepare them for work? Other reasons? Do they understand, but not object to having the grant reduced by an amount equivalent to one person’s share? What is their understanding of work requirements, earned income disregards ($225 plus 50% of earnings), time limits, and potential sanctions for their failure to comply with program requirements?

7. What are the policy implications of these findings?