Policy Research

Welfare Programs That Target Workforce Participation May Negatively Affect Mortality

Peter Muennig, Zohn Rosen, Elizabeth Ty Wilde

Summary

This randomized trial analyzes results from the Florida Family Transition Program, an experiment looking at time limits on welfare benefits. Researchers utilize the sample of over 3,500 participants to examine the effect welfare time limits has on mortality. Ultimately, they find participants of the welfare program that included time-limited benefits experienced a mortality rate 16% higher than the group receiving traditional welfare.

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Policy Implications

The potential cost savings enjoyed when time-limiting welfare benefits may be overshadowed by an increase in mortality amongst beneficiaries.