A First Look at the Survey of Program Dynamics (SPD) Longitudinal Data: Changes in Public Assistance

• Activity Number: 173
• Type: Topic Contributed
• Date/Time: Tuesday, August 13, 2002 : 8:30 AM to 10:20 AM
• Sponsor: Section on Government Statistics*
• Author(s): John Hisnanick*+
• Affiliation(s): U.S. Census Bureau
• Keywords: Survey of Program Dynamics (SPD) ; data extraction ; public assistance

Abstract

The Survey of Program Dynamics (SPD) will provide policy makers with information on the effectiveness of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996. The first longitudinal file contains fully edited, consistently formatted, and longitudinally processed core variables covering the years 1992 through 1997. The strength of the data is that it allows for studying individuals over points in time. This paper outlines and discusses methods used in reviewing the first longitudinal file that will facilitate person-level analysis for those who stayed in sample. To highlight these techniques, person-level data was extracted, focusing on those individuals who reported receiving public assistance in 1993. Selected demographic and socio-economic characteristics of these individuals were reviewed and evaluated for the year 1993 and 1997. Changes were observed in (real) median income, labor force participation, and participation in other welfare programs for those receiving public assistance in 1993 but reported being off the roles in 1997.