2000-2003
The Effects of Welfare Reform on Special Populations project provided information regarding the extent to which program policy and implementation at different levels influenced the access to, and use of, government assistance programs by immigrant and/or limited English proficient (LEP) families. The study was conducted with the cooperation of welfare and other agencies. It examined the extent to which program practices, agency culture, confusion regarding immigrant eligibility rules, and/or caseworker discretion affected applicants with diverse backgrounds, possibly leading to differences in eligibility approval rates, work assignments, support services, or sanctions.
The major research question addressed was: To what extent did program practices, agency culture, confusion regarding immigrant eligibility rules, and/or caseworker discretion differentially affected applicants with diverse backgrounds and lead to differences in eligibility approval rates, work assignments, support services, or sanctions?
Site visits, case studies, focus groups and administrative data analyses were conducted to answer the research questions.