Leavers, Stayers, and Cyclers: An Analysis of the Welfare Caseload

This report looks at the changing nature of the caseload by examining the characteristics and circumstances of three groups: people who leave welfare and stay off for at least a year (leavers), people who stay on welfare persistently (stayers), and people who cycle on and off the rolls (cyclers). The report uses a unique data set consisting of over 30,000 people who were targeted for a variety of welfare-to-work programs over the past decade. The programs were each evaluated using a random assignment design and included three components — mandatory participation in employment or education activities, enhanced financial incentives, and time limits — used alone and in combination.