BEYOND SINGLE MOTHERS - COHABITATION AND MARRIAGE IN THE AFDC PROGRAM

We investigate the extent and implications of cohabitation and marriag e among U.S. welfare recipients. An analysis of four data sets (the Cu rrent Population Survey, the National Survey of Families and Household s, the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, and the National Longitudinal S urvey of Youth) shows significant numbers of cohabitors among recipien ts of AFDC. An even more surprising finding is the large number of mar ried women on welfare. We also report the results of a telephone surve y of slate AFDC agencies conducted to determine state rules governing cohabitation and marriage. The survey results indicate that, in a numb er of respects, AFDC rules encourage cohabitation. Finally, we conduct an analysis of the impact of AFDC rules on cohabitation, marriage, an d single motherhood and find weak evidence in support of incentives to cohabit.