A Profile of TANF Churn in Maryland

This brief examines all cases that closed and reopened within 30 days during state fiscal year (SFY) 2015. Cases that quickly reopen are referred to as churn cases, and one in seven (14.5%) cases churned during SFY 2015. The two most common reasons for the case closure were the lack of a redetermination for benefits and a work sanction. When customers reopen their cases right away because they have come into compliance with program rules, then churn is appropriate. Inefficiencies arise, however, when churn occurs because customers did not submit paperwork for the redetermination of benefits: customers must complete new applications and caseworkers must process those new applications even though customers remained eligible.

Keyword

leavers
returns
sanctions

Identifier to cite or link to this item

http://hdl.handle.net/10713/22305