Almost half of the respondents (49%) in the survey were between the ages of 18 and 29 years of age. Thirty-four percent were between 30 and 39.

The majority of the mothers in this study classified themselves as "single," versus divorced or widowed. By age, younger respondents (under 39) were more likely to say they were single, while respondents aged 40 to 50, were more likely to say they were divorced.

In general, single mothers in this study fell into three distinct educational groups: those without a high school diploma, those with a high school diploma, and those who have attended technical or college courses or actually completed college. Each category includes approximately one-third of the respondents.

Comparing the demographic profile of W-2 users to non- users, reveals that users of W-2 tended to be younger, in the 18 to 29 age category. This holds true for both past and current W-2 users. Non-users on the other hand, were more likely to be in the 30 to 50 year old group.

In terms of education level, users of W-2 differed from non-users. Non-users were generally more educated, with a significantly higher percentage of respondents who had either attended or completed college while users were less likely to have graduated from high school.

Total Sample - Number of Children in Household

On average, respondents in this study had two children under the age of 18. There were some interesting differences by age and education. On average, respondents aged 30 to 39 and those without a high school diploma were likely to have more children than younger respondents. In most cases, a respondent household consisted of the mother and her children. Some households included additional residents, but not frequently enough to analyze.

Overall, most respondents did not own their own home. By education, less-educated respondents were also less likely to own their home.

The single mothers included in this study were primarily long-term residents of the state. The majority of respondents have lived in the state for ten or more years. Only a few have moved here within the past year.

Comparing the household profiles of W-2 users and non-users, there was very little difference between the two groups in terms of the number of children or people living in the household.

Home ownership was one of the few areas in which single mothers using W-2 and those who are not were significantly different. Non-users were more likely to own their home while users were more likely to rent.

Overall, there were no significant differences between W-2 users and non-users regarding length of Wisconsin residency.

When asked what they thought to be the most pressing needs of single mothers, respondents were most likely to say child care (48%), money to live on (21%), a decent job (16%), food (14%), health care benefits (13%), shelter (11%) and education (10%). There were no significant differences between W-2 users and non-users in terms of these needs. However younger respondents, in both questions, were more likely to mention child care, while respondents between 40 and 50 were more likely to mention health care benefits.

When respondents were asked about their own most pressing needs, most of the same responses appeared, but in a slightly different order: money to live on (26%), child care (23%), decent jobs (13%), health care benefits (12%), child support payments (9%), food (8%), shelter (8%), clothing (6%) and education (5%).

The rank of the response (determined by the frequency) may indicate priority, each needing to be satisfied before the next can be achieved or even attempted. These single mothers may be saying they need money in order to pay for child care that will allow them to get a decent job. This will then help them to acquire health care benefits, adequate food, and shelter. Again, the personal needs were very similar between W-2 users and non-users. Age was more likely to differentiate needs than W-2 status, with younger mothers more concerned about child care and middle age mothers concerned about health care benefits.

Respondents were asked what they thought were some of the personal circumstances that caused single mothers to apply for assistance programs and services. Most frequently mentioned were lack of money (32%), no child support money (18%), unemployment (16%), lack of education (16%) and no child care (15%). There were no significant differences between W-2 users and non-users in terms of these circumstances.

Respondents were asked about their own personal circumstances that caused them to apply for assistance programs or services. Many of the same responses appeared, but in a slightly different order: lack of money (34%), unemployment (16%), no child care (15%), medical problems (10%), no support system (9%), no child support money (9%), no health insurance (8%), lack of education (7%), and teenage pregnancy (7%). Younger respondents were more likely than 40 to 50 year-old respondents to say a lack of child care caused them to apply for assistance (20% versus 8%). However, respondents 40 to 50 were more likely than younger respondents to say unemployment caused them to apply for assistance (32% versus 12%). W-2 users were more likely than non-users to say a lack of education contributed to their applying for assistance (10% versus 4%).

The majority of single mothers in this study were aware of a service/program that provided assistance to single mothers with financial needs, with about 17% responding "don’t know." Overall, the service or program with the highest level of awareness was W-2, however this higher awareness level was also probably due to its inclusion as a screening question. Other services mentioned by respondents included food stamps (22%), child care (9%), WIC (8%) and health care benefits (8%).

Not all users (69%) mentioned W-2 as a "service or program providing assistance to single mothers with financial needs." Even fewer non-users mentioned it as this particular type of assistance (41%).

There seems to be some confusion regarding the existence of AFDC, especially among the 40 - 50 year-old respondents. Overall, 16% of respondents said they were aware of AFDC as a service or program that assists single mothers, with respondents in the 40 to 50 age category more likely to mention this than younger single mothers (27% versus 15%). In addition, past W-2 users were more likely to mention AFDC than current W-2 users.

Total Sample -Utilization of Services/Programs

Overall, respondents in this study were most likely to say they had used (or were using) food stamps, mentioned by over half of all the single mothers. Other most frequently used services in the past or present included: W-2 (50%), AFDC (31%), health care benefits (27%), child care (17%), Badger Care (9%), WIC (9%) and job training (5%). W-2 users were more likely than non-users to say they had used or were using child care assistance (21% versus 13%) and job training (9% versus 2%).

Strictly speaking about services or programs they had used in the past, respondents in this sample of low income single mothers have had some experience with assistance programs like AFDC and W-2, and have received food stamps, health care benefits and child care. Although more W-2 users than non-users said they had received job training in the past (7% versus 2%), this is a relatively low number mentioning "job training" for those involved in a jobs-oriented program.

In terms of services being used currently, over one-third of the respondents in this sample said they were receiving food stamps. W-2 users were more likely than non-users to say they were currently receiving food stamps, child care and job training. Again, this is a relatively low number mentioning job training for current users of a jobs-oriented program.

 Most Helpful Services

Of the respondents who said they had used assistance or programs (either in the past or present), 38% said food stamps had been the most helpful, followed by health care benefits (24%). W-2 users felt that food stamps (36%), W-2 (29%), health care benefits (23%) and child care (18%) were the most help. Non-users primarily said food stamps and health care benefits were the most helpful (41% and 25% respectively).

 Least Helpful Services

In terms of least helpful, overall respondents said W-2 was the least helpful (18%), while 24% of users said it was the least helpful (it is hypothesized that some non-users applied for W-2 but were turned down or did not accept the assistance). Ten percent of W-2 non-users who probably had experience with AFDC in the past said AFDC was not helpful.

While 34% of the respondents said it was easy to find the services they needed as a single parent (combined 4/5 scores on a 1-5 scale), more (39%) said it was difficult (combined 1/2 scores). This holds true for both users and non-users. This means more work must be done to make sure there is awareness and ease of accessibility of services for single mothers in need.

Respondents who said it was difficult to find the services they needed explained that there "wasn't enough advertising or information available on the services offered" (27%), "applying is a hassle" (16%), "they don't provide aid or deny you service" (7%) and "the staff is rude" (7%).

W-2 Attitudes and Perceptions

All respondents were asked "Some people think there are problems wih the present W-2 system. Do you think there is a problem?" The majority of respondents said "yes" (63%). Users were more likely than non-users to say "yes" (71% versus 55%).

In 1991, respondents were asked whether or not they thought there was a problem with the present "welfare system." In 2000, respondents were asked if they thought there was a problem with "W-2." Comparing the results reveal more similarities in perception in 1991 than in 2000. Users were more likely than non-users in 2000 to believe there is a problem with W-2. There is more uncertainty among non-users about the W-2 system.

Respondents were very clear about what they thought the problems were with W-2. Wisconsin Works "didn't provide adequate training" (13%), the "money received is not adequate for support" (12%) and the "program was unorganized" (11%). There were no statistically significant differences between users and non-users in terms of these perceptions.

What do you think is the problem with the present W-2 system?
	Total
N =	250
Don’t provide adequate training	12.8
Money received is not adequate for support	11.6
Program is unorganized/hassle to go through	11.2
Staff is rude/uncaring	8.0
Services are too slow	7.2
Staff is unorganized/not helpful	5.2
Work hard for little pay/minimum wage	3.6
Cut off when you get a job/make money	3.6
System is too strict	3.6
Time limit to find job/day care is not long enough	3.6
People abuse the program	3.2
Cannot receive aid while attending school	2.8
Case workers unavailable/hard to reach	2.8
Daytime only availability of case worker/training program jeopardizes job	2.4
Programs should be individualized to each person’s needs	2.4
Difficult to get help finding/funding child care	2.4
Hard to get/denied assistance	2.4
Lack of knowledgeable staff	2.0
Lack of communication from case/social workers	2.0
Program not helpful/doesn’t work	2.0
Source: Data Table 32 Note: Responses mentioned by 2% or more are shown.

Interestingly, in 1991 respondents were more likely to say that the problem with the AFDC system was that it invited abuses and welfare fraud by recipients, while in 2000, respondents were more likely to say that the problem with the W-2 program was the program itself, specifically the quality of the job training offered, the organization of the program and uncaring staff.

Attitudes Toward W-2

Respondents were read a series of statements regarding W-2 and asked how much they agreed or disagreed with each statement (using a 1-5 scale with "1" meaning "strongly disagree" and "5" meaning "strongly agree"). Most respondents were likely to agree with:

	"W-2 should have a plan to address the specific needs of each participant" (79%)
	"W-2 is an improvement on AFDC because it requires people to work" (59%)

They were least likely to agree with:

"People on W-2 are lazy" (23%)

There were no statistically significant differences between W-2 users and non-users in response to all but one of these statements. The one exception was users were more likely than non-users to agree that "people on W-2 abuse the system" (44% versus 33%).

Some of the same statements were read to respondents in 1991 and 2000, which are presented below. (However, in 1991 the reference was toward AFDC/"welfare"; in 2000, the reference was "W-2"). What the comparison reveals is that respondents were more likely to feel people were abusing the system in 1991 than in 2000. In addition, it is interesting that in 2000 it is more likely the users who feel W-2 can be abused, which was not the case in 1991.

Level of Top Agreement (Percent 4/5 Ratings) With Statements: 1991 versus 2000
	1991 (N = 400)	2000 (N = 400)
"People on welfare should be able to pull themselves up by their own bootstraps and get jobs"	52.5%	49.8%
"People (on welfare/on W-2) abuse the system"	51.0%	38.5%
"Taxpayers should help support those who are less fortunate"	49.3%	41.3%
"It is not the fault of the individual for (going on welfare/using the services of W- 2)"	47.5%	45.0%
"People (on welfare/W-2) are lazy"	24.0%	22.5%
Source: Data Tables 33 (2000) and 28, 29, 33, 34, 36 (1991)

Suggestions for Improving W-2

Respondents were asked what they would suggest to improve the W-2 program. They suggested "better job training" (17%), a more "individualized program" for each person (16%), "better jobs" (9%), "better day care" (7%) and "improving the attitudes of case workers" (7%). There were no significant differences between users and non-users.

If you were in charge of W-2, what would you do to improve the program?
	Total
N =	400
Provide more/better training	16.5
Program should be more individualized to each case	15.8
Provide better jobs - more pay	9.3
Provide better day care	6.8
Improve attitude of case workers - less rude	6.5
Help those who really need help	5.8
Allow/provide schooling	5.8
Be more sympathetic/less strict with rules and regulations	3.5
Make participant get a job	3.3
Offer more variety/choice of job training	3.3
Make sure participant is provided with enough money to support family	3.3
Extend time allowed to be on program	3.0
Don't use/unfamiliar with program	3.0
Train case workers better	2.3
Provide transportation to work	2.0
Source: Data Table 44 Note: Responses mentioned by 2% or more of the total sample are shown.

 It is worth noting that in 1991, respondents viewed more education (31%), jobs (23%) job training (22%) and quality child care (18%) as ways of getting people off AFDC. Although a different question in 2000, respondents believe the W-2 program should be improved, especially in the area of better job training and better jobs.

Level of Agreement/Disagreement with Suggestions to Help Single Mothers

Respondents were read a series of suggestions that have been proposed as a way of helping single mothers get off financial assistance programs and asked how much they agreed or disagreed with each statement (scale of 1 to 5). Over 80% of the respondents were likely to agree with these suggestions:

	"Making affordable day care available for mothers who want to work" (94%)
	"Job training" (91%)· "Employers offering apprenticeship programs where single mothers can try out a job"(89%)
	"Centralized services located in the immediate neighborhood" (89%)
	"Affordable health care" (88%)
	"Education on how to handle money" (84%)

There were no statistically significant differences between W-2 users and non-users for the level of agreement with these suggestions.

Some of these same suggestions were read to respondents in 1991. The following table is a comparison of "agree" responses (combined 4/5). What the comparison reveals is that there have been few changes in the level of agreement with these same suggestions as a way of helping people get of assistance programs. Those most immediately affected believe affordable job care, job training, employer-sponsored apprentice programs and affordable health care are keys to getting people off assistance.

Level of Agreement (Percent 4/5 on 1-5 Scale) with Suggestions to Get (People/Single Mothers) Off of (Welfare/Financial Assistance Programs): 1991 versus 2000
	1991 (N = 400)	2000 (N = 400)
"Making affordable day care available"	92.0%	93.5%
"Job training"	91.3%	91.3%
"Employer offered apprentice programs"	91.3%	89.3%
"Affordable health care"	90.0%	87.5%
"Education on how to handle money"	75.0%	83.5%
"Birth control education"	74.3%	76.3%
"Social workers who can determine the problem and suggest solutions"	68.8%	70.0%
Source: Data Tables 45 (2000) and 38-44 (1991)

 Response to Requirement of Performing Community Service

When asked if "society has the right to require W-2 recipients who are in good health to perform some kind of community service to help work off the financial aid, 56% of the respondents in this study said "yes." Thirty-one percent said "no."

W-2 users were more likely than non-users to believe in community service in exchange for their aid (62% versus 50%).

In 1991, respondents were more likely to agree that AFDC recipients should perform some sort of community service to help work off their aid. Non-recipients were the ones who were more likely to feel this way (73% versus 59%). Conversely, in 2000, it is W-2 users who were more likely than non-users to agree recipients should perform some kind of community service (62% versus 50%).

Agreement/Disagreement with Statement: 1991 versus 2000 "Society has the right to require (Welfare/W-2 recipients), in good health, to perform some kind of community service to help work off the financial assistance?"
	1991 (N = 400)	2000 (N = 400)
Yes	65.8%	55.8%
No	15.8%	30.5%
Maybe	7.3%	8.3%
Don't know	11.0%	5.5%
Refused	0.3%	- -
Source: Data Tables 54 (2000) and 46 (1991)

Reasons for Believing Recipients Should Perform Community Service

The reasons most people said they thought W-2 recipients should perform community service to work off the aid were explanations that "people should give back" (32%) and "healthy people should work" (21%). Non-users of W-2 were more likely than W-2 users to say that participants should give back (39% versus 26%).

Why do you say that? ("Yes" responses)
	Total
N =	223
Participant should pay/give back for their assistance	31.8
Healthy people should work	20.6
Get person out of house for work experience	13.0
People abuse system/won't work	7.6
Chance to help others/community	5.8
Motivates/gives sense of responsibility	4.9
Source: Data Table 56 Note: Responses mentioned by 4.9% or more are shown.

Response to Limiting Assistance When Recipients Do Not Perform Service

When asked if "society has the right to limit or cut off assistance when recipients do not perform service to work off their financial assistance," 47% of the respondents in this study said "yes." Thirty-six percent said "no."

There were no statistically significant differences between the response of W-2 users and non-users.

Comparing the results of 1991 to 2000 reveals that today, respondents are more likely to believe that assistance should be cut off if recipients do not perform service to work off their assistance.

Agreement/Disagreement with Statement: 1991 versus 2000 "Society has the right to cut off assistance when recipients do not perform service to work off their financial assistance?"
	1991 (N = 400)	2000 (N = 400)
Yes	33.5%	47.3%
No	34.0%	35.5%
Maybe	15.5%	11.3%
Don't know	16.5%	6.0%
Refused	0.5%	- -
Source: Data Tables 59 (2000) and 50 (1991)

Reasons for Believing Assistance Should be Cut Off

The reasons most people said they thought "society has the right to limit or cut off assistance when recipients do not perform service to work off their financial assistance," were that work should be a requirement for the aid (30%) and "people should not be allowed to abuse the system" (21%). Interestingly, W-2 users were more likely than non-users to say "you shouldn't get something for nothing" (12% versus 3%).

Why do you say that? ("Yes" responses)
	Total
N =	189
If they don't work, they should be cut off/it's a requirement to work	29.6
People should not be allowed to abuse the program	20.6
People should work if capable	9.0
Shouldn't get something for nothing	7.9
Should be willing to help when they are being helped	5.8
Motivates/gives sense of responsibility	2.6
Should be decided on a case-by-case basis	2.1
Should have time limit/warning before cutting off	2.1
Source: Data Table 61 Note: Responses mentioned by 2.1% or more are shown.

Needs/Methods for Getting Off W-2

What Current Users Would Need to Get Off W-2

All current users of W-2 were asked what they would need to get off and stay off W-2. The most frequently mentioned answers were "a good paying job" (20%), child care (18%), "more education" (14%), a "good job" (12%) and "job training" (9%). These responses were very similar to the focus group results where users complained about dead-end jobs and training that would only get them into a minimum wage job. What users want are quality jobs and job training. They want a job with benefits. They see quality child care and more education as important tools to getting off W-2.

How Past Users Were Able To Get off W-2

Past users of W-2 were asked how were they able to get off W-2. The answer was quite simple, with 63% saying they "got a job." However, other people gave comments like going to school, being cut off W-2, and leaving the program because they were unhappy.

Have Non-Users Ever Looked Into W-2 or Other Programs

Non-users were asked if there ever was a time in their lives when circumstances made it necessary to look into "W-2, food stamps or other financial assistance programs." The majority of respondents said "yes" (82%).

Acceptance of Assistance

Of the 82% of the non-users who did look into assistance, the majority (85%) did accept the assistance. As was previously noted, many of the non-users had used food stamps, AFDC, or health care benefits in the past.

Did Not Accept Assistance

Those non-users who did not accept the assistance said they were either denied the assistance or they got a job. A few said they got assistance from their family.

Employment/Training Needs

Status of Employment

When asked if they were presently employed, 67% of the respondents in this sample said "yes." Seventy percent of the non-users said they were employed and 65% of the users said they were employed (primarily past users of W-2). Approximately 30% - 35% were not employed. The seemingly high reported employment rates of this sample may reflect several things:

	The low unemployment rate compared to 8-9 years ago
	Prevalence of low paying minimum wage jobs
	Work requirement for W-2

Employment Status of Current and Past Users of W-2

Isolating W-2 users reveals that past users were more likely to say they were employed than current users (76% versus 41%). Conversely, current users were more likely than past users to say they were not employed (58% versus 23%).

Are you presently employed?
		W-2 Users
	Total	Total	Past	Current	Non- Users
N =	400	200	134	66	200
Yes	67.3	64.5	76.1	40.9	70.0
No	31.8	34.5	23.1	57.6	29.0
Refused	1.0	1.0	0.7	1.5	1.0
Source: Data Table 73

Full or Part-Time Employment

Comparing the employment status of the various segments represented in this sample reveals the following information:

	Only about half of the total respondents are working full-time.
	Approximately 46% are unemployed (32%) or working part-time (14%).
	Past W-2 users were more likely than current W-2 users to say they are working full-time.· A large number (58%) of current W-2 users said they are not employed (58%). Including those working part-time (12%), the majority of current users are either unemployed or working part-time (70%).

 

Full or Part-time Employment Status
		W-2 Users
	Total	Total	Past	Current	Non- Users
N =	400	200	200	134	66
Employed	67.3	64.5	70.0	76.1	40.9
Full-Time	53.5	52.5	54.5	64.2	28.8
Part-Time	13.8	12.0	15.5	11.9	12.1
Not Employed	31.8	34.5	29.0	23.1	57.6
Refused	1.0	1.0	1.0	0.7	1.5
Source: Data Tables 73-74

Occupations

When asked what their occupation was, approximately 38% of the respondents in this sample said they were in some kind of service work. Interestingly, there were some skilled professions represented in this sample. This was also the case in the focus groups where there were respondents who said they had a profession but could not get a job in their field. Moreover, there were respondents who said they often worked two jobs at a time because they couldn't get the hours or benefits at either place.

What is your job or occupation?
	Total
N =	269
Service worker	38.3
Certified Nursing Assistant	10.8
Operators/fabricators/laborers	7.4
Administrative support/clerical	7.1
Nurse/nurse assistant	5.9
Managerial	5.2
Teaching	4.5
Health care - general	3.3
Sales	2.2
Job in finance/accounting	1.9
Case/Social worker	1.9
Telemarketing	1.1
Misc. professional	0.4
All others	10.0
Source: Data Table 75

 What Job Would Respondents Take

When asked what job they would take if it were available tomorrow, respondents were most likely to say "service work" (20%). Users were more likely than non-users to say they would take a clerical job (16% versus 6%) or health care job (8% versus 3%).

When asked if they were qualified right now to do the job, 68% of the respondents said "yes." Both users and non-users said they were qualified. This was a frustration focus groups respondents felt -- not being able to work in a field they felt they were qualified to work in.

To the best of your knowledge, are you qualified for the job right now?
	Total	Users	Non-Users
N =	400	200	200
Yes	68.0	71.5	64.5
No	27.3	23.5	31.0
Refused	4.8	5.0	4.5
Source: Data Table 72

Job Training

Very few of the respondents in this sample of respondents said they were receiving any job training. It appears that whether W-2 user or non-user, they do not consider that they are receiving training or skills on the job.

Education

When asked if they were presently going to school, most of the respondents (82%) in this sample said "no." Considering this and the fact that only 6% were receiving job training presents a picture that this segment of the population is not receiving any quality job training nor pursuing their education.

Educational Goals

The few respondents who were going to school were pursuing their GED or taking college courses. While W-2 users were more likely than non-users to say they were getting their GED (49% versus 16%), non-users were more likely than users to say they were taking college courses (39% versus 16%).

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