TY  - JOUR
AU  - Levine,Phillip B.
AU  - Zimmerman,David J.
TI  - An Empirical Analysis of the Welfare Magnet Debate Using the NLSY
JF  - National Bureau of Economic Research Working Paper Series
VL  - No. 5264
PY  - 1995
Y2  - September 1995
UR  - http://www.nber.org/papers/w5264
L1  - http://www.nber.org/papers/w5264.pdf
N1  - Author contact info:
Phillip B. Levine
Department of Economics
Wellesley College
106 Central Street
Wellesley, MA 02481
Tel: 781/283-2162
Fax: 781/283-2177
E-Mail: plevine@wellesley.edu

David Zimmerman
Department of Economics
Williams College
South Academic Building
24 Hopkins Hall Drive
Williamstown, MA  01267
Tel: 413/597-2192
Fax: 413/597-4045
E-Mail: David.J.Zimmerman@williams.edu
AB  - This paper examines the extent to which differences in welfare generosity across states leads to interstate migration.  Using microdata from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY) between 1979 and 1992, we employ a quasi-experimental design that utilizes the categorical eligibility of the welfare system.  The pattern of cross-state moves among poor single women with children who are likely to be eligible for benefits is compared to the pattern among other poor households.  We find little evidence indicating that welfare-induced migration is a widespread phenomenon.
ER  -